Water | Resources
How Do I Get a Blood Stain Out of Cotton Sheets?
Question from Anne
Is there any way to get a blood stain out of cotton sheets w/out harsh chemicals…after the stain has set?
Debra’s Answer
Here’s a whole page of ways to remove set blood stains without harsh chemicals…from people who used them and found they worked: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cleaning/msg0822562823894.html.
Readers, please add any additional successes you’ve had.
Co-Spleeper Mattress
Question from Anne
Hi Debra, Per your recommendation, we bought a Naturepedic crib mattress several years ago when my son was born. I never bought a bassinet for him because I couldn’t find one that I felt comfortable with.
However, my son hated his crib right from the start and other moms have highly recommended a bassinet for my next baby.
I would really like to have a baby that will actually sleep in a separate space from me this time around and want to buy an Arm’s Reach co-sleeper. They have an organic mattress option you can purchase but I do not know whether it is truly something good I would want my baby to sleep on. Might I be better just trying to buy a used one that is a few years old? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Debra’s Answer
It looks like it’s basically an organic latex foam mattress with an organic wool wrap and a quilted organic cotton cover.
My only concern is about the latex, as anyone of any age can develop allergies to latex by exposure. It’s not direct contact here, but I know it’s possible to smell latex right through a fabric cover, which means it’s volatilizing. Personally, I don’t care for latex foam, but I’d rather have your baby sleep on natural latex than polyurethane foam with fire retardants.
But what is the bassinet itself made of? I couldn’t find that information on the website.
Thirty-One Bags
Question from Kristen
Do you know if Thirty-one products are made of safe materials? I’ve checked their website but can’t find what materials they contain. Thanks for your help!
Debra’s Answer
I couldn’t find their materials either.
What I do in this case is
But my experience has been if the materials are natural, the website says so.
Monstanto Protection Act
Question from Gigi
Hi Debra, I just found out about the Monsanto Protection Act last night. It was slipped in during the dead of night.
The new law that lets biotech companies like Monsanto escape litigation This law was created by a Republican and was supported by Democrats.
President Barack Obama inked his name to the bill, H.R. 933, & in doing so signed off on a deal that essentially prevented a government-wide shut down. The president approved a provision that lets the companies that make GMOs & GE seeds step over legal hurdles in the future regarding lab-made products that may later be proven to be dangerous. Included in the bill is a rider, Section 735, which says federal courts cannot intervene and halt biotech companies from planting and selling GMO goods to the public, even if testing proves them to be potentially hazardous to the greater public.
http://rt.com/usa/protection-act-monsanto-apologizes-229/
What can we do?
Debra’s Answer
Organic Consumers Association is already on the ball with this:
Urgent Alert! Tell the Senate to Strike Monsanto’s Rider From Their Continuing Resolution
Wood shelving for closets
Question from gloria g
Hi, I am looking for toxic free closet solutions regarding shelving. I understand that solid wood comes only in 11 1/2″ widths which is not wide enough for me and, shelving wider than that has glues which are toxic. Perhaps there are closet storage companies that use non toxic wood solutions but I have not found them. Do you have any thoughts about this? Thanks very much!
Debra’s Answer
I don’t know of any offhand, and I’ve looked.
I just have shelves built for me.
I have a couple of ideas.
At Lowe’s there is a department where they sell boards made of various woods that can be used for shelving, building furniture, etc. In my local Lowe’s it’s near the wall molding. It seems to me they have 16″ wide shelving.
And also they have tabletops made of strips of wood glued together. Wood glue actually is not toxic, so if real wood glue is used, it’s OK. I’ve used these before with no problem.
Or you could contact someplace like tablelegs.com and see if they can put together something for you of the right width. Just use yellow woodworkers glue and you’ll be fine.
Milk & Dairy Board Petitions to Add Toxic Ingredients to Dairy Products–Without Putting Them on the Label
Question from Linda
In case you haven’t heard, the Milk & Dairy Board has submitted a petition for the government to allow milk, yogurt and most dairy to have toxic chemicals added with permission to not disclose or list any of that on the ingredients’ label!
Mainly it’s HFCS and artificial sweeteners & flavors.
Dr Oz yesterday gave this link to comment and make ourselves heard before they close it (I think in May is the deadline to write your comments in.)
http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FDA-2009-P-0147-0012
Debra’s Answer
You all should read this carefully. They want to be allowed to use “any safe and suitable sweetener.” What THEY consider safe and suitable is probably not what you and I consider safe and suitable.
As always, my viewpoint is PUT EVERYTHING IN THE PRODUCT ON THE LABEL.
Earthpaste
“Earthpaste began because we couldn’t find a natural toothpaste we loved for our families. We wanted a toothpaste that was as natural as possible…It isn’t just safe to swallow – each ingredient in Earthpaste has been used to support healthy systems.” All the ingredients come from a natural source and each has a purpose. Good formula.
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Listen to my interview with Earthpaste Founder Darryl Bosshardt. |
Greenspace
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Listen to my interview with Greenspace Owner Lydia Corser. |
A small, but well-chosen selection of nontoxic interior finishing products, plus a knowledgeable staff to help you make a decision. “We focus on providing products and services that lighten our impact on the earth and improve our health and well being. We provide a wide array of green products including non-toxic paints and wall finishes, eco-friendly flooring, countertops, tile, beds, bedding, linens, towels and more. We work with homeowners, designers and contractors to provide high quality, eco-friendly solutions for home, business and building projects.”
Fire Retardant Levels are Sky High in Airplanes
A new study found that the cabins of airplanes from all nineteen commercial airlines have high levels of flame retardants in their dust. And one was measured at concentrations more than 100 time higher than found in dust collected from homes and offices.
While exposures to the brominated flame retardants (PBDEs) and others used in seats, carpets, walls, overhead bins and pillows have not been associated with any health effects from exposure in the airplane environment, these flame retardants are known to be toxic and cause cancer.
Female flight attendant have a 29 percent higher risk of all cancers, including a 35 percent higher risk of breast cancer than the general public. They also have a 62 percent hight risk of miscarriage and stillbirth than the general public.
EWG’s 2013 Guide to Healthy Cleaning
Just released this past week, this new guide rates more than 2000 cleaning products on an A-F scale for toxic exposures.
I really appreciate all this research and it’s a great tool for researching whatever products an average person may be using so they can see how toxic their products are, however, it’s not an easy guide to finding nontoxic products.
To find the least toxic products, go to the menu on the left that says “Products” at the top and click on the type of cleaning product. It then gives you the choice to choose the lists from A through F. A vast majority of the products rate D and F.
Many of the smaller companies making the best nontoxic products that I’ve put on Debra’s List are not even included.
But if you want to know how toxic the cleaning products sold in most stores are, this is a great resource!
