Question from Fran H.

I have a ceramic mug from Pier 1 that I bought at a garage sale and have used for a couple of years. I use this mug because Pier 1 assured me that their mugs are all lead-free. I have noticed pits in the bottom of the mug where coffee residue remains. Is the mug still safe to drink from? I assume that I am now reaching the ceramic itself and not just the glaze. I emailed Pier 1 and they told me to take it to the store, where I suspect I will just be given a replacement and the old mug will be thrown away without regard to whether it is safe to use or not. I hate to see it go to the landfill unless it truly isn’t safe to drink from. Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

My understanding is that mugs are made from clay with a finish. I have no way of knowing how pure or impure the clay might be, and Pier One probably doesn’t know either.

I would take the mug back to Pier One and get a new one.

Add Comment

Question from kislev28

I have a bed that was built from formica. However, the underside of the bed is not finished with the formica it is just the raw pressboard. After a few years the bed has a terrible smell and I have to assume that its from the pressboard. Any ideas of how to get rid of this smell. I was going to try to seal the pressboard with polyurethane. Do you think this will work or do you have any other suggestions. I’m desperate

Debra’s Answer

You need a sealant designed to seal in chemical fumes, such as AFM Safe Seal.

Add Comment

Question from Gigi

I am looking for a good, new, non-toxic massage table to place in my home for personal use.

I am looking for the cheapest solution be it a portable model or a stationary one.

Some companies tout CFC free cushions and soy-based foams, PU leather which replaces PVC vinyl and water-based glues and wood finishes, all without going into very much detail. Some also claim that their products are heavy metal free.

Has anyone used Earthlite, Oakworks, Stronglite, Nova, Custom Craftworks or some other one that they are happy with?

Also, will the manufacturers have MSDS sheets for massage tables or is there another document that I should request?

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

Massage tables don’t have MSDS and I don’t know what other document to ask for.

We bought our massage table years ago used, and have two layers of old sleeping bags plus two layers of cotton flannel sheets on top. Very comfortable and no fumes.

Add Comment

Question from CSP57

Does anyone know of a hotel in the Los Angeles area that is as fragrance-free as possible for an MCS person?

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

Add Comment

Question from Crazy Girl

I wanted to get rid of the scum buildup from my dishwasher. I was told I had build up because I was using detergent that was not strong enough to cut the grease. (Seventh Generation Free & Clear) Long story short, I purchased Refresh diswasher cleaner, which did clean very well. But left a very strong perfume odor! Even my husbands complains and he is not bothered by scents. It has been several days, and I have tried everything I could think of to get rid of this odor that fills the whole house every time I use the dishwasher, and lingers for hours. I can only air out the house for so long considering the temps. are in the 20’s. Items, I tried: vinager, washing soda, borax with the longest cycles, but to no avail. The manufacture has been no help. Is there anything else I could try? Or am I doomed to wait it out till it wears out. (hopefully soon)

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Any experience with this?

Add Comment

Question from debweb27

I had picked an organic dry cleaner who changed to conventional methods after a move. I mistakenly assumed they were using the same methods. Usually in the fall I dry clean several of my favorite wool sweaters rather than wash cold because it makes them look like new. I got them back recently with a horrible toxic film on them that makes my skin numb and smells vaguely of mothballs. Is there any way to remove this? I found another organic dry cleaner but I’m not sure that will be sufficient to get rid of these chemicals. Any suggestions?

Debra’s Answer

I suggest you go back to the dry cleaner and ask them what they cleaned your sweaters with. Usually there is some “clean-up” substance that will remove it. If they don’t know, ask them for the manufacturer’s contact information and ask the manufacturer yourself.

Readers, any experience with this?

Add Comment

Question from pb

hello,

a few months ago, i purchased several japanese style futons online. upon receipt of the futons i noticed a VERY STRONG SMELL. i emailed the etailer, and they said it was “not off-gassing” but was simply the combination of the UNBLEACHED COTTON and a SMALL AMT OF BORIC ACID (flame retardency).

according to the etailer, the smell should dissipate within a week with regular use. unfortunately, it’s been several months, and the SMELL PERSISTS.

recently, my husband purchased some vaccum cleaner bags and a new filter. the smell of those items had the “same smell” as the futon beds! i figured, “this can’t be good!”.

i have been unable to sleep on the futon as of yet (still airing it out) but my 2 boys sleep on their’s. this causes me great concern. i want to be sure they’re not being exposed to harmful toxic fumes etc.

i was wondering if you might be able to tell me if either the unbleached cotton or the boric acid might be problematic in terms of inhalation. the etailer sent me a lengthy report re: boric acid and it’s safety in regards to inhalation. but i’d feel so much better if i heard something from you and your readers.

Debra’s Answer

My experience with boric acid is that it has no odor at all. I’ve used it occasionally in emergencies to kill pests in my kitchen.

My experience with unbleached cotton batting is that it has an natural odor of its own, which generally dissipates, as your etailer said, in about a week or so.

It’s entirely possible that your cotton futon was contaminated along the way with something else, if it smells like a vacuum cleaner bag. Not being able to smell your futon from this distance, I don’t have a clue what it might be. It could have been exposed to something during shipping.

I always take the attitude “It’s better safe than sorry.” Personally, I probably wouldn’t sleep on it. And I would probably go back to where I bought it from and return it, since they didn’t deliver to you a futon that could be slept on. They agree it should have no odor now, yet it does.

Add Comment

Question from bonnierichard1

I just purchased a 100% lamb leather coat with 100% polyester lining. I’m not as sensitive to chemicals as most of your readers, however, I can’t wear this coat without my throat burning and the smell is terrible. I suspect the smell is from a dye. What can I do to make this coat wearable?

Debra’s Answer

Probably nothing. You can try to air it out in the sun.

Add Comment

Question from HEG

I just learned that the preschool my daughter will be attending in a few weeks was tented for temites last month. They are very green-conscious (their food is completely organic and dairy is grass-fed, use green cleaning products) so I have to assume that they did everything they were supposed to do in terms of cleaning up afterwards. However, I am still disappointed that they didn’t use a less toxic means of getting rid of the termites. Can you recommend what questions I should ask to make sure that the environment may be safe for my toddler to attend in a few weeks? I.e. I will certainly confirm that they removed all food prior to the fumigation and thoroughly cleaned their kitchen. What should they have done in terms of the toys and furniture in the classrooms?

Debra’s Answer

Here are some excerpts from the standard preparation steps before tenting and fumigating for termites:

1. REMOVE persons, pets and plants (including seeds and bulbs). LEAVING PETS UNATTENDED IN THE YARD IS NOT SUFFICIENT.

2. REMOVE all food, animal feed and medicinals which are not factory sealed in metal or glass (including freezer and refrigerator items and bottled water).

3. BABY MATTRESSES MUST BE REMOVED WITHOUT EXCEPTION.

Given that baby mattresses must be remove without exception, I would say that in a preschool furniture and any soft fabric items should have been protected as well.

Find out what fumigant was used and then look up on the internet “[name of fumigant] half-life to see how long it takes for the fumigant to dissipate. Remember that half-life the the time it takes for half the fumigant to dissipate, so you will need to at least double that number.

Add Comment

Question from lmay

Hi Debra,

Thank you for your wonderful book Home Safe Home. I recently realized that the humidity level in my house can reach 75% during winter. I reviewed the ‘humidity’ entries on your website but am unable to find specific recommendations for dehumidifiers. Any suggestions? Thank you.

Lee

Debra’s Answer

Readers, what is your experience with dehumidifiers?

Add Comment