Question from Tammy Garren

My mother-in-laws maid uses pinesol full strength on cabinets, floors, etc. The other day I caught her cleaning out coffee pots and washing dishes with the same dish rag she was wiping countertops. This rag had full strength pinesol on it. She did rinse them but I was wondering especially since she used it to clean out coffee pot, is this safe? I told my motherinlaw about it and she said it shouldn’t hurt anything since it is a disinfectant but I read on label that it could be toxic to humans, pets etc. Now I am not drinking coffee made in the coffee pot anymore. Am I just being paronoid?

Debra’s Answer

First of all, the only hazardous ingredient listed on the Pine Sol MSDS is alkyl alcohol ethoxylates. These belong to a group of chemicals called “aromatic hydrocarbons” which are petrochemicals with strong, pungent, odors. The only health hazard listed on the MSDS is that it is an irritant. Pine Sol also contains strong scents that are not listed as hazardous ingredients, but artificial fragrances in and of themselves can contain many hazardous substances.

As to whether or not there is a danger drinking coffee from a pot wiped with Pine Sol, it is extremely unlikely that after rinsing the pot and allowing it to dry that there would be any residue of Pine Sol left. Pine Sol is extremely volatile and does not take very long to evaporate.

However, out of caution, I wouldn’t recommend it for this use.

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Question from onlythegreen2

Hi, Debra, we are looking to purchase a used vehicle and wondered if 10-year-old leatherette (vinyl) seats would still be offgassing or a health hazard of any kind? Thank you…

Debra’s Answer

After ten years, I think they would have offgassed.

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Question from patspincushion

I purchased a fake Ficus tree at a garage sale that is saturated with cigarette smoke smell. I sprayed it with Shaklee’s Basic H and water, then hozed it off well. It sat outdoors 2 days, but still smells like smoke. I can’t tolerate smoke smell. Anyone know of a home made solution (or otherwise) that would be safe on the leaves and actually works ?

Pat

Debra’s Answer

I don’t have any experience with this. Readers?

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Question from Susan-az

My brother has a log home in AZ in an area surrounded by the massive Wallow wildfire, which is still burning. The area is still under evacuation orders. Do you have any helpful information as far as cleaning his home after the smoke damage? Also, are there dangerous chemicals to be concerned about with regard to the products which the firefighters have to use? My brother and his wife both have health issues. Thanks so much, Debra, for all your helpful advice over the years!

Debra’s Answer

There are basically four types of chemicals used in fighting wildland fires: fire retardants, foams, elastomers, and fire suppressant gels. None of them are particularly toxic to humans or the environment. The MSDS sheets for these chemicals can be found at USDA Forest Service: Wildland Fire Chemical Systems.

As for cleaning the house of smoke, with a wildfire such as this, you will probably need to hire a professional smoke remediation service.

Here are some links to websites with tips about removing smoke:

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Question from heavensabvus1

My current (conventional) pillowtop mattress is still going strong at 14 years old. I love it and it’s as pristine as the day I got it. I have it sealed in a cotton allergen encasing that keeps out dander and dust mites. On top of that cover is an organic cotton barrier cloth cover that also completely encloses the mattress, although I expect neither of these encloses gases. And then on top of that are two 3″ organic wool mattress toppers and then organic cotton sheets, wool comforter and wool pillows. There is no boxspring. Is it still outgassing or is it safe at this point?

Debra’s Answer

At fourteen years, it’s probably fine.

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Question from nontoxicmom

Hi Debra,

We are in the market for an outdoor play-set for our kids. I know there were issues in the past regarding CCA in the pressure treated wood. It was supposed to be phased out in 2003. www.safe2play.org

We are willing to purchase a new set, but was wondering if there are any other hidden toxic chemicals we should be aware of. Can you recommend any particluar play-set as the safest on the market?

Thanks so much. Your site has been so helpful!

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t researched play sets myself. Readers?

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Question from -E-

I’ve started a garden in pots. Although I know plastic (Labeled #5) is not the best of options it was all I could afford at the time and for the space I had .

I need to purchase more pots, but its getting rather pricey and was wondering if all plastic labeled #5 are all of the same food grade quality (Polypropylene)?

EX: Sterlite/Rubbermaid storage boxes or food storage containers compared to the plastic pots for planting? Is the material the same?

Thanks for your help on this matter.. As always its greatly appreciated!

Debra’s Answer

#5 plastic, polypropylene, is one of the safest plastics. All polypropylenes have the same degree of safety.

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Question from sunshine

I wondered if anyone else purchased this washer only to discover it makes your clothing smelly? This machine has cost us lots in replacement clothing, & re-washing at the laundromat. We can’t be the only ones that have discovered how bad it smells.

The rubber parts stink just as bad as they did a year ago when we bought it. How do you offgas internal rubber parts in a washing machine? We purchased the machine because we wanted to hang dry and this machine apparently was the best at taking the water out during the spin.

I could initially smell the rubber seal in the store, but since the washing machines I’ve used at the laundromat have rubber seals too I just thought the smell would offgas.

In the case of this machine it’s not the plastic that is the problem, but smelly rubber internal parts aside from the seal around the door that smell as bad as they did a year ago when the machine was purchased – mostly because you are washing hot water through them, onto your clothing.

In this machine, unlike in other front loaders, apparently the hot water is forced through the rubber when washing in order that the water does not sit in the seal and mold. Well, if you have smelled your hot tires in the sun, you will have an idea of what this washing machine smells like when you use hot water in it. It is a searing rubber smell that makes your eyes water, and hurts the throat, not just when you open the front door, but also the soap compartment.

This washing machine within a few weeks already had that “mildew smell”, even after leaving the door open (which was difficult since the rubber smelled so bad during every wash).

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Has anyone else had this experience?

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Question from heavensabvus1

Many, many internet searches have not turned any up. I see plenty of 6ml polyethelene, but it is not food grade. The only food grade I’ve been able to find are pre-made mattress wraps, and since this is not for a mattress, it doesn’t seem right to have to pay more only to cut something up. Does anyone know where I can get this in large sheets (i.e. a drop cloth) or on a roll? Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

Obviously it exists as a wholesale item.

If you are finding products made from this, ask the businesses that are selling those items if you can buy some of their sheet polyethylene before it’s made into a product.

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Question from petercsantoro@yahoo.com

I am wondering what you use/recommend for lawn care. I have two small children who like to play in the yard, and I don’t want to use pesticides/chemicals if possible. My husband states that some chemicals are necessary and that the lawn will be destroyed if not used.

(currently we use TrueGreen to care for our lawn and we are under their “Natural” program. However, their treatment for grubs is a pesticide which when applied, humans and pets must stay off the lawn for a couple hours. I do not want this grub treatment but my husband says we need it since we had a terrible problem with grubs tearing up the lawn previously.)

Can you please recommend another alternative for lawn care, and particularly, grub treatment?

I can’t let my children play in a yard sprayed with chemicals and pesticides, and my husband and i disagree about the dangers of the chemicals/pesticides… Can you have a nice lawn without the danger? Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

Yes, you can have a nice lawn without the danger.

Safelawns.org is dedicated to promoting safe lawn care. Their site has lots of how-to videos and will answer you lawn care questions free.

Try them with your question.

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