Question from Ellen Yamamoto

Does you know of a good waterproof table cloth alternative to the plastic or vinyl table cloths?

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from LB

I am interested in having lightweight plates, bowls, and cups that would be particularly appropriate for using outdoors (picnic style, if you will). I’d rather not use plastic and am considering enameled tinware and am interested in what life cycle, health, etc. issues I should be considering with this choice. Thoughts?

Debra’s Answer

I don’t have a full lifecycle analysis of enameled tinware, but here’s what I can tell you.

Tinware is made of sheet steel coated with tin. Enameled tinware has a layer of enamel. It is extremely durable and can be reused for many years, which is an environmental benefit. The environmental downside is that metal and enamel manufacturing is pretty toxic, even though the end result is quite inert.

Compared to plastic, I believe it is a better choice because it is less toxic and more durable.

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Question from papamaui

My German Shepherd dog has a beautiful glossy coat that stays flea and tick free with the following Daily Diet:

1 cup of Merrick Holistic Dry Food (she likes the Campfire Trout Feast best. If I can’t get Merrick, I buy whatever natural, holistic dry food is available.

1 Ground Sirloin patty, RAW that I buy from Costco. They also have Ground Beef but it has a lot more fat content.)

2 fresh eggs RAW from our range free chickens mixed in,

Supplements: 4 GARLIC CHEWABLES and 2 FRESH FACTORS tabs that I buy from www.springtimeinc.com. (I use a large kitchen knife to reduce the tabs to a coarse power and add 1/3 to 1/4 cup warm water and stir to make the gravy.)

I live in Hawaii and fleas and ticks love our year around tropical climate and this diet does the job better than anything I’ve ever tried! I don’t use any commercial flea or tick products at all.

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Susan

I am remodeling 2 bathrooms and I want to make sure I am doing it as least toxic as possible. I have a small child with special needs who does not have a strong immune system.

My contractor told me he typically uses Tec Full Flex (latex modified thin set mortar) for floors and Tec Double Duty (ceramic tile adhesive for walls & floors) for walls. What are the least toxic alternatives to these products?

Also, what other products should I purchase and have on hand to ensure a safe remodel?

There are sooo many products out there so any and all advice is GREATLY appreciated!

Susan

Debra’s Answer

The most complete answer I can give you is to direct you to my ebook Debra’s Guide to Creating a Green Bathroom. It shows exactly what I did in my own bathroom to make it nontoxic and eco-friendly, including a list of all the brand name products I used.

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Question from Catherine

Hi,

I am trying to offgass a room that had been painted with regular paint three months ago, the smell is still very strong and cannot go into those rooms. I read someones comment here a while back that the heat needs to get just over 100* to work.

( I cannot find the post)

I have tried to find a way to do this but am not having any luck. All the space heaters have thermostat regulators that only go to 80* or they use propane (thats not going to happen:)I desperately need to get this done so I can live a relatively normal exisistance (and that is putting it gently:) if you have knowledge of what heaters will work and where I can get them I would appreciate the help.

My friend said he worked in an autobody shop and they used infrared heaters, but would not know how or where I could get on to use.

Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I just use a space heater or the central heat. And it doesn’t need to get to 100 degrees.

But it shouldn’t take three months. Exactly what kind of paint did you use?

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Question from chris

Okay, need a little help. My bassets have been fed Flint River Ranch dry dog food all their lives. Like everything else it has gone up in price significantly over the past year…around $68.00/40#. I have been laid off of work and I need to re-examine expenses in all areas of my life to sustain. I am thinking about seeking out another brand of dog food that is less expensive but provides a comparable nutritional diet. Can you make a recommendation?

Unemployed Chris

Debra’s Answer

Readers? (I don’t have a dog).

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Question from Reenie

I saw packets of a product I think was called Damp Rid at a home where I was green cleaning. It smells a lot like moth balls. Is this stuff safe? Toxic?

Debra’s Answer

According to the Damp Rid MSDS, the freshener pack is mostly natural bentonite clay, plus a little silica gel (glass is silica), and a few polyethylene fibers ( which are not toxic).

MSDS generally don’t list any fragrance that may be in the product, as it is not considered hazardous by the MSDS regulations.

Aside from any fragrance, there’s nothing else in this product that is a toxic chemical. These ingredients are listed as a dust hazard.

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Question from ELISABETH the next Great Performer

people wonder WHAT they can freeze safely in – HERE’s THE answer

VACUUM SEALED Wide Mouth KERR JARS

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VACUUMM SEALED-Brown paper wraped BIG food -put into big zip locks that are rinsed 5 X to get off surface residues & smell

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Debra’s Answer

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Question from liz

Hi Debra and other readers,

Looking for a non-toxic daybed, settee, or sofa, and found one at www.eco-terric.com/linden-daybed.html.

Does anyone out there have experience with this product or others from that company, or, if not, a suggestion for high-quality but not designer-priced wool and/or latex-based living room furniture?

TIA for your reply, and, thanks to Debra for the site.

Liz in Virginia

Debra’s Answer

I have personally seen this furniture on display and found it beautiful and well-made as well as nontoxic. I would buy this furniture myself if I were in the market for furniture. I don’t have any long-term experience with owning it. Readers?

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Question from Melissa D

Hi Debra,

My HOA decided to repaint the parking lots in my townhouse community with some foul-smelling, tar-like substance that is sprayed out of hoses. It smells HORRENDOUS, especially since it is 90 degrees here in Maryland with VERY high humidity. It nearly knocks me over when I open the door. I am wondering if you know how long it normally takes for this stench/toxin to dissipate?

I have a toddler who loves playing outside, so I have been confining him to the deck…but now it smells back there, too.

My kitchen faces the parking lot, and I feel nauseous when I sit at the table (like right now).

Any thoughts on how toxic this stuff is?

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions – I appreciate your time!

Debra’s Answer

I would say very toxic, but it is likely to cure fairly fast in the hot summer sun.

Any possibility you could stay someplace else temporarily, with family or a friend, or, best..how about a little seaside vacation where there is clean air?

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