Question from Helen

We are looking for a de-icer safe for people and plants for sidewalks and driveways. There are places below our roof-line where the ice is several inches thick.

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

I have no experience with this, as I have never lived in an icy climate.

Readers?

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Question from TanyaL

I called Sealy (mattress manufacturer) asking about the chemicals in their mattresses and they told me that they use Ammonium Polyproponate for Fire Retardant purposes…. they also told me that this is added to “all kids clothing”…

Is this true? I feel like crying if it is….how can a label that says 100% Cotton also contain a chemical?

Thanks

Tanya

Debra’s Answer

I don’t think this is added to “all kid’s clothing.” It’s not even added to all kid’s sleepwear anymore, since the regulations changed in 2005 (thanks to consumer pressure!).

You can read the new regulations about children’s sleepwear at U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION: Children’s Sleepwear Regulations, 16 C.F.R. Parts 1615 & 1616.

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Question from Maggie Heyward

We have had a lot of moths in our house for a couple of years. Our wool clothes are kept in plastic bags during the warm months (after being cleaned). What is a good alternative to mothballs? Also, any suggestions about how to really get rid of the root problem (moth larvae)? Many thanks, Maggie from D.C.

Debra’s Answer

Here’s an excerpt from my out-of-print book Home Safe Home on the subject.

MOTHBALLS

CAUTION: May be harmful if swallowed. Avoid prolonged breathing of vapor or repeated contact with skin. Keep out of reach of children.

Mothballs are made from 100 percent paradichlorobenzene, avolatile chemical that can cause headache; swollen eyes; loss of appetite; nausea; severe irritation to your nose, throat, and lungs; depression; and injury to your liver and kidneys when you are exposed to it over a long period of time. It is harmful if swallowed, and because mothballs look so much like candy, they are very attractive to children. If a two-year-old child were to eat even one mothball accidentally, he or she could develop seizures in less than an hour.

I have always found: the warning label on mothballs amusing. It clearly states “Avoid prolonged breathing of vapor,” yet by the very design of the mothballs, you must be constantly exposed to these fumes. The odor of mothballs hidden in a closet can permeate your entire home; certainly, mothballs in the bedroom closet can infiltrate the room and increase to very high levels if the room is not ventilated adequately. The vapors from mothballs also are absorbed by clothing and blankets, making your exposure very direct when you are around these items.

SAFE SOLUTIONS

Instead of buying paradichlorobenzene, look in natural-food stores, closet shops, and on the Internet for herbal products that act as repellents. They might contain lavender or other herbs, or cedar oil, chips, or needles. Not only are these products safer and equally effective, their scent is far more pleasant than the must smell of mothballs. Make sure the product is of natural origin, as you may find synthetic imitations. You also can make your own herbal moth repellents. Make sachets of any of the following:

• dried lavender
• equal parts dried rosemary and mint
• dried tobacco
• whole peppercorns
• cedar chips or other wood soaked in real cedar oil

Your natural-food store should carry most of these items; pet stores will have cedar chips. It may be difficult to find cotton sachet bags; if so, try cotton baby socks, or sew your own. The moths you see flying around are not the moths that eat your woolens. Two varieties of clothes moths cause damage. They are too small to notice and are not drawn to light like other varieties. It is the larvae of these moths that eat fabric, not the moths themselves.

Your best protection is to store and maintain your woolens correctly to prevent larvae from hatching. Simply wearing all your clothes at regular intervals will cause any larvae to fall off. Or you can occasionally air items in the sun, then brush them to crush larvae and remove dried-up pests. Washing will kill clothes moths in all stages of development, as will pressing with a steam iron, running through a hot dryer, or placing items in a warm (140 F) oven for an hour. You could also place small items in the freezer for several days. When you buy new woolens, it is a good idea to put them through one of these treatments before storing them with your other items to kill any larvae that might be present at the time of purchase. This is especially important if you make a point of buying unmothproofed woolens. Once you know your woolens are free from moths, store them properly. Place them in drawers or boxes containing natural repellents, or, if you are storing them over the summer, protect them in airtight containers, such as paper packages or cardboard boxes with all edges carefully sealed with paper tape. You will have secured your woolens against the munching of’ moth larvae, and your home will be free of dangerous fumes.

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Question from Elaine

Has anyone had experience with Ecofinishes Air 1 collection of hardwood flooring? It looks as though the flooring has a UV acrylic finish. My kitchen has hardwood with a ceramic finish which was great — no chemical issues at all. However, the company is no longer in business. I have done a great deal of research and haven’t yet found another company that has the ceramic finish. I’m planning to replace the bedroom floor and want to be very careful.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Fannie

I was wondering what your thoughts are on Clorox’s new “Greenworks” line of cleaners. Are they all natural? I would appreciate any comments you have.

Debra’s Answer

You can read all about them at.

www.greenworkscleaners.com.

Chlorox has done a good job of explaining these products and giving ingredient information. And they define what they mean by natural, which is the same definition I use.

Are the products natural? In their words, “Green Works cleaners are at least 99% natural. In certain cases we had to use synthetic ingredients, like the preservative and green colorant. But we’re working hard to develop natural alternatives so the entire line can be 100% natural.”

I haven’t tried them. They are not on the shelves yet in my local stores.

I’ll just say, there are other cleaning products that ARE 100% natural. I’ll stick with those.

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Question from MIchael Klement

Hello Debra,

I am a residential architect in the midwest specializing in sustainable design and have been recently introduced to your site and blog by one of our future clients. Together, we are hoping to build a new Green home for them that will be as non-toxic as possible given my clients family’s health concerns.

In our office we have been specifying a low-density spray foam insulation that would be installed in the wall and rafter cavities called Icynene. There are many other products on the market in this category but after doing research, including some actual product testing ourselves, we have landed on this as the spray foam insulation of choice.

The manufaturer actually touts the healthy aspects of their product and its low toxicity as being one of its strong suits. We have, in fact, been told by manufacturer’s reps that once cured the product is so inert it can actually be eaten without adverse affect! We have passed on that particular test, however.

What is your, or your reader’s, experiences with this product and its toxicity levels?

Debra’s Answer

I have no personal experience with this product, however, it has come up in this blog several times before. To read those posts, you can find the links at Icynene Search Results.

Readers, what is your experience?

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Question from Ann

I have two sofas that areabout 12 years old and looking very dirty. I’ve washed the cushion covers in the washing machine and they look much better, but I’m wondering how I can safely clean the rest of the pieces. Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

I would use a steam cleaner.

Readers, any other ideas?

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Question from Gayle Ellias

Hi Debra,

I’m attempting to learn about the MANY different types of insulation being used these days. It seems spray insulation is becoming very popular because,in part,it repells moisture. Is there any that you recommend, or feel are safer than others?? An architect told me about “Icynene”. Are you familiar with this one?

I understand some use denim(cotton) or wool, but there is the consern of moisture/mold potential. What options do you think are the safest??

Thank you,

Gayle

Debra’s Answer

You know, I would love for some green builders to chime in on this one, as I haven’t done enough research on this product to give you the answer you want.

Readers?

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Question from jayellobee

Hi,

I’m curious about stevia. I’m not a licorice fan and I’ve read it can have this aftertaste. I’ve read the stevia sections on this site (or at least I think I’ve reviewed them all) but can’t find any brand recommendations. Debra/readers/posters: what brands do you like/dislike and why? Debra, if you have this information posted already please point me there.

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

I like the taste of Stevia Plus the best, and also like the drops better than the powder.

Personally, my favorite stevia is the fresh leaves from the plant. It tastes the best. I used to have a plant in my backyard and would just eat the leaves or use them in tea. But you can’t cook with them.

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Question from Bill

I’m looking to buy windows. I have looked at Andersons wood interior with vinyl clad exteriors. As long as the vinyl is on the outside and I seal the wood on the inside, should I be safe as a MCS person? I have read the entrees on windows and the problem with the exterior vinyl clad was not explained.

Debra’s Answer

It’s up to you to decide if you are safe from vinyl on the outside of your house. Yes, it is outside, but I have personal experience of fumes coming inside my house from materials used outside, so I make a point of exterior materials being as safe as interior materials.

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