Submitted questions will be posted with my response by the following Tuesday or before.
Submitted comments will be moderated and approved within 24 hours.
Non-toxic way to kill weeds?
Question from Dee
My house is surrounded by rocks. It is impossible to control the weeds. I need to find a non-toxic method of getting rid of them. Oh, and yes, the area is too large to make hand pulling time efficient.
Debra’s Answer
Readers?
Low Water pH
Question from Keith
Dear Debra,
I have a low ph problem with my well water. The water ph based on testing is between 4.9 – 5.2. I’ve done some research into the alkilizers that you spoke of as well as other brands. The problem is that the ph levels are so low that the alkalizers will not raise the ph enough.
Also, we would like to make sure that we can raise the ph levels enough for the whole house as I’ve learned that acidic water can cause problems with the plumbing, even pvc, which in turn is a problem for our health as well as the integrity of the house.
I’ve looked into this with some water filter companies and the present recommendations are a mineral or chemical wash. The chemical wash is from something that I believe is called sodium carbonate, which is a precurser to sodium bicarbonate. The other options are added blocks of magnesium and/or calcium. My concerns is with either option in terms of the saftey of consuming the sources for sodium carbonate and the minerals. Some mineral sources can have other contaminants in them.
I can’t get a straight answer from any local water companies as they don’t understand my concern and don’t have the knowledge to address it. The area we live in is not very much aware of the type of health issues that are addressed in this site.
In addition, I have health issues such as copd and hashimotos and am concerned about exacerbating any of these conditions.
Debra’s Answer
I don’t have any experience with this, but am posting your question so you can get answers from others.
Readers?
Non-Toxic no PVC Shelf / Drawer Liner
Question from Krudman
Please advise if anyone is aware of a non-PVC shelf/drawer liner. Preferably, not fabric and non-toxic.
Thank you
Debra’s Answer
Before the days of PVC, everyone lined their shelves with just plain paper, and held it down with thumbtacks. I think they still sell paper shelf paper.
When I moved to San Francisco last month to stay here temporarily for three months, I moved into a barely furnished apartment that has a chest of drawers. I wanted a clean surface on which to put my clothes, and I had just purchased some items from Ikea that were wrapped in big sheets of white paper. So I just lined my drawers with that white paper and it worked fine.
Some years back, I lined some drawers with pretty handmade paper that comes in big sheets at art supply stores. It was nice to see something pretty when I opened the drawer.
Drinking Water Safe Garden Hose
Question from Melissa
I am looking for a new garden hose for this summer. I intend to use for my young children to run through the sprinkler and fill their pool. I have read to buy a drinking water safe version. I have been searching, but cannot find one. Do you know where I can purchase one?
Debra’s Answer
See Q&A: Nontoxic Garden Hose. Read the whole post. The next to the last paragraph explains about food grade hoses.
Sweetener for yeast diet
Question from Wanda
I’ve tried the Stevia Plus and had a terrible metal aftertaste that lasted most of the day. I switched to Agave Juice with better results, but have the candida/yeast problem and worry that I am only feeding the yeast. Can you give me any information about Agave and yeast? Seems like every website has a different take on it. Any help would be wonderful. I am leary about trying other sweetners, but would be willing to consider another. I simply cannot give up all sweets on this diet. I’m learning to cook all over again! Thanks. Love your site. Wanda
Debra’s Answer
I understand about the stevia aftertaste.
I’m not an expert on what is allowed on a yeast diet.
Readers, your suggestions?
Gas heat
Question from S
Hi Debra, Is it possible to be tested to see if one is sensitive to gas heat? If so where and how? I have mcs and we have gas heat, however, that is something that is not easily changed. Thanks s
Debra’s Answer
I don’t know where one can get tested for sensitivity to gas heat, but I can tell you from my experience that often people with MCS who have gas heat don’t recover until they stop using the gas heat. I’ve seen this many times. It’s a big thing to change, so people put it off, but it seems to be a big contributor to MCS, from my observation.
Do you feel better in the summertime, when you are not using the heat?
Scented Laundry Products
Question from TK
Can you please tell me a good product or a healthier solution for laundry soap and fabric softner. I like my clothes to have a lite scent to then. But with seven kids I would like to protect them for all those bas and deadly chemicals. I have just in the past few months tried turning my family and my household to GREEN.
Debra’s Answer
Usually readers here are looking for UNscented laundry products. There are many natural laundry products listed on the Cleaning page of Debra’s List.
I haven’t paid much attention to fabric softeners myself because they are unnecessary for natural fibers. You only need them for synthetics to remove static cling.
Readers, feel free to jump in and recommend your favorite green laundry products with a LIGHT, NATURAL scent.
And let me just speak for many readers who I know are wanting you to please consider unscented laundry products, out of courtesy to others who may be in your vicinity who react to scented products.
Alkaline Water Filter
Question from Mary Anne
I have an RO system that I’m thinking seriously about replacing, given what I’ve learned on this blog. The question is, with what? I recently looked at a Kangen filter system. It supposedly removes the bad stuff, leaves the minerals AND significantly ups the pH levels (for health). The problem is: it’s a dollar short of $4,000 (wince and wince again). Have you heard of this system? Are there other reputable pH systems out there for less? Thanks for any advice you can give me.
Debra’s Answer
Choosing a water filter is a fairly complex subject. I’ve been working on writing a special report on this, but in the meanwhile, there is an excellent chapter on choosing water filters in my book Home Safe Home. There are a few things about water not covered in that book and alkaline water is one of them.
There is a very good book called Reverse Aging which talks about the importance of keeping the body’s pH in a more alkaline range for good health and says drinking alkaline water is a more effective way to do that than eating an alkaline diet. After reading that book, I purchased an alkaline water machine and have been happily drinking alkaline water ever since.
I got my machine from Go Beyond Organic. We pour the water into the top of the machine, and it places an electric charge in the water that “splits” the water into equal parts of water with an alkaline pH and water with an acid pH. The Kangen website has an excellent explanation of the uses of acid and alkaline water.
The health benefits of drinking alkaline water are well documented and well known in Japan. After a couple of years of drinking alkaline water almost exclusively (almost a gallon a day when I am at home) I can honestly say that my body is healthier and stronger (I didn’t get that nasty flu that’s been going around this year) and I do look young (people usually think I’m around 35 and are astonished to find out I’ll be 53 in June). It didn’t, however, magically lower my blood sugar in two weeks, but over time, my blood sugar is getting lower and lower after removing almost all carbs from my diet didn’t work.
I do feel that alkaline water is “closer to natural water” than ordinary tap water or filtered water.
Now, about the Kangen water specifically. The website does not state (that I could find) how the toxic pollutants in the water are removed, but does say that the alkaline water is made with an ionic process. I can’t evaluate a product for which no information is given. The website is only selling you on the fantastic health benefits.
Are Crocs shoes safe?
Question from Barbara
My kids love these plastic shoes and even Wholefoods is selling them. But the more I think about Crocs the more concerned I get. My daughter wore them a lot last summer and her skin on the soles of her feet starting peeling off. Is there any hazardous connection with wearing crocks, or cheaper similar products? Debra? Readers?
Debra’s Answer
I went to the crocs website at www.crocs.com and found that there was no information on the material the shoes are made from, except to say that it is a “closed-cell resin.” I called their Customer Service and was told the material was “propriatary.”
I’m going to assume it is some kind of plastic made from crude oil, since if it was something else, they would probably say so.
Sorry I can’t tell you what type of plastic this is, but in general, plastic is nonrenewable, not biodegradable, and often toxic.
The fact that the skin on your daughter’s feet is peeling would indicate to me not to wear them.
How can I get Febreeze out of clothing?
Question from Michelle Hirsekorn
I’m very sensitive to new clothing and have had success using milk to remove chemicals, however, it seems that second hand stores that sell clothing have become dedicated to spraying Febreeze all over them. It has proven very challenging to remove. I have used milk, mustard, soda, borax, vinegar and multiple washings in Biokleen to no avail. Any ideas before I give up altogether?
Debra’s Answer
Hanging clothes outside in sunshine is the best, most natural way. Readers have also suggested using vinegar and baking soda.
