Last week I wrote about how I helped a client furnish their new apartment with toxic free furniture.

This week I want to tell you how we removed a very strong odor from the apartment, even though we couldn’t determine exactly what it was.

It seemed to me that it was some kind of citrus oil-based product and I thought it had been used on the wood floors.

My client hired a cleaning lady to work with me. She brought a “steam mop” and we used a brand new set of clean pads to mop the floor so as to not bring any odors in from other places. This worked really well just by itself to reduce the odor, but it did not eliminate it completely.

Then we used EnviroKlenz Everyday Odor Eliminator according to the instructions on the bottle. We mixed it with water in a spray bottle and sprayed it all over the floors. We waited 15 minutes, and then used the steam mop again to remove it. This greatly lessened the odor.

Then we did the whole process again.

Each time the odor was less and less.

We also did this procedure in a closet that had a perfume smell and it worked there too.

Add Comment

What’s wrong with this picture?

There’s something known as “false and misleading advertising” and it’s all over this snip from the Tuft & Needle website.

First, it gives the impression that Tuft & Needle mattresses are nontoxic and even substantiates that claim by telling you that they meet the GREENGUARD GOLD and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certifications.

But Tuft & Needle mattresses still contain toxic chemicals. I’ll tell you how I know in a minute.

But first, while they are certified, I couldn’t find one word on their website about their materials.

And while they meet the GREENGUARD GOLD and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100, these standards do not test for all chemicals. The bigger problem, however, is their standards are not very stringent. So it’s very easy to pass the standard.

I’m often surprised at some of the products that pass the current GREENGUARD GOLD standard. Since GREENGUARD became part of Underwriters Lab, their standards have changed. Mattresses are now given GREENGUARD GOLD certifications that contain materials which I cannot approve, such as polyurethane foam, chemical flame barriers, and, in crib mattresses, PVC covers that emit phthalates.

Tuft & Needle is NOT the first mattress to be given the GREENGUARD GOLD certification. That occurred years ago. They were perhaps the first mattress to get the GREENGUARD GOLD certification in the mattress-in-a-box category, but that’s not what they say.

But here’s what really makes this claim false and misleading.

And here’s a video of chemical off gassing of Casper mattress.

And here’s another video measuring the TVOCs of a Nest mattress.

Now all three of these videos are measuring emissions from a brand new mattress that has been in a plastic bag. Those emissions are very concentrated. But they do show there are emissions. And anyone can get a TVOC meter and measure the emissions from these mattresses.

A couple of weeks ago I opened two Happsy mattress-in-a-box mattresses and there were no emissions. I had a TVOC meter in my hand and the TVOC reading in the room didn’t change when I opened the mattress packaging and laid the mattresses on the bed.

T&N hasn’t raised the standards, as they claim. That claim belongs to Happsy, the first certified organic mattress in the mattress-in-a-box category. And certified organic is less toxic than GREENGARD GOLD. That’s a fact.

There are now 31 brands using BPA-free cans.

Thanks to Environmental Working Group for putting together this list:

Add Comment

Question from Cathleen

Hi Debra,

Hi. Love your website & all the info.

I suffer from many illnesses & sensitvities, including MCS.

I am in desperate need of a new hand-held shower head, that is latex-free & preferably USA made.

Can you recommend a company or product? I tried a High Sierra shower head that met this criteria, but the water flow was just too forceful for my skin & vascular condition.

Thanks so much, and I can’t thank you enough for all the help you provide people like me!

Debra’s Answer

I have no way of knowing the water force of various hand held shower heads so…

Readers? Can you make a suggestion from your experience?

Add Comment

Modular cat climbing structure made from paper at Katris

Question from MaryJo

Hi Debra,

I am concerned about the recent article in the New York Times about the link between flame retardants and the rise in feline hyperthyroidism.

I am trying to find scratching posts or cat climbing structures that are not made with carpet treated with flame retardants (or just plain awful synthetic carpet and glues).

I am wondering if you have come across anything about this.

Any leads most appreciated~!

Debra’s Answer

Here are some cat scratching posts made with wood and other natural materials:

Natural Scratch

Love That Cat

This article suggests that you give your cat a natural tree log for a scratching post

And here are some cat climbing structures made with wood

Mountain Pet Products

Katris

Cats Play

There are a lot more. Just search on “natural cat scratching post” and “natural cat climbing structure” and you’ll find them.

Add Comment

Handwoven organic cotton decorative pillows stuffed with kapok from Coyuchi

Question from TA

Hi Debra,

I’m wondering what you recommend for throw pillows. I’d like to replace the old, synthetic ones we have.

What is the best option for the “insert” or fill that goes inside the pillow cover? It seems that finding an organic cover is the easier part. But what is the best affordable insert option?

I’ve considered shredded latex, but that could be lumpy and it can have a noticeable smell.

Wool would compress easily, I imagine.

I saw some very affordable ones with duck feathers on Ikea’s website and came to your site to check on the toxicity of duck feathers; since I don’t know where the feathers came from or how they’re processed, perhaps it’s best to pass on those? And getting well-processed duck feather pillows would probably be quite expensive.

I’d like to have a number of throw pillows, as well as floor pillows/cushions in a larger size. So I’d like something that won’t break the bank.

Debra’s Answer

The most resilient pillow filling I know of it kapok. And you can buy kapok pillow inserts with organic cotton shells.

FABRICADABRA: Kapok Pillow Inserts

Prices start at $21 and volume discounts are available for 12 or more.

If this doesn’t work for you, wool would be my second choice. I slept on wool pillows for years until I discovered kapok. But the do mat over time.

Add Comment

Question from Colleen

Hi Debra,

I need to have a colonoscopy and may have to have other surgery. I have reactive airway disease and asthma which is triggered by vinyl shower curtains. They are made with DEHP which is also in IV bags, tubing, etc that the hospital uses.

Has anyone dealt with this? How did you get around it?

I have a list of DHEP-free and PVC-free medical supplies as alternatives but am not sure they’d work with me on it.

Any helpful advice? Thanks you! I meet with the doctor on Aug. 30, 2017.

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Any suggestions?

I fortunately have not had the need to experience this, so have nothing to offer.

But what comes to mind is perhaps Healthcare Without Harm can help you, or Practice Greenhealth. Both organizations advocate the removal of toxic chemicals from healthcare.

Add Comment