Question from sophia

Dear Debra,

I enjoy reading your website and blog. I am writing regarding outgassing help for new leather sofa which was purchased by a family member without letting me know about it.

It is Italian Leather and smells very strong and toxic!

I’ld greatly appreciate any thoughts on products that might help it out gass without hurting the leather!

Thanks very much.

sincerely,

Debra’s Answer

Readers, anyone have experience with this?

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Question from Suzy

I have a very nice old salad bowl, made of one piece of wood. It may be teak, but I’m not sure. However it has developed this sticky coating on the outside, and a little also on the inside. I’m assuming it’s whatever the wood was finished with originally, turned old and sticky. I am wondering how to safely remove this. It seems a shame to sand this nice old bowl. Any ideas?

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know if this is a finish decaying or a build-up of an applied finish, such as mineral oil.

I’d start with soap and water, or lemon juice or vinegar.

Just FYI, I’ve purchased several one-piece wooden bowls and they were completely unfinished (hence the need to add your own protection). Some do have finishes of various types.

Readers, any experience with this?

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Question from IRENE AMATULLI

Hi Debra,

I love your site. I have ordered your book, can’t wait for it to arrive!

Just wondering if you can recommend some organic children’s vitamins? I don’t know what i can trust online.

Thank you very much for your help!

Debra’s Answer

I don’t have children myself, so have no personal experience with children’s vitamins.

Moms, what do you recommend?

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Question from maril

Hello,

I color my hair and I am wondering if anybody has found a more natural color-care conditioner or shampoo that ACTUALLY WORKS and helps to preserve colors. I already know of some more chemical-filled ones that do work but I’m trying to get away from those. I’ve tried more natural ones but they’re not that great.

Thanks for any ideas!

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Mario Carrillo

Dear Debra,

As you know,nowadays MANY PESTICIDES DO NOT HAVE A SMELL, AS THEY USE OTHER/MORE CHEMICALS TO DISGUISE THE ” TYPICAL PESTICIDE SMELL” FROM THE NEAR PAST so, to look for a place ” that doesnt have a pesticide smell”, will not be a safe option.

Debra’s Answer

I agree that some pesticides now are odorless. However, looking for a place that doesn’t have a pesticide smell at least eliminates those with obvious pesticides.

I always find out if pesticides are being used or have been used if that information is available as well.

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Question from Susan

My office will be moving into an office in the next few weeks that we are remodeling. There has been no way to get odor free products. So….I am not sure that I will be there the entire first week (must travel for a few days that week), I will be sure and buy plants for outgassing…spider plants, philodrendron, etc…and get them in there ASAP…and I’ll have windows open a lot (I like to have them open anyway). Any other suggestions? I’m not too terribly sensitive, but I am concerned that with new woods, new carpets, new paint, etc…I might go into overload.

Debra’s Answer

Many years ago, before I arranged things to work at home, I did temp work in various offices. I never knew how toxic they would be.

My solution was to carry with me a desktop air filter, specifically one made by E. L. Foust Company. It’s their model 160DT. It’s small enough to carry, but big enough to create a cloud of clean air around your desk, even in an open room.

I suggest you get one of these before you try to work in that office and put your body in overload. Plants won’t be enough.

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Question from smileymom

Dear Debra,

I have just started researching about the toxicity of plastics. After discovering how toxic it can be (especially #3 and #7), I have begun the process of removing as much of it as possible from our home.

My question is this- What is the best alternative for plastic bowls and plates for kids to use? I currently have plastic bowls and plates that are #5 plastic and are specifically for kids use. That is what I use when giving them snacks. At mealtimes, we all use our regular stoneware dishes.

Obviously, glass is out due to the danger of them dropping it and it breaking (both of my children are under 4 yrs old). I’m concerned about ceramic and stoneware for the same reason.

The only other option I can think of is wooden bowls, but are they any safer than plastic? I’ve heard that the stain or clear coat finish that they put on wood products can be toxic. Is that true? (Sorry, I guess that’s really three questions.) Thanks for your input.

Debra’s Answer

Bravo to you for working to eliminate plastics from your children’s lives!

I have quite a number of wooden bowls and have not yet encountered one I thought was toxic. You can always check with the manufacturer to see what finish was applied, if any.

Another option is enameled bowls like you would use for camping. In fact, you might try a camping store.

Another option is melamine (click on the link to read more about it). I recently needed to buy some bowls I could take with me when I travel, and found some attractive, inexpensive melamine bowls at Target. It’s a very hard plastic, so it doesn’t outgas like the others.

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Question from Chuck

Hi Debra,

I have kitchen cabinets that are only a few years old and still have this strong chemical smell inside them as they did when I first bought it. Originally when I bought it I assumed it was a “new” cabinet smell from some chemicals they may have used to manufacture the wood, but here we are a few years later and the wood still smells heavy that it makes my eyes tear when I open it. Is this dangerous and is there anything I can do to get rid of this smell???

Any help would be appreciated…..thanks

Debra’s Answer

It could still be the chemicals used when they were made. If you have a cabinet or drawer that is closed, the material within doesn’t outgas at the same rate as material on the outside.

If it were me, the first thing I would do is remove everything, open all the doors and drawers, and “bake” the room. Bring in some space heaters and let everything heat up for a couple of days to release the chemicals. Be sure to close the door or put up sheets of foil-backed paper taped together and tapes around the edges to the walls to prevent fumes from going into the rest of the house.

Another thing to do is apply AFM Safe Seal, which blocks fumes from wood products.

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Question from JSF

I have an already stone washed denim jacket(84% cotton, l5% polyester, 1% spandex) which is still too stiff and uncomfortable to wear. Looking for suggestions of non toxic products and/or techniques to try to soften it. Ex. salt solutions, boiling, etc. Experience anyone?

Joan

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from id

Hello Debra,

Is porcelain flooring a safe eco-friendly floor?

Debra’s Answer

I’m assuming you mean porcelain tile flooring.

Yes, porcelain tile is safe as long as you don’t apply a toxic grout sealer. Use the one made by AFM.

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