Question from cheryl lipson

We have been looking at new foam mattress options, and are very confused about “Talalay” and urethane foam.

It was my understanding that you should keep away from urethane as it emits toxic fumes. I have no info on Talalay foam.

The sales person told me that there was no need for concern about either product. I’m not convinced.

Any suggestions?

Debra’s Answer

I’d say find a different salesperson and a different store.

Polyurethane foam is a 100% petrochemical product. It’s what most foam mattresses are made of. It emits toxic fumes.

Talalay is a type of processing used for natural latex made from tree sap.

I’m glad you weren’t convinced.

By the way, Talalay and all the other terms associated with natural mattresses and bedding are explained in my ebook Debra’s Guide to Choosing a Natural Bed.

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I was going to write something on how you can green Halloween, but others have already done an admirable job:

• Green Halloween – a whole website on the subject!


• Green Halloween Tips: Tricks to Make Your Halloween a Treat for Mother Nature


• This Halloween, Think Green: Ten tips for an earth-friendly holiday


• care2: Halloween Tricks and Treats


• Enjoy a Green Halloween: Healthy treats and costumes, without any tricks

What are some things you do to make this holiday healthier for your family and better for the Earth?

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Question from Jayne Hemming

Would you please tell me if vegetable stearic acid is a synthetic chemical (possibly petro-chemical) or a natural safe substance.

I have been told conflicting opinions so far and would be very interested in whatever information you can find out on this ingredient that I have recently found in a natural soap bar.

I have also been told two conflicting opinions about how this ingredient is made. One says that it is always a highly synthetic oleo chemical coming from a vegtable source and the other says that the stearic acid they know of is cold- pressed, not highly processed from a vegetable source ( I believe they said it was from Palm). The second claimed that it was not a synthetic chemical and was in fact a safe and natural substance. Any information you could give me about this would be gratefully appreciated.

Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

According to A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients by Ruth Winter, which I have been using for years, stearic acid is a fatty acid that occurs naturally in butter acids, tallow, and other animal fats and oils. It is “a white waxy natural fatty acid…the major ingredient used in making bar soap and lubricants.”

My chemical dictionary says stearic acid is the most common fatty acid occurring in natural animal and vegetable fats. It is derived from tallow (animal fat) by water processing, to which is added a sulfur compound and napthalene (a petrochemical). Whether or not any traces of these reagents remain after processing is unknown to me. Stearic acid itself is considered nontoxic.

So, stearic acid is not a petrochemical. It could come from an animal or vegetable source, but since it is vegetable stearic acid, I’d say it probably comes from a vegetable source unless it it mislabeled.

I’d go with the opinion that it is a safe and natural substance.

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Question from Mark Long

Hi Debra,

What is your take on ‘waterless car washing’? With this method of washing I am saving about 100 gallons of water per wash (which otherwise would go untreated into open sewers and rivers).

I am hooked on a product called “EcoTouch ” which is a water-based formula that is non-toxic, biodegradable, and has no petrochemicals.

I have not heard you comment on this before so would like your take. Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

While the website doesn’t list the product ingredients, their MSDS states, “No hazardous ingredients” so it looks fine to me.

For those of you who are not familiar with waterless car washing, it is the use of cleaning and detailing products to clean your car that do not require any water. These are great if you need or want to save water.

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Question from Misha K.

I recently inherited my mothers wedgewood china and handcut lead crystal. In the mid 80’s, it went thru a fire and suffered smoke damage. She didn’t clean it before packing it because they had very little time to get their things and get out. She said she would clean it when she unpacked it. Well, she never unpacked them because they never moved into an apartment big enough to display her china and crystal.

She passed away last year and the items we given to me. I opened the box and discovered that they were smoke damaged, BIG TIME.

What is the safest way to clean them without damaging the dishes and without removing the labels? Also, where can I go to get it appraised for insurance purposes.

Thank you for your time.

Misha K.

Debra’s Answer

I’m not sure where to tell you to go about getting it appraised. Unless your insurance needs some documentation, I would just look on the internet and see what your pattern is selling for and use that.

As far as the smoke damage, I would start just by washing them with whatever dishwashing liquid you use. I wouldn’t put them in a dishwasher. It seems to me that smoke would leave a black soot all over them that should wash right off–it shouldn’t penetrate the porcelain itself.

If this doesn’t work, call a service that remediates smoke damage and ask them.

Readers, any experience with this?

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Question from Betsy

Our venetian blinds get dirty from the dust and debris that comes from the burning cane fields. Without taking the blinds down, what do your readers suggest we clean them with?

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from D Hosford

Debra

I was browsing Debra’s List and could not find any cleaning products from AFM on it. I’ve been using AFM’s SafeChoice Concentrated Super Clean all purpose cleaner and their concentrated Saftey Clean bathroom and bowl cleaner. I was assured by the distributer these products were safe for people with MCS, etc. I so respect you and your work. I was wondering why they weren’t listed in your cleaning section. I found AFM’s paints on your list.

Thanks

D Hosford

Debra’s Answer

No reason except:

1 – I can’t list every product on every website

2 – There are many many cleaning products to choose from and AFM is known primarily for their paints and finishes.

No reason that relates to the products themselves.

I trust that when you go to a website, you’ll look around and see what else they have.

Glad to hear you are happy with their products. Many people with MCS have been very grateful to have these products over the years.

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Question from D Hosford

Debra

I have been using a Bodum electric water kettle Made of a heat-reinforced polypropylene plastic and a stainless steel heating element. As I continue to evaluate all the plastics in our home (thanks to you, your book and your wonderful website), it occurs to me this is one to replace. I really love the quickness with which this kettle heats the water, thus saving energy. But I don’t want to confuse my priorities, health first, planet second.

I have a host of autoimmune problems and MCS. Would appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks

D Hosford

Debra’s Answer

Polypropylene is one of those “safer” plastics, but a plastic nonetheless.

My philosophy is that if there is a safer alternative, I’ll use it. If not, I’ll use the safest thing I can find or just not use it at all.

In your case, being chemically sensitive, it’s best to stay away from any kind of plastic as much as possible.

Since there are safer containers in which to boil water, I’d choose something else.

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Question from heather

can anyone recommend a good steam cleaner for carpets, that does not require the use of commercial detergents or cleaning solutions ? I’ve looked at the major brand names (Hoover, Dirt Devil etc), but they all seem to require use of their cleaning solution. I’d prefer a machine that used just plain steam.

thanks

Debra’s Answer

In the past, when I used to have carpets, I just used the Rug Doctor steam cleaners, available at many supermarkets, without any shampoo. Just the steam. And it worked fine.

Debra 🙂

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Question from s.a.

I am writing to ask input on how to clean our home from an unfortunate combination of good intentions!

Long story short, we thought a toxic substance leaked through our ceiling into our office carpet. We pulled back the rug, opened the window and turned on our ozone generating air purifier. Things got worse(inspite of all we have heard about ozone generators, we have used them for years and usually have excellent results with care and monitoring).

Turns out, a leather chair we purchsed from IKEA had a horrible reaction to the ozone and was throwing off toxics.

Though the chair is long gone, the vapors from this reaction have traveled throughout our home and it seems there is a toxic coating on everything that now reacts with heat and humidity, which there is plenty of since we live in Texas. So adding fresh air to the mix takes timing and almost always has the humidifiying factor.

Any ideas on how best to clean carpets, furniture, etc.? We need to remove the residue of this combination.

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any ideas?

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