Question from BIGBELLY

I have a 2 year old and am expecting a new baby around christmas. I cannot afford to buy a new natural mattress but am concerned about my children sleeping on a bad toxic surface. I thought about buying the snugglewool blanket (made with pure merino wool) and letting the newborn sleep on it as it would protect her from the off-gasing of the mattress, would that be correct or do you have any other suggestions?

What about buying a silk sleepsack to sleep on ? Would that be healthier ?

Also, should I buy some wool liners for the car seats and stroller, should I be concerned that the fabrics and/or plastic material off-gas ?

Debra’s Answer

Wool blankets do not block the fumes from the outgassing of mattresses or car seats or strollers. A wool blanket is a good idea on it’s own merit, but not to block fumes.

Silk is fine as a material, too.

Moms, what suggestions have you?

You might find some answers to your questions here:

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Question from HELLEN HEAVEN

I recently decided to buy my 2 year old son a comforter. I had decided that I would go for down, and then changed my mind when I saw the price.

I also thought that a polyester filled comforter would be more practical!

Then I got home and started to worry about what’s in the polyester, being slowly released ….. any ideas what I should do, how can I find out if even the feathers are treated in some way?

Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I would choose a down comforter over polyester. However, people with feather allergies prefer polyester.

Polyester is a material I personally avoid, and polyester fabrics are treated with formaldehyde. However, in the larger scheme of things, the toxicity is relatively minor.

You might try looking for a used down comforter, or buying one on sale after Christmas. Try an off-price store, too, like Ross or Marshall’s for a down comforter at a more affordable price.

There are, of course, comforters filled with other natural fibers. Mine is filled with organic wool. But these are no less expensive than down.

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Question from Ruth Ruddock

I have had poor luck with body lotions, trying to find one that is completely scent free (so many have a masker smell) and does not have any ingredients that would be harmful when absorbed into the body.

I am chemically sensitive and want to avoid buying more products only to find that they are still slightly smelly or have toxic ingredients. Someone told me recently, that Sophia Loren uses straight olive oil on her face and body to keep dryness away. I don’t want to resort to that!!!

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Ruth R. Wisconsin

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from TKC

I was recently in Walmart and wanted to buy some chewable Vitamin C. I stood there for a while reading the ingredient lists and trying to decide which was the most “natural.” Can you buy “natural” vitamins at Walmart or are you better off going to a health food store? And what ingredients are acceptable as additives?

Thanks for any advice!

P.S. Love your newsletter! It has been very helpful to me!

Debra’s Answer

Oh, this is a big question, so I’ll try to give you a quick and easy answer.

What is the most “natural”? That would be 100% whole food organic supplements, as the nutrients would be closest to as they appear in Nature.

“Natural”, however, in the food and vitamin industry, means only “without artificial addditives”. The ingredients themselves still have pesticides.

If you are choosing vitamins at Wal-Mart, look for those that don’t have artificial colors or flavors and derived the vitamin from a natural source. For vitamin C, the label should say it’s from oranges or acerold cherries, or some real food.

What ingredients are acceptable additives? That’s a HUGE question, for there are artificial additives )not acceptable) and natural “additives” (which may be fine). A good book to learn about additives is Ruth Winter’s A Consumer’s Dictionary of Food Additives.

You might want to also look for vitamins at your local natural food store or online.

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Question from Jen

Debra, thanks for all the good work!

I’m checking out non-chlorine stain removers as a temporary fix for worn porcelain sinks. I visited the Oxiclean website, which claims the main ingredient is a “solidified form of hydrogen peroxide”.

But the NIH website says it’s sodium percarbonate. Are these related?

There are also unspecified surfactants.

The Science of OxiClean

NLM-NIH Household Products Database

Debra’s Answer

Hydrogen peroxide and sodium percarbonate are not exactly the same thing. Sodium percarbonate is sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide together. So the addition of the sodium carbonate may make the hydrogen peroxide into “a solidified form”. It’s essentially the same thing.

Most of the green bleach products are simply some form of hydrogen peroxide, the hydogren peroxide being the active ingredient. So you could just use hydrogen peroxide itself.

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Question from svw

Is there any brand of safe fabric softener sheets out there. I know seventh generation has one, however, it also has a scent so is not tolerable for us…we have tried baking soda and vinegar but they dont seem to eliminate the static. svw

Debra’s Answer

I don’t use fabric softener. Readers?

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Question from Jane Ann

I have been researching light therapy boxes on the internet. These are for seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

I haven’t been able to find any products that don’t have some plastic components. I don’t know whether a product exists made of only metal, glass, porcelain, etc. Some claim to have a “steel cabinet with a baked enamel finish to reduce out-gassing”, but then the front of the unit is made of plastic. Some don’t mention what the materials are. When I call to inquire, I get people who don’t know anything about the materials.

Does anyone have any personal experience with this type of product? I belive my husband would greatly bennefit from light therapy, but I am extremely environmentaly sensitive, and I don’t want to introduce something potentially toxic into my home.

Thanks for any help!

Jane Ann

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from pat h

I am suffering with the dryness in my home despite keeping the heat low. I have bought several portable dehumidifiers but the outgassing from the heated plastic parts makes me sick. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Pat

Debra’s Answer

I personally don’t have any experience with humidifiers.

Readers?

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Question from Krista C

Hi everyone, I am looking for a recommendation of a facial moisturizer with sun protection. Some of my favorite brands make these, but their safety ratings leave a lot to be desired – seems that many efective sunblockers are toxic, and many “green” sunblockers don’t actually do much. I have found good sunblocks on the EWG site, but I’d love a one-step lotion with sunblock for my face. Any suggestions?

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Your recommendations?

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Question from Penny Schafer

Recently, recalled toys have become big news:

So far this year Mattel has recalled almost 19 million toys for inherent dangers from lead paint, to small loose parts particularly magnets that can be easily swallowed.

The good news is there’s a whole world of gifts and toys that are good in very way, for the giver, the getter and the maker. Debra has done a great job of listing many websites on her Toys page of Debra’s List

As a woman owner of a family-run business, I’d like to offer these suggestions when choosing toys for children this holiday season:

Have I chosen a toy or gift made with organic materials, non-toxic (lead-free) paint or varnish or one that is toxic?

Does this toy have small, easily swallowed parts?

Debra’s Answer

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