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

Question from Vaughnde

I am looking for glass baby bottles to replace the plastic ones that have controversial chemical bisphenol A — commonly known as BPA. Do you have any companies to recommend?

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

Add Comment

Question from Bev

Debra, I went to my local health food store and ask if they carried Bon Ami . The lady that was at the customer service said they didn’t carry it because it wasn’t a healthy product. she said Mrs. Meyers is a better one to use. Do you know anything about this ?

Debra’s Answer

By what logic !??!?!?! Even Bon Ami Polishing Cleanser is a simple product with few basic “whole” natural ingredients that has multiple cleaning purposes and comes in a cardboard container. Mrs. Meyers has single-purpose products, made from manufactured ingredients that are not all natural, and come in plastic bottles.

This is just another example of uninformed sales people giving out wrong information.

Go ask her WHY she thinks Mrs. Meyers is healthier.

Add Comment

Question from Samantha

Dear Debra,

My husband and I are in the process of renovating our bedroom. I really wanted a feature wall to “feature” a damask-style wallpaper. I was distressed to discover that the wallpaper I fell in love with, and based the whole room around, was solid vinyl. Further searching revealed nothing but vinyl or vinyl-coated paper. I am pregnant, plan to breastfeed and co-sleep in this room so I am obviously concerned about the off-gassing from vinyl. Am I right to be concerned? Is the off-gassing a long-term problem?

A web search of non-vinyl wallpapers revealed only one company -Mod Green Pod. Their designs are not to my taste, so is that it? Do you know of any other companies that sell wallpapers that are not toxic?

I have also considered covering the wallpaper with an AFM safecoat product but I’m unsure of the result since their finish appears to be glossy. I am not in a position to buy the vinyl wallpaper just to test the results with the AFM product. Do you or any of your readers have any suggestions?

Thank you in advance,

Samantha in Toronto, Canada

Debra’s Answer

You are right to be concerned about the outgassing of the vinyl wallpaper. I wouldn’t use it.

There are very few resources for non-plastic wallcovering. See Debra’s List: Interior Decorating: Wallcovering for some possibilities.

There are many other ways to decorate walls without wallpaper, such as with paint effects and stencils. Browse through a paint effects book as see what you can do. All those effects can be done with low-VOC and natural paints.

Add Comment

Question from EF

I have recently began attempting to convert to all natural products for my home as well as my personal hygiene. It really bothers me that everything is packaged in plastics. I was wondering if there are any alternatives and if you purchase your dish detergents, laundry powders, shampoos, conditioners, cosmetics, etc. in plastics? I have not found any sold in glass anywhere.

EF, Abingdon VA

Debra’s Answer

I agree with you. It bothers me too.

I do buy things in plastic packaging all the time, though I wish I had an alternative. I do put them in the recycling. This is better than sending them to the landfill, but not the best for the environment, which would be to have them biodegrade and return their elements to the ecosystem.

You will probably not find any of the products you mention sold in glass, for two reasons. One is safety. Glass breaks easily. And the other is that plastic is lighter, so it costs less to ship (and does save on the pollution that contributes to global warming). But this is shortsighted thinking, because it doesn’t look at all the effects throughout the lifecycle of the product.

Many green companies do consider their packaging as well as their products, so it would be more likely that you would find good packages containing the products sold on Debra’s List.

It’s also important to keep in mind that any product is a combination of both product and package and it is possible to have a green product in a not-so-good package and a not-so-good product in a green package. For example, non-organic, highly sugared cereals are now sold in recycled paperboard boxes.

Add Comment

Question from Laura

Do you have any suggestions for non-chemical treatment for smoke damage from a house fire? Lots of fresh air and vacuuming have helped but I’m still definitely breathing smoky air.

Debra’s Answer

AT HOME WITH DEBRA: Removing Smoke from our House has some links that cover this subject.

Add Comment

Question from VRL

Debra,

We are moving into a new home and need to replace all the carpet and padding in the upstairs portion of the house.

What are the low or no VOC alternatives?

Where do we find them?

Are they more expensive than standard carpeting?

Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

You’ll find them at DEBRA’S LIST: Flooring. The Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label Carpets has a list of brand name synthetic carpets that have low VOCs. They are less expensive than natural fiber carpets.

But I still want to encourage you to choose something other than carpet if you possibly can. They harbor dust, mold, insects, and toxic rug shampoo residues. Carpet of any kind is not my #1 choice for a healthy floor.

There’s lots more on carpets in my book Home Safe Home.

Add Comment

Question from Keith

Dear Debra,

I have a low ph problem with my well water. The water ph based on testing is between 4.9 – 5.2. I’ve done some research into the alkilizers that you spoke of as well as other brands. The problem is that the ph levels are so low that the alkalizers will not raise the ph enough.

Also, we would like to make sure that we can raise the ph levels enough for the whole house as I’ve learned that acidic water can cause problems with the plumbing, even pvc, which in turn is a problem for our health as well as the integrity of the house.

I’ve looked into this with some water filter companies and the present recommendations are a mineral or chemical wash. The chemical wash is from something that I believe is called sodium carbonate, which is a precurser to sodium bicarbonate. The other options are added blocks of magnesium and/or calcium. My concerns is with either option in terms of the saftey of consuming the sources for sodium carbonate and the minerals. Some mineral sources can have other contaminants in them.

I can’t get a straight answer from any local water companies as they don’t understand my concern and don’t have the knowledge to address it. The area we live in is not very much aware of the type of health issues that are addressed in this site.

In addition, I have health issues such as copd and hashimotos and am concerned about exacerbating any of these conditions.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t have any experience with this, but am posting your question so you can get answers from others.

Readers?

Add Comment

Question from Krudman

Please advise if anyone is aware of a non-PVC shelf/drawer liner. Preferably, not fabric and non-toxic.

Thank you

Debra’s Answer

Before the days of PVC, everyone lined their shelves with just plain paper, and held it down with thumbtacks. I think they still sell paper shelf paper.

When I moved to San Francisco last month to stay here temporarily for three months, I moved into a barely furnished apartment that has a chest of drawers. I wanted a clean surface on which to put my clothes, and I had just purchased some items from Ikea that were wrapped in big sheets of white paper. So I just lined my drawers with that white paper and it worked fine.

Some years back, I lined some drawers with pretty handmade paper that comes in big sheets at art supply stores. It was nice to see something pretty when I opened the drawer.

Add Comment