Question from cymering

Hi Debra!

My question today is specifically about denim, or jeans. A few days ago I read a post were you said that generally denim does not have any finishes, but that was an old post. Maybe you have different information now. And there is a lot to read about pesticides use in clothing during transportation… Will regular washing before use eliminate these? In some other websites the advice is to buy used, and I understand that this is better for the environment, but will this be less toxic? Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

I’m not aware of any finishes that are used on denim.

Washing alone is not a guarantee that pesticides will be eliminated.

Used is not necessarily less toxic, as used clothing usually contains residues of fragrance from laundry products.

Buying jeans made in the USA would eliminate the pesticides that are applied during transportation to products made overseas. Another reason to buy Made in USA.

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Question from cymering

Hi Debra!

I have a questions about Superwash wool. The information I have says that it is a natural fiber, but that it has been treated to make it machine washable. Are those treatment toxic? I have some yarn in my posession. So the second question is, Is it toxic for us to wear? If it is toxic, I will get rid of it. If it is a toxic process for the environment but not toxic to wear, I would think that using it will be better than putting it in the trash… Thank you so much in advance for your advice.

Debra’s Answer

Superwash wool is made in two ways: 1) by using an acid bath to remove the “scales” from the fiber, or 2) by coating the fiber with a polymer that basically keeps the scales from being able to join together and cause shrinkage.

Unfortunately, you can’t tell which is which by looking or feeling. You would need to ask the manufacturer.

If it is the “polymer” treatment, it might be one of thousands of different substances with varying toxicity. The acid bath treatment would be fine, as it doesn’t remain on the wool.

Best to use untreated organic wool yarn to be certain it contains no toxic substances.

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Question from ehutton

We are presently in the last stages of renovation after a flood and the only thing left to do is to finish or seal the cement floor in the basement. We don’t want to put down expensive floors that could get flooded again, but we’d like to do something to make the grey cement look a little more appealing, perhaps some white stain or tint. Trouble is, it seems all the paints out there are toxic and cannot be used safely inside a house. All the non-toxic solutions like Milk Paint or Keimfarben cannot be used on a surface that one walks on! And I cannot use AFM products. We used their stuff on many occasions and found them to be lacking greatly in effectiveness and they smelled so bad that they gave my husband, who doesn’t have any issues, a major headache! I am in Canada – so are there any options left? Elke

Debra’s Answer

Readers, your suggestions?

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Question from ellenelle

My husband spilled motor oil on the cement floor of our garage, leaving a patch of around 12 inches diameter after he blotted it up with paper towels. Of course, it still smells really bad. Does anyone know of any way I can get the rest of it up, preferably using some kind of enzymatic product that will degrade it into harmless components?

Thanks,

Ellen

Debra’s Answer

First you need to absorb the oil into some material to remove it, such as unscented kitty litter or sawdust.

Then apply something that breaks down grease, such as soap, and scrub it with a brush until the residue is removed.

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Question from Mrs. Chris

CamelBak water bottles are tritan plastic and claim to be BPA free. They have a bite-valve and straw that runs into the bottle so it is used without tipping. Are these truly a safe bottle?

Debra’s Answer

A study I wrote about at Q&A: Study Shows Which Water Bottles Leach BPA verified that bottles made from tritan do NOT leach BPA, however tritan is a plastic so I have to approach it with caution. I don’t know what it may or may not be leaching. It’s an uncertainty. I have no evidence of it leaching toxic substances.

Glass it still my #1 best recommendation for the safest container for food or beverages.

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Question from sasha123

Hi Debra, Do you have any recommendation for furniture coasters on a wood floor? Home Depot has felt coasters, brand Feltgard, made from recycled materials, but I haven’t been able to find the content. Any feedback on those or something else for that purpose? thanks, Anne, Portland, OR

Debra’s Answer

I personally have used similar little felt circles (don’t remember what brand) and have never had a problem with them. It’s unlikely they contain toxic chemicals. I was unable to find an MSDS for this product, which is required by law if it contains hazardous substances.

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Question from Texas Cook

Hi Debra, My youngest daughter has times of the year that are so difficult because of severe outdoor allergies. I am considering purchasing x box 360 kinect so that we can play sports together while she has to spend so much time inside. I know nothing about the lasers they use for the kinect and I am wondering if they are safe. Thank you for your advice!

Debra’s Answer

I know nothing about this product. Readers?

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Question from Scent Free Girl

My husband installed a tile shower in my bathroom in mid September of 2011, and I can still smell the tile adhesive he used. He’s a contractor and he used premixed tile adhesive. He didn’t realize it would continue to put off a chemical odor after four months (he himself could hardly smell the chemicals and I wasn’t there when he was getting ready to use the glue). I smell the adhesive smell through the grout lines and I don’t know what to do. I contacted AFM who said they didn’t have a product to seal in the smell (Safe Seal isn’t appropriate for tile grout and their grout sealer does not prevent out-gassing).

I am wondering what are my options to get rid of this chemical smell. Should I try to bake out the smell with heaters or do I need to ask my husband to bust out the tile and start again? Will this noxious smell dissipate over time?

Debra’s Answer

Bust out the tile and start over.

I’ll just say this again. Do NOT NOT NOT use tile adhesive. It’s very toxic. Thanks for posting your first-hand experience.

Tile should ONLY be laid with thinset mortar,

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