Question from Cheryl3

Hello,

We want to purchase a wooden toilet seat, but most of them are antimicrobial. I understand this is because wood is porous and thus can harbor bacteria. Is this safe? If we can find one that isn’t do you think it’s possible to keep a wooden toilet seat sanitary enough using natural cleansers like vinegar or the like? Also, we like the look of wood, but maybe because of the stuff they add to wood in general, plastic is a safer choice?

Thanks very much.

Debra’s Answer

I ran into the same thing, wanting to replace our wooden toilet seat because there was a problem with the hardware.

We did find a wooden toilet seat without antimicrobial at…it was either Lowe’s or Home Depot, don’t remember. But we ended up just getting new screws and washers for the old one.

I think it’s entirely safe to use a wooden toilet seat without an antimicrobial. We’ve had wooden toilet seats for years with no problems.

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Question from dahlia

I’m ordering a futon from local natural bedding company to be used as a couch. I need to chose a cover for the futon. At first I wanted to get hemp or cotton, but I am worried it will get stained very quickly. Most of the natural-fabric samples they had were light solid colors. We live in the country with 5 kids and pets. A very active household with lots of dirt tracked all over the place. Also, our well water doesn’t get things very clean, though I add borax and vinegar to the wash. All of our clothes end up pretty dingy and stained. Anyway, so I started looking at the polyester blends also, as they seem more durable. But the whole reason I’m not buying a regular new or used couch is to avoid chemicals, like the fire retardants, etc.

So I just wanted to know what you think of this compromise. Does polyester upholstery fabric (I think the one I’m looking at is a poly-rayon blend) have chemicals in it? It says dry-clean only, but I’m wondering if I could get away with washing it in cold water and hang drying.

Debra’s Answer

Typically polyester blend fabrics have finishes on them that emit formaldehyde, and also upholstery fabrics often have stain-resistant finishes.

Perhaps get a natural fiber fabric with some sort of pattern that would show stains less easily.

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Question from Eva Platts

Hello Debra, i was wondering if you knew of any US companies that sell PVC-Free, Flame retardant-Free kid play tents.

I`d appreacite your feedback, thank you.

Eva, SoCal.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from GreenWings

First of all, Debra, way back in the 1980s I bought the first edition of “NonToxic and Natural,” and the book had a profound effect on my decisions as a consumer. I can’t thank you enough for the wealth of information in this book. A person sensitive to chemicals such as myself may not have made it through these decades without that guidance!

Currently, I am having ceramic tile installed in my living areas, and I need throw rugs (maybe 3 by 4 feet or so) that can be washed regularly in hot water (due to dust mite allergies). Is there a type of natural textile rug that can tolerate hot water washing and that won’t slide around on ceramic tile?

Debra’s Answer

I get cotton rag rugs. I just throw them in the washer and dryer.

I have one on my tile kitchen floor right now where I stand at the sink. Have had no problem with it slipping.

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Question from mavy1227

I recently read that a few countries in Europe banned foam play mats due to the chemical formamide. I have hard wood floors in the “play room” and would like to put down a toxin-free floor mat or cork or ultra soft rug for my son to play on. Any suggestions of a specific brand and where to buy it?

According to One Step ahead their foam play mat was tested and formamide, acetophenone and 2-phenyl 2-proanol was not detected. But, reviewers said although it was considered “safe” the mat smelled. I’m overwhelmed with what chemicals to avoid and where to find the safest option.

Debra’s Answer

Moms, any suggestions?

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Question from jiwaskow

Debating whether to get a central vacuum system or not. Would have to be pvc piping and unsure what to use to glue the piping. They make a hide a hose system (hose sucks into wall for ease of storage, etc) but also unsure if that is better/worse for MCS.

Curious about other people’s experience with central vacs – worth it or not? Which one if it is? And any MCS issues?

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any experience with this?

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Question from Mildika

Hello Debra,

I read an answer from you regarding the Cuisinart Green Gourmet frying pans that you like them best and that they are safer than other non-stick pans. I looked to buy a Cuisinart Green Gourmet pan, but there are quite a few negative reviews saying that the pans begin to stick just after 2 months. Did you notice the same problem? Or is there a secret how to take care of them to avoid this problem? These pans are quite expensive, so I wanted to check this before committing to buying one.

Also, would the cast iron frying pans be as good? Would they also be non-stick (is the trick only in not overheating?) and eco-friendly?

Thanks

Debra’s Answer

I have had NO trouble with my Green Gourmet pans sticking. Just none at all. So I don’t know what to say about those bad reviews. I do know that competitors post bad reviews about products that are not true. Perhaps that is the case here.

I prefer my Green Gourmet pans to cast iron, though I have a cast iron griddle that I love. The baked-on ceramic finish on the Green Gourmet is actually VERY slippery. Cast iron is nonstick only if you keep it well seasoned.

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Here’s an interesting interview with Meryl Streep, in which she talks about how she lives green and her more than twenty years of environmental activism.

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Question from Savanna

Hello Debra, I was wondering if you new anything about Youth Juice manufactured by Our World Network? I have used if for a couple of months and like it, I like the idea of having a whole food nutritional supplement. It is made of berries and sea vegetables. However, I have read some disturbing things about the founders of the company and products that have been produced by them in the past (Sleepees-potentially harmful ingredients were not disclosed in the ingredients list). I was wondering if you new if this was a good product and if you would recommend taking it. Thanks Savanna

Debra’s Answer

I would not recommend taking Youth Juice. I don’t know anything about the concerns you mention, but I don’t think it’s a necessary product or even the best antioxidant supplement.

Youth Juice is sold as an antioxidant product. It is made from organic berries and sea vegetables.

Antioxidants are necessary to combat free radicals in your body. Free radicals are molecules with unpaired electrons on their outer shells. Just like us humans who want to be with a mate, these unpaired electrons are looking to mate up with other electrons. But instead of mating with a “single” electron, they go steal “husbands” and “wives” from other “marriages,” detroying those marriages. Free radicals (also called reactive oxygen species) are a natural byproduct of energy production and other body processes, and our bodies have antioxidants to keep them in check. However, various other factors–including poor nutrition and exposure to toxic chemicals–can greatly increase the amount of free radicals in the body, leading to an imbalance.

It is widely known that excess free radicals speed the aging process and cause damage to cells or their components. Free radical damage has been links to many conditions and diseases including Alsheimer’s, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, heart disease as well as premature aging.

The remedy to free radical damage is
1. reduce the amount of free radicals created (such as increasing nutrition, reducing exposure to toxic chemicals, and eliminating toxic chemicals from your body)
2. putting more antioxidants in your body to restore the balance.

I feel fairly confident that Youth Juice will supply antioxidants. But is it necessary to get antioxidants from a bottle? No.

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Question from joyinjesus

Dear Debra,

I so much appreciate all the work you do to help us out. I have MCS and need to buy a new iron. I know you like your 20 year old Rowenta. Looking at reviews of the newish Rowenta’s, I am disappointed to find that they have problems — like leaking, electric cord burning out and things like that. Also, they are plastic except the soleplate.

So I was looking on ebay for a used Rowenta that has already been offgassed. There are many to choose from. If you don’t mind telling us, what model number is yours, or what should I look for in a used Rowenta. What wattage is your iron?

If I buy it used, would it be offgassed, or would it continue to smell when the plastic is heated up? I found some classic irons — all metal except the handle. But they all had non-stick coating on the soleplate.

Also, some of the new ones have platinium soleplates. Is that any kind of problem for MCS?

Thank you very much for your help,

Debra’s Answer

My Rowenta iron is Model DA-33.6, 1200 W.

Mine is plastic, but a hard plastic that is all gassed out. No nonstick finish on the soleplate.

I don’t see a problem with a platinum soleplate.

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