Submitted questions will be posted with my response by the following Tuesday or before.
Submitted comments will be moderated and approved within 24 hours.
Shower Filter
Question from cl
We have chloramine in our water and started looking for a shower filter. I came upon one that states it has KDF and GAC filters. It is Crystal Quest CQE-SP-008. Do you think it’ll work?
Debra’s Answer
As far as I know, neither GAC (granulated activated carbon) or KDF remove chloramines. What is needed is either “catalytic carbon” or “organic activated carbon” (made from coconut shell, not coal) to remove chloramines.
I haven’t yet seen a shower filter that will remove chloramines, but this is certainly needed. If anyone knows of one, please let me know.
Carob Chips Or Date Sugar Not Processed In Same Facility As Tree Nuts
Question from Fran
I am sure this is probably next to impossible but this was my last resort. My son is allergic to refined sugar and I have been baking with brown rice syrup and honey. I wanted to experiment with date sugar and carob chips but all the ones I found are porcessed in the same facility that processes tree nuts. He has a severe anafalaxsis reaction to tree nuts which is why I need to bake everything for him. He is really good about it but I feel so terrible when he would do anything for a chocolate chip cookie. Does anyone know of any manufacturer or anything else that I could use.
Thanks!!!
Debra’s Answer
How Long It Takes for VOCs to Outgas
I am often asked how long it takes for various materials to outgass.
Here is an interesting paper on emissions from flooring. On pages 3 and 4 there is a chart which shows emission measurements over a 28-day period, so you can see how they fall off. Unfortunately, the chart doesn’t continue to the point where the emissions disappear…
VOC- and SVOC-Emissions From Adhesives, Floor Coverings And Complete Floor Structures
Need recommendations on how to remove mold in crawl space
Question from Taylor
We are contemplating purhcasing a 7 yr old home but an inspector, using air samples, found a high mold count (7000) for Cladisporium. The crawlspace has block walls and a concrete floor and is dry and clean. A thorough visual inspection found a small area that had a light colored substance on the floor joists. How do we remove this? My wife is very sensitive to many chemicals and cannot tolerate bleach, either. Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Debra’s Answer
We had the mold in our crawlspace professionally removed (see Bau-Biologie: Mold Inspection and Remediation), but if you have only a small area, I would recommend using heat. Mold cannot live above a certain temperature or in dry conditions, and heat changes both.
You might want to have a professional take a look at it and see what they suggest, as you really want to handle this completely so you don’t have a bigger mold problem in the future.
Readers, any other suggestions?
Removing strong synthetic perfume from carpet
Question from Reenie
I do green cleaning and also give workshops on it. I got a call today from a former colleague. She has spilled Clinique perfume onto her bedroom carpet and the odor is so powerful that she can’t be in the room. She’s asking for a solution. She’s already tried water and baking soda.
I wonder if there’s some sort of powerful charcol granules to put down, or even if a certain brand of kitty litter might help, along with covering the area where the spilled happened with a thick canvas cloth. Or, what if I rented the Rug Doctor and used mostly vinegar and water (would I dare add a couple drops of lemongrass essential oil?)
This is a new cleanup matter for me. My friend is saying that’s the last time she uses synthetic perfumes! Thanks for any comments or suggestions.
Debra’s Answer
Readers?
How Do I Remove Odors From New Clothing
Question from Sunnyside
I’m sensitive to many chemicals, soaps, etc. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to remove odors, formaldehyde, etc. from new clothing. Any petro-chemical based detergent is definitely off limits for me. Your ideas will be greatly appreciated. Thank you,
Debra’s Answer
Readers, what is your experience?
Yurt cover fabric
Question from Joyce Harman
I am looking at buying a yurt to live in. Most are covered with vinyl which i would not live under if you paid me a lot of money. But i have found one that is acrylic covered canvas, with canvas on the inside. Do you know if acrylic outgasses much?
Joyce
Debra’s Answer
Acrylic outgasses some, but not as much as polyester.
I’ve been in yurts with canvas covers and never noticed an odor. If the acrylic is on the outside, any outgassing would likely occur to the outdoors.
I would suggest you get a sample of the fabric first and test it for yourself before you buy a yurt, and also go visit yurts with this type of cover. See for yourself what you smell and how your body feels.
Odor in dresser
Question from Ella
I have a dresser of solid wood which is many years old.
The top two drawers are fine, but the bottom three are infused with this unpleasant odor. It is impossible to put clothing in them, as the items pick up the smell and need to be washed. I’ve tried vinegar, baking soda, rubbing perfumed soap, spraying perfumes inside the drawers and nothing works. Someone suggested putting a layer of lacquer to seal the wood. It would really stink then to someone who is chemically sensitive.
Is there ANYTHING I can do? Or is it best to use them for paper storage?
Debra’s Answer
Readers?
Waterproof, non-toxic shower curtains
Question from kt
I bought a beautiful organic cotton shower curtain, but it’s certainly not waterproof and I’m trying to figure out a waterproof shower curtain liner that is 1) not vinyl, 2) not polyester 3) somewhat waterproof. We have some waterproof “wet bags” for canoeing that seem to be just the right weight and waterproofness, but looking at this material it appears to come either as silicon embedded nylon or polyurethane coated nylon. I’m trying to figure out which of these woud possibly outgass the most. Our canoe bags have no odor that I am detecting. Any thoughts on sustainable, non-toxic, yet waterproof shower curtains?
Debra’s Answer
I found the same problem with cotton shower curtains and so installed glass shower doors (see Debra’s Green Bathroom: The Shower).
I learned how to control mold on cotton shower curtains, but not how to make them waterproof.
Readers, any ideas?
Eco Friendly Washer/Dryers
Question from Cathy
Hi Debra,
We are in the market for a new waher and dryer as our current appliances have died ater 15 years. We are have noticed a new of brand that we have never heard of, offering eco friendly products-Fisher Paykel. They seem to make innovatives appliances, but we are concerned about their durability. They are expensive so we don’t want to make a mistake on such a large purchase. Any feedback?
Cathy
Debra’s Answer
I personally haven’t researched washers or dryers recently for my own use (we’re still using the old ones that work), so, readers, what’s you’re experience. What eco-friendly washers and dryers do you use and like?
