Question from rayrozen

There’s always been a lot of hoopla around using borax, but increasing studies are showing that it’s not all that non-toxic!

Please note I am in no way connected to this article except for the fact I think it is a great article!

Check out this article at

www.enviroblog.org/2011/02/borax-not-the-green-alternative-its-cracked-up-to-be.html

here is the text of the article:

Borax: Not the green alternative it’s cracked up to be

Debra’s Answer

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Question from deanna96

Debra,

I posted a few days ago about the cleaning solution that Chem-Dry uses when cleaning carpets. I have found another company that says they use a mixture of citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, and sodium from a product they buy. Here is the link to the product they use: www.jondon.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=30963. There is also a link to the MSDS sheet. What di you think of this?

Thanks,

Deanna

Debra’s Answer

This product looks fine to me.

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Question from LaniH

A remediation contractor sprayed two applications of Microban disinfectant in my ductwork (supposedly to help removed loose fiberglass that had been sucked into ductwork). When the heat was turned on and the house shut up in the fall, I became sick and had to leave my house within days and haven’t been back. My theory is that the Microban coated the ductwork and is breaking down as the heat passes through the ducts. My husband and son feel fine in the house but we have started looking for a new house to buy because I can’t live there. Do you have any idea how I can get this junk out of my ducts so that I could possibly live there again?

Debra’s Answer

It might burn out using the heater. In the past, I’ve contacted manufacturers to find out how to remove various substances. I suggest you do that in this case.

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Question from Angelique

We have mysterious grease spots on our carpet. At least, my husband says they are grease, and probably caused by the people who installed our pool table. They actually feel kind of hard. My regular products didn’t do anything for them.

What can I use that is safe?

Debra’s Answer

I did a bit of research on this and the correct method depends on the type of material used to make the carpet. My best recommendation is to contact the manufacturer of the carpet and then evaluate the toxicity of the recommendations.

Personally, the best thing I can say is replace the carpet with less toxic flooring.

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Question from hanahmeg

I’ve been looking for new bedding for our new king size bed. Obviously it is not cheap, especially for organics. Is it possible that over time, and plenty of washing, that non-organic bedding could lose it’s harmful toxins? We purchased a bio-green (not organic, but non toxic) memory foam bed, and would like to keep everything non toxic, but also I am on a budget. Are there any bedding brands that maybe are not organic, but are at least low on harmful toxin levels?

Debra’s Answer

Nonorganic cotton sheets do not contain residues of pesticides. They are removed during processing.

However, nonorganic cotton sheets that have permanent press finishes emit formaldehyde. So you want to get plain cotton percale sheets, cotton flannel, or cotton jersey sheets.

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Question from Liv

I just bought many organic cloth diapers. It has a tag that states: Outer 100% polyester, Inner 100% organic cotton.

However, now I know that PUL is considered not safe for babies. I wonder how it is transferred to the baby. I mean, is it by outgassing? They don’t smell bad and besides, for maximum absorbency they recommend to wash them 5 times prior to use. Is it by leaching?

If the PUL is not next to my baby skin, is it still harmful? The diaper is the organic BumGenius cloth diaper. I cannot afford replacing them to just organic cotton diaper! I have also read that since the polyurethane is veeery thin it is not really harmful and they even mention PUL is breathable. Is that correct? By the way, I didn’t read that in BumGenius page but in some other webpages I found browsing.

Thanks!!

Debra’s Answer

First of all, polyester is not PUL. So if the label says polyester and organic cotton, that’s not PUL.

PUL is Polyurethane Laminate (read more about it at Q&A:Information on PUL fabric.

Soft plastics outgas, so baby can breathe the fumes and they can be absorbed through the skin. If the plastic is toxic, they are breathing and absorbing toxic fumes. However, again, polyester is not PUL.

Polyester itself has a fairly low toxicity, however, all polyester fabrics are treated with a formaldehyde resin that does not wash out. Since polyester is not waterproof, I’m not sure why they are using it with organic cotton.

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Question from Paul McBride

Had to put new tires on my old 4runner. Even though they are outside the vehicle, they put out VOCs big time, which can be detected in the vehicle. It isn’t a smell per se, but it makes my mouth break out and burn (strange reaction to many chemicals that I have–not sure if others have this issue).

Apart from used-tire shopping and the waste associated with abandoning the new ones, what have people done? I don’t keep it in the garage, etc. The tires, FYI, are Cooper Discoverer SUV tires, so beware of getting new ones. I got ones that are supposed to be good at wet traction, but I think this means more soft-rubber compounds in the material. Thanks in advance for tips. I am going to try washing them, etc. And maybe if it starts raining again around here, that will help. In the mean time, I have to use my portable activated-carbon filter on trips.

–Paul

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from exerphys

I have been searching for non toxic toy boxes. So far most have MDF. I have found a few that are solid pine. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions.

Debra’s Answer

Try an unfinished furniture store or build one yourself.

Readers, any other suggestions?

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Question from deanna96

Debra,

Many mainstream companies are claiming to be less toxic and eco-friendly. Two that I have been researching are Rowe

http://www.rowefurniture.com/about-us/eco-rowe.html

and Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams (see their final option for the eco-down cushion)

http://www.mgbwhome.com/mgconstruction.asp

I am having a hard time finding any non-toxic sofas for less than $10,000 and was wondering what you thought of these.

Debra’s Answer

Both of these have a lot of good features, but the problem from a toxicity viewpoint is the filling material for the cushions. Though some of the polyurethane foam is replaced with natural materials, it’s still basically polyurethane foam. You might ask them about emissions and see what they are.

Another possibility would be to get them to encase the cushions in some material that would block any fumes from the foam. This might be cotton barrier cloth, a sheet of polyethylene or foil encased in polyethylene, which would block the fumes for sure, if there is such a material. Of course, this would be inside the cushion, around the filling but inside the cover.

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Question from Elliotsmom

I’m trying to rid my house of flame retardant-treated polyester filled bedding, pillows, mattress pads, etc. I’m very frustrated that the only options I can find are extremely expensive. While I feel it is important to switch to bedding without these toxic chemicals, I don’t have it in my budget to spend several hundred dollars on a single mattress pad. Do you or anyone out there know of any sites or stores that offer wool, cotton or other material untreated with flame retardants that won’t break the budget? Maybe someone should open a web store that specializes in affordable eco-friendly products. Currently, it seems “going green” is only for the rich…

Hoping for a good night’s sleep!

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any suggestions?

I haven’t checked prices recently.

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