Art | Resources
Outgassing treadmill?
Question from thedavisfamily
Hi Debra,
Thanks for your time. I bought a treadmill in July, and it STILL smells horrible – there’s a very strong plastic odor. I haven’t used it yet because of the smell – if it bothers me to be in the same room with it (I have it in my laundry room right now since no one really goes in there), I don’t know how in the world I could exercise on it. Do you have any suggestions for getting rid of the smell, or do I need to try to return it and buy something used? I have no idea if heat would work on something like this.
Thanks and best,
Melissa
Debra’s Answer
Heat will reduce the outgassing of almost anything, so it’s always worth a try. I understand about the outgassing of exercise equipment. I can’t even go in a gym, let alone exercise in one. And you wouldn’t want to be breathing in all those chemicals while you are exercising.
I don’t have any experience with how long it takes to outgas exercise equipment. Readers, any experience with this?
I simply walk outdoors or around the house or at the mall if it’s too hot and I need to walk someplace with air conditioning. I’m very happy it’s getting to be autumn because our winters here in Florida are beautiful and a wonderful time to walk outdoors.
The Green Office
One-stop shopping for green office products. Icons make it easy to see green features of thousands of products at a glance, and separate the green products on the site from conventional office products. Mouseover the recycled icon, for example, and it will tell you instantly the percentage of recycled content of the product and percentage of post-consumer content. "We take the research out of responsible shopping by labeling and ranking our catalog by greenness, allowing you to balance price, performance, and sustainability." Discounts up to 75% off list. They also have consultants who will help you green your office.
Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm
Everything you need for indoor and outdoor worm composting…including Red Wiggler worms (the best for worm composting, and hard to find in some places.
Baby Eco Trends
A one-stop shop for “green baby must-haves that we can count on to be safe, socially responsible and sustainable. With concern for the health of the planet as well as the health of our family, we work hard to find products that are ecologically friendly and have minimal footprints. Whenever possible, we opt for organic, USA made, sustainable and cruelty free products.” Products include baby Crib, changing tables and dresers, Moses baskets and cradles, baby mattresses and bedding, rocking chairs and gliders, children’s furniture, nursery art, baby toys, baby clothing and gear, strollers, and diapers and diapering accessories. Lots of selection in one place. Good descriptions of health and environmental attributes of each product. Make sure you request formaldehyde-free paints and stains!
Zinsser Bull’s Eye Shellac
This wood finish is composed of a natural resin secreted by the tiny lac insect. After laying its eggs on certain trees in India and Thailand, and ingesting the sap of those trees, the lac secretes the digested tree sap to cover it's swarm of eggs. Upon contact with air, the secretion forms into a hard shell, thus the name. It's literally the shell of the lac insect. After the young insects are born, the remaining shell is harvested to make shellac. It is soaked in water and dried in the sun. It is then dissolved into ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and methyl isobutyl ketone. Once it is applied and the volatile solvents evaporate, what is left is the natural shell, just as it is produced by the insect. Shellac gives a natural protective coating to wood, can block odors (can be used to seal formaldehyde odors from particleboard), and can be tinted. Shellac is UV resistant and will not yellow or darken with age. Dry shellac is so safe, it is certified by the Food and Drug Administration as a protective glaze for candy and pharmaceuticals. Read their detailed brochure "The Story of Shellac" which details the history and manufacturing process. NOTE: While dry shellac is completely natural and nontoxic when dry, in the can it has toxic solvents. Be sure to apply in a well-ventilated area and take appropriate precautions.
Cat Vaccines
Question from Cheryl3
At some point we have to board our cats–either at a boarding facility or our vet’s (we’re leaning toward our vet). We’re trying to decide whether or not to have them vaccinated against Feline Leukemia (Felv). It isn’t required for indoor cats which ours are, however, boarding, unfortunately, places them at a higher risk because they can get it from bowls that aren’t disinfected properly or even hissing due the saliva involved. They wouldn’t have any other direct contact, but there could be hissing. Rare problems can arise from these vaccines, so I’m trying to decide if the benefits out weigh the risks. I’ve done a lot of research, but besides other vaccines which are absolutely required for boarding (and which our cats have), I did not find a lot of info about whether the increased risk of boarding justifies this particular vaccine. Any insight is greatly appreciated, as always.
Debra’s Answer
Readers? Anyone with experience with this?
Difference between oil-based and water-based polyurethane for furniture
Question from heavensabvus1
I would like to make sure that I understand the toxicity of the polyurethane that you would either brush on, or wipe on furniture, i.e., something like Minwax.
I believe I read here that the toxicity is in the solvents and once the polyurethane has cured that it is non-toxic.
So is it simply a matter of toxocity while it still smells and is curing and both would be inert once cured (which I think is 48 hours)?
Would that apply to both oil and water-based?
The only rub-on poly (for a hand rubbed look) I can find is oil-based. I do have good ventilation, can run air filters and even put it in a separate room while it cures, but I’m concerned about the difference after it cures (ongoing toxicity). Thanks.
Debra’s Answer
Yes, the toxicity of polyurethane is in the solvent, not the polyurethane itself, and once it dries both are nontoxic.
However, the oil-based solvents are VERY toxic and they do NOT dry in 48 hours. I do not recommend them.
Use the water-based with good ventilation. Water-based should dry in 48 hours.
Waterbeds
Question from krissie
Would like to know if anyone has any information on how safe waterbeds are. Including any and all information…..such as magnetic fields, molds, chemicals used to keep mold away in mattress parts, heater safety in regards to body, mattress itself, etc……
thank you so much!
Krissie
Debra’s Answer
Readers? I haven’t researched waterbeds in detail since so much plastic is involved.
Washing dishes
Question from petercsantoro@yahoo.com
I always hand wash my dishes in hot water; I don’t really use the dishwasher. Do you recommend using gloves? We have the Radiant Life whole house water filtration system, as well as the water purification system ( for drinking). However, I am concerned it’s not enough after reading the section on water in “Home Safe Home.” I am wondering if I should protect my hands from chemicals that migt still be present. Also, do you still use Castile soap for dishes? I bought Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap to wash dishes and baby bottles/ parts, but notice it’s not 100% pure. What do you recommend? Thank you!
Debra’s Answer
I personally wash my dishes by hand in the same water I shower in, because it all goes through my whole house filter. Sounds like you have the same situation. I don’t use additional gloves. I also don’t soak my hands in water. I just put the soap in one of the pots or bowl, dip the sponge in, the wash the item with the sponge, and rinse.
What part of Dr Bronner’s organic liquid soap do you think is not pure? I just looked at the ingredient list. Looks pure to me.
Yellow Branch Cheese
Farmstead cheeses made from an original recipe. “The distinctive flavor of the hand-crafted cheese results from the high quality of the milk and the variety of grasses and herbs growing in the pastures…The dairy is pasture-based and managed using sustainable practices. Our pasture and hay fields are managed organically. We strive to provide our cows with a stress free environment. Growth hormones are not used and antibiotics are used therapeutically and as a last option… The only ingredients in the cheese are whole unpasteurized milk, microbial rennet, culture and Celtic Sea Salt.”
