Question from Mattress Mama

Dear Debra, I would like to replace several coil spring mattresses at once , so cost is a big issue.

I have been looking at White Lotus Home and am deciding between the Green Cotton Mattress wrapped in wool with a non organic fabric cover and the Organic Cotton Mattress wrapped in wool.

The Organic Cotton version is double the price of the Green version so I was going to go with Green.

However you said in another post … “There are few, if any, pesticide residues in non-organic cotton FABRIC. This has been laboratory tested. However, there are pesticide residues in non-organic cotton BATTING. The processing of the cotton into fabric removes most, if not all, of the pesticides. The problem with pesticides on cotton is that they do go into the environment, where they pollute the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil our food is grown in”

Isn’t cotton BATTING what makes up the core of the Green Cotton Mattress? What is a budget minded mom to do? Please advise. Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Yes, cotton batting does make up the core of the Green Cotton Mattress, but it is a better choice than a synthetic mattress that is made from toxic materials and fire retardants.

You could ask them to make a mattress with non organic fabric and organic fill. That would reduce the price and still no pesticides.

I’m going to say something that I say a lot but it pertains here. Remember we live in a toxic world. What we are trying to do is REDUCE our toxic exposures because we cannot eliminate them entirely. So if you can’t afford all organic, do what you can afford. It will make a difference.

Or see if you can reduce your expenses on other items so you can buy the organic mattress. Or figure out how to get some extra money.

I always keep in mind that whatever I spend on eliminating toxics now will be fewer medical bills in the future. When I compare the cost of an organic bed now against the financial and personal cost of cancer in the future, I do what I need to do to get the money together.

Over the holidays I found I needed some money to make up for the holiday slump in my business and I just wrote emails to everyone I know locally and asked if they needed any help for the holidays. And the result was that I made a new friend and am helping him start a new business, while at the same time learning new marketing skills that are helping me in my business.

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Question from Mickie

Hi, I am looking for a non toxic hair color to color grey hair, I was wondering if you have heard of Apivita Hair Color, or if you can suggest something else. Thanks, Mickie

Debra’s Answer

This product looks good to me. Let us know how you like it after you try it.

Other suggestions are on various blog posts and Debra’s List. Just type “hair color” into the site search box.

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Question from Mickie

Is Sobakawn Cloud or buckwheat pillows o.k. for severe mcs? Bad neck and head pain from accident and no drs etc can help me can not take meds.

Mickie

Debra’s Answer

As I’ve said before, it’s difficult to evaluate anything to be safe for every individual with MCS because each has their own unique set of sensitivities.

I can tell you there is nothing I am aware of about buckwheat hull pillows that are toxic.

The Sobakawn Cloud pillow is full of “air beads” that appear to be some type of plastic. They don’t say the type of plastic and have no telephone number on their website, so I would pass on this one.

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Are you eating organic but using an ordinary over-the-counter laxative?

If you are, then read this article about polyethylene glycol in super-laxative products. The FDA has collected more than 2000 “adverse events” from such products, ranging from forgetfulness to death.

http://drkaayladaniel.com/the-poop-on-miralax/

Now if you need a laxative, that’s a sign you need to change your diet. Eat more vegetables. Drink more water. Green smoothies are fabulous. Take probiotics to repopulate your gut and enzymes to help digestive processes. Get your gut going again. Get professional help if you need to.

Digestion is vitally important to your health, to release and absorb nutrients from food and to move toxic chemicals out of your body.

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Question from sttlove

I have city water, and I recently found out that it is treated with Chloramine. I haven’t had it tested yet, but I can tell just by the smell that it is probably a high content. My family is suffering from it and it has become undesirable to bathe or shower. So, I would like to get a whole house Chloramine filter system. Does anyone know of a reputable company that specializes in this? I live in Pennyslvania. I know that Chloramine is much more complicated to remove than Chlorine, so it is important that I have the correct filtration. Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

Yes, I do know of an excellent whole house chloramine filter. You are very wise to make sure you are getting the right one.

I’ve been recommending PureEffect Filters since I installed their undersink filter in my own home (read why I chose the PureEffect Ultra-UC filter to install in my own home…. They also have a whole house filter that removes these same pollutants (chloramines, fluoride, radiation, etc) from your entire house.

Go to PureEffect Filters then click on “Filter Units” in the menu. The whole house filter for city water is the last item on the page. And right at the moment they are on sale.

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Question from nicolette

Hi there. Are Debra and anyone else still recommending “ManPans” for cookware? I need a saucepan quickly. I burnt up my old Reverware pan, and I read reviews on amazon that the new Reverware is just not of good quality anymore. ManPans sound just what I’m looking for. Just so it is safe! Thank you all!

Debra’s Answer

I have a Man Pan skillet that I’ve been using for a couple of years now and it works very well. The only thing about it–and this is my personal preference, not something “wrong”–it the pan is very lightweight, and I prefer a thicker layer on the bottom. Otherwise I’m totally happy with it.

Readers? Any other comments on Man Pans?

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Question from Bed Question

Questioning my recent order of a new “big kid” mattress for my 3 year old son. He has no allergies, I am simply trying to get the toxins out of our house.

That said, I purchased a double sided Pure Echo Mattress from mygreenmattress.com.

I had one inch of Talalay latex added to each side. Now I am reading Talalay latex is not that safe and that Dunlop latex is a better product?

Quite honestly, I am finding it impossible to figure out who is telling the truth. Can you at least tell me if this mattress is better for my son (and our home) than purchasing one from a conventional mattress store?

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know where you are reading about latex, but I will tell you what I know.

I recently have been researching latex and can’t go into the whole story here, but to answer your question about Talalay and Dunlop…

Here is a page from a manufacturer of Talalay latex that thoroughly explains both types: http://www.latexfoam.com/latex-material/how-latex-is-made

Talalay and Dunlop are two processing methods. But the materials used are the same. One is not more or less toxic than the other. The difference is in the quality. “Talalay latex is like a chocolate soufflé; although the process is long, your end product is a buoyant, airy, complex delight. Dunlop latex is more like a tray of brownies; tasty, but dense and flat in comparison.”

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Question from Angelique

Does anyone have experience with Bona or Safecoat wood floor finishes? Or any other finishes? And I mean PERSONAL experience, or the experience of another chemically-sensitive person. We don’t need stain, but if we decide to install 100% mesquite wood floors (nails only, no glue) we will need a sealer. For my husband’s office we’ll need an “ordinary” sealer, but my husband wonders if we want to put the wood in the kitchen too, instead of new tile (our tile is very chipped) so I think that will need a thicker, more waterproof sealer. The wood company likes Bona products. I have had good results with other Safecoat products.

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Any experience with these products?

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Question from Shelly

Hello Debra. I thought I read about a rebounder on your site but can’t find any links. Do you have an opinion about using rebounders (mini-trampolines)?

Thanks,

Shelly

Debra’s Answer

Yes. My opinion is they are great exercise. Especially to move the lymph system, which is vital for moving toxic chemicals out of your body. Unlike your blood, which moves by the action of the pumping of your heart, your lymph fluid moves only when you move your body. So daily exercise is extremely important.

The problem is that all the rebounders I’ve ever seen are made from some material that smells very strongly right out of the box. However, it does outgas fairly quickly. I have my rebounder in a corner of my living room and it doesn’t smell at all.

If you can rebound outdoors with fresh air, that would be all the better.

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Question from Kimberly

Do you know anything that helps if you have an “adverse reaction” to monosodium glutamate or it’s too numerous hidden names. I have also found it at every turn. Sometimes I feel like I am going to die…bad feeling! One time passed out fell on my face, busted my lips and my nose. Had a concussion. I am suppose to believe… FDA says it is safe.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know what can stop an MSG reaction. My advice would be to simply prepare all your own food from fresh ingredients. That’s what I do.

Readers, any experience with this?

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