Question from Elke Hutton

Hi!

I will be moving soon and the previous renter of my new place has used bounce in the dryer. Short of buying a new machine, which I would like to try and avoid at this stage of the game, I was wondering if there is anything I could do to try and remove the oily residue.

I have MCS and will react to dryer sheets.

I was considering running towels soaked in vingear through it and that is probably successful in removing the residue from the drum, but what about the inside of the dryer?

Does anyone have any experience with this? I would appreciate your input and suggestions.

Thanks,

Debra’s Answer

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Question from id

Hello Debra,

Is porcelain flooring a safe eco-friendly floor?

Debra’s Answer

I’m assuming you mean porcelain tile flooring.

Yes, porcelain tile is safe as long as you don’t apply a toxic grout sealer. Use the one made by AFM.

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Question from R.M.

I’m wondering if anyone knows of any non-toxic or less-toxic (both in terms of health and environmental impact) freezer pack–something one would pack with food to keep it cold on a car trip.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Debra’s Answer

Reusablebags.com has a product called “Cool Totes” (search for it on their site) which is an insulated lunch bag with a nontoxic freezer pack. I actually have one leftover from a television show I did on back-to-school products, and there is no odor that I can detect.

The outer shell appears to be nylon. The Thermo Tek™ insulation is made from recycled plastic soda bottles.

A “nontoxic” reusable freezer pack included, which sits in a separate interior pocket. It “stays cold 3X as long as regular ice with no watery mess”. I don’t see that they sell this pack separately, but you could ask.

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Question from Lauri

I have the Kenmore HE3 front loading washer and use an HE liquid detergent. I would like to know how and where to add Borax to the washing cycle.

Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

When I do my laundry in a top-loader, I just add everything at the beginning.

Readers, what’s you’re advice for front-loaders?

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Question from Michelle DiBenedetto

I am searching for anyone who has been through this treatment. EPD is practiced in other countries and LDA in the US. I am considering it for my 8 year old…but I really want some feedback, and have not been able to find anyone who has tried it. Anybody out there??

Michelle in NC

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Question from jackie

Hi,

I have a large pile of very moldy smelling laundry thanks to a flood of my linen closet. I have tried vinegar by itself, baking soda by itself, and a combination of both all used in hot water with a cold rinse. How can I get rid of the smell permanently without having to throw away all my good linens? I am allergic to mold and have MCS so perfumey laundry soaps and softeners aren’t even an option.

Please help!!!! 🙂

Jackie

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Terri Audino Dluhy

We are having a tick epidemic here in the Tampa Bay Area. I have found several on me but none on the dogs yet. Other dog owners are also becoming quite concerned about the amount of ticks they are pulling off their animals on a daily basis.

I do not spray my house or yard with pesticides. We use diatomaceous earth outside for fleas and have had no problems. I am told that has no effect on ticks.

Do you have any suggestions for treating the yard? I also do not use commercial flea control on the dogs. Just natural foods and essential oils topically.

I am concerned because I did have Lyme disease and one was found imbedded in me. I don’t know the bigger risk – pesticides or threat of disease. I also have had environmental poisoning. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Eve

I have purchased a used computer from someone who smokes and never dreamed it would be saturated with smoke to the extent that it is. When it is running, the smell is overwhelming and I can’t stand to sit next to it very long. I’m very chemically sensitive anyway. I’ve burned bees wax candles all around it, and sprayed a non-toxic TKO orange air freshener around it too, but it just reeks.

I sure would appreciate any ideas anyone has on what to do. I thought of taking it outside and plugging it in and just letting it run and run, but am afraid knats and small bugs will get into it and ruin it. It would probably take a long time to get out all the smell that way anyway.

Thank you!

Eve in Texas

Debra’s Answer

Hmmmmm….I’ve never encountered this before.

Readers, any ideas?

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Question from Samantha

Hello,

Where I live, it’s not easy to find many environmentally friendly products, so I was excited to find a low VOC paint by CIL being sold in a local hardware store…until I saw that it contained Teflon! I wouldn’t really be worried about it, as we won’t be ingesting the paint – except that we have a pet bird, and I’m wondering if Teflon in paint would have the same lethal effect on birds that Teflon on cookware does? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Sincerely,

Samantha.

Debra’s Answer

My thoughts are that it wouldn’t have the same effect as Teflon cookware because it isn’t being heated to such high temperatures. However…it will be heated when you turn on the heat in your house. I don’t know if that’s enough to cause a problem.

Anyway, they seem unclear on the concept of a green product. I would choose another brand.

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Question from dt

i want to use a grill simalar to the george foreman grill but without the teflon do you have any suggestions? whats your opinion of cuisinart grills? thanks dt

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t researched these grills myself. Has anyone found such a grill without a Teflon finish?

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