Question from KSM

Hi Debra,

I recently received a used sofa from a family member. The sofa is about five years old. I am wondering how safe this sofa is and should I keep it. The tag reads:

Body

Those materials do not sound very healthy to me! Would it make a differance if I put a slipcover made out of organic material on it?

I have young children so I want to make sure that that they are safe.

Thanks for your help and all of the wonderful inforamtion you share !

Debra’s Answer

These materials are NOT healthy. And a slipcover will do nothing to block any fumes that may be emitting from them. I’d advise not to use this sofa.

Add Comment

Question from Lisa

Hi Debra,

I’ve read many of your answers to questions about the safety of plastics, a hot topic these days.

I think the material used often for eyeglass lenses is either polycarbonate or high index plastic.

In addition, teflon or other based coatings are used for scratch proofing, anti-reflective coating, or UV coating. Frames are often made of plastic or have some sort of coating on them.

What are your thoughts on the safety of such materials sitting so close to one’s face all day?

Do you wear glasses personally? And, if so, what kinds of materials have you used for yourself?

Debra’s Answer

Yes, a lot of plastics are used for eyeglasses.

The thing to remember about polycarbonate is that the concern is not outgassing, but leaching into food and water from contact. Since our skin does not contact the eyeglass lens, I don’t believe there is a problem with toxicity during use.

I do wear eyeglasses. Just reading glasses I buy at the drug store. I buy the type with metal frames, not plastic. At the moment I am wearing a pair with metal sides and frameless lenses. Sometimes the metal sides make my skin break out in a rash, but others don’t. Seems to depend on the brand and quality of the metal.

Plastic eyeglass frames, though, are not particularly toxic. Look for frames made from zyl (zylonite, or cellulose acetate). It is actually a plant-based plastic that is made from wood pulp and has been in use for decades.

Other frames are made from propionate, a nylon-based plastic that is hypoallergenic and nontoxic.

Add Comment

Question from Mary Ann

I have a big problem with lint on my clothes after washing them. I have been line drying my clothes and have tried several things I have read on the internet to solve the problem including vinegar in the wash cycle, putting the clothes in the dryer 15 min before hanging (this gets some lint off), 15 min in the dryer when the clothes are almost dry, and baking soda in the wash cycle. I don’t want to use the dryer for full drying, I am desperate, HELP!!!!

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

Add Comment

Question from Roxann

Hi Debra

I am a registered dental hygienist and know the great dental benefits of Xylitol and caries prevention. What most consumers do not know is Xylitol is poisonous to dogs, just a small amount ingested can make them extremely ill or kill them. Some may inadvertently give fido a piece of cake, cookie or something else made with Xylitol not realizing how potentially dangerous it is.

God Bless

Debra’s Answer

Add Comment

Question from Sweet Lucee

I have been using Stevia for quite awhile now and personally I think it’s a God send. It’s derived from a leaf and has zero chemicals, zero carbs, zero glycemic index and zero calories.

Stevia is so highly concentrated that knowing the correct amount to use is key. If you get an after taste or bitterness, you’ve simply used too much. I enjoy the shaker bottle to use for cooking. If using the stevia plus shaker for cooking, 2 Tbsp is equal to about 1 cup of sugar. I find the safest thing to do for cooking is just look for stevia recipes. I would like to suggest the liquid flavors. They are wonderful and can be added to plain yogurt, or any bland tasting food, to give it a boost of flavor. My favorites are English Toffee, Valencia Orange, Vanilla Creme and Root Beer. You can even add them to a glass of water, ice cube trays or shaved ice. Kids love it too! I’m also hooked on two drops of the Chocolate Raspberry in my coffee. It’s called SweetLeaf Flavored Liquid Stevia. Whole Foods Market is a good source to purchase it from.

Debra’s Answer

Add Comment

Question from tara

I recently bought a new GE stainless steel kettle and the chemical taste in the water it boils is foul. I have tried and tried to boil and reboil the water, using vinegar, cleaning it over and over to no avail. Is there a ‘safe’ non leaching kettle available?

Tara

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

Add Comment

Question from Colleen

Is this a problem in other commonly plastic kitchen/bathroom products? I’m looking at our plastic Mr. Coffee maker and electric tea kettle which DH got for me after I burned up 2 on the stove. Thanks

Debra’s Answer

Bisphenol-A is only a problem in products made from polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin. Clear plastic water bottles and the linings in food cans are the two major exposures. Polycarbonate plastic is found in non-food products such as clear packaging materials, but these are not considered sources of risk because the product is not ingested.

Add Comment

Question from Melissa

I have a cultured marble vanity top in my bathroom. Do you have any ideas for sanitizing it? I know I can’t use vinegar because it’s too acidic. Can I use hydrogen peroxide, and if so, will it sanitize?

Debra’s Answer

I suggest boiling water.

Add Comment

Question from Ronda

Hi Debra –

What should I look for when purchasing interior doors? One door for the garage will be solid, but the other interior doors all will be hollow. I’m nervous that I might get some MDF type door.

Thanks for all of your help!

Debra’s Answer

There’s an interesting page at http://www.craftmasterdoors.com that shows how hollow core, semi-sold core, and solid core doors are constructed and what they are typically made of: MDF, particleboard, PVC, styrofoam…some interior doors are now 100% PVC.

Though they will cost more, I suggest you get solid wood doors, not “solid core”, but solid wood. Search on “solid wood interior doors” for companies. And get them unfinished. This is the only way to not have all the chemicals that are in pressed wood products.

Also, visit your local salvage yard. They often have beautiful doors at a fraction of the cost purchased new.

Add Comment

Question from Tracey Hiner

Dear Debra,

I need to make a natural dusting aid for a customer and what I found suggested using Murphy’s Oil Soap as one of the ingredients. Do you think I could substitute a natural liquid glycerin soap or natural liquid castile soap?

Thanks,

Tracey

Debra’s Answer

I think you could substitute any liquid soap for Murphy’s.

Add Comment