Question from Tiffany Newman

I make nontoxic bath and body products and I’d like to start selling them. However, it is vital that my workspace as well as the lotion containers be disinfected. I have been using alcohol. Everyone I know uses bleach/water solution. I’d prefer not to use either one as they give me a headache and are contrary to what I am trying to do. That said, I also don’t want to get sued if there is bacteria in my lotion. Are there any less toxic bacteria killing cleaners out there that I could also use to sterilize my bottles? Thanks

Debra’s Answer

Are you using glass or plastic bottles? Glass bottles could be sterilized by immersing them in boiling water.

Many essential oils also have disinfectant properties. I wrote about this on page 110 of my book Home Safe Home.

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Question from cymering

Hi Debra!

I need some advice. We need to repaint the windows in our house (original wood windows) because the old paint is stanting to peel. It is an old house, and the person that is doing the job explain to me about the process, how they have to isolate the area and use a special vaccum, so I think I am in good shape there.

Now my problem is that we have to paint both inside and outside, the frame between the window and the storm window too.

That means using exterior paint. The I handyman suggested DURATION (Sherwim Williams).

For the interior he said that we can use Harmony, that is no-VOC. At first I was going to tell him to do the exterior first, wait a while and then do the interior, but to do the outside they have to open the windows anyway, so now I do not know what would be best.

I could not find any reviews that tell if the natural paints can cover old paint with lead.

Debra’s Answer

I think you will have little problem with this, especially because it is summer. You shouldn’t need to wait more than a day for the Harmony paint to outgas. I’ve used this paint and the odor dissipates quickly.

I haven’t used their exterior paint, but you could do a test first and see how long it takes to dry and outgas.

About the lead, first, these paints you have mentioned are NOT natural. They are 100% petrochemical, just less toxic than most other paints. Second, any paint will protect from lead exposure because it’s the mechanical action of the coating that encapsulates the lead. So any paint will do for that purpose.

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Question from Katie DP

Hi Debra,

I’m looking into trying ManPans cookware because they claim to be safe, non-toxic, non-leaching, energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and made in the USA. Their website (www.manpans.com) describes ManPans as made of hard-anodized aluminum with a water-based, natural quartz-like finish that’s permanently bonded to the aluminum for a smooth “stick-resistant” (not quite non-stick) surface that doesn’t react with food or chip off. You can even use metal utensils on this extremely durable, non-reactive surface (though I prefer not to use metal).

I currently like my Xtrema ceramic pots for cooking numerous things, and was exploring options for a frying pan and also a steamer (I don’t want to cook on metal surface or in silicone). I’ve been reading your Green Living blog’s posts about cookware, including Cuisinart’s Green Gourmet line which I was about to try for a frying pan… then I came across ManPans, which I am considering now, too. Even though it’s only “stick-resistant,” I especially like the claim of the durable, non-reactive, non-toxic permanently bonded surface, so maybe it’s worth a try. I contacted them for more info on what this surface is, exactly, and how they know it’s inert, but never heard back. I’m interested in what you’d think of them (especially if you have any thoughts in regard to health/safety and non-toxic aspects).

Thanks

Debra’s Answer

Can’t say. I contacted them and never heard back. I’ve never seen these pans in a store. I’d love to get one, but don’t have money to buy everything I’d like to try.

Has anyone used these? Or anyone want to buy one for me to evaluate?

I think they should send me a sample.

I’m concerned they are not responding to either you or me.

UPDATE 8/23/11

ManPans DID send me a sample pan when I again requested one after posting this blog.

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Question from Peter in CT

Hi! I need to replace a leaking bathroom faucet. I searched Green Living Q&A for entries on bathroom faucets and came up with some good entries regarding locating a faucet that is low-lead or no-lead, which is helpful.

Going one step further, can anyone recommend a particular faucet brand and/or model that is not only safe from a lead standpoint but also from the standpoint of chemicals, e.g., solvents used in the manufacture of the valve within the faucet?

In other words, is there anyone brand and model that is less likely to have chemical residues inside the faucet that might cause a very sensitive person (my wife) trouble?

Thanks very much for any info you might have! Peter

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know of one offhand.

Readers, any suggestions?

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Question from petercsantoro@yahoo.com

I need to replace some vinyl shades in a few windows in my home, particularly in my children’s playroom. Is it true these contain lead? They were in our home when we bought it about 3 years ago and I didn’t realize they were a problem.

I have looked for natural, non-toxic shades or curtains and they are extremely expensive.

Do you have any tips or suggestions for what I can use that is safe, non-toxic, especially for my small children’s playroom? What about just cotton sheers from any store? Are these safe and untreated?

Lastly, we had bought supposedly “natural” shades for our bedrooms with a panel to block light. Can I be sure these are safe or could these be off-gassing chemicals… Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

I have purchased 100% cotton curtains from Target and IKEA and they were fine after I washed them.

I can’t comment on your shades without seeing them.

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Question from petercsantoro@yahoo.com

I purchased an outdoor tablecloth for my teak table on our outdoor porch. I noticed the tablecloth is acrylic coated cotton. My family eats at the table all the time. Is this tablecloth toxic? Should I take it off and not allow my children to eat off of it? The problem is that all outdoor items, including furniture and cushions, seem to have chemicals or coatings of some sort. I have an outdoor teak sofa (on my screened in porch) and the cushions are polyurethane foam and polyester fabric ( called “Sunbrella” material). Would you recommend removing these cushions? Any suggestions on what to use instead? Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Yes, virtually all fabrics designed to be “weatherproof,” that is, it’s OK to leave them out in the sun and rain, have some sort of plastics or synthetics involved.

Acrylic on a tablecloth is not that toxic, especially if you leave it outdoors where it will offgas quickly due to the weather. Personally, I minimize my use of plastic as much as possible, so I don’t buy these. I just bring a fresh cotton tablecloth out to my picnic table under the trees when I want to use it, then toss the tablecloth in the washer when I’m done.

As for the sofa cushions, the polyurethane foam is just as toxic and has just as much fire retardants as if they were used indoors to make a sofa or a mattress. I would remove the cushions myself. I don’t know what else to use that would be weatherproof.

Polyethylene or nylon would be the least toxic materials to use outdoors. You could make slipcovers for the cushions with Reflectix and then slipcover them with a nylon fabric and that should be fine, but I doubt you will find anything like this readymade.

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