Question from Diana S.

Hi,

We are planning on recovering our dining room chairs ourselves. Given that the new fabric will be stapled to the chairs and that we have 2 kids under 4, I would really like to protect the fabric from the kids many spills. I know the old Scotchguard was pulled off the market, I’m assuming the new isn’t much better in terms of chemicals.

Do you know of some more natural solution to protect fabric and make it somewhat stain repellant? I found reference to soaking a fabric in borax somewhere online, but this seems to only be mildly effective…

Thanks for your help!

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Julie

Hi Debra,

We live on the ocean and are trying to buy a bed that is organic but that can also handle humidity. Rubber and wool seem to need a very dry environment. Any ideas?

Debra’s Answer

I’m going to let my readers answer this one. I live in Florida, where it is very humid, and have a wool bed, but we have the air conditioning on when it’s humid because it’s also hot, and the air conditioning removes the humidity from the indoor air.

I used to live right near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. It was very humid and I had a real problem controlling mold. It would grow on my cotton espadrilles and cotton-covered binders. So I know your humidity problem near the ocean is different that mine here in Florida.

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Question from Laura

Can laundry fumes permeate the ceiling and go into the room above? I have extreme MCS, do not work, and am living in my parents beautiful, but toxic, house. I sleep on synthetic carpet (I can’t even sit on the two regular beds in the room) above the laundry room where “regular” products are used. Recently it seems that I smell the fumes in that space where my bedding is and the last few months my eyes are irritated whenever I am here. I keep the window that is near the exhaust vent always closed and my bedding and clothes I wash by hand in borax and baking soda. I can’t even sit on chairs where people who are wearing laundered clothes have been sitting. Can the fumes permeate the ceiling?

Debra’s Answer

My sense is that they can. I think that a ceiling with a floor above is not particularly constructed to act as a vapor barrier, but it really depends on how the particular floor/ceiling is constructed. All the materials that would be generally used would be porous (i.e. wood, insulation, etc). Fumes would not get through if there was an aluminum foil layer (like might be on insulation) or some kind of vapor barrier. So it really depends on the materials used and how the floor/ceiling was constructed.

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Question from mindy goldis

I bought a linen shower curtain from gaiam and I didn’t know that it was supposed to be used on the outside of the tub and needs an inside liner because the catalog didn’t say so.

I’ve had it almost a year and noticed the other day that there are black spots along the bottom that touches the tub. I called the company and asked them and that is how I know it needs a liner.

Does anyone know of any natural product that will take the mold off the curtain? The company said they’d replace it, if it doesn’t come off.

They said I would still need a liner for the inside of the shower. I want to know if there is a resource for a liner that isn’t made of toxic PVC that outgasses and is harmful to breathe? Such as made from a material that can act like plastic, but isn’t (i.e. cellulose or the material used for utensils made from corn or soybeans)

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Question from Robin

Hi Debra and All,

I’ve been looking at the sources for buying bulk foods (such as grains, nuts, soup bases, etc) on Debra’s List, but I was curious to know what people’s experiences have been. I’ve look at the Web sites for Shop Natural and Sun Organic Farms and like them both, but would appreciate input from Debra and other readers on which distributors they like using.

Many Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

Personally, I buy most of my food locally (unless there’s something I REALLY want and can’t buy it here). So I’m not much help with this.

Readers, what online sources for organic foods do you have good experience with?

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Question from wen

My husband is building bed frames for my family. The wood was purchased at a local Lowe’s. It’s unfinished wood. However, the smell of the wood is quite strong. It causes me to feel a bit nauseated and headachey. Which causes me to wonder. if plain lumber is typically treated with something? Or is it just the old fashion smell of wood that’s bothering me?

Is raw wood purchased at the local hardward store potentially toxic?

Thank you kindly.

Debra’s Answer

Originally I answered this question with the following:

I’ve purchased a lot of raw wood from various lumberyards and home improvements centers, and it’s been my experience that it’s simply the smell of the wood itself. I’m not aware that ordinary lumber is treated with anything, unless it is specifically stated.
Many people do have reactions to the smell off wood itself, particularly pine and cedar. I’ve found that the smell of the wood dissipates within a week or two, as the fresh cut is exposed to air.
I wouldn’t say that raw untreated wood is potentially toxic in the sense that it can damage cells, but I would say that some people can have symptoms as a result of being exposed to raw wood.

However, I later received a comment on this post, which I made into a post of it’s own. There are toxic chemicals in framing lumber, and there is no indication on the lumber itself that they are present. You can’t tell which is toxic and which is not. Read about it at QA: Toxic Chemicals in Framing Lumber

Question from Julie

Hi,

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a natural latex mattress with wool batting, and wool pillows. They have been airing out since I got them, because they smell like little sheeps…

The smell is pretty intense, especially for the pillows. I did many reasearch in the Internet and could not find any customers complaints about bad smell of wool pillows.

I called the company and they said that the smell should be gone after 2 weeks, but it’s not gone yet. They also offered to come and use some kind of “deionizer” process to get rid of the smell if it’s not gone after a while.

Do you know if this smell is normal and will go away eventually? What do you think of the process they suggest to get rid of the smell?

(By the way, the company states that they use Texel organic wool, washed with only hot water and vegetable-based soaps (no detergents, chemicals, or chlorine bleach), certified to the Oko-Tex 100 standard.)

Debra’s Answer

Many natural materials do have natural odors that are not toxic–it’s just the natural odor–and wool is no exception.

I’ve purchased several wool mattresses, about a dozen wool pillows, and a wool comforter over the years, and have never had a problem with a “sheep” odor that was too strong.

By the time the wool is cleaned and carded, it should be odor-free.

I don’t know anything about the process they are recommending, but they should do whatever it takes to make this right for you, or accept your return and give you a full refund.

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Question from Pat

Hi Debra

Just checked your website through the Yoga Journal. Thank you for having it. Getting help in this area of cleaning with less toxins etc., is new and interesting to me. Could you tell me just how toxic going into a pool, and jacuzzi at my spa gym might be to me. I love water aerobics there and yoga too!

Thank you for taking some time to help out when you can answer (I’m hoping this is not one more thing I have to give up as I enjoy the water).

All my best!

Pat

Debra’s Answer

A chorinated pool is pretty toxic. Considering that it is not a good idea to shower in chlorinated water because the chlorine in tap water can be absorbed through the skin (a shower filter is recommended), it’s even worse to swim in a chlorinated pool or soak in chloriated water in a spa because there is so much more chlorine.

I know what you mean about loving the water exercise! I used to go to water aerobics class, but then decided to get my own pool because I didn’t want the chlorine exposure. You can take a look at my chlorine-free pool and read all the details at: My Chlorine-Free Swimming Pool.

If it’s not practical to get your own pool, consider if the benefits of the exercide outweigh the exposure to the chlorine for you. Would exercising in a chlorinated pool or not exercising and avoiding chlorine lead to better health? And is there another option for exercise.

Also take a look at How to minimize risk from swimming in chlorinated pool.

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Question from jeanne

I’m hoping to find info about green campgrounds and/or guest houses in the Pacific NW (I live in Gig Harbor WA) and Southern California within 2 hours of LA/OC (seemingly better weather for outdoor activity). I’m also curious about the green-ness of yurts vs. platform tents vs. traditional tents as camping shelters. Thanks. Take care.

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Millicent Meeks

I have a question and I wasn’t sure how to post one. Do you, or any readers, know how to remove plastic fumes from a clothes dryer/washer more quickly? My husband just had to have a new one enough though our old one was fine, and now I am washing my clothes at my mom’s house right now.

My uncle suggested vinegar on the washer, but I know this wouldn’t be an option for the dryer. I tried to find one with as little plastic as possible on the inside and outside, but they all have plastic now I think.

Millicent Meeks

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