Question from Elizabeth

Hi Debra,

If you have any ideas on how I can get the Nature’s Miracle smell out of my carpet I would greatly appreciate it.

FYI – In September 2017 I had used the Nature’s Miracle on the first floor of my home in an area of my living room where there is wall to wall carpet that also has a layer of padding and then concrete under it. I have tried to neutralize the area by –

• Treating it with vinegar and water.
• Having my carpet cleaner person come and use his machine with just water and then his strong vacuum to suck it up.
• Sprinkling it with baking soda and then vacuuming it.
• Baking the room.

I am so disappointed as I seriously feel this product is now horrible! Unfortunately, the newer version is no longer “natural” like it use to be.
Please feel free to share my experience with your readers.

Here is my correspondence with the manufacturer. They also sent me a refund for the product. Attached is the SDS, the only info they would send to me.

Thanks in advance for your advice on this situation. Much appreciated.

I used natures miracle urine eliminator in September 2017 on my carpet. I can still smell the natures miracle on warm days. How long will it take for the natures miracle to break down so that I don’t smell it? Or is there a way I can remove it from my carpet? I’ve used your product 10 yrs ago and never had this happen before. It use to be within 4 to 6 weeks natures miracle smell was 100% gone. Not sure why with your current product I can still smell it so long after the application.

From: Elizabeth

Thanks for your feedback. While the fragrance will dissipate over time, the time it takes for that to happen can vary, depending on the surface. A dusting of baking soda, or a solution of diluted distilled white vinegar may help alleviate the smell. If you have additional questions, feel free to reply to this email, or to call us at 1-800-645-5154. We are available M-F 8:00am – 6:00pm EST. Thanks for your time. Have a wonderful day!

From: Aleksander Baxter l Consumer Relations Spectrum Brands – Pet, Home and Garden Division

Thx so much.

Can you please send me a list of chemicals and all ingredients that are in natures miracle urine destroyer for dogs product?

Warm Regards,
Elizabeth Schaefer

Thanks for your inquiry. The ingredient compositions of some of those blends (fragrance, enzymatic blends, etc.) are proprietary. I’ve forwarded a copy of the Safety Data Sheet for the Urine Destroyer product with additional info. If you have additional questions, feel free to reply to this email, or to call us at 1-800-645-5154. We are available M-F 8:00am – 6:00pm EST. Thanks for your time. Have a wonderful day!

Aleksander Baxter l Consumer Relations
Spectrum Brands – Pet, Home and Garden Division

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any suggestions on how to remove this odor?

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Unfinished wood bed frame in need of finish.

Question from Inna

Hi Debra,

I am having a king bed-frame custom-made for me by a couple that does local workworks in Alaska (they use real wood from home depot, but haven’t worked much with people with chemical sensitivities such as myself).

I was wondering what readily available finish would be best for someone like me with chemical sensitivities; is it better to use Klean Strip Boiled Linseed Oil, or Old Masters 100% tung oil, or something else?

They usually use polyurethane but are willing to use something else that’s readily available. I wouldn’t be the one putting it on, so I’m looking for something that no longer off-gases at all once it’s delivered to me.

Also, if they’re using real wood from Home Depot, is there anything I should avoid from there that people have had bad experiences with (e.g. wood that is mislabeled as all real wood but that actually has chemicals that bother people with chemical sensitivities)?

Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I highly recommend Vermont Natural Coatings
https://www.vermontnaturalcoatings.com/

I’ve used this and it’s really beautiful. It’s made with whey protein recycled from cheesemaking.
They have an All-in-One Stain & Finish at Vermont Natural Coatings.

Here are more nontoxic wood finishes chosen for MCS from Green Building Supply.

If they really need to use something off the shelf at Home Depot, use Varathane Water-Based Floor Polyurethane.

It contains dipropylene ether, but it is fast drying.

Since you have MCS and you will be using this wood and finish in a bed frame, please TEST both wood and finish for individual tolerance BEFORE they make the frame.

 
This week New York Times Op-Ed Columnist Nicholas Kristof wrote about having his urine tested for 10 common toxic chemicals.

Even though he had been avoiding some endocrine disruptors for the past decade, his tests still came back back with high levels of four toxic chemicals.

Read more about his experience. And if you want to get tested yourself, the Silent Spring Institute is offering a Detox Me Action Kit for $299 that will both give you results for 10 common toxics and also help researchers study levels of exposure to these chemicals in the U.S. population.

NEW YORK TIMES: What Poisons Are in Your Body?

SILENT SPRING INSTITUTE: Detox Me Action Kit

If you do get this test, please post your results here. I’m interested.

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A 20-year international study conducted by scientists at the University of Bergen in Norway has found that using cleaning products can be as harmful to lung function as smoking 20 cigarettes a day.

The authors of the study suggested that exposure to cleaning materials can be detrimental to women’s health in the long term. The effects of 10-20 years of cleaning can be as damaging as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for the same amount of time.

There have been a lot of sensational headlines about this, this week, but they are a bit misleading. The study didn’t say that the amount of cleaning done at home is equal to 20 cigarettes. This comparison applies only to women who are cleaning professionally and exposed to cleaning products almost daily on an almost continuous basis during normal waking hours.

FORTUNE: Using Household Cleaning Products Can Be as Bad as Smoking a Pack a Day

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY RESPIRATORY HEALTH SURVEY: Cleaning at home and at work in relation to lung function decline and airway obstruction

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These flowers were created right on the wall using joint compound.

Question from Arlene

Hi Debra,

Have you heard of Beadex Silver Set Lightweight Setting-Type Joint Compounds ? I learned of it on this website. http://greenhomeguide.com/askapro/question/i-am-having-my-breakfast-room-remodeled-i-know-that-premixed-joint-compound-is-toxic-but-is-dry-mix-mixed-onsite-ok

I am asking on behalf of a practitioner who has some chemically sensitive clients but is not sensitive herself. I suggested Murco M100, but it is not locally available and costs a lot of money to ship in.

Thanks so much for all your work and the wealth of information you provide.

Debra’s Answer

I have no experience with this product, nor have I heard of it.

But the article by Mary Cordaro at your link is a good one.

And here’s another article by Mary on chemicals in joint compounds: https://www.greenhomeguide.org/askapro/question/is-joint-compound-really-safe-i-m-concerned-about-polyvinyl-acetate-binders

I’ve known Mary for years and trust her research. If she recommends a product, I’ve never disagreed.

Here are Mary’s recommended joint compounds:

• Beadex Silver Set Lightweight Setting-Type Joint Compounds: The MSDS for these products reports no formaldehyde, aldehyde, vinyl alcohol polymer, or vinyl acetate monomer. So if this product is right for your particular application, this product looks to be nontoxic.

 

• KEIM Dolomitspachtel, the only ready-to-use, premixed, chemical-free, biocide-free joint compound. The natural lime in this joint compound preserves the product without chemical biocides. This product is more expensive than conventional ready-mix joint compounds.

 

• Murco M-100, a dry, chemical-free joint compound. Murco is a very popular alternative, successfully used by many contractors, but requires more labor time. Some contractors don’t feel that it provides a hard enough surface, however, or feel that it may crack more easily in earthquake-prone areas.

 

• Hamilton Smooth Set and Smooth Set Light Weight, also called Westpac Fast Setand Fast Set Lite. To avoid biocides, purchase Hamilton Smooth Set or Smooth Set Light Weight, Westpac Fast Set and Fast Set Lite in bags only (not boxes), and do not purchase Eco-Finish or any other versions offered by Hamilton and Westpac. Smooth Set and Fast Set are actually patching compounds, but as long as a contractor is skilled with applying fast-drying plasters, this is a great, healthy alternative product that dries very hard. However, it does require more labor and definitely more application skills.

Readers, any experience with any of the recommended joint compounds?

I recently looked for a nontoxic joint compound on the shelf at Home Depot and couldn’t find one.

If any one knows of any other safe joint compounds, please comment.

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Question from Tania N.

Hi Debra,

What would you recommend to clean mold in the bathroom? You know that black spots between tiles etc..i hate bleach, even though it works amazing for it .. you just spray and after while its gone.. no scrubbing.. but I want use soemthing non toxic.. but i have no idea it is even possible to get rid of mold without bleach etc..

Thank you so much.

Debra’s Answer

Here’s a great post written with several possibilities in answer to your question:

ROOT + REVEL: How to Get Rid of Black Mold Naturally (Without Bleach).

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Question from Colleen

Hi Debra,

I have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

What kind of roofing materials have other people with MCS used?

Did you have any problems with it?

We need to replace the sheeting on the entire roof which is usually made of plywood and also need something to replace the shingles.

Comments, thoughts, suggestions?

My house is my only safe place. I don’t have relatives or friends that I can stay with and I can’t go to a hotel for any length of time during this process. Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Sandy

Hi Debra,

I have just met you and look forward to studying your site.

My family, 4 adult children and 7 grandchildren have been diagnosed with the mutated gene MTHFR .

My husband is missing one and I am missing the other. One daughter tested is missing both and learned this during her first pregnancy. So, all of our children will be missing at least one, according to the doctor.

What do you know about this and how it keeps our body’s from detoxing properly?

I expect other fans of yours may need to know this, as well.

We are all hypothyroid, gluten & soy intolerant. The “fortified” grains/flours are toxic to us. Even gluten free because of the “additives to help”, our bodies cannot process and eliminate B vitamins. I breastfed long term and organically grew our foods and made all their baby foods a long time ago, as did my mom for me. (My children’s’ ages: 37-35-33 and 30 years)

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t done a lot of research on this because my focus is on eliminating toxic chemicals we are exposed to in consumer products.

However, it does affect the ability of our bodies to withstand our toxic environment, so if one has this problem, it’s worth knowing.

There are many articles on this subject already written and posted online. I just searched “MTHFR and detoxification” and got many results.

One I particularly like is THE BULLETPROOF BLOG: The MTHFR Gene Mutation And How To Rewire Your Genetics.

It doesn’t explain the detoxification aspect but it gives instructions on how to determine if this is an issue for you and tips for what you can do if you have the defect.

If anyone reading this has any experience with this, please comment.

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Question from Ron

Hi Debra,

I am hoping you will be able to help me. First of all, we love your book and it has helped us with going toxic free. It is just disgusting all the chemicals used that are hurting us and the planet.

We have done a lot but I need help with one thing, maybe you can help.

I did see the part of your website that has links to organic clothing, but I cannot find the one thing I need.

I’m looking for organic clothes (pants) for work. (business casual) I was able to find nice organic dress shirts Tuckerman & Co but not pants.

I work at a bank and I normally wear Dockers 100 % cotton casual pants. I’m sure you know the type, places like Macy’s carry them. I need to find pants like that and I just can’t.

Do you have any recommendations or know where I can find them?

I hate to buy them because they are wrinkle free and you know what that means.

I appreciate your time and anything you could help me with to find what I need. Some websites do have organic pants, (like Prana) but they are too casual for work.

Again, your book is wonderful and thank you for all that you do for our planet. Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

OK You are in luck. I just happened to know where to look.

Rawganique Eco-Couture Flat Front Hemp Dress Pants Slacks.

They come in navy, natural, brown, and black.

Not inexpensive, but they happen to be on sale today for $99.

Fussy about care.

Readers? Any suggestions?

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Question from Debbie

Hi Debra,

I have been working in a shoe store for the last 2 yrs. And i am sick all winter for the last 2 winters. Ihave red sore eyes. Sore throat and sinus infections. Dizziness and no energy. Could the boots be out gasing? They r mostly synthetic. Polyurethane ect.

Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

Yes most boots can be toxic.

Synthetic materials do outgas vapors of varying degrees of toxicity and boots also have polish and waterproofing agents that can be toxic as well.

Working in a shoe store you get a greater exposure to these toxic chemicals than from simply wearing one pair and storing them in your closet (which is still toxic enough from my viewpoint).

I suggest getting a different job.

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