Question from Kelly O

Hello. I know much has been made about chlorine and formaldehyde in paper products such as paper towels. I have seen recommendations for purchasing the brands that are made from recycled materials and chlorine free, but are these ALSO formaldehyde free? I can not find products that say “formadehyde free” on the packaging. Please advise.

Debra’s Answer

Mmmmm. Good question. My understanding is that formaldehyde is used in paper products to improve wet strength. That would probably still be the case in recycled paper products.

I suggest you call the manufacturer of several brands of recycled paper towels and ask them and report back.

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Question from jacinta

Hi Debra, I’m struggling with finding information on offgassing of polyester insulation batts. I read one site “ecospecifier’ saying of one brand ‘tontine’ that the offgassing is low – do you agree with this? or even if you don’t know about insulation batts just with polyester in general.

this is a great site and I am so pleased to find it.

thanks

Jacinta

Debra’s Answer

Some years ago, I read that NASA measured the offgassing of various synthetic materials because they were having problems with film buildup on the inside of windows on spacecraft (like the film that builds up on the inside of car windows). I wrote about this in some of my earlier books, but don’t see it in Home Safe Home. I’m not at home where I have all my past books, but one of you reading this has an old copy of The Nontoxic Home, I think it’s in there and maybe you’ll write in with the info.

Anyway, if I remember correctly, polyester outgassed the most of all the synthetic materials they tested. As far as I know, polyester is polyester, and it doesn’t matter what the brand is.

Also in the past I’ve written about a study done by John Ott, which showed that polyester can cause impotence in men. Again, I don’t have the exact reference here with me at the moment.

Regardless of the offgassing, polyester is made from nonrenewable crude oil, and doesn’t biodegrade. You’re in Australia. I believe they sell wool wall insulation there.

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Question from KSM

Hi

I have been using pine to make some things but my wood working friends have suggested that I use plywood instead. They say the plywood is stronger and easier to cut. I am very eco conscious and when I voice my concerns about using plywood one of my frind’s reply is – “Well you are not going to eat off of it, what’s the big deal?” Please share with me any info that you have about safe plywood. Thanks!!!!

Debra’s Answer

Take a look at Q&A: Plywood resins. This should answer your question.

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Question from Laura

I need to repair my boots and shoes and am looking for a low toxic glue so I can still wear the shoes without getting sick. Someone else can repair them and I can probably put them somewhere to outgas for a while.The soles are typical synthetic rubber and the uppers of the boots are sheepskin(UGH) and of the shoes wool felt (Haflinger).

I”s very difficult for me to find footwear that fits and I don’t react to so this is important. There’s no cobbler in the area and the fumes in cobbler shops are usually quite strong.

I appreciate your help.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Gary White

Everything that I read says do NOT use softened water (salt) for watering orchids. I realize that I could spend money and change the whole system. However, my question is: Can I draw a large container of water and add a common household liquid, such as vinegar or anything else, that would make it safe to use on orchids?

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Betsy

I spilled a little commercial glass cleaner on my beige carpet about the size of a nickel. I tried a 10-1 solution of vinegar to no avail. Any help would be appreciated.

Debra’s Answer

This should dissipate and dry on it’s own.

The bigger question is, why are you using commercial glass cleaner in the first place. Just use half and half vinegar and water to clean your windows.

Debra 🙂

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Question from KMA

I’m considering purchasing FLOR modular carpeting for my son’s play area. I’ve been very impressed with the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility, but I just realized that the carpet tiles’ backing is made out of a composite vinyl called Glas-Bac. It’s nice that the backing uses recycled materials, but I’ve been concerned about purchasing vinyl products for my home for health reasons. Does anyone have any experience with FLOR? Any sensitivities? Any information about how much this product might off-gas? I have some samples of the tiles, and they seem to have very little odor (unlike normal carpeting), but I know a larger area of this floor covering might be a different story.

Debra’s Answer

You are correct to question the toxicity of a recycled plastic product, and how the low toxicity of sample might multiply over a large area,

I have no personal experience with FLOR tiles, but I can tell you this. There are other vinyl “composite” products that I do have experience with and the “composite” part greatly reduces the toxicity. I have a hard vinyl composite floor in my office and it has no odor and never has. (I needed to put down something cheap at the time.) So it may be fine.

Let’s see what others have to say…

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Question from Dana

My 3-year-old toaster oven has recently died on me. Any suggestions for a good quality toaster oven or toaster that will last? From the research I’ve done, it seems that toasters these days are pretty much disposable. Any suggestions for a sturdy model so I can reduce waste in this respect? Also, what can I do with the old one?

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t shopped for a toaster or toaster oven in a while, and I don’t own either one (gave up toast a while back), but from my experience shopping for other things…

You can get something cheap and flimsy or you can pay more and get something that is better built and will last. I’ve seen good quality cooking appliances at places such as Macy’s, Williams-Sonoma, and Sur La Table.

Readers, your suggestions?

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Question from Laurie

Are there any safe bottled water products on the market? Is the only answer (besides the reusable products you suggest)–glass bottled water? Do you have a preference in brands if you were to purchase one? Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

The best bottled water I know of is Mountain Valley Spring Water, which can be delivered to your home (almost anywhere in America) in glass bottles.

There is a website called Fine Waters, which reviews and discusses the bottled waters of the world, but this is for “bottled water connoisseurs and their accompanying lifestyle”. You can learn a lot about water, and particularly bottled water, from this site, but these bottled waters are more expensive than you would probably want for everyday use.

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Question from Eva

What do you know about the new frozen vegetables that come in a bag that you can microwave to steam? Is this safe?

Debra’s Answer

Heat releases plasticizers, so I wouldn’t cook any food in any type of plastic bag exposed to heat.

The best way to eat vegetables is raw, or steamed using a bamboo or metal steamer basket, or stir-fried, or in soup (where you eat the cooking water). But raw is best.

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