Question from Lauri

I have the Kenmore HE3 front loading washer and use an HE liquid detergent. I would like to know how and where to add Borax to the washing cycle.

Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

When I do my laundry in a top-loader, I just add everything at the beginning.

Readers, what’s you’re advice for front-loaders?

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Question from R.M.

I’m wondering if anyone knows of any non-toxic or less-toxic (both in terms of health and environmental impact) freezer pack–something one would pack with food to keep it cold on a car trip.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Debra’s Answer

Reusablebags.com has a product called “Cool Totes” (search for it on their site) which is an insulated lunch bag with a nontoxic freezer pack. I actually have one leftover from a television show I did on back-to-school products, and there is no odor that I can detect.

The outer shell appears to be nylon. The Thermo Tek™ insulation is made from recycled plastic soda bottles.

A “nontoxic” reusable freezer pack included, which sits in a separate interior pocket. It “stays cold 3X as long as regular ice with no watery mess”. I don’t see that they sell this pack separately, but you could ask.

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Question from jackie

Hi,

I have a large pile of very moldy smelling laundry thanks to a flood of my linen closet. I have tried vinegar by itself, baking soda by itself, and a combination of both all used in hot water with a cold rinse. How can I get rid of the smell permanently without having to throw away all my good linens? I am allergic to mold and have MCS so perfumey laundry soaps and softeners aren’t even an option.

Please help!!!! 🙂

Jackie

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Michelle DiBenedetto

I am searching for anyone who has been through this treatment. EPD is practiced in other countries and LDA in the US. I am considering it for my 8 year old…but I really want some feedback, and have not been able to find anyone who has tried it. Anybody out there??

Michelle in NC

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Samantha

Hello,

Where I live, it’s not easy to find many environmentally friendly products, so I was excited to find a low VOC paint by CIL being sold in a local hardware store…until I saw that it contained Teflon! I wouldn’t really be worried about it, as we won’t be ingesting the paint – except that we have a pet bird, and I’m wondering if Teflon in paint would have the same lethal effect on birds that Teflon on cookware does? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Sincerely,

Samantha.

Debra’s Answer

My thoughts are that it wouldn’t have the same effect as Teflon cookware because it isn’t being heated to such high temperatures. However…it will be heated when you turn on the heat in your house. I don’t know if that’s enough to cause a problem.

Anyway, they seem unclear on the concept of a green product. I would choose another brand.

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Question from Eve

I have purchased a used computer from someone who smokes and never dreamed it would be saturated with smoke to the extent that it is. When it is running, the smell is overwhelming and I can’t stand to sit next to it very long. I’m very chemically sensitive anyway. I’ve burned bees wax candles all around it, and sprayed a non-toxic TKO orange air freshener around it too, but it just reeks.

I sure would appreciate any ideas anyone has on what to do. I thought of taking it outside and plugging it in and just letting it run and run, but am afraid knats and small bugs will get into it and ruin it. It would probably take a long time to get out all the smell that way anyway.

Thank you!

Eve in Texas

Debra’s Answer

Hmmmmm….I’ve never encountered this before.

Readers, any ideas?

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Question from sj

I have been using silicone ice cube trays for aout two weeks and when the ice cube melts in the drink, there is white particals floating in the drink. Is that from the silicone material?

Debra’s Answer

It doesn’t seem logical to me that silicone ice cube trays would release anything that would look like a white particle floating around in the water. I’ve used silicone ice cube trays on occasion and they were fine.

I have experienced water with white particles in it that I believe were minerals or some kind of sediment.

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Question from Louise Omoto Kessel

Dear Deborah,

Hi! My little boy, age 6, is sensitive to sugar and also very oral, he likes to chew on things (plastic, modeling clay, etc!). I would love to find a chewing gum that I felt comfortable giving him from both sugar and dental points of view. Can you recommend anything?

I found a chewing gum at our local coop that is called BETWEEN! Dental Gum and the package says it’s GOOD for your teeth. It has xilatol, Sorbital, malitol, glycerin, and menthol in it.

I don’t know anything about Sorbital or malitol. What can you tell me?

Love, Louise

Debra’s Answer

Sorbital and malitol are both sugar alcohols, similar to xylitol.

When I was reading your post, before I got to the end I was thinking “gum with xyylitol” so this one seems to be fine.

The only drawback I know to the sugar alcohols is that if you consume too much they can cause diarrhea. So if that occurs, cut back on the gum.

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Question from dt

i want to use a grill simalar to the george foreman grill but without the teflon do you have any suggestions? whats your opinion of cuisinart grills? thanks dt

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t researched these grills myself. Has anyone found such a grill without a Teflon finish?

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Question from Mary Kathryn

Last week, I experienced sever itching, painful, throbbing blisters all around my toes and heels. The dermatologist said it was from an initial contact dermatitis caused by a chemical reaction. I have no idea where I came in contact with a chemical.

I love to use the Swiffer Sweep and often times, while cleaning, walk over the damp floor. I’m wondering if the contact with the wet Swiffer Sweeper floor caused my reaction. It felt like I was walking on tapioca pudding as the bubbles were irritating, itchy, painful and have now left a purplish skin behind. Hopefully, the skin color will return to pink. The druggist told me to use hot Epson salts and cortaid ointment. Just recently, I saw on the web to use cold oat meal paste ….. no wonder if hurt.

What do you think?

Debra’s Answer

Yes, there are several chemicals in wet Swiffer sheets that are irritants.