Question from nicole

My partner and I bought a new leather lounge suite recently. It was made in China and when it arrived it smelled very strongly of chemicals.

I’ve been away since the day after the couch arrived, and now it’s time to return to our unit but I’m very concerned about the chemical smell.

We have had the couch for over a month now, but the smells coming off it are too strong. I don’t know what to do as my partner wants to keep the couch, but I’m not comfortable living with it whilst pregnant. I can still smell it whenever I walk into the lounge room and have to avoid the room, which is not practical at all as we live in a small unit.

Any suggestions on what I can do about the offgassing? Should the lounge suite finish offgassing soon?

Debra’s Answer

Sounds like you need to remove the couch from your home. I’d suggest either just selling it or giving it away, or if there is someplace you can put it for about a year, you might see if it is outgasssed enough in the future to use. Particularly since you are pregnant, I would remove it right away.

Question from Amelie

Hi Debra,

Do you know anything about a fabric spray clothing retail stores are now using on linen clothing?

Recently, I purchased some linen clothing online. After they arrived, I noticed the clothing has a glossy sheen to them (more so than natural linen) and felt kind of slick.

I called the store and they told me that a fabric spray is used on linen to make it appear less wrinkled while hanging on stores shelves.

What do you think? Is the spray likely safe? Will it completely wash out of the fabric in one wash? Should I avoid linen clothes that have this?

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

When I was researching fabric finishes, I learned that there are two types: finishes intended to improve fabric performance for the consumer for the life of the fabric and finishes intended to make the garments look good on the hanger.

Those finishes intended to improve fabric performance are permanent; those intended to make garments look good for sales purposes are temporary.

One such temporary finish, called “sizing” is made from cornstarch, and washes right out. That’s why when a garment is new it seems to have a shape, which falls out when you wash it.

I don’t know about these new linen finishes specifically, but it sounds like it will wash out.

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Question from Amelie

Dear Debra,

I have a question about fabric care labels. Before I decide to purchase a piece of clothing, I like to know that I can machine wash it and also that it will be safe to wear.

Based on information I read in your books (thanks!) and on your website, I try to buy natural fiber clothing and to avoid clothes that need to be dry cleaned.

However, some items I have questions about. Is there a reason to avoid purchasing items that say things like:

I’ve heard sometimes an item that says “do not dry clean” is an indicator that it’s been treated with chemicals that could react with dry cleaning chemicals.

Any tips?

Debra’s Answer

Personally, I’ve never encountered these labels. But a reader in the industry may be able to answer this question. Readers?

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Question from cheryle

Debra, This is a great website and I appreciate what you are doing to help all of us be healthier and happier. Thank you. My question is about paint. I have used paint for years in artwork and I am now concerned over the message that acrylics contain cadimium. It tells you not to spray it, but my concern is I use this in painting childrens rooms with various children themes. After it is dry how dangerous is this to the children or adults? This is a big concern for artist and purchasing original art work. Thank you.

Cheryle Silanskis, Illinois

Debra’s Answer

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Question from bev Rockey

What kind of waffle maker would you recomend? So many are teflon coated.

Debra’s Answer

Well, personally I don’t eat waffles (though I love them!) because I don’t eat grains. I haven’t seen a waffle maker in a long time that didn’t have a Teflon finish.

Readers? Do you know of any?

I’ve questioned for myself the necessity of eating foods that require special equipment just to make that one thing. How many resources would we save if nobody ate waffles? We could make pancakes in the same skillet used to make other foods…

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Question from JT

hello,

i was looking for a new cutting board. up to now, i’ve been using john boos’ butcher block. but it cracked, and i’m in the market for a new one. however, prior to repurchasing a boos block, i was concerned re: the potential toxic glues and laminates used. should this be an issue to consider? in addition, they have their ‘mystery oil’ used for upkeep of the board vs. regular food grade mineral oil. i’m not sure if that’s okay, or if there’s as natural oil that you might recommend?

i’ve also looked into bamboo, and saw ‘totally bamboo’s’ site stating that they do not use toxic glues with their products. i’ve not had any experience with bamboo, and was curious if either you or your readers might have some feedback regarding this vs. maple butcher block.

the plastic synthetic boards, i assume are toxic.

what cutting boards (and oils) have you found to be the best performing and least toxic?

thank you kindly.

Debra’s Answer

I personally use maple, though I would consider a bamboo cutting board if I needed to purchase a new one. I’ve had mine for years, and actually have never put anything on them (see Q&A Wood Conditioner for Cutting Boards and Bowls for a lengthy discussion on this). They are still in excellent condition and I use them daily.

I’ve never found a cutting board to have toxic adhesives. They are required to be food safe.

The common 1/2′ thick plastic boards are made from High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). According to the International Plastics Task Force, mice fed HDPE powder as part of their diet “developed no changes in their general condition” in the short or long term.

Here are the types of cutting boards currently available:

Plastic — These come in hard and flexible plastic, and thick or thin. The harder the plastic, the less it offgasses. Sharp knives easily cut soft plastic, and can cut right through a soft thin plastic board. Hard plastic boards are very durable and easy to clean.

Tempered Glass — These are completely nontoxic, very durable, resistant to heat, and are the most sanitary and easy to clean. The disadvantage is they dull knife edges and make noise when you are chopping.

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