Question from RR

Hi Debra,

Can you recommend an “MCS-safer” exterior wood preservative?

Wve-groue are building an abond cabin (6-8 inches above ground). Instead of using pressure treated wood, we plan to use untreated Hemlock lumber. (We are finding Hemlock less smelly and less reactive than Pine). But we need something to preserve the exterior Hemlock, specifically for the joists and the underside of the cabin. We know we can use Vermont Natural Coatings for the interior wood, as you suggested that in another post of yours. But what can we use for an exterior wood preservative?

We are thinking of using LIFE TIME WOOD TREATMENT product, found here:

www.valhalco.com/index.htm

Have you heard of it or do you have any other suggestions? This is from their website:

“LifeTime Wood Treatment is made up of naturally occurring plant and mineral substances, combined in a special, 60 year old recipe handed down through generations of a family of craftsmen. A safe chemical free product. LifeTime contains absolutely no solvents. Wood treated with LifeTime is completely harmless to all living things.”

Thanks,

R

Debra’s Answer

This sounds like a very interesting product indeed. I have no experience with it, but would like to know more.

Readers, have any of you used this?

Why don’t you get some and do a test before buying enough for the whole house. And let us know what it’s like.

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Question from A NEW MOM

Hi Debra,

I am interested in making reusable sandwich bags for my children. I would like to use nylon because it is sturdy and so that I can wash it in the dishwasher. Do you know if nylon is safe for holding foods?

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know if nylon is considered “food safe” by the FDA, but I know of no toxicity to nylon. Toothbrush bristles, for example, are made of nylon. I don’t know of any reason it wouldn’t be OK.

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Question from Bonnie Johnson

Hi Friends and Debra

I just purchased a new Health Pro Plus from IQAIR. I watched it being demonstrated in the store and was really excited. I have some remodeling coming up and wanted a safe haven in my bedroom at least. I got the new one home and out of the box and there is a new plastic smell that I believe is the housing of the unit. I have it sitting downstairs in hopes it will offgas soon.

Anyone have any experience with these machines? For the price I am somewhat dissappointed in that smell. I own several Hunters and never had a problem but they don’t do what this one does. How long do I let it sit?

Bonnie Johnson

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Cari

Hi, fire king jadite, the vintage stuff, is an opaque light green. I guess it is borosilicate glass from what I read. Is this lead free? I cannot find more out about this topic. I have read it is ok to microwave in, but not use in the dishwasher. I would like to feel safe in using these old dishes for everyday. Thanks for everything!

Debra’s Answer

Jadite derives it’s distinguishing color from the addition of uranium to glass, thus giving jadite it’s alternate name, uranium glass. The amount of uranium ranges from trace amounts to about 2 percent by weight. Some pieces made in the 1800s, however, contain up to 25 percent uranium.

Most uranium glass was made into tableware and household items. It fell out of use when uranium was needed to make atomic bombs in the 1950s.

Jadite will register radioactivity on a geiger counter, but the amounts are so low they are considered to be harmless.

To answer your question about lead, I would say that jadite probably does not contain lead. All I could find was that it contains uranium and glass. Lead is typically used in a glaze for color or within the glass to make it sparkle, as in cut crystal.

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Question from chris

Hello, I recently received my first set of bedsheets in a beautiful organic cotton bag. They are beautiful but unfortunately this cotton is so very rough! It is also somewhat itchy. Needless to say, a very uncomfortable sleeping experience! I was very surprised since my organic terry robe & towels are the softest and so are my organic cotton balls, 1000 times softer than regular cotton. Not so with the woven cotton. I don’t mind stiff but do not care for itchy & scrachy!

What natural products can I use to soften my sheets? I heard about an enzyme wash but all got is so far as wondering whether I need to buy digestive enzyme cellulase caps and open a few into the laundry water and soak them. Would that do it? Is this what an enzyme wash is? I read that cellulase digests fiber. I also read about soaking in boiling water and 2 cups of vinegar but I haven’t tried.

Any natural tips on how to get these sheets soft and non-itchy (but not coated with any oils) will be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I’ve noticed some organic cotton sheets are stiff too. It’s not the cotton itself. It must be some kind of finish. I don’t know what.

My experience has been that cotton gets softer and softer the more you wash it.

Readers, any other ideas?

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Question from lil

Is there a fragrance free electric dishwashing product on the market ?

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Marshann Burnette

I am trying to create organic bed because I can’t sleep. I have covered our mattress with an organic mattress pad, use organic sheets and pillow cases, and use an organic wool blanket.

Now for the pillow. Where can I find an organic choice that resembles the molded Tempru Pedic pillow my chiropractor recommends?

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know how the Tempurpedic pillow is molded, but you can probably get any company that makes organic pillows to custom make a pillow for you in any shape.

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Question from MR

I recently purchased a Culligan shower filter in order to reduce my exposure to the chlorinated water in my home.

This shower filter contains a bacteriostatic this is suppose to filter out the bacteria in the water, if any.

Is this bacteriostatic related to triclosan? Am I eliminating one hazard but creating another by using this shower filter?

Debra’s Answer

The product description of this filter says “The bacteriostatic filter will retard the growth of bacteria within your shower head.”

Bacteriostatic means that the material in the filter–KDF 55–retards bacteria growth but does not kill it or remove it. There is no added toxic bacteria-killing substance.

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