Question from Kim M

Hi Debra,

I know you have shared a lot of information about mattress and maybe this question is answered somewhere else on your site.

I recently received a used mattress from a member of my family. The mattress is a Serta Perfect sleeper and the tag states there is a fire protector on it.

I found a tag dated May 2004 on it so I am assuming that it was either made or delivered at that time.

How safe is this mattress? Does it out gas forever? Would it be any safer if I covered it with some sort of cover?

I would love to buy an organic mattress but it is not in my budgett to do so at this time. So I am wondering if I can just make do with this Serta for a year or two until I have enough to buy an organic mattress or should I go back to sleeping on my very uncomfortable futton?

Debra’s Answer

It would be better to sleep on this older mattress than an new synthetic one, but I would encourage you to go natural with your bed as soon as you can.

Synthetic mattresses become less toxic as time goes by, so the older, the better.

Add Comment

Question from charlotte

When I bake desserts with organic ingredients, I often wish that I can decorate them with whipped cream mixed with organic food coloring or apply dusted color to marzipan mini-fruits. As yet I have had no success in locating a US or Canadian company that manufactures such a product. Can you direct me to any green business that makes organic food colors? Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

The only ones I know of are at Debra’s List: Food: Food Colors. They are natural colors, but not organic. I have a set of the colors from Dancing Deer and they work wonderfully.

Add Comment

Question from C Kelly

Dear Debra

I have recently bought a second-hand Ikea bed frame, which is described as birch verneer with some sort of particle board inside. I have been reading that particle board can give off formaldehyde fumes, and was wondering if you know whether Ikea furniture is safe in this respect,

Sincerely

Clancy

Debra’s Answer

Particleboard does give off toxic formaldehyde fumes.

I know of no reason to think that particleboard from Ikea is any different, unless it is labeled “formaldehyde-free.”

Add Comment

Question from Sweet Lucee

I have been using Stevia for quite awhile now and personally I think it’s a God send. It’s derived from a leaf and has zero chemicals, zero carbs, zero glycemic index and zero calories.

Stevia is so highly concentrated that knowing the correct amount to use is key. If you get an after taste or bitterness, you’ve simply used too much. I enjoy the shaker bottle to use for cooking. If using the stevia plus shaker for cooking, 2 Tbsp is equal to about 1 cup of sugar. I find the safest thing to do for cooking is just look for stevia recipes. I would like to suggest the liquid flavors. They are wonderful and can be added to plain yogurt, or any bland tasting food, to give it a boost of flavor. My favorites are English Toffee, Valencia Orange, Vanilla Creme and Root Beer. You can even add them to a glass of water, ice cube trays or shaved ice. Kids love it too! I’m also hooked on two drops of the Chocolate Raspberry in my coffee. It’s called SweetLeaf Flavored Liquid Stevia. Whole Foods Market is a good source to purchase it from.

Debra’s Answer

Add Comment

Question from Roxann

Hi Debra

I am a registered dental hygienist and know the great dental benefits of Xylitol and caries prevention. What most consumers do not know is Xylitol is poisonous to dogs, just a small amount ingested can make them extremely ill or kill them. Some may inadvertently give fido a piece of cake, cookie or something else made with Xylitol not realizing how potentially dangerous it is.

God Bless

Debra’s Answer

Add Comment

Question from Denise Cueba

I have been doing a lot of research on water lately (filtration systems, ionizers, etc.). Although there is a wealth of information on the Internet, it has been difficult to find an unbiased, trustworthy source that is not ultimately trying to sell a product.

I am thankful to have stumbled upon your website as it seems like a credible source of information.

So I have several product related questions…

1. I have a german shepherd who swims a lot during the summer months. I am concerned about how much chlorine he is absorbing from the pool water as well as from the hose water I use to bathe him with. I have read the content posted on your site regarding chlorine-free swimming pools. While that is definitely something I plan to invest in , it is not financially feasible for me at this point. Do you have any thoughts on the product “Chlor-free” (tablets you put in the pool that decrease, not eliminate, the amount of chlorine needed)?

2. As far as bathing my dog, I am looking to buy a water filter that attaches to a garden hose. Do you know anything about the Clear Garden Hose Filter sold by Pure Water Products, LLC? www.pwgazette.com/gardenhosefilters.htm

Or is there another product you would recommend over this one?

Debra’s Answer

First, a pet would absorb chlorine through their skin just as it’s person would. I don’t know anything about Chlor-Free tablets. I went to a couple of websites that sell them, and they were pretty confusing.

The garden hose filter you mentioned is just a standard carbon filter. You can get the same thing at Home Depot, Lowe’s, or a hardware store.

Yes, get a drinking water safe type hose.

If you add minerals back to the water, it is no longer “thirsty.”

Add Comment

Question from Melissa

I have a cultured marble vanity top in my bathroom. Do you have any ideas for sanitizing it? I know I can’t use vinegar because it’s too acidic. Can I use hydrogen peroxide, and if so, will it sanitize?

Debra’s Answer

I suggest boiling water.

Add Comment

Question from A worried mother

Hi,

I am now cloth diapering with a second child and have noticed, that most cloth diapers these days come with a PUL maerial. Some of them feel very plasticy to a touch, others feel softer, but are still waterproof. How can I know if this treatment of material is really that healthy for my child?

Debra’s Answer

PUL is short for PolyUrethane Laminate, which is a fabric that has been heat-laminated to a layer of polyurethane. Diapers are usually made from laminated cottons, polyester knits, or poly blends.

Polyurethane is a pretty toxic plastic. You can read more about it at www.polyurethane.org. This is an industry-sponsored website. In particular, click on the link for “Hyperreactivity and Other Health Effects of Diisocyanates: Guidelines for Medical Personnel”.

This plastic is more toxic than I would want to put next to a baby’s tender skin.

Add Comment

Question from Vaughnde

I am looking for glass baby bottles to replace the plastic ones that have controversial chemical bisphenol A — commonly known as BPA. Do you have any companies to recommend?

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

Add Comment

Question from Ronda

Hi Debra –

What should I look for when purchasing interior doors? One door for the garage will be solid, but the other interior doors all will be hollow. I’m nervous that I might get some MDF type door.

Thanks for all of your help!

Debra’s Answer

There’s an interesting page at http://www.craftmasterdoors.com that shows how hollow core, semi-sold core, and solid core doors are constructed and what they are typically made of: MDF, particleboard, PVC, styrofoam…some interior doors are now 100% PVC.

Though they will cost more, I suggest you get solid wood doors, not “solid core”, but solid wood. Search on “solid wood interior doors” for companies. And get them unfinished. This is the only way to not have all the chemicals that are in pressed wood products.

Also, visit your local salvage yard. They often have beautiful doors at a fraction of the cost purchased new.

Add Comment