Question from Annette Tweedel

Hi Debra, I have MCS. We live in Louisiana and we plan on going on a vacation to Gulf Shores, Alabama or Orange Beach, Alabama in September. I don’t know if I can handle just any kind of Ice chest. Could you recommend something that we could use that want outgas that we could put things in to keep cold, whether it be fruit or water?

Debra’s Answer

We fortunately have some very old ice chests that have gassed out.

Readers, what are you using for ice chests?

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Question from Carole

I’m moving into the house of a friend. The house has hardwood floors and is basically chemical free. However, someone who just moved out used plug in air fresheners in her bedroom for over 2 years. The odor is permeating the house. Would cleaning the a/c ducts help? Does anyone have any other suggestions for removing the chemicals and the odor still in the air? Can it penetrate the wood floors and the walls?

I’m desperate for help. This is such a scary and frustrating condition, mcs. I’ve suffered off and on since 2000, when I worked for a printing company. I can go for a long time and not be affected and then I get exposed to something for a period of time and I start feeling sick again.

Thank you for any suggestions.

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any experience with this?

Personally, I would probably not live in such a house.

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Question from jenbooks

I have a new dilemma :).

I live in the city. I’ve been using double Holmes window fans most of the summer as its healthier than air conditioning. However the city soot comes in and that’s very unhealthy.

I bought a fan that had a clip on air filter that was some kind of dark polyurethane mesh that did not seem very high quality and smelled chemical.

I wonder if there is an all natural, fiber type filter that I could cut and put in the fan? I am not sure if the fiberglass filters in hardware stores that can be cut for a/c’s are actually healthy (do fiberglass particles get airborne? And also these filters are coated with chemicals.)

Do you know of any natural or healthy filters?

I was wondering if adapting a sheer piece of cotton would work?

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Nannette Wilcox

I live in the Gulf Coast area and use the Damp Rid product in all of my closets in my home. Is it safe and if not is there a natural mold inhibitor that I can put out in the containers to replace that product? Thanks

Debra’s Answer

Damp Rid is perfectly fine. It’s just silica gel and clay. They have many products. You can look up their ingredients and MSDSs at www.damprid.com.

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Question from Stephanie Mills

Debra, Are you familiar with “home safe products” by Natural Choices? They advertise their products are “proven to be safe for sufferers of allergies, asthma and multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS).” What do you think about their Oxy-boost oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate, sodium carbonate) and detergent (The ingredients for Oxy-prime powdered detergent are listed as sodium carbonate, sodium percarbonate, anionic and non-ionic surfactants.)? I need something with stronger cleaning power than soapnuts since we live and work on a farm.

Catherine, the founder of the company, also tells me that sodium lauryl ether sufate which is in their hand soap, body wash, etc.. is not the same as slf, or sodium lauryl sulfate. Is that true? Their phone # is 1-866-699-2667 and website is www.oxyboost.com. I respect your opinion and thank you for this great website.

Debra’s Answer

I’ve had them listed on Debra’s List for a few years, and I’m fine with their cleaning products. Have never had a negative comment from users.

Sodium lauryl ether sulfate in fact is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate, but the difference is slight. Sodium lauryl ether sulfate is made from sodium lauryl sulfate by addition ethylene, which is made from petrochemicals. Sodium lauryl ether sulfate is considered to be less harsh on the skin.

In my book Home Safe Home, I wrote about what I called “hybrid-natural” ingredients, where the base part of the ingredient is a natural, but then it is modified with petrochemicals. This is true of many so-called “natural” ingredients found in so-called “natural” products. SLS and SLES are two such ingredients.

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Question from Dennis in San Diego

I recently read an article that I believe the Washington Post ran concerning a study on products that frequently make people sick. I know I used to feel ill walking down a grocery store aisle where laundry products are stored – or when walking past a mobile home where laundry was being done with the frangrances from detergents and etc being exhausted to the outside – my mom gets extremely ill from the electrical scented oil air fresheners —-

This study mentioned that many volatile ingredients were found across the board in laundry detergents, air fresheners, etc — that were not listed as ingredients. They were suggesting using fragrance free products. They were not listing brand names, they said the results were pretty much across the board.

There needs to be a consumer movement to make these ingredients listed so consumers can make intelligent decisions.

Personally, I use Seventh Generation liquid for my front load Frigidaire washer, as well as fabric softener, and dishwasher detergent powder. For a rinse aid, I use the Ecover – and for paper towels I use the brown Seventh Generation towels. All of these products I am very satisfied about. I am pushing for our store (Henry’s Marketplace) to carry more, Target carries some, as well as Sprouts and Windmill Farms. Also products are available online, though you may have to purchase larger quantities of products.

Debra’s Answer

I agree. That’s why I make a point to list fragrance-free products on Debra’s List.

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Question from Kara Govoni

Hello!

I am in the process of adopting 2 kittens from the local humane society. I would like to make the products I buy for them as green as possible (without breaking the bank!) Does anyone have any specific recommendations or websites/stores that sell green(er) litterboxes, toys, food, and pet beds? I have looked into the Feline Pine litter, and plan to use it, but have not found any other green, cost-effective cat products out there yet. Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

We use feline pine for our cat and have had our share of kittens over the years. You can read about our cat at At Home With Debra: Caring for My Cat.

Readers, suggestions for kittens?

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Question from Laura

I have a Kitchen Aid built in ice machine. Apparently, special ice machine cleaner is required to properly clean the machine. I was wondering if anyone had tried vinegar, baking soda, or something more natural to clean an ice maker.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Melodie

My daughter is highly chemical sensitive and cannot be around even low odor dry erase markers. (at least none that I’ve found locally) I need to find some that will work because her classroom has NO CHALKBOARD! Any suggestions for markers with no odor? (PS, we tried the wipe off crayons and they don’t er…wipe off) Thanks so much!!! School started today, so any replies will be much appreciated.

Debra’s Answer

I use a “fine point” marker called Vis-A-Vis that I get at Staples. But if you need a broad tip…I don’t know.

Readers?

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Question from Stella

Dear Debra,

A have been looking for an organic futon and came across of one made with Organic Soy-based Memory Foam. What do you think of this foam? Who makes it?

I would like to make a mattress using it. I was looking for a source to purchase it but could not find it anywhere in Google search. Where can I get it? Is there a site about soy products other than food?

Please help. Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

I only know of one, but don’t recommend it because it is basically regular plastic foam with less than 50% soy.

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