Question from Ronda

We are moving into a house that is 22 years old. We are taking out all the carpet and replacing it with prefinished hardwood.

Should we rip out all the plywood (maybe MDF) and glue the hardwood to the concrete or do you think it would have completely out gassed by now and is safe to leave in?

Also, the moisture barriers that I’ve seen today are in a liqued form that are brushed on the concrete. How do I know if the liquid moisture barrier is safe? Lumber Liquidators uses a brand called Mapei for their adhesives and liqued moisture barrier.

Thanks so much for all your wonderful help!!

Debra’s Answer

After 22 years, if you want to leave the plywood in place, I think it would be fine. It would offer more cushioning than applying the hardwood directly to cement. And if you are installing the wood with glue, the glue will form a barrier that would block any outgassing of the plywood (if you completely cover the plywood with glue).

I hope you are using a nontoxic, water-based “woodworking glue” to glue the wood down.

Re the moisture barrier, take a look at the MSDS sheet for hazardous ingredients. I have installed wood floors with wood glue over cement without using any moisture barrier of any kind and it was fine.

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Question from Sharon

Question

What should we replace plastic and paper bags with for our doggie walks outdoors and our home indoor garbage cans?

Debra’s Answer

BioBags!

These bioplastic bags are made from corn and are completely biodegradable.

They have kitchen bags, lawn and leaf bags, pet poo bags, shopping bags and more. If you don’t find them at your local natural food store, you can order them online.

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Question from Sherri

Thanks so much for your website. You and your readers always have so many good ideas!

I live in the desert southwest and am designing my own strawbale house. The temps here sometimes rise above 115 and I need ideas to minimize cooling costs. My goal is to go completely off the grid, but AC is a major issue here.

I would like to know of anyone’s experiences with geothermal heating and cooling. Or any other air conditioner alternatives. I’ve done basic research but need to know how it works in real life, not just in the books. Thanks for your help!

Sherri in Pinal Co., AZ

Debra’s Answer

Well, here’s a start. Take a look at what green architect Carol Venolia told me about cooling my home in Florida without air conditioning…At Home With Debra: Connecting My Home to Nature

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Question from wt

Hi,

I just discovered that in the midst of our home improvements, some bees have found a home through some holes in the walls into our attic. I see them flying in and out of the holes. (Yikes!) I’m assuming they have a hive forming in our attic.

What can we do to remove and inhibit them, in a non-toxic manner that will not be problematic for my MCS? I did a search, but couldn’t find anything specific regarding bees.

Additionally, I live in Southern CA, so if anybody knows a good integritous non-toxic pest company, I would also appreciate a referral.

Thank you very kindly.

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Christina

I am chemically sensitive and have a few botanical allergies, and I have not been able to find a shampoo that I can use without side effects. Has anyone found a plain shampoo without fragrance, without the laureth and lauryl sulfate, and without such herbal additives as chamomile, patchouli, lavender, or marigold? Thanks.

-Christina

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Wendy

Hello,

I have a Whirpool Cabrio he top loading washer. We’ve had it about a year and a half and I have been using Charlie’s Soap exclusively. Unfortunately, I have significant lime build up in the tub of the washer.

(I’ve been having a horrible problem with my clothes smelling like ‘paint’ or something.. after they are washed and dried repeatedly. I’m hoping getting rid of the lime might be the answer? One can only hope.

Anyways, I went to the Whirpool site, and they suggest AFFRESH to keep the washers clean. I’m not sure if this addresses and would solve the lime issue specifically, but that is their recommendation for cleaning the washer.

I’m looking to clean the tub in a non-toxic, non-chemical manner. Does anybody have a non-toxic suggestion for cleaning out the lime deposits in my washer? I was going to try vinegar, (2 cups with a regular load) but was afraid of issues with the stainless steel drum and corrosion? I’m not sure if bleach would solve the problem or get the corroded lime off the tub walls, either.

Additionally, does anybody happen to know if this AFFRESH is an okay option and non-toxic?

Debra’s Answer

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Question from mel

Hi. I read that you recommend agave nectar, and I read your information on it. But I still have one question about the fructose levels. I read that the levels of fructose in the agave can be dangerous to the liver, causing a kind of “liver disease” similar to an alcoholic’s liver. This is what happened to Morgan Spurlock in “Supersize Me.” Have you heard anything about this? Or could you share some places I could look for more research on this? I am waiting for Sally Fallon and WAPF to weigh in on this but I am still very curious. And I respect your opinion so I thought I’d see what you’d heard on the subject. From my understanding, the reason your blood sugar levels don’t rise on agave is because it is mostly fructose but I am concerned about that fructose level. Thank you for your time.

~Mel

Debra’s Answer

This is a confusing subject because people who sell agave say it is “fructose”. My understanding is that fructose is not naturally occurring in fruit, but is manufactured from corn.

The “fructose” that Morgan Spurlock ingested in “Supersize Me” was no way from fruit or agave. He only consumed foods from McDonald’s which meant that the fructose he was consuming was high fructose corn syrup. That is highly refined and could cause liver damage.

We should not be overconsuming any concentrated sweetener. I eat about 1 teaspoon of agave a day.

Please write and tell me what Sally Fallon says. I respect her opinion.

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Question from alex

Do you or any of your readers have any experience with the low voc carpets? This is for someone who is somewhat chemically sensitive. Any help appreciated!

Debra’s Answer

My best recommendation, especially for someone with MCS, is NO carpet. Period. There are natural and less-toxic carpets available, but beyond the carpet itself, there is the maintenance, and they harbor dust and other critters.

Many years ago I bought a house and when I ripped up the carpet there was a whole colony of carpenter ants living underneath it! Which, by the way, had escaped the notice of the pest inspectors.

If you really want clean air in your home, choose a flooring that can be easily swept and washed to remove dust, dirt, and anything else.

That said, I understand some people prefer carpet for various reasons, so, readers, any experience with low-voc carpets?

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Question from Melissa

I am trying to clean my house with “green” products so I have started using vinegar during spring cleaning. I have noticed that every time I spray it either straight or diluted I start sneezing. It doesn’t bother me when I use it in the laundry as a rinse aid or when I eat it in salad dressings etc, just when I breathe it. Could I be allergic to its “fumes”?

Debra’s Answer

Straight vinegar used in the quantities we do for cleaning tickles my nose, too. I think it’s just an irritant because it is strong, not an allergy.

Try diluting the vinegar and see if that helps. It usually doesn’t need to be used full strength.

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Question from G.O.

Does anyone have a non-toxic method of cleaning mattresses?

Debra’s Answer

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