Question from Gab

I am trying to get the best possible set up for my house cannot afford organic bed. I have a very old matress and base set that seems not to affect me with cotton sheets and wool doona. have been feeling better does the old matresses and an old foam lounge eventually become non toxic after along time? There are many things like carpet and paint work lino floors I am not allowed to change the ventilation is good and I have not been having problems any suggestions?

Debra’s Answer

Standard synthetic beds become less and less toxic with time. It’s impossible for me to evaluate your bed without seeing it, you need to evaluate it for yourself.

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Question from L.A.

I recently bought a set of Simply Organic 100% organic cotton sheets/pillowcases at Bed Bath and Beyond. When I went to launder them before using them, the cleaning instructions on the labels said to “machine wash cold.”

I prefer to wash sheets with hot water. Has anyone who’s used these sheets tried washing with hot water, and did it affect the sheets in any way?

Or is cold water just as effective as hot for sheets and pillowcases?

Debra’s Answer

I have no experience with this particular brand of sheets, however, I can tell you that there are very clear general guidelines about when to use hot, warm, and cold water, from the viewpoint of maintaining fabrics. These guidelines are behind washing instructions found on the label.

That said, on the other hand, the best choice for the environment is to wash items in cold water as often as possible. According to Treehugger, 90 percent of the energy used in washing clothes goes toward heating the water. If you have an electric water heater, pressing the hot/cold button on your washer for one load has the same impact as driving about 9 miles in a car. A gas water heater is equivalent to driving only 3 miles in a car. And when you wash in cold water only, there is 0 production of CO2 for heating water, only the production from running the washing machine.

So the answer to your question is, if you need to wash in hot water to kill germs, go ahead, but it will take a toll on the life of your sheets and contribute more to global warming. Cold water was most probably recommended to preserve the fabric, keep it from shrinking, and save energy.

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Question from L.A.

Does witch hazel kill germs?

Debra’s Answer

Witch hazel is an herbal plant. It’s leaves are astringent, which means it tends to shrink or constrict body tissues. It also dries, hardens, and protects the skin.

If the witch hazel preparation contains rubbing alcohol, it would kill germs, but the germ-killing agent would be the rubbing alcohol, not the witch hazel.

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Question from mamta

Hello, I am thrilled to come across your website ! I have been looking online for waterproof natural sofa. Since I have a 10 month old baby, I read all about the off-gassing from vinyl couch.

I also want to stay clear from leather.

So we just bought a natural latex/wool/silk mattress from Ikea, its 15% synthetic latex….zero smell…the memory foam mattress from costco was way too toxic…we returned it…

Now if I can find a waterproof sofa, easy to maintain, and clean…any idea where to find a natural latex sofa slip cover/upholstery?? or do I buy the natural latex sheet and custom make my own order?

Thankyou, will appreciate your answer…

Debra’s Answer

I’m not sure I understand your question. Natural latex sheet to make a slipcover?

There are now organic cotton slipcovers. One website that sells them is www.getslipcovers.com. I don’t think they are waterproof, but they are removable.

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Question from laa

HI again, everyone – please Debra, could you advise:

Many, many thanks. Your help is a godsend to many of us, Debra!

Debra’s Answer

Readers, please share your experience regarding mold on organic cotton mattresses, if any. I have only had one organic cotton futon, which I had only a few years, but it was in an apartment in the foggiest part of San Francisco where visible mold was growing on everything and there was no mold on the organic cotton futon.

As you may already know, I sleep on an organic wool mattress with no innersprings, which I got from Shpeherd’s Dream. I’ve had it for years, and no mold.

Again, readers, please tell of your experience with the smell of organic cotton. I don’t think it has a strong odor myself.

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Question from Mary Anne

Hi Debra – thanks so much for all you do for us folks with MCS. I hope you or your readers can help me.

I need to remove the old slotted metal cover plate from a shower drain, but the screws are very old, rusted and corroded and won’t budge. I can’t cut the plate out because the housings for the screws are solidly integrated as a part of the drain pipe fitting (no flimsy side attachments here – they don’t make ’em like they used to!).

The hardware store suggested naval jelly, but one look at the MSDS sent me out the door shivering. Is there a safe – or at least less toxic – alternative for naval jelly? Once the cover plate is off it will be replaced with a new metal one that snaps in, eliminating the need for screws in the future. Can you help me? Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from KJ

This is a very hard subject.

I’d like ro feel the wood when I walk on it. It looks like most finishes, like Vermont Natural Coatings, have finished surface similar to polyurethane finish. The wood does not breathe because surface is coated.

I found this product WOCA Denmark. This is OIL finish, which I know is bad. However, the MSDS shows no VOC. It also claims that the wood is left to breathe.

It looks like this is used in industrial settings like in restaurants. I did call a restaurant, and they were very happy with how durable it is.

For me, that is not a big issue. Safety is more important. I and the kids are going to be living on this wood floor, hands and feet touching it.

What do you think?

Hi!I am interested in using an ecofriendly option for staining and sealing a new wood floor. I have small children who will be essentially living on that floor and want to reduce the off gassing as much as possible. What are my options in terms of brands that I can use, how to they hold up to the mainstream options and are they affordable?

Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I have experience with two kinds of wood finishes. There may be more, but this is what I can tell you.

Many years ago I used a plant-based wood finish on an old mahogany desk. It looks beautiful, you can experience the wood, and it’s made completely from renewable ingredients. But here is the problem. It took a very long time to dry (months!). During this time it had an odor of the natural oils, but it was also sticky. It really did take months for it to dry to a hard finish where things didn’t stick to it. Even after it was dry and hard, if water spilled on it, the finish would discolor because it absorbed the water, and stay discolored until the water evaporated out.

Aesthetically, I would absolutely choose the plant-based finish, but it isn’t practical for me. I sit at my desk working all day long in a hot climate, with glasses or glass bottles of cold water right next to me. This results in condensation. Even though I use coasters, there are often drips as I lift the glass from the coaster to my lips. So I have been using finishes like Vermont Natural Coatings for this reason. [As I was writing this, I thought, “There must be a solution to this, and there is: absorbent coasters made from sandstone. I am going to get some, so I could use any finish now.]

Readers, what are your experiences and suggestions?

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Question from Mary

I’m looking for a nontoxic or, at least, less toxic eyebrow pencil in a grey or brown. I’ve been using Logona, but it is difficult to apply smoothly. Any suggestions?

Debra’s Answer

I don’t use eyebrow pencil. Readers, your suggestions?

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Question from S

Hi Debra, How would one know if their flexible duct under the house for your furnace contains pvc? What would be a safe alternative? Thanks s

Debra’s Answer

I think you would need to have someone come out and inspect it.

I haven’t researched ductwork. It might be faster for someone who has had experience with this to answer.

Readers?

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Question from Susan

Has anyone ever heard of a method used to refurbish a bathtub known as “epoxy polyurethane oxide”? The company that uses this method would be spraying this solution on the tub that we are hoping to have refinished. I will be bathing my 3 young grandchildren in the tub, and I don’t want to cause any harm to them if this method is toxic in any way. Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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