Question from Jen

Hi,

I have 4 cats and 3 dogs and one new baby. I also work for a cat rescue organization and unfortunately came into contact with a kitten who had ringworm.

Despite my precautions, I must have brought it home because now two of my cats have come down with it. I do not want the rest of my pets and especially my new baby to get it.

Everyone has told me the only thing that really kills ringworm spores is bleach. Although I try very hard to make my home as toxin-free as possible, a few days ago I scrubbed down the whole house with bleach and water solution (1 oz bleach to 25 oz water). Now I remember why I have always hated bleach!

Despite diluting it, my whole house reeks of it (even after 3 days!)! And the horrible thing is that even though I have the cats quarantined, I feel like I need to keep using it to clean my shoes, hands, and other such objects after I go in to care for them everyday. Even though I wear a change of clothes and latex gloves, their hair gets on me and I feel like I am just covered in ringworm spores and since my baby is home with me, I feel I need to be extra clean before I even touch her!

After doing some research, I read that grapefruit seed extract is supposed to be good at killing ringworm, but then I read somewhere else that it actually didn’t do anything.

Debra’s Answer

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Question from A. Smith

We are looking to darken our washed out looking maple butcher block countertop. Please submit ideas/suggestions. Only non-toxic/healthy responses please.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

I would look into food-based natural colorants. The juice from black walnut husks will stain your hands, so I imagine it would stain wood too.

Quick search…here’s a website with an easy wood dye made from black walnut shells:

http://www.easyfunschool.com/article1608.html.

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Question from Jan

Hello, I work in a medical office and they have to redo the flooring. Fortunately i am away for 2 weeks while this is being done. I did a little research and found that Marmoleum a type of linoleum is non-toxic. I am a little scared that even after 2 weeks the rooms will still smell like linseed oil and that I will react to it. Does anyone have any experience with marmoleum or have another safer suggestion for a medical office. I am told that wood flooring would not be an option as floors are often washed. thank you, Jan

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Question from Elizabeth

I have two different brands of humidifiers, small ones for individual rooms. Does anyone know how to keep mold from growing in the humidifiers and if there is anything to put in the water while the humidifier is working to keep mold growth down? Our water is also leaving deposits on the insides of the humidifiers. Last night I distilled water through my hot water/coffee maker, but it would take at least 4 pots to provide distilled water for one humidifer, much less two. I live in a very dry area, Colorado, and really don’t have the time or energy to clean them after each use. Hope that doesn’t sound lazy. Thanks for your help!

Debra’s Answer

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Question from CHRISTAL JANIS

Is there anyone out there who uses only fruit/fruit spread as a means to sweeten dessert recipes? Thank you for your ideas. Christal

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Question from Jim Blair

Debra, I had Mullican Sundance Hickory engineered hardwood floors installed in June 07. I noticed the box the flooring came in stated that the wood contained an aluminum oxide finish.

I have noticed an odor in the morning when I go downstairs. Is this because of the floor adhesive (Bostik) “gassing off” or something i.e. aluminum oxide in the floor finish “gassing off”? If so, do I have a toxic situation or is there some kind of remedy?

What do you recommend I do? Please help!

R/Jim

Debra’s Answer

I think it’s more likely the adhesive than the aluminum oxide. Aluminum oxide, to the best of my knowledge, has no gasses that outgas. Adhesives do.

I would heat up the room to speed the outgassing. Remove all people, plants, and pets and let it bake for a day and see if it’s better. Repeat until there is no more odor.

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Question from Marie

I have come across a natural salt called “realsalt”. It’s very good, and is supposed to be 100% natural. I buy it in bulk, from a health food store, but not all health food stores carry it. You can also buy it directly from their website.

This is from their website:

“Long before the earth knew pollutants of any kind, a huge, ancient sea covered what is now North America. Pure, natural salt was the main ingredient of this sea, and over millions of years, the water in the sea evaporated, leaving the salt in undisturbed deposits. At some point during the earth’s Jurassic era, a range of volcanoes erupted around the ancient sea bed, sealing the salt with thick volcanic ash, protecting these precious deposits against the pollution that man would eventually introduce into the environment. Near the small town of Redmond, in central Utah, approximately 200 miles south of Salt Lake City, we carefully extract this salt from deep within the earth, and bring it to you in its pure, natural state–without any additives, chemicals, or heat processing. This is RealSalt®, full of flavor and natural goodness–the way salt was meant to be savored!”

It even contains Iodine, which, for me is essential, because of Thyroid problems.

What do you think about it?

Their website is: realsalt.com

Debra’s Answer

There’s much that can be said about salt, in fact, I’m working on a little book on the subject, but for the moment, this description of salt looks fine to me.

Personally, I use “The Original” Himalayan Crystal Salt, which is also from an ancient sea, but is completely mined and processed by hand to retain it’s energetic qualities. It has also been studied in Europe and found to have health benefits not found in table salt.

The Real Salt website says that it is “hand-selected” but that’s all. I don’t know how it has been processed.

Like anything else, there are degrees of good salt and bad salt. Refined sodium chloride table salt is the worst. Real Salt is certainly better as a whole, natural salt. Based on the information I have, I’d still put “The Original” Himalayan Crystal Salt at the top of the list.

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Question from Pram

Non Toxic Finish For Wooden Spoons Good to be here – I hope someone can help with this one. I am looking for a non-scented starch for cloth. A friend needs to sew with very slippery silk and it is much easier if the fabric is lightly starched first. But all starches have chemical smells added. Non Toxic Finish For Wooden Spoons Any non-scented starch out there? Non Toxic Finish For Wooden Spoons Thanks very much! Non Toxic Finish For Wooden Spoons May All Be Well

Debra’s Answer

Non Toxic Finish For Wooden Spoons Years ago I researched laundry starch and found out it was basically scented cornstarch. So I would try mixing cornstarch (or some other starch if you are allergic to corn) with water and spraying it on. Non Toxic Finish For Wooden Spoons Readers, any other suggestions?

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Question from Ian Greenberg

Debra,

I have MCS and I’m looking for a safe brand of Windows & Patio doors to use in my home. You have mentioned Jeld-Web Auralast in your column some time back, but there are also windows and doors made out of Fiberglass, steel and aluminum.

Can you recommend any other safe brands/Materials or let me know where I might find this information?

Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

From a toxicity viewpoint only, aluminum and steel would be safe for people with MCS.

Readers, what are your recommendations for these products?

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Question from Joan Christensen

Dear Debra,

I can not find any information on Pears glycerin soaps, how beneficial or harmful it is to use them. I am confused about glycerin. Should I avoid glycerin soaps such as Pears?

Debra’s Answer

I went to the website for Pears Soap, which says it is a natural soap that has been made for almost 200 years. “It contains high quality skincare ingredients like glycerin and natural oils. Pears Soap is especially made to take care of even sensitive and delicate skin, cleansing thoroughly, yet gently and rinsing clean.It is hypo-allergenic, contains a mild cleansing formula and no colorants.”

However, they don’t give any ingredient and their Contact Us page was “not found” so I can’t tell you anything about the ingredients.

If you go to a store and look on the label, and post the ingredients here, I’ll comment on them.

Glycerin itself is fine to use. It is actually created by the soapmaking process. Industrially, it is usually skimmed off and used in lotions and the soap is sold without it. Most handmade soaps contain their natural glycerin because it is not removed.

There’s no need to avoid glycerin soaps, but watch out for the fragrances and other ingredients which might be added.

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