I just realized that this is issue #52, which means that it is the 2-year anniversary of this newsletter. It seems like I just started it yesterday and have been doing it forever...

So this is a great issue to introduce my new Green Living Q&A blog! (Next issue I'll get back to my regular format.)

Debra :-)

HEALTH, HOME & HABITAT #52 ~ 05 September 2006

* GREEN LIVING Q&A BLOG
* CLASSIFIED ADS

Health, Home & Habitat Back Issues
Other newsletters by Debra

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GREEN LIVING Q&A BLOG

The Q&A has been one of the top two most popular items in this newsletter since I started it, so I've made it into a blog to make it easier to post and answer questions.

One of the advantages of a blog is that everyone can comment. I know that a lot of you have extensive experience in all aspects of green living, so now you can add your "two cents worth." I've set it up so there can be a lot more sharing of information about what products you like, how you do things, and anything else you want to share.

Just go directly to Green Living Q&A blog and take a look, or scroll through the questions below that I have added since the last issue. I'm hoping you will also take a look at past questions and make comments as you wish. With your participation, this blog can become a fabulous source of information on green living.

Is This Scouring Powder Toxic?

Thanks for all the great data! Do you know about a powder cleaner named Bar Keepers Friend? It's like Bon Ami but works much better and I don't get any toxic reaction from it like Ajax, etc. Do you know if it's non-toxic? Thanks!!

P. N., California, USA

Read the answer...

Safe Caulk and Preprimed Wood

1) I'm needing to do some caulking on the outside of my house, but near my bedroom window so I want to use a safe one. You mention, in Home Safe Home, there is a safe brand. Could you disclose that to me? I'd appreciate it.

2) The contractor wants to use a pre-primed wood instead of priming the wood and then painting. My fear would that this pre-primed wood will be treated beforehand. Have you had experience with something like this?

I hope to hear from you soon. It's always scary to do something to my house for fear of reacting to whatever it is. Thanks.

S. J., California, USA

Read the answer...

Using a Clothes Line

I love you website and your newsletter. It has tons of great info on non-toxic living. I also like that you delve into sustainable living and show people how it is economical living too.

That is why I was disappointed when I read your article on how you do your laundry. I know you living in Florida so I was very suprised that you don't use a clothes line. You mentioned a system that uses UV light to sanitize your clothes but hanging them in the sun does the same thing for free!

Secondly, it is a lot cheaper not to use a clothes dryer, it is the Hummer in most peoples laundry rooms.

Thirdly, because it is uses so much electricity the dryer contributes to pollution and climate change problems.

I grew up in Australia where you would be hard pressed to find anyone without a clothes line that had enough room for one. I know there are many people who live in apartments who just cant have clothes lines. But I also know many people who have patio's or balconies in their apartments that do use clothes racks. Lastly, there is nothing that beats the smell and the feel of sun dried clothes.

A. S. , Virginia, USA

Read the answer...

Nontoxic nail polish?

I am looking for a non toxic nail polish that will come off without the toxic regular nail polish remover. Do you know of any that are reasonably priced and truly non toxic, meaning if you ingested them it wouldn't be harmful?

T. S., North Dakota, USA

Read the answer...

Toaster Oven and Portable Dishwasher

Your website is excellent--WOW--and I just subscribed to your newsletter.
I was hoping you could answer a couple of questions for me please.

I am trying to purchase a toaster oven without a teflon or aluminum interior.
Its seems no companys make stainless steel interior.

I saw a toaster oven that used Durastone II Enamel--Do you think that is safe?
If not, any ideas on where I could buy one?

And I recently purchased a portable dishwasher, and it smells like its still offgassing chemicals. Do you think its safe to wash my dishes in that or will they pick up chemical residue when I use it.

Thank-you so much.

A. D. , Maryland, USA

Read the answer...

Getting Clothes White

I read your book Home Safe Home and ran across your suggestion of using sodium hexametaphosphate in the laundry to keep the whites from dulling.

This year I converted to the use of soaps instead of laundry detergent. I use ECO Laundry powder or less expensive Trader Joe's powder. Over time I have noticed that my clothes are a bit dingier looking, less white and the colors are fading much quicker than when I used laundry detergent (Tide, etc).

Nevertheless, I am committed to less toxic products and will stick with it.

Do you still advocate the sodium hexametaphosphate and if so where do you get it?

Thanks for all your help and your dedicated work in your newsletters.

L. W., New Mexico, USA

Read the answer...

Hair Dryers and Lead on Power Cords

I just read one of your Low-EMF Hair Dryers while researching hair dryers.

I am so confused! I just purchased a "quiet" hair dryer thinking it would be healthier for me (or at least, for my ears) and while reading the manual, there is a big warning due to the california prop 65 about the chord containing cancer causing lead and to wash your hands after use. WHAT????

After reading your letter, now I am more stressed out. I know SO LITTLE!!!!

If I were to stay on the topic of hair-dryers, I suppose I would want to get one that is:

• quiet
• low EMF's, both AC magnetic and AC electric
• If a unit is manufactured for low AC Electric Fields, all the wiring would have to be a special type called "shielded cable". This is not just the plug, but the entire cable inside and outside the unit, and sometimes even parts of the motor.
• And of course, one that does not seem to have enough "cancer causing lead" to actually have to put a warning in the manual.

Should I even bother buying a new blow dryer?? Ugh-- sometimes I feel ignorance is bliss.

I have a computer, air conditioner, television, de-humidifier, car.... i'm wondering if i should even be getting this concerned about a blow dryer.

HELP! THANKS.

Untreated Cotton or Hemp Rags for Cleaning

Could you direct me to someone who would be able to provide my janitorial services company to untreated cotton or hemp rags/scraps? I couldn't find anything on your site for that--thank you!

Polyester Fabric Sandwich Bags

I was just reading on a cloth diapering board that some moms are making "sandwich bags" out of the fabric we use for diapers. It is a polyester knit with a polyurethane laminate applied to one side. Is this SAFE?! I was just reading on your site about plastics and some being better than others, have you read anything about polyurethane and it's safety? I use it for diapers, but having it around the food that my children eat makes me a little nervous.

Apple syrup

First I want to say Thank You, I have searched for a site for recipes using natural sweeteners and couldn't find anything till I found yours! It is wonderful.

Now my question, I found a recipe for "Pumpkin Custard" you said you could use "apple syrup", just exactly what is that? Can you make it yourself and how?

Thank you.

Temporary Hair Coloring

Could you advise me re: a temporary hair coloring for gray now that Aubrey Organic has discontinued their gel coloring.

Thank you.

Safety of Talalay Latex for MCS? I am a regular reader of your columns and refer to your book regularly, however I must take exception with your recomendation of Talalay latex for the chemically sensitive. Talalay is processed with and contains 3% preservatives like poly ethylene glycol. Dunlop latex is probably a better choice for MCS types. Please see The "Dunlop VS Talalay" Truth and Natural Dunlop vs. Natural Talalay for more info.

H. G., Arizona, USA

Read the answer...

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I also am available to answer your questions immediately and personally with a paid telephone consultation.

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Home Safe Home tells what toxic chemicals are generally found in specific household products of all types, and safe solutions you can buy or make at home. It's different from other books on toxic chemicals because the focus really is what you can do to protect yourself and your family and create a healthy home. I bring over twenty years of research and personal real-life experience to this book.

* More information

* 10 Simple, Inexpensive Things You Can Do To Reduce Household Toxics

* How Toxic is Your Home? Quiz (excerpt from the book)

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