Question from Robin

My ALL Free & Clear hypoallergenic laundry detergent that comes in a 300ml dispenser carton has leaked onto the top of my metal washing machine. It has eaten away at the metal on top and left a bubbled ridge. It also leaked on my ceramic tiled sink area and has left an impossible to remove white calcification. The ALL company representative recommended that I hire someone to come in that specializes in ‘clean-up’ to fix the problem.

1. Do you know of a safe way to remove the All laundry detergent that has left a white clacification on the ceramic? I have tried leaving soaked wet towels for days on the area and then using scrub brushes. Nothing works!

2. Any suggestions for a more natural laundry detergent for sensitive skin?

Debra’s Answer

Don’t know about removing the All. Readers?

For the laundry, I recommend Maggie’s Soap Nuts! Gets clothes very clean, very soft, and no irritating residue. Completely natural and biodegradable.

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Question from mtv

Seeking more information on prefinished hardwoods for ‘new’ house. Did put some in last year when moved in house temporarily. Wonder which finish is ideal. Or guidelines… Ours planks aluminum something..in hindsight there must be something better. I was loopy and sick. I searched back blog issues and did learn that we can purchase at store and let it outgass for a while. That is great to know.

So much of this illness is hindsight. Thanks for Debra’s book, care, and website.

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t done a survey of all the brands of prefinished floors and their finishes. When I am looking for a wood floor, I just go find what I like, buy a few pieces and bring it home and live with it before installing a whole room or a whole house.

Readers, what prefinished wood flooring have you had success with?

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While looking for something else on the internet, I came across a website about walking sticks.

What caught my eye was the reason for walking sticks (also called “staffs”):

Staffs allow a typical hiker to reduce the “foot-felt” body weight by as much as 20%. Since the hiker is leaning on the staff rather than his foot with each step he takes, the feet have less work to do. Try standing on a scale and leaning on a staff. When you lean over on the staff (that is on the ground), your body weight goes down. Switching from left to right hand with the staff balances this weight savings while evenly distributing the aerobic benefits of the upper-body exercise. You win big both ways.

 

Other uses for walking sticks in the wild are: to clear spiderwebs, to part thick bushes or grass, as a support when going uphill or a brake when going downhill, as a balance point when crossing rough terrain, to test mud and puddles for depth, and as a defense against wild animals. Hmmmm…defense against wild animals. Could be defense against attackers in a city (just read that originally, one of the reasons travelers on foot carried walking sticks was to protect themselves from thieves–indeed you can read all about using a walking stick for self-defense at http://ejmas.com/jnc/jncart_barton-wright_0200.htm).

In times past, when walking was a major mode of transportation, walking sticks were common; now not so much so. But there are times when I do a lot of walking around town, and my feet do start to hurt. Maybe a walking stick would make it more comfortable to walk long distances.

This webpage has tips about choosing walking sticks and even instructions on how to make your own: http://walking.about.com/cs/poles/a/walkingsticks.htm.

Here’s another informational site with a lot of good information: http://www.backpacking.net/walkstik.html

Some pros and cons of using a walking stick:

• http://www.personal.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/poles.htm

A list of articles on walking sticks:

And because I was inspired, I went looking for some sites that sell walking sticks:

• http://www.4walkingsticks.com/
• http://www.kywalkingstick.com/
• http://www.mssticks.com
• http://www.whistlecreek.com/
• http://houseofcanes.com
• http://www.fashionablecanes.com
• http://www.borispalatnik.com/
• http://www.walkingstick.com/
• http://www.coloradowalkingsticks.com/

Walking is such good exercise and gets us out of doors, we would all do well to do more of it!

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Question from mtv

Does anyone know of any safe non-stick cooking pots & pans? I am fine without them, but my husband really likes to cook his eggs simply and with ease. I leave the room when he uses the pan. I recently heard an add for non stick pots & pans that can withstand up to 800 degrees,unlike the traditional teflon coated pans that heat and let out toxic material. Thanks

Debra’s Answer

Cooking eggs without a nonstick pan was discussed in Q&A: Teflon on George Forman Grills? (scroll down the page). Maybe one of these suggestions will work for your husband.

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Question from mtv

We are in a house for a year or so. We have some carpeting. Any ideas how to clean this? The house is 6 years old. Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I suggest using steam cleaning. You can either rent a carpet steam cleaning machine or have a service do it for you. Either way, just use the steam, not the shampoo that comes with it.

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Question from KLP

Do the “natural” peanut butters (the ones with only peanuts and salt) REQUIRE refrigeration for health reasons or is that only a suggestion on how to keep the natural oils from separating? Thanks so much for sharing your vast knowledge.

Debra’s Answer

Personally, I always refrigerate mine, but I’ve noticed that in my local natural food store, where they make fresh nut butters, they don’t refrigerate them. They are just sitting on a shelf next to the nut grinder.

On the other hand, these nut butters probably sell fairly quickly. Perhaps there is a reason one might need to refrigerate nut butters for long term storage.

Readers, any thoughts on this?

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Question from Donnie

I’m looking for a distilled white vinegar that I can use for cleaning, that does not contain corn or sulfites. I’m allergic to both of them. Apple cider vinegar works for some things, but not others. I know that Heinz white vinegar is made from corn, and have had some very nasty reactions to the fumes from it. Do you know of any brands that are corn and sulfite free, that I can use? Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know of any. Readers?

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Question from Jim Ott

Debra, I noticed in the pictures of your bathroom remodel that you installed a glass shower door. What type of caulk did you use to install this door? I have been having a hard time finding a nontoxic waterproof caulk. Thanks, Jim

Debra’s Answer

We used DAP Silicone Caulk, which is easily available at Lowe’s and Home Depot. It’s the least toxic one we’ve found that is sold in general stores. It has some odor, but it dissipates within a day.

If any of you have found less toxic caulks, please post a comment so we can have them here.

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Question from Lyn

Do you know of a natural alternative to the chemical (Raid) bug bombs for use in a basement?

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know of a natural “bomb”-type product that will kill all the bugs in your basement.

See the Pest Control page of Debra’s List for links to organizations that can help you find a natural solution to your pest problems.

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Question from Fran Saunders

Can anyone please tell me how to get rid of ants in my fridge? They don’t seem to be interested in the food, but swarm together on the walls of the fridge.

Thank you.
Fran Saunders

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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