Submitted questions will be posted with my response by the following Tuesday or before.
Submitted comments will be moderated and approved within 24 hours.
Waterproof, non-toxic shower curtains
Question from kt
I bought a beautiful organic cotton shower curtain, but it’s certainly not waterproof and I’m trying to figure out a waterproof shower curtain liner that is 1) not vinyl, 2) not polyester 3) somewhat waterproof. We have some waterproof “wet bags” for canoeing that seem to be just the right weight and waterproofness, but looking at this material it appears to come either as silicon embedded nylon or polyurethane coated nylon. I’m trying to figure out which of these woud possibly outgass the most. Our canoe bags have no odor that I am detecting. Any thoughts on sustainable, non-toxic, yet waterproof shower curtains?
Debra’s Answer
I found the same problem with cotton shower curtains and so installed glass shower doors (see Debra’s Green Bathroom: The Shower).
I learned how to control mold on cotton shower curtains, but not how to make them waterproof.
Readers, any ideas?
Removing strong synthetic perfume from carpet
Question from Reenie
I do green cleaning and also give workshops on it. I got a call today from a former colleague. She has spilled Clinique perfume onto her bedroom carpet and the odor is so powerful that she can’t be in the room. She’s asking for a solution. She’s already tried water and baking soda.
I wonder if there’s some sort of powerful charcol granules to put down, or even if a certain brand of kitty litter might help, along with covering the area where the spilled happened with a thick canvas cloth. Or, what if I rented the Rug Doctor and used mostly vinegar and water (would I dare add a couple drops of lemongrass essential oil?)
This is a new cleanup matter for me. My friend is saying that’s the last time she uses synthetic perfumes! Thanks for any comments or suggestions.
Debra’s Answer
Readers?
How Do I Remove Odors From New Clothing
Question from Sunnyside
I’m sensitive to many chemicals, soaps, etc. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to remove odors, formaldehyde, etc. from new clothing. Any petro-chemical based detergent is definitely off limits for me. Your ideas will be greatly appreciated. Thank you,
Debra’s Answer
Readers, what is your experience?
How Long It Takes for VOCs to Outgas
I am often asked how long it takes for various materials to outgass.
Here is an interesting paper on emissions from flooring. On pages 3 and 4 there is a chart which shows emission measurements over a 28-day period, so you can see how they fall off. Unfortunately, the chart doesn’t continue to the point where the emissions disappear…
VOC- and SVOC-Emissions From Adhesives, Floor Coverings And Complete Floor Structures
Agave
After sending out my most recent evaluation of agave in my Sweet Savvy newsletter on September 14, I received some of comments. Click on COMMENTS below to read them.
Agave?
Question from Debra Lynn Dadd
Last week on Good Morning America there was a segment on sugar. This statement was made.
“Consumers are now also being offered agave, a sweetener promoted as natural but which is all fructose, she said. Agave is processed and has calories. This kind of sugar gets packed on as fat in the liver, she added.” She promoted using Honey instead.
So many people say that they are tired of something coming out as healthy or unhealthy and 6 months later they say the opposite.
What is your take on this.
Debra’s Answer
[Sigh] I just need to say first that after more than 25 years of studying the health and environmental effects of consumer products, it is clear to me that there is a lot to learn and know. At this point in time, there is A LOT of information being put forth through various media channels that is incorrect, simply because the people writing about it don’t have the background understanding to know what the issues are, or, in the general media, time to do the research.
The general media interviews an expert. Then they write their own version of what that expert said, based on their own understanding–or misunderstanding, as the case may be.
Regarding what was said on Good Morning America, first of all, agave is not “all fructose”. Second, it does have calories, but not any more than honey, which is recommended.
Regarding their claim that agave is “processed”…Let’s look at processed sweeteners for a moment. All sweeteners that come from a natural source are processed to concentrate them to some degree or another.
The natural source for honey is the nectar of flowers, which is then “processed” by bees to concentrate it into honey.
The natural source for maple syrup is maple tree sap, which is boiled down to remove water and concentrate the sap into maple syrup. Further removal of water yields maple sugar.
Non- Toxic Adhesive Removal
Question from Mary
Hi Debra,
What do you recommend for non-toxic removal of the old vinyl flooring?
Also, what is non-toxic for installing the natural, sheet , linolium?
thanks !!
Mary
Debra’s Answer
I’ve removed old vinyl flooring simply by scraping it off. You can usually loosen a tile and go from there by placing a putty knife or a crow bar under the edge. I have then simply placed the new flooring over whatever adhesive remains, after scraping off whatever excessive globs there might be.
As for the adhesive for laying natural linoleum, I would check with the manufacturer or an installer. I haven’t ever laid natural linoleum, so I don’t have any inside information on that process.
Chantel Copper Fusion cookware
Question from Betty L
Hello Debra,
I just recently discovered your website and love it. I would like to know if you know anything about a new cookware called copper fusion by Chantal, Made in Germany. They claim to have a stick resistant surface without any type of chemical or nonstick coating. I would appreciate any comments you may have about this cookware. thank you
Debra’s Answer
Just looking at the Chantal Copper Fusion website, it looks pretty good to me. The two key features are the copper, which is best for heat distribution, and the enamel finish, which is good for cooking because it is more inert than stainless steel and other metals.
I personally have never used enamel-finish cookware because the enamel tends to chip. I don’t know if there is new technology which makes this not chip, and I can’t vouch for it being non-stick.
Readers, what is your experience with enamel-finish cookware?
Use of a vapor barrier on installing a new floor
Question from llyana
I have MCS and I’m putting in 2 new pre-finished wood floors in my home.
I was told by a green building service to have the contractor use a polyethelene vapor barrier instead of an asphalt/felt/paper vapor barrier for less off-gassing. Now it seems you can’t nail the floor through a vapor barrier (it would defeat the purpose) so they are recommending floating the floor, which means glue-ing the wood together instead of nailing it down. So, now I’m worried about the glue being an issue for me.
Any thoughts or advice?
Debra’s Answer
Personally, I’ve never used a vapor barrier under a pre-finished wood floor and I’ve laid it over wood subfloor and concreate subfloor. So the first question I would ask is “Is the vapor barrier really necessary?”
If you need to glue, I’ve had excellent success using standard yellow woodworker’s glue to lay floors. Don’t let them use toxic adhesives.
My first choice for you would still be to nail it in, so see if you can eliminate the vapor barrier altogether.
Cleaning Acrylic Tubs
Question from Marie
We just bought a new house that has 3 bathtubs/showers that are one-piece acrylic. When I read the manufacturer’s documentation, they of course recommend buying their own cleaning products and say not to use any abrasives. I clean my current bathrooms (all porcelain and tile) with baking soda and vinegar, and I’m wondering if the baking soda is considered abrasive. Also, I use Bon Ami for harder surfaces, and even though it says it doesn’t scratch, will it damage my acrylic surfaces?
Debra’s Answer
I don’t know anything about cleaning acrylic.
Readers?
