Question from Lisa

Hello Debra, I was wondering if you could suggest a natural or one of the ‘safer’ non-natural twines or yarns that someone could use for an outdoor doormat. I would like to have something that didn’t mildew or mold, since I am sensitive to mold and I have heard that sisal can be bad when it gets wet. Any ideas?

Thank you so much!

Debra’s Answer

I’ve never made an outdoor doormat. If you could send me some possibilities you are considering, I could review the materials, but I don’t even know where to begin with this.

I purchase my doormats, which are usually recycled rubber. I’ve given up on natural fibers because it rains so much here in Florida that they just fall apart.

Readers, any experience with this?

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Question from SVE

Dear Debra, I need to avoid the sun and can’t use lotions. Would you please list the best natural fabrics, kinds of clothing and non-toxic items for blocking UV rays from hitting the skin? It’s especially difficult on hot, very sunny days. Thanks so much!

Debra’s Answer

First, I suggest that you read “Debra’s Guide to Choosing Natural Sun Protection“.

As for fabrics that offer the best protection, there are studies and ratings about this, but the simple guideline is to choose natural fabrics.

So for natural fabrics, a loose long-sleeve black woven cotton or linen blouse and similar pants would offer the best protection, with a wide-brimmed hat.

I would also get a parasol. Here are some cotton parasols specifically designed to provide shade from the sun and not to be waterproof against the rain (even the word parasol means “protect against the sun”. Google results “cotton parasol”

Jacquard Cotton Umbrella @ misterart.com

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Question from AC

Hi Debra! Thanks so much for your site and all the great info you provide. I have a question about vinyl shelving. We currently have shelving in our rental home that is vinyl. Unfortunately removing it is not an option as we are renting. The shelving is in our pantry, every closet, and our laundry room so going without using it would drastically cut down on our storage space. Is there anyway to protect ourselves from the shelves out-gassing? This is our second year living here, and I don’t think the shelves were put in right before we came so I am guessing they have been here at least two to three years. Is it safe to store things in the closets but not actually on the shelves? Thank you so much—this site is such a valuable source of information!

Debra’s Answer

Very simple. Cover them with heavy duty aluminum foil. The foil will block any fumes. Tape around the edges. Best would be to use foil tape, but you want to have something removable, so you may need to use blue painter’s tape that can be removed without leaving a mark.

Not the most attractive, but will block the fumes.

If you think heavy duty aluminum foil is not heavy duty enough for the wear-and-tear, go to a building supply store and get foil-backed building paper and lay it on the shelf with the foil side up. It’s a lot more durable and gives the same foil protection. Nothing I know of gets through a layer of metal, even a thin layer like foil.

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Question from PT – Pittsburgh

I was wondering if you could share any thoughts on how to travel/vacation with the least amount of toxins. I struggle every time we go on vacation with things like water. At home we have a whole house water filter but what do you do when on vacation? Is it better to buy bottled water rather than drink the local water (in the U.S.) from the tap? How about using the water pitcher filters even though they don’t filter out a whole lot of contaminants? Is it worth it to take a shower filter? I try to keep thing in perspective that this is only a week away from our normal toxic free living but always worry since my 6 y/o son had leukemia.

Debra’s Answer

I think the answer to this question really depends on how much exposure the body in question can tolerate.

For myself personally, my body is healthy enough that I can travel without taking precautions for several weeks and still be fine. It takes a lot of exposure now for me to have symptoms, since I have reduced my body burden so much, so for a short trip, I just eat and drink and sleep and shower with whatever.

That said, I DO do things like choose less toxic lodging when it’s available, seek out organic food, often drink bottled water, and bring my own soap and shampoo. Once we went on a 3-day trip and packed many glass bottles of home-filtered water. We we VERY happy to have it, along with our homemade organic food we also packed, but what we missed was the enjoyment of being in a new place, eating local foods and having a different experience. Bodies are resilient. I’ve found I can take a few days or a week away from my toxic-free life and my body is fine as long as I go back to toxic-free basics when I come home. But you need to determine for yourself if you body is able to do that.

When I was really sick with MCS however, I took a lot more precautions while traveling, as you might want to with your son.

And I also take PureBody Liquid Zeolite and all my Touchstone Essentials supplements. The PureBody zeolite removes up to 99% of all of the various types of toxic chemicals for 4-6 hours, as soon as they enter your body, so it’s a great thing to take on a trip. Just keep taking it every 4-6 hours and it will remove chemicals almost as fast as they come in.

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Question from Cindy

Debra, Any suggestions for a non-toxic water nozzle? Every one I’ve seen has brass or plastic and is not good. How about aluminum? What’s the lesser of all these evils? And what do you use in your garden? Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

Well, I will tell you that this is of so little concern to me, I can’t even tell you what I use in my garden. I have in the past used both metal nozzles and plastic nozzles.

The thing about nozzles is that there needs to be contact time for anything toxic to leach into the water. Since water is flowing through these nozzles at practically the speed of light (no, not really, just exaggerating!) I don’t see that there is enough contact time to be concerned.

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Question from PT – Pittsburgh

what is the least toxic way to pack a drink for a kid’s school lunch? I was using Honest kids juice pouches but they get so expensive and so does organic milk in the mini containers. I am curious to know what the inner lining of those types of containers is made out of? It seems my only options would be a reusable plastic water bottle (ugh!) or a stainless steel water bottle. Both have leaching issues. Kids can’t take glass to school so the glass water bottles are out. thanks for your help.

Debra’s Answer

Moms, I’m going to let you answer this one. I don’t have children to pack lunchs for, so no experience for this one. What do you use to pack drinks for lunch when not allowed to use glass?

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Question from Linda

Dr Oz amazingly enough is finally debunking the myth of sunscreens and their cancer-causing, endocrine-disrupting dangers. http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/oz-investigates-your-sunscreen-poisonous-pt-1

Sorry, this isn’t a question but of interest to all here; after years of hearing Dr Oz recommend sunscreen & wanting to yell at my TV about the danger of toxic chemicals being worse than any sun-promoted cancers, this is long overdue! (We can only hope the air “fresheners” dangers show will follow soon).

Warning: on part 2 there’s this nightmare of a woman from the AAD (American Academy of Dermatology) with her horrible (to be polite) denial & useless, ignorant rebuttals about “lack of scientific proof” that will make everyone here cringe. (Why people fall for that line will forevermore be beyond me!)

Now if only he could stop promoting the toxic chemical face & eye cream lines! Not to be mean but he says he uses them and obviously they’re not working for him! Well one step at a time, I guess!

Question from Sheri

I just bought a 3qt sauce pan made by Chantel. It is called Stainless Induction 21 Steel. It is for use on all types of stoves including magnetic tho I don’t have that type. I just needed something that would sit flush on my coil burners.

Here is what the info on the tag says: Metal Composition 21/0 21% Chromium, 0 Nickel. The Nickel has been eliminated since it can leach during boiling. It is NSF approved. “Stronger, improved construction resists stress cracks. ” It has a few other metals listed too but at lower amounts than 18/10 for”extra corrosion resistance”. If you need to know about them let me know.

I just want to know if this is a safe pot to cook from? I am not allergic that I know of to Nickel but don’t like the idea of leaching so I was attracted to these claims.

What do you think? Thanks so much for all you do, your work has made my life much better.

Debra’s Answer

As far as I know, chromium and any other metals listed can also leach into the food that is cooked in them. I use Xtrema Cookware because it is ceramic through and through and there are no metals to leach.

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Question from Liz

I talked with a rep at Thunder Group regarding bamboo steamers and he could not tell me the name of the chemical, but said that it is used on bamboo steamers & chopstick as a mold inhibitor. He told me to steam it 3x before my first use with food to remove the chemical. This concerns me that there is any chemical on it to begin with. I cannot have any toxins due to health issues. Do you know of a bamboo steamer that does no chemicals? Desperately seeking! Thanks, Liz

Debra’s Answer

This is the first time I’ve heard that there is a chemical on them.

Question from Sleeper Sofa Mattress

My question is for a sleeper sofa mattress. I just want to get a custom sleeper sofa mattress with the innerspring coils, but want it to be short in height and all natural. Are you aware of any company that does this? My husband and I always sleep wonderfully at a family member’s household on his Sealy sofa mattress, and want one for our own mattress at home, of course, with no chemicals and with a wonderful natural wool topper. We just don’t like most of the innerspring mattresses available today (natural) and I was thinking of getting creative and creating our own. Just like you. 🙂 Please let me know if you have any tips. Thank you, Dardi

Debra’s Answer

Try White Lotus Home. They have been known to do custom work.

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