Question from L.A.

Does witch hazel kill germs?

Debra’s Answer

Witch hazel is an herbal plant. It’s leaves are astringent, which means it tends to shrink or constrict body tissues. It also dries, hardens, and protects the skin.

If the witch hazel preparation contains rubbing alcohol, it would kill germs, but the germ-killing agent would be the rubbing alcohol, not the witch hazel.

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Question from Dianne

Hi Debra,

Thank You So Much For Your Site!

I was wondering if you, or anyone knows of a kiddie pool other than the inflatable ones which seem to be so aweful, especially when they get hot from the sun. I also was wondering about all the play equipment, slides, playhouses etc. made from plastics like the Little Tikes brand. I am looking for some things to use inside the house and I am not sure how safe the Little Tikes brand would be.

Thank You

Debra’s Answer

Moms, what are your recommendations?

Can’t tell you about the safety of Little Tikes. Their website doesn’t list the materials they are made from. Please find out what type of plastic is used and then I can comment.

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Question from mamta

Hello, I am thrilled to come across your website ! I have been looking online for waterproof natural sofa. Since I have a 10 month old baby, I read all about the off-gassing from vinyl couch.

I also want to stay clear from leather.

So we just bought a natural latex/wool/silk mattress from Ikea, its 15% synthetic latex….zero smell…the memory foam mattress from costco was way too toxic…we returned it…

Now if I can find a waterproof sofa, easy to maintain, and clean…any idea where to find a natural latex sofa slip cover/upholstery?? or do I buy the natural latex sheet and custom make my own order?

Thankyou, will appreciate your answer…

Debra’s Answer

I’m not sure I understand your question. Natural latex sheet to make a slipcover?

There are now organic cotton slipcovers. One website that sells them is www.getslipcovers.com. I don’t think they are waterproof, but they are removable.

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Question from Gab

I am trying to get the best possible set up for my house cannot afford organic bed. I have a very old matress and base set that seems not to affect me with cotton sheets and wool doona. have been feeling better does the old matresses and an old foam lounge eventually become non toxic after along time? There are many things like carpet and paint work lino floors I am not allowed to change the ventilation is good and I have not been having problems any suggestions?

Debra’s Answer

Standard synthetic beds become less and less toxic with time. It’s impossible for me to evaluate your bed without seeing it, you need to evaluate it for yourself.

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Question from Mary Anne

Hi Debra – thanks so much for all you do for us folks with MCS. I hope you or your readers can help me.

I need to remove the old slotted metal cover plate from a shower drain, but the screws are very old, rusted and corroded and won’t budge. I can’t cut the plate out because the housings for the screws are solidly integrated as a part of the drain pipe fitting (no flimsy side attachments here – they don’t make ’em like they used to!).

The hardware store suggested naval jelly, but one look at the MSDS sent me out the door shivering. Is there a safe – or at least less toxic – alternative for naval jelly? Once the cover plate is off it will be replaced with a new metal one that snaps in, eliminating the need for screws in the future. Can you help me? Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from laa

HI again, everyone – please Debra, could you advise:

Many, many thanks. Your help is a godsend to many of us, Debra!

Debra’s Answer

Readers, please share your experience regarding mold on organic cotton mattresses, if any. I have only had one organic cotton futon, which I had only a few years, but it was in an apartment in the foggiest part of San Francisco where visible mold was growing on everything and there was no mold on the organic cotton futon.

As you may already know, I sleep on an organic wool mattress with no innersprings, which I got from Shpeherd’s Dream. I’ve had it for years, and no mold.

Again, readers, please tell of your experience with the smell of organic cotton. I don’t think it has a strong odor myself.

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Question from KJ

This is a very hard subject.

I’d like ro feel the wood when I walk on it. It looks like most finishes, like Vermont Natural Coatings, have finished surface similar to polyurethane finish. The wood does not breathe because surface is coated.

I found this product WOCA Denmark. This is OIL finish, which I know is bad. However, the MSDS shows no VOC. It also claims that the wood is left to breathe.

It looks like this is used in industrial settings like in restaurants. I did call a restaurant, and they were very happy with how durable it is.

For me, that is not a big issue. Safety is more important. I and the kids are going to be living on this wood floor, hands and feet touching it.

What do you think?

Hi!I am interested in using an ecofriendly option for staining and sealing a new wood floor. I have small children who will be essentially living on that floor and want to reduce the off gassing as much as possible. What are my options in terms of brands that I can use, how to they hold up to the mainstream options and are they affordable?

Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I have experience with two kinds of wood finishes. There may be more, but this is what I can tell you.

Many years ago I used a plant-based wood finish on an old mahogany desk. It looks beautiful, you can experience the wood, and it’s made completely from renewable ingredients. But here is the problem. It took a very long time to dry (months!). During this time it had an odor of the natural oils, but it was also sticky. It really did take months for it to dry to a hard finish where things didn’t stick to it. Even after it was dry and hard, if water spilled on it, the finish would discolor because it absorbed the water, and stay discolored until the water evaporated out.

Aesthetically, I would absolutely choose the plant-based finish, but it isn’t practical for me. I sit at my desk working all day long in a hot climate, with glasses or glass bottles of cold water right next to me. This results in condensation. Even though I use coasters, there are often drips as I lift the glass from the coaster to my lips. So I have been using finishes like Vermont Natural Coatings for this reason. [As I was writing this, I thought, “There must be a solution to this, and there is: absorbent coasters made from sandstone. I am going to get some, so I could use any finish now.]

Readers, what are your experiences and suggestions?

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Question from Mary

I’m looking for a nontoxic or, at least, less toxic eyebrow pencil in a grey or brown. I’ve been using Logona, but it is difficult to apply smoothly. Any suggestions?

Debra’s Answer

I don’t use eyebrow pencil. Readers, your suggestions?

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Question from S

Hi Debra, How would one know if their flexible duct under the house for your furnace contains pvc? What would be a safe alternative? Thanks s

Debra’s Answer

I think you would need to have someone come out and inspect it.

I haven’t researched ductwork. It might be faster for someone who has had experience with this to answer.

Readers?

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Question from Anne Harris

I have MCS. We moved into a house that we had thoroughly researched for odors, voc’s etc. When we did the last walk through before signing the papers we experienced no odors. Two days after the signing we went back, immediately smelled a sweet odor, opened the kitchen cabinet the odor seem to come from and I fled the scene! Upon questioning we got information that an “unopened” box of sandalwood incense had been stored there. Whether that is the case or not is not the issue. We are stuck with a cabinet that has absorbed an odor that is not possible for me to handle. So far we have used every home remedy I have ever heard of to no avail. Baking soda, Vinegar, charcoal, kitty litter, etc. We now have bags of Zeolite in the cabinet and that has helped but the doors cannot be opened due to the sweet smell. The problem is that the wood has absorbed the odor and the answer appears to be to remove the cabinet, which will be expensive. A person here who specializes in air quality issues feels removal will be necessary.

My question is have you, or your readers, had experiences with such a situation as this? Does anyone have other suggestions? Many people have sugggested using a low or no VOC sealant but I believe I remember you saying that such a sealant will not truly remove an odor, just mask it. As you can imagine that is not the answer for my problems with odors.

I would appreciate your help and can never express to you how much I am helped by this blog. Debra, thank you so much for all your efforts and your awareness of the needs of chemically sensitive people.

Debra’s Answer

Here is the very simple solution.

If you don’t care how it looks, buy some aluminum foil tape at a hardware store, and just tape all over the area that has the smell. The foil will block it completely.

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