Question from Ruth

Does a bake-out work for new furniture? Our new sofa is leather with 40% polyurethan cushions. The leather smell is very faint as is the coffee table’s varnish smell. However, something is bothering me.

Debra’s Answer

Yes, you can try baking it, but it might be difficult for the heat to penetrate the cushions.

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Question from Anne

Hello! Hoping that someone out there can recommend a nontoxic rigid gas permeable contact lens solution? The one I currently use is a multipurpose solution that disinfects and soaks. It’s convenient, but I’m nervous about the chemicals in it.

Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from BF

I have a glass stove top. Someone told me to purchase the tiny star shaped ring for my Corning Ware and glass pots. I have purchased them, very inexpensive. Is it safe to use these on a glass top stove? Bennie

Debra’s Answer

I don’t see why not, however, call the manufacturer of your stove top. They would know best.

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Question from Dana

When you substitue agave for regular sugar do you use the same amount or is it different?

Thanks, Dana

Debra’s Answer

Same amount or even a bit less. But you may need to reduce the amount of liquid in the recipe by about a quarter because sugar is a dry sweetener and agave is a liquid sweetener. Depends on what you are making.

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Question from Kristen

hi Debra,

At 7 1/2 months pregnant with second child, I just found out a leaked battery on a baby mobile on my toddler’s crib next to our bed. I was aware that the battery was all used up and was not working for several months, but did not remove it.

THanks as always,

KRISTEN

Debra’s Answer

I would suggest that you contact Customer Service for the brand of battery and ask them these questions, specific to the battery you have.

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Question from Lee

My husband and I are looking for a homeopathic remedy for ADD. We want to find a product that contains nutrients that maintain normal brain stimulation levels. We are looking at a Focus Attention product that is all natural (from Nature’s Sunshine). It is supposed to be taken with Flaxseed Oil. My son is 13 and we do not want to put him on Focalin or any stimulant.

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Any suggestions?

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Question from Lena Rothman

I’m wondering if you or anyone on this site has any info on Red40LAKE; Yellow5&6 LAKE:RED 40;Blue1&2LAKE(WHAT DOES LAKE MEAN!?);Yellow5 and carnauba wax. These jelly beans are given out to adults that suffer with headaches and possible neurologic problems. I’m wondering if there could be a connection. I’d like to research it myself but have no idea where to glean the information. The gov’t sites say pretty much anything is safe and we know better. Any leads? Thank you in advance.

Debra’s Answer

A Consumer’s Dictionary of Food Additives covers all the food colorings and other food additives–what they are made of and their health effects. Also see the Feingold Association website.

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Question from lori

Hi Debra,

Both fiberglass and steel doors have a solid polyurethane foam core, is this safe if it is contained within the door?

And most of the doors come primed, should it be re-primed with safe materials. What would you recommend?

Thank you so much.

Debra’s Answer

I have a steel exterior door and I can tell you there is no odor at all. The interior material is completely contained and the exterior finish is baked on. I have also painted this door and had no problems. The pain adhered to the finish beautifully.

I don’t have any experience with fiberglass doors. Readers?

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Question from Victor

Hi Debra,

I am looking for a decent drinking water filter… can’t afford the best for now, but so far I’ve had Brita and Pur, and am (quite) a bit less than happy. Soo, after a few days’ research I came across crystal quest’s countertop filters that seem the best I can afford for now. What is your opinion about those?

Many thanks,

Victor

Debra’s Answer

I went to the Crystal Quest website and looked at their countertop filter.

It has six stages of filtration:

1 – particle filter that removes suspended particles such as silt, sediment, cyst (Giardia, Cryptosporidium), sand, rust, dirt, and other un-dissolved matter.

2 and 3 – KDF made from copper and zinc, which instantly removes chlorine as well as heavy metals such as lead, mercury, copper, nickel, chromium, cadmium, aluminum, and other dissolved metals.

4 – ion exchange resins, reducing heavy metals such as lead, copper, aluminum, and water hardness.

5 – granulated activated carbon (GAC), which removes, again, chlorine (99.9%), chemicals linked to cancer (THM’s, benzine) pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), PCB’s, MTBE’s and hundreds of other chemical contaminants (which may or may not be in your water).

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Question from Sandy

Hi Debra, I wrote to you the other day concerning perhaps the coil in our new electric furnace/ heat pump. In talking with my husband later he said we do not have a coil, we have a heat strip. Have you ever heard of any chemical outgassing problems or concerns with this? Thanks s

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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