Question from Kimberly78

My mom and I where wondering if cotton Stuffing is toxic like the batting? She (mom) wants the stuffing to make children toys. Or do we need to find organic stuffing as well? Thank-you

Debra’s Answer

Cotton stuffing and cotton batting are the same thing. If you don’t want pesticides in your cotton stuffing, you need to get organic.

Add Comment

Question from petercsantoro@yahoo.com

I have a terrible mice problem. We live behind a golf course, and seem to always have mice. I find their droppings throughout our first floor (mainly the kitchen). I have a toddler and infant who is crawling so I am desperate to find a solution. I have read the section on mice here, but still am not sure if there is a solution. Of course I don’t want to use anything toxic, but my husband states an exterminator who will use poison is the best solution. We have discussed even getting a pet, a small dog to keep the mice from coming out. Of course we aren’t sure if this will work and neither of us really wants the extra work or expense of a pet. What would you recommend? Is the bait an exterminator uses still harmful if it is hidden away in walls/crevices? This I am not sure of… My husband argues that the kids cannot reach the bait/poison so it’s not harmful. If a pet is the best answer, I will get one. I can’t keep cleaning every morning and night after mice! Thanks so much!

Debra’s Answer

Here is a good summary of controlling house mice: House Mouse Prevention and Control. It lists all the standard control methods and says to use poison bait only as a last resort.

To answer your question about the safety of mouse bait, you need to find out what the exterminators are planning to use and then we can look that up.

In the MSDS for D-Con, it says to “move to fresh air” if fumes from the pellets are inhaled. I don’t feel comfortable having this poison in my house, even if it is in the walls.

But find out what they want to use, and then you will have the real data.

Add Comment

Question from Sandy Moskovitz

Hi, Debra–we have a 10-year old front loading Asko washing machine. I’ve recently been reading about the importance of cleaning front-loaders, and from the article, I realize that our towels have mildew (I had no idea why they were starting to smell kind of weird). I’ve read about a product called Smelly Washer and also Smelly Towels which are supposed to help get rid of the mildew in the machine, but other than saying that the products are made from citrus, they don’t disclose their ingredients. Any other ways to clean a front loader and especially to get rid of the mildew in the towels? I use Maggie’s Soap Nut liquid, and sometimes include Borax, Hydrogen Peroxide bleach, or Baking Soda if our clothes are extra dirty.

Thanks for the help!

Best,
Sandy Moskovitz

Princeton, NJ

Debra’s Answer

Anyone have any experience with these products or with removing mildew from towels? I personally have never needed to remove mildew from towels and couldn’t find a MSDS for the products.

Add Comment

Question from SDAnna

What non-bleach, non-toxic cleaner is recommended for concrete and masonry walls? I am chemically sensitive.

Debra’s Answer

Readers, what have you used?

Add Comment

Last Friday Congressional leaders introduced the federal Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011.

This bill will give the FDA the authority it needs to ensure that personal care products are free of harmful substances and chemicals linked to cancer,infertility, birth defects, and other serious health problems.

Fran Drescher explains why this is important: US Needs Safer Cosmetics by Fran Drescher.

Please urge your House members to co-sponsor the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011.

The Campaign for Safe Costmetics has made it easy for you:

1. Email your House members using their easy form.


2. Call your House members with their Legislator Lookup.


3. Visit your House members in person.