Question from S.L.

Greetings. Does anyone know of a good non-toxic or low toxin, compact spare bedding option for overnight guests? Inflatable plastic mattresses have lots of out gassing. Know of a good foldout comfortable cot or such? Thanking you in advance,

Debra’s Answer

Well, traditionally, that would be a futon. Our (infrequent) guests sleep on our sofa or put our sofa pillows on the floor.

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Question from Susan

Hi Deb,

I want to go back to making my own cleaning supplies (something I have gotten away from) and I do remember a problem I did have earlier was finding a spray bottle that I could keep my sprays in. In particular, I had a ‘monster spray’..the boys were little and afeared of monsters. I made up a spray with lemon and lavender essential oils and would spray it in their rooms at bedtime to keep the monsters away (Tx roaches don’t care for lavender either). But I did have a hard time finding a container to keep the spray in and then keeping the sprayer from disintegrating.

So, where can I find containers at a reasonable price? (which was another concern and still is)

Thanks,

Debra’s Answer

I’m sure some of our natural cleaning people will write in with an answer for you.

The only cleaner I make is vinegar and water, and I have been reusing the same plastic spray bottle I got at a hardware store for years. But I see your formula has specific needs.

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Question from DB

We need a new roof on our house in the Northeast. I’m researching the safest, most affordable materials, and would appreciate any info. We have cedar shakes now, but they are badly deteriorated & curly in many areas. I would like to find something that can be put over the old plywood underlay, since we don’t want any new plywood added if we can avoid it. So far it sounds like sheet metal is our best bet for safety & affordability. There is a large walk-in attic space between the living space & the roof, but we might use that space someday, so probably shouldn’t consider asphalt shingles. If anyone knows of alternatives that are affordable, please share! Metal shingles, standing seam metal panels, slate, and terra cotta tiles are all out of our price range, as far as I can determine. Thanks so much. Dorothy

Debra’s Answer

My experience with roofing is that there are different types of roofs appropriate to different climates. I’m not going to make a recommendation for that reason–because I’m not an expert in your regional needs–but perhaps a reader who is will write in with an answer.

I would suggest looking for green architects or builders in your area and asking them for a recommendation.

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Question from Gloria

Hi Debra,

Could you tell me what to use instead of Crisco in baking, and how much to use? I really enjoy your newsletter and all the hard work you put into it.

Debra’s Answer

Well, you could use organic butter for sure, but if you want a shortening product like Crisco, try Spectrum Shortening, made from organic palm oil. I think you could also use coconut oil (professional bakers used to use coconut oil). All of these fats “firm up” like Crisco.

You would just use the same amount of these as you would Crisco in your recipe.

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Question from jkw

Because I’m extremely chemcially sensitive, I’m looking for very good and very bad experiences, as well as brand names, regarding reactions to new flooring with 1) cork flooring and 2) laminate flooring.

Debra’s Answer

OK, readers. What do you recommend?

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Question from Kim

Hi Debra,

We love your site; thank you for this wonderful reference.

Our family needs to make a decision on a new dock. I prefer cedar for many reasons but worry about health and environmental issues with what to treat/weather proof it with AND if we can get wood that is not chemically treated in the first place.

Does anyone out there know of any green marine suppliers?

Thank you!!

Debra’s Answer

There are some water-based DECK finishes that I gave in Q&A: Water-based Deck Finish, but I don’t know if these would stand up to the constant water exposure of a dock. You might contact these manufacturers and see what they suggest.

Readers, does anyone have any experience with this?

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Question from KL

Is there a safe product that removes ink stains from leather without damaging the leather?

Thanks for the advice.

K.L.

Debra’s Answer

Good question! I’m dealing with some ink stains myself at the moment, on clothing.

What I did was email the manufacturer of the pen and ask them how to remove the ink stain. They replied with the names of a few products which I haven’t tried yet.

I found for clothing that rubbing alcohol and soap work together, but the soap didn’t work without the alcohol. But the alcohol smells. I’d like a nontoxic way to do this, but I may need to use something like alcohol, rather than throw my clothes away (a pen got in with the wash and ruined about two dozen pieces of clothing).

Another thing I’m considering doing is taking them down to a dry cleaner and letting them try their hand. Then I can wash out whatever residues of spot remover remain.

Anyone have any suggestions for removing ink stains from leather or fabric?

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Question from Min

Dear Debra,

Is it possible for faux wood paneling be “encapsulated” so that it no longer emits VOC’s? Would a coat of paint (without an AFM sealant at all) take care of the emissions? Or, would there be any benefit to leaving the paneling just as it is (no paint or AFM-type sealant) and just covering it with, for example, unfinished wood beaded board? Thanks so much!

Debra’s Answer

It would be possible to encapsulate faux wood paneling so it doesn’t emit VOCs by using the proper AFM product, designed for this purpose. You’ll have to check with them as to the right product.

The AFM sealant is specially formulated to have the molecules very tightly bonded together so that the tiny gas molecules cannot go through. Paint will reduce some emissions, but it is not designed to be a sealant.

Simply putting more wood on top would not completely encapsulate it either, as wood is porous. Though the outgassing would be slowed, the gasses can penetrate any porous material.

If you want to cover it with another piece of wood, you could place a barrier between that would stop the outgassing, such as aluminum foil. However, there are electromagnetic disadvantages to doing this.

Can you simply remove the paneling and then finish the wall in whatever way you want?

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Question from Min

Hi again, Debra! We did have another question as well:

Do you or any of your readers know of soundproofing materials for walls that would be safe for the chemically-sensitive? If so, where can these materials be purchased?

Debra’s Answer

Remember, there is a search box for this blog at SEARCH box. Type in “soundproofing” and you’ll get Nontoxic Soundproofing.

I would love any further ideas you all have on this subject.

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Question from Water Baby

Debra,

After many years of staying out of chlorinated pools due to MCS I have returned to swimming. I live in New England where winter exercising is limited for me due to arthritis and the benefits of swimming are enormous for me.

I am concerned about how to protect myself from the harmful effects of chlorine. Currently I take a soapy shower followed by a sauna to sweat out any chlorine I might absorb. I swim and do exercises in the cooler lap pool and avoid the warmer exercise pool since I believe chlorine is absorbed more through heat. I am not noticing any immediate symptoms from the pool except that the achiness in my hands has increased. Could that be chlorine induced? My doctor says probably it is more temperature related.

My dream is to build my own nonchlorinated pool, but until then I want to keep swimming.

Any thoughts about purging chlorine further and its possible delayed effects? I have heard that Vit C filters out chlorine in shower water; could it counteract the effects internally? Any other supplements that bind chlorine i.e NDF [nanocolloidal detox factors–a heavy metal detox]?

Water Baby in Massachusetts

Debra’s Answer

These are good questions.

You are already doing everything I know to recommend, but perhaps my readers have some ideas.

Readers?

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