Question from Elizabeth

I have two different brands of humidifiers, small ones for individual rooms. Does anyone know how to keep mold from growing in the humidifiers and if there is anything to put in the water while the humidifier is working to keep mold growth down? Our water is also leaving deposits on the insides of the humidifiers. Last night I distilled water through my hot water/coffee maker, but it would take at least 4 pots to provide distilled water for one humidifer, much less two. I live in a very dry area, Colorado, and really don’t have the time or energy to clean them after each use. Hope that doesn’t sound lazy. Thanks for your help!

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Jen

Hi,

I have 4 cats and 3 dogs and one new baby. I also work for a cat rescue organization and unfortunately came into contact with a kitten who had ringworm.

Despite my precautions, I must have brought it home because now two of my cats have come down with it. I do not want the rest of my pets and especially my new baby to get it.

Everyone has told me the only thing that really kills ringworm spores is bleach. Although I try very hard to make my home as toxin-free as possible, a few days ago I scrubbed down the whole house with bleach and water solution (1 oz bleach to 25 oz water). Now I remember why I have always hated bleach!

Despite diluting it, my whole house reeks of it (even after 3 days!)! And the horrible thing is that even though I have the cats quarantined, I feel like I need to keep using it to clean my shoes, hands, and other such objects after I go in to care for them everyday. Even though I wear a change of clothes and latex gloves, their hair gets on me and I feel like I am just covered in ringworm spores and since my baby is home with me, I feel I need to be extra clean before I even touch her!

After doing some research, I read that grapefruit seed extract is supposed to be good at killing ringworm, but then I read somewhere else that it actually didn’t do anything.

Debra’s Answer

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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

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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?

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Question from Jan

Hello, I work in a medical office and they have to redo the flooring. Fortunately i am away for 2 weeks while this is being done. I did a little research and found that Marmoleum a type of linoleum is non-toxic. I am a little scared that even after 2 weeks the rooms will still smell like linseed oil and that I will react to it. Does anyone have any experience with marmoleum or have another safer suggestion for a medical office. I am told that wood flooring would not be an option as floors are often washed. thank you, Jan

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Question from CHRISTAL JANIS

Is there anyone out there who uses only fruit/fruit spread as a means to sweeten dessert recipes? Thank you for your ideas. Christal

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Question from Jim Blair

Debra, I had Mullican Sundance Hickory engineered hardwood floors installed in June 07. I noticed the box the flooring came in stated that the wood contained an aluminum oxide finish.

I have noticed an odor in the morning when I go downstairs. Is this because of the floor adhesive (Bostik) “gassing off” or something i.e. aluminum oxide in the floor finish “gassing off”? If so, do I have a toxic situation or is there some kind of remedy?

What do you recommend I do? Please help!

R/Jim

Debra’s Answer

I think it’s more likely the adhesive than the aluminum oxide. Aluminum oxide, to the best of my knowledge, has no gasses that outgas. Adhesives do.

I would heat up the room to speed the outgassing. Remove all people, plants, and pets and let it bake for a day and see if it’s better. Repeat until there is no more odor.

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Question from Laura

After 8 months of breathing problems from the dish soap my mother uses she switched to Ecover. Even though I’m not at the house much anymore she is still using it. But it dries her hands. I think if a product removes dirt from dishes it’s going to remove natural oil from skin.

Do you have any suggestions other than using gloves? Also Ecover doesn’t get rid of tea stains. Does any detergent, or does one just need to use baking soda? I don’t mind the extra steps, but some people aren’t ready for that yet.

Debra’s Answer

Personally, at the moment I’m using Dr. Bronner Magic Soap (peppermint) to wash my dishes,

Readers, your recommendations?

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Question from Marie

I have come across a natural salt called “realsalt”. It’s very good, and is supposed to be 100% natural. I buy it in bulk, from a health food store, but not all health food stores carry it. You can also buy it directly from their website.

This is from their website:

“Long before the earth knew pollutants of any kind, a huge, ancient sea covered what is now North America. Pure, natural salt was the main ingredient of this sea, and over millions of years, the water in the sea evaporated, leaving the salt in undisturbed deposits. At some point during the earth’s Jurassic era, a range of volcanoes erupted around the ancient sea bed, sealing the salt with thick volcanic ash, protecting these precious deposits against the pollution that man would eventually introduce into the environment. Near the small town of Redmond, in central Utah, approximately 200 miles south of Salt Lake City, we carefully extract this salt from deep within the earth, and bring it to you in its pure, natural state–without any additives, chemicals, or heat processing. This is RealSalt®, full of flavor and natural goodness–the way salt was meant to be savored!”

It even contains Iodine, which, for me is essential, because of Thyroid problems.

What do you think about it?

Their website is: realsalt.com

Debra’s Answer

There’s much that can be said about salt, in fact, I’m working on a little book on the subject, but for the moment, this description of salt looks fine to me.

Personally, I use “The Original” Himalayan Crystal Salt, which is also from an ancient sea, but is completely mined and processed by hand to retain it’s energetic qualities. It has also been studied in Europe and found to have health benefits not found in table salt.

The Real Salt website says that it is “hand-selected” but that’s all. I don’t know how it has been processed.

Like anything else, there are degrees of good salt and bad salt. Refined sodium chloride table salt is the worst. Real Salt is certainly better as a whole, natural salt. Based on the information I have, I’d still put “The Original” Himalayan Crystal Salt at the top of the list.

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Question from Pram

Non Toxic Finish For Wooden Spoons Good to be here – I hope someone can help with this one. I am looking for a non-scented starch for cloth. A friend needs to sew with very slippery silk and it is much easier if the fabric is lightly starched first. But all starches have chemical smells added. Non Toxic Finish For Wooden Spoons Any non-scented starch out there? Non Toxic Finish For Wooden Spoons Thanks very much! Non Toxic Finish For Wooden Spoons May All Be Well

Debra’s Answer

Non Toxic Finish For Wooden Spoons Years ago I researched laundry starch and found out it was basically scented cornstarch. So I would try mixing cornstarch (or some other starch if you are allergic to corn) with water and spraying it on. Non Toxic Finish For Wooden Spoons Readers, any other suggestions?

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