Question from john

We moved to a 30 yr old home last fall and due to lack of proper chimney maintenance over the past years the chimmney had developed a build-up of creosote, which my wife is very sensitive to due to her MCS problems. The chimney was cleaned and then sealed at the top and front of the fireplace box.

We just had some heavy rains in our area and discovered that there was a leak (crack in the mortar at the top) and now we have a musty smell inside of the fireplace. It is possible that this leak has been going of for some time and now we may have the start of a mold build-up. It has been suggested that we remove the seals and start a hot, long-lasting fire. However, my wife is sensitive to wood smoke.

Do you have any ideas or suggestions to resolve this situation.

Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

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Question from wt

Hello,

We were thinking of using formica as backing for a built in cabinet to cover drywall. We wanted to check if this material was considered toxic, and if you might recommend a non-toxic construction adhesive.

Thank you kindly.

Debra’s Answer

Formica itself isn’t toxic (it is a very hard plastic), but it is usually mounted on a particleboard backing, and particleboard emits a lot of formaldehyde. I haven’t ever seen Formica uninstalled, so I don’t know if that is standard installation procedure or if it comes mounted on particleboard from the factory, but I have no health concern about Formica itself.

For a nontoxic adhesive, check the websites listed on the Building page of Debra’s List.

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Question from Bill

Debra,

My wife has severe MCS and has been wearing organic cotton clothes for some time now. However the clothes seem to develop a strong odor if they are not washed or used frequently. Sometimes the ones we do wash frequently also develop this odor with age.

We have tried soaking them in distilled white vinegar, rinsing and washing in baking soda several times. We have even tried soaking them in powdered milk, boiling them in milk, or baking soda or just plain water but nothing seems to help.

It is a little frustrating to finally get them to the point that she can wear them only to have them develop this odor a short time later and not be able to wear them. Clothes she can tolerate are in short supply (as anyone with MCS knows I am sure).

Any ideas as to what is causing this and how to resolve it?

Debra’s Answer

I’ve never heard of this.

Readers, any ideas?

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Question from Diana

Hello all who have given great suggestions on my outdoor mosquito control question. THANK YOU!

My goal is to decrease the mosquito population without chemicals before they decide they want to feed on me. I’ve used the natural essential oil products, but they don’t always work well, and I’m rather sensitive.

The question that I really want answered is about CO2 machines. Do they really work in luring the mosquitos and then trapping them. I have taken into account decreasing any breeding grounds by controling water puddles, etc.., but there is a ditch close to the property that I have no control of even if I try using the bt larvacide. The ditch is sometimes moving and other times not. I need to know whether it is worth buying one of those CO2 machines and which one might be the best?

The mosquito problem is not just a few bugs flying around, it is many swarming the humans, which makes going outside very unenjoyable and worrisome due to West Nile problem in the area.

I am aware that bats and swallows are great mosquito eaters too. I need something more.

Thanks in advance, D

Debra’s Answer

I don’t have any experience with this.

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Question from Janet

I’m looking for a stainless steel ice-cube tray. Do they exist? I am concerned about the plastic trays, I hear that freezing water in plastic can chemically change the water – is this true? How about the silicone rubber ice-cube trays. I’ve read your blog on using them for cooking, but what about for freezing? Thanks

Debra’s Answer

Metal ice cube trays ARE available online, but they are not made from stainless steel. They are, and have always been, made from aluminum. Just type “aluminum ice cube trays” into your favorite search engine and many online sources will come up. Check the price comparison sites that come up too.

Elsewhere I have noted that plastic outgasses LESS when frozen, and ice cube trays are made from a fairly hard plastic, so I’m not real concerned about ice cubes being contaminated with plastic in the freezer. And I think silicone ice cube trays are fine too.

Metal trays last longer and don’t crack or leak.

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Question from Mary

We are re-doing our downstairs office space. We are removing all carpet. The floor underneath is concrete. I have read that concrete flooring is a healthy choice….just paint it or seal it with a non-toxic product. It would certainly help the budget to do this ( we can then use that money toward our new UPSTAIRs flooring ..hardwood 🙂

Would you share your thoughts on this?

thanks!

Debra’s Answer

I have no objection to this. I have seen some very attractive concrete floors.

One thing you might consider instead of paint is to put a “skim coat” of new concrete on the surface. This would cover any cracks or imperfections on the existing floor very inexpensively. This skim coat can also be colored with powdered pigments to any color you want. You could even lay squares or other shapes of different colors to make a pattern, then top it all with a nontoxic clear sealer.

Here are a couple of websites with instructions for skim coats and ideas for decorative concrete floor finishes:
http://www.decorative-concrete.net/overlays_how.php

www.stainedbydesign.com

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Question from SH

Debra, thanks for all the helpful information!

Do you know of a non-abrasive cleaner that would work on a marble surface, as well as a porcelain tub and sink? Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Susan

A bit personal to ask this, I know, but I am looking for an extremely gentle cleanser for the genital area. Everything I have used burns so badly! We only use “natural” soaps without the harmful chemicals. Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

It’s been my understanding that only rinsing with water in the shower is needed.

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Question from M.B.

For several years my mother has suffered from xerostomia or Dry Mouth. This is most likely the side effect of medications she takes. She combats this lack of saliva with the recommended self-care – sucking on sugar-free hard candy or chewing sugar-free gum. Not surprisingly, the gum/candy I see her using always has one of your “Sweeteners to Avoid.”

I’m committed to finding her a healthy substitute. I’ve learned from my research that the process of making hard candy precludes the use of many sweeteners. This seemed like it should be an easy task, but it has proven to be rather challenging. She just needs something healthy – anything healthy (candy or otherwise) – to turn to when she faces dry mouth, as she does on a daily basis. Any specific product recommendations?

Debra’s Answer

Check your local natural food store. I know they have hard candies there made with rice syrup and mints sweetened with xylitol.

The problem one runs into making hard candy with various sweeteners is that some of them don’t “crack”, which means they won’t get hard when you cook them like a hard candy.

I’ve found that evaporated cane juice, maple syrup, and brown rice syrup will crack. You should be able to cook any of these with a small amount of water and until they reach a certain temperature that when you put a bit in cold water it will turn hard right away. You can then spread it out on parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet and let it cool, then break into pieces. You could add flavorings if you want. You could also get candy molds to make shapes.

But it would be easier to just purchase hard candies at the natural food store.

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Question from P.J.

Hi Debra,

I’ve been having a problem with mice ever since some new neighbours moved in. She once told me that they had mice in their old place (which was just up the street, less than 1/2 a block away). I don’t know if she moved mice with her accidentally (burrowed in the boxes), but I understand that they will follow their scent.

My question is how do I get rid of them or at least keep them from coming back, once I catch them then release them miles away from my home. I’ve used the the “sonic” plug ins which are supposed to repel them, but unless I use one in every plug-in in the house, I can’t seem to keep them away. I read somewhere that chocolate is a poison, and the article made it sound o.k. to put that in the “live” traps, but I don’t want to kill them, I just want to keep them out of my house. I also have a dog, so I have to make sure that whatever I use will not be dangerous or hazardous for her, or for any young children that might come into contact with it.

I live in Canada (Ottawa), so much of the products you mention are not available here.

Any help you (or your readers) can offer, would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

Debra’s Answer

Readers, what has worked for you?

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