Sofa Cushions

Question from M. G. I purchased a used sofa and would like to replace the seat cushions. What can I use instead of foam? Debra’s Answer You could use natural latex foam like the kind used in beds or cotton or wool batting. Many years ago, I replaced the foam cushions on a sofa with […]

• Q & A

March 16, 2005

Natural and Synthetic Latex Pillows

Question from M. K. I am thinking of buying some latex bed pillows but I know some have a mixture of natural and synthetic latex. Since you would be breathing so close to the pillow for 8 hours a day, does synthetic latex outgas? Debra’s Answer Home Environmental Consultant and Certified Bau-Biologist Mary Cordaro says […]

• Q & A

Lead on Power Cords

Question from M. M. I just purchased a new laptop computer, made by Toshiba. In the “Resource Guide”, on both the first page and on page 29, it says I don’t want to consider returning it because it has good quality speakers through which I, hard-of-hearing, may be able to hear. I am housebound so […]

• Q & A

Unscented Talcum Powder

Question from N.M. I have MCS, and have been unable to find unscented, fragrance-free talcum powder Note the apparent redundancy, since many products that are labeled “unscented” actually contain fragrance, sometimes appearing in the Ingredients list only as a chemical name. I would like to find a source for a safe no mica talcum that […]

• Q & A

Nontoxic Carpet Cleaner

Question from P. A. Due to a lack of time and energy, I’d like to hire someone to clean our carpets for us; however, I have serious concerns about the toxicity of the products used. Do you have any suggestions? Do you know anything about ChemDry? Their website says they use “hot water extraction with […]

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Pesticide residues in fabrics

Question from P. G. I have all three of your books, and thoroughly enjoy your newsletters! Thank you for all you do, and for sharing it all with us out here! I am very committed to a healthy environment–organic beds, bedding, carpet, foods–just about everything. I spend a lot of money for it. However, for […]

• Q & A

Sealing Toxic Particleboard Furniture

Question from P. N. I have a crazy situation. I put a $500.00 deposit down on some furniture I love, but found out it’s wood veneer over fiber-board. I’ve been agonizing for a week whether to have it delivered or if I should lose my deposit, or at least some of it. My chiropractor muscle-tested […]

• Q & A

Stainless Steel Cleaner

Question from P. S. How can I clean stainless steel without toxic chemcials? Debra’s Answer No need for a commercial cleaner. You can just use that old good-for-everything standby baking soda, mixed with water to make a paste.

• Q & A

Purchasing Himalayan Salt

Question from P. T. I know that ordinary table salt is nothing but sodium chloride. My problem is trying to settle on a company to buy Himalayan salt from. Every one of the companies that I have looked at claim that they are the “one and only”. And, on one site, they claim that if […]

• Q & A

Wood Conditioner for Cutting Boards and Bowls

Question from P.S We’re installing a butcher block counter top in our kitchen. Do you know of a product we can apply to protect and condition the wood? We thought of mineral oil, but you recommend against that in your book Home Safe Home. What do you suggest? Debra’s Answer I’ve been using a product […]

• Q & A

Air Duct Cleaning

Question from S. J. [This entry was transferred from the Q&A that was created before this blog existed. There are two questions and one answer.] The company that services my a/c unit told me that our ducts weren’t sealed properly and it caused dust and mold in the attic to get into the ducts. The […]

• Q & A

Household Lubricant

Question from S. L. Greetings! And thank you so much for your valuable service. Any tips for a non-toxic, odor free or at least low odor lubricant for household uses such as oiling door hinges and windows? Food oils go rancid and we would like to avoid petrochemicals if possible. Looking forward to your response. […]

• Q & A

Inexpensive Water Filters

Question from S. M. I read your tip about avoiding water stored in plastic containers. We’ve been using a Brita pitcher as an inexpensive solution for the water we drink at home. The problem is that the Brita pitchers are plastic. Is there an alternative that is comparable in cost? Debra’s Answer I think the […]

• Q & A

What Pillow Do You Sleep On?

Question from S. M. We are curious – what pillows do you sleep on? Debra’s Answer Organic wool pillows from Shepherd’s Dream. I have slept on cotton and feather/down pillows, but when I tried wool, I fell in love with them. :- We have the standard size bed pillows and also the wool neck rolls. […]

• Q & A

Floor Wax Stripper

Question from S. P. I own a small janitorial company. My mother and my wife both experience symptoms of chemical sensitivity and over the past year I have been converting to all green products. I enjoyed your book on the non-toxic home and office. I liked the fact that instead of dwelling on negatives until […]

• Q & A

Silicone baking mats vs parchment paper

Question from S. T. Why do you recommend silicone baking mats? Isn’t cooking parchment safer? Debra’s Answer Cooking parchment also called parchment paper, kitchen parchment, greaseproof paper and cooking paper is a sheet of paper impregnated with silicone, which makes the paper grease- and moisture-resistant as well as relatively heat-resistant. It is commonly used to […]

• Q & A

Natural Black-out Curtains

Question from T. A. We need black-out curtains for our baby’s room, but I can’t find all natural material. All have some polyester, or vinyl, in them. Debra’s Answer Readers ~ I tried to find all-cotton black-out curtains or even black-out fabric, to no avail. All contained polyester. When I couldn’t find an all-natural solution […]

• Q & A

Is there formaldehyde in gelatin capsules?

Question from T. S. I have recently heard that the capsules used to package vitamins and herbs are not good for you. Is this true? if so, what is a good alternative to getting the benefits of the these nutrients if not in pill form. It seems difficult when most of us have neither the […]

• Q & A

Safe tile grout and backerboard

Question from B. C. Thanks to all your tips, my wife is really feeling much better with her MCS. In fact, we’re now carefully considering putting a tile floor where the carpet used to be in the bathroom adjacent to her bedroom. Using your recommendations we have found safe tile adhesives and grout sealers but […]

• Q & A

Nontoxic garden hose

Question from R. G. I was wondering if you know of a safe nontoxic garden hose, one that doesn’t leach any toxic chemicals or plasticizers into the water? Debra’s Answer All garden hoses are made from either polyvinyl chloride “PVC” or “vinyl”, rubber, or a combination of the two. Vinyl hoses are the least expensive […]

• Q & A