Question from wfan66

I dont want to make my own wood furniture cleaner instead I would like to know which products are the best I can buy from any stores like whole foods, amazon,etc CAN IT BE USED ON ANY WOOD SURFACE? thanks alot df

Debra’s Answer

Readers, what products do you recommend?

I personally do have wood furniture, but I don’t ever clean it with anything, I just dust it.

One of the issues about cleaning wood furniture is that wood has many different finishes. The finish on my desk, for example, is Flecto Diamond Finish, a water-based polyurethane finish that dries nontoxic. I can just wipe it with a damp sponge if I need to, but mostly just dust.

Another table has a plant-based finish by Auro, which gets sticky if you put water on it.

So your first question needs to be: what kind of finish does your wood furniture have?

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Question from Violet56

My elderly Whirlpool top loading washing machine was recently checked, as I have noticed some H2O on the floor. The repairman says it is the drain which is blocked, and I need to call a plumber. There is a hose that connects from the washing machine to the metal drain pipe (which has an elbow), where the water from the machine is backing up. I am hoping that before I call a plumber there might be a way for me to try and unclog the drain pipe myself.

I was thinking of a strong and hopefully “green” product to cut through the lint, fabric threads, soap scum and assorted “gunk” that may be collected in the drain pipe over the many years. Can anyone recommend a very strong product that might do the job…?…to replace the “drano” type of products which have been suggested to try – I would be very grateful to hear any experiences and advice, thank you! 🙂

Debra’s Answer

Ah, Home Safe Home to the rescue!

Page 98 recommends a long, flexible metal snake that will push the clog away (that’s what a plumber will use but you can buy them at hardware stores), or a device that creates water pressure with water from your garden hose that will also push the clog away, even if it is far down the pipe.

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Question from HEG

Do you or any of your readers have a rough estimate for how long laminate floors will off-gas and negatively impact indoor air quality? Weeks, months, a year, many years? We have 6-year-old laminate that we only want to replace if it is still negatively affecting our health.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Hate the HE washers and detergents-have ruined clothes

The first HE machine I bought had black mold after 6 months and l/3 of my clothes are ruined with that. The company took it back (only because a class-action suit may be in the works). The second one has a rubber-gasket which off-gasses aome kind of chemicals into the water and after two months of trying to get rid of the problem (its antimicrobial), the big box store said they’d take it back. Problem: after a lot of online research over several weeks all teh top loaders seem to be of poor quality. Of course, the HE washers mold, the detergent has oil in it which builds up and meets with the lint=mildew and mold. What I did not expect was an attack from the gasket and I’m worried about any plastic parts at all doing the same thing because companies are using such cheap plastic these days (haven’t you notice the smell?) So, help asap, what machine should I buy?

Debra’s Answer

Readers, what is your experience?

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Question from Annette Tweedel

Hi Debra, Are there any non-toxic typewriter ribbons out there? Because my husband has an old UnderWood typewriter and the ribbon needs replacing. Thank you very much for the help.

Debra’s Answer

It’s been so long since I used a typewriter I don’t know about the current availability of typewriter ribbons. As for toxicity, a ribbon for an old typewriter for an Underwood (I wrote my first book in 1982 on an old Underwood) would be among the most toxic because the ribbon is exposed to air so it needs solvents to keep the ink wet.

Readers, any typewriter ribbon experience?

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I saw this article in a health newsletter that arrived in my email inbox. It had some good tips but was not completely toxic-free. So here’s my rewritten nontoxic version.

Summer is about sweating. Sweat is a good thing, it cools your body down on a hot day, to maintain consistent body temperature.

Perspiration itself is practically odorless, made up mostly of water and salt. When it mixes with the bacteria that live on your skin, however it turns into body odor.

Keeping body odor under control starts with following some basic rules of hygiene:

1. Bathe at least once a day – more often if needed. Showering or taking a bath reduces the amount of bacteria on your skin and also washes sweat down the drain.


2. DON’T use an antibacterial soap. Though antibacterial soaps will kill the bacteria that causes body odor, most antibacterial “deodorant” soaps contain triclosan, a pesticide that can cause liver damage when absorbed through your skin. Just plain, unscented soap works well enough. And you don’t even need to apply soap to your entire body–armpits, upper thighs, and feet are the areas that generate most body odor.


3. Dry your body carefully. Pay particular attention to the area between your toes and to armpits, upper thighs and genitals. When your skin is dry, it’s harder for bacteria to breed.


4. Shave your underarms regularly. This will help keep bacteria from building up there.


5. If needed, use a baking soda to reduce underarm odor. Yes, plain baking soda. I have recommended baking soda to a number of people who have suffered for many years with unconquerable body odor, and they say it’s the only thing that has worked for them. Just take a bit of dry baking soda on your fingertips and pat it under your arms after you’ve dried off from your shower. Your skin should be slightly damp, but not wet. If the baking soda feels too abrasive to you, you can mix it with cornstarch or white clay.


6. Wear clothes made with natural fibers. Cotton, linen, silk, and wool all allow your skin breathe.


7. Wash your clothes often — especially clothes that you sweat in. In summer, when you’re more likely to perspire, change your clothes frequently.


8. Keep your feet dry. Wear socks made of moisture-absorbing materials like cotton and wool and change them often. To allow your feet to breathe, choose sandals and shoes made of leather. Better yet, go barefoot when you can.


9. Watch what you eat. Sometimes eating spicy or fatty foods can lead to body odor.

If your body smells really bad continuously, it might be a sign of illness or toxic overload. It makes sense to me that the body in its natural state would smell good, as do other things in nature, and that a bad odor would be a symptom of something wrong with a body. Check with your health professional if bad body odor persists.

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Question from Kcall07

Hello,

I recently purchased an old board game off Ebay, and it came supplied with painted lead figures. It gives a warning saying not to chew or swallow them, and for them not be used by children under twelve, but are they safe for an adult to handle?

Many Thanks

Debra’s Answer

It sounds from the warning like they consider that the paint is a sufficient barrier to the lead. If the paint is not damaged in any way and forms a complete seal, it should be OK for an adult to handle.

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Question from Dana R.

Does anyone know about the safety of these? They are dry when you put them on–you peel off the back and stick them on your nails then file off the extra material. Would the nail polish ingredients still be harmful even though they are not wet and do not touch your skin, and is the adhesive harmful?

Debra’s Answer

I suggest you contact the manufacturer and see what information you can get about the adhesive. Post it here and I’ll comment.

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Question from sueRD

Any source for plain wood toothpicks (unflavored no additives) made in USA?

Debra’s Answer

Penley Wood Toothpicks are made in Maine USA.

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Question from chickadee

Hello again, I am continuing to learn how to connect to this online community and break my isolation.

After contemplating the latex issue, for today, I’ve decided to shop for a latex free mattress. This is my goal of what I would like to find.

The closest I’ve come to finding a mattress, is the Oasis Innerspring. I have been able to try it in the store, but without a box spring. It is not returnable or exchangeable. It is not pocket coil mattress. I tried one that is hard and works for sleeping on my back, only and one that is softer and works for sleeping on my side, only. I sleep both ways.

Understandably the resources for natural mattress seem to offer less choices, in this kind of comfort. Any thoughts and support is appreciated. Thank you, Edie

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Do you know of any mattresses that fit this description?

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