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If you're like me, this is a busy week getting ready for the Thanksgiving feast!

So today I'm just going to bring you up-to-date with some really interesting entries on my Green Living Q&A blog...and next week we'll start with ideas for the holidays...

Debra :-)


HEALTH, HOME & HABITAT #61 ~ 21 November 2006

* GREEN LIVING Q&A BLOG: 11 new Q&As / new comments on 11 previous Q&As
* CLASSIFIED ADS

If the links don't work on this newsletter, you can view it online at http://www.dld123.com/newsletter/newsletterupdateback.html

Health, Home & Habitat Back Issues
Other newsletters by Debra

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GREEN LIVING Q&A BLOG

Here are the questions and new comments posted through yesterday. Remember, you are welcome to share your own comments and experience in response to any of these questions, and post questions of your own.

To read and comment on more questions posted previously go to Green Living Q&A blog.

I also am available Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 4 pm eastern time to answer your questions immediately and personally with a paid telephone consultation.



NEW COMMENTS ON PAST QUESTIONS:

* Handling a Flea Infestation has a new link that is a great resource for natural health care for pets

* laundry soap for high-efficiency washing machines has a new question about laundry soap for delicates NEEDS READER COMMENTS

* Heating Pads or Other Heat Sources for Relaxation and Pain Relief has good instructions for making your own out of cotton socks

* Roaches has a new question about controlling roaches in electronic equipment NEEDS READER COMMENTS

* Space Bags needs some suggestions on how to protect and store clothing over the winter NEEDS READER COMMENTS

* Reacting to organic cotton has my comments on reacting to different categories of materials--toxic, neutral, and beneficial

* Low-EMF Hair Dryers
* Mold Problems With Front-Loading Clothes Washers
* Natural Treatment for Nail Fungus
* Reacting to organic cotton
* Christmas Trees and Other Holiday Decorations


Which bakeware is safe?

Do you know which bakeware, such as muffin pans and cake pans are the safest to use? Also where do you buy these pans? I previously was using non-stick but the coating starting peeling off so I threw it away. I was worried about the safety of silicon and every pan I saw at Walmart and Meijer were non-stick. I now know non-stick is harmful. Do they still sell pans that are metal but don't have teflon?

Thanks. I read your newsletters and am very grateful for your helpful information.

DHINES
KENTUCKY, USA

Read the answer...


Clean a wicker basket?

I just got a wicker basket I'm planing to use it for potatoes and onions, and I would like to know if there is any way that it can be cleaned , to get rid of the dirt from the store and besides you know after a lot of people puting their hands on it is there any way that we can disinfect it?:D

Thank you very much.

SUSANA
DELAWARE, USA

Read the answer... NEEDS READER COMMENTS


Is there any safe way to clean velvet?

Hi
I have a living room set the material is like velvet, light ivory color, when the guys from the furniture company moved my set to the inside of the house, thay stained te furniture leaving grime spots on the sofa and love seat arms. Since the color of the furniture is very light you can really see the dirty spots. Please can you tell me what can I use to get rid of the spots without damaging my brand new furniture?:( I will really appeciate you help
Thank you very much.

SUSANA
DELAWARE, USA

Read the answer... NEEDS READER COMMENTS


Fabric Dyes

Dear Debra,

Just found this website with information about fabric dyes: http://terressentials.com/dplanet.html

Since I'm chemically sensitive, I found it interesting to read. Could you please clarify the subject of textile dyes - petrochemical, low-impact, Foxfibre, natural, organic, vegetable, etc.? It would be difficult to find enough all-organic clothing and most are quite expensive.

SVE
WASHINGTON, USA

Read the answer...


Petroleum Distillates and Petrochemicals

Hi Debra,

What is the difference between petroleum distillates, and petrochemicals? Is one more toxic than the other?

Lynn, Michigan

LYNN
MICHIGAN, USA

Read the answer...


Wool Blankets

It's cold here in Chicago and I want to buy a wool blanket for my daughter's bed. But she is so sensitive, I want to make sure it's pure. What do you recommend?

DENISE
ILLINOIS, USA

Read the answer...


batting in sofa

I purchased a cotton sofa with foam batting wrapped in down; is this safe? If not will a cotton slip cover prevent the off gassing. I looked up afm safe choice capret lock out, but it says it's only for carpets. I emailed them to find out if this product can be used on my sofa. I haven't heard a response yet.

Your web site is a life saver.

Thank you

IB
MICHIGAN, USA

Read the answer...


Healthy rug grippers

Hi,

I'm looking for non-toxic, high quality rug grippers for throw rugs that I take up and wash and also larger wool rugs. I know that there are some nasty chemicals in a lot of grippers sold out there. Anyone know a good source for non-toxic ones - and what they are made of?

Thanks,

kt

KT
IDAHO, USA

Read the answer...


IKEA

We recently visited Chicago and went to the IKEA store there. Based on what I have read about this company, the store seemed like a dream. The prices were incredibly low and they had tons of furniture amd things to choose from. This is what I read on http://www.checnet.org/safer_products.asp

"IKEA : This furniture and housewares chain boasts an environmental policy that prohibits the use of PVC, formaldehyde-based glues, brominated flame retardants, and other toxins, and supports the use of environmentally friendly, sustainable and recycled materials"

When I looked at IKEA's website several months ago, I couldn't find this information and I am wondering if ALL their products fall under this environmental policy. For example, the sell all kinds of mattresses. How do they not use flame retardents with conventional mattresses? Any idea? We are mainly looking for bunkbeds for our children and have considered purchasing at least the frame from Ikea since their prices are so low. Thanks!

LEAH
MICHIGAN, USA

Read the answer...


Oxygen bleach

Now that Oxigen bleaches are all over the place (even 99c stores have them...) I wonder which ones are really effective because the prices really vary...Dalia

DALIA FRYDMAN
TEXAS, USA

Read the answer (and an informative comment from a manufacturer that includes a link to everything you could want to know about oxygen bleach...


Steam Cleaners

Hi Debra - this is Mary Anne Stern in Los Angeles (the person who sent you the organic manicure/pedicure recipes). THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the help you give to us persons with MCS (I have fibromyalgia also). Anyway -

Can we pretty please get your "take" on the value or advantages (if there are any) to steam cleaners? I started looking into them and quickly got overwhelmed. There's everything out there from $19.95 hand-held models that are supposed to sanitize your countertops clear up to models that are $2,000+ with a dozen or more attachments.

The advertising promises to do everything from sanitize your home surfaces to cleaning your rugs and drapes to mucking out the tracks in your doors and windows to killing dust mites in matresses; and of course all effortlessly, if you believe the ads. I keep wondering about the old adage about something that seems to good to be true . . .

Because of my medical conditions, I already make my own household cleaners with baking soda, H2O2, vinegar, castille soap etc etc etc. Would a steam cleaner do a better job? Thanks again so much! Mary Anne in Los Angeles

MARY ANNE
CA, USA

Read the answer (and a very informative response from a manufacturer)...


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CLASSIFIED ADS

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GIVE YOUR BODY THE NATURAL SALT IT NEEDS. Revive your energy with natural living salt. Contains 84 minerals essential to human life. Hand-mined to retain original primordial vibration pattern. Delicious taste makes food "come alive". A life-giving, natural, whole food. Email info@himalayanlivingsalt.com for free sample. www.himalayanlivingsalt.com

SOAPSTONE COOKWARE IS NATURALLY NONSTICK. Natural stone cookware is beautiful, warms food quickly over low heat, is bacteria-resistant and naturally non-stick, and is so durable it can be handed down for several generations. Food tastes better cooked in soapstone. www.greenfeet.com

CALL FOR A HEALTHY BED CONSULTATION. 100% wool-filled and wool-encased mattress of heirloom quality, placed on a slatted wood frame for optimal airflow. Our wool fill comes from the EcoDomestic Wool Project and Woolgatherer Carding Mill in Montague, California, home of our production company. Available in U.S. and Canada. www.shepherdsdream.com

SOLUTIONS FOR FLUORIDE HAZARD! Custom made water filters. Removes fluoride, arsenic, chlorine and chloramines without taking out the good minerals that make water wholesome. Whole house systems, under the counter systems, and 100% chlorine-free pool and spa system. Medical grade alkaline water unit. Natural Plus Plus LLC 727-447-2344 www.gobeyondorganic.com

DEBRA'S GUIDE TO CHOOSING NATURAL SUN PROTECTION. Instant download e-book by Debra Lynn Dadd tells how you can enjoy the health benefits of sunshine in balance with natural methods of protection when necessary. Order now.

DEBRA'S GUIDE TO CHOOSING A NATURAL BED. Instant download e-book by Debra Lynn Dadd covers the types of natural mattresses that are available, all about the materials, natural bedding, the history of natural beds. Order now.

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Home Safe Home The new, revised, edition of Home Safe Home is now available in bookstores nationwide.

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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Debra's List ~ 100s of links to 1000s of nontoxic, natural & earthwise products
Free Newsletters ~ website update, natural sweetener recipes, words of wisdom
Debra's Bookstore ~ recommended reading on health and the environment
MCS Recovery ~ resources for recovery from multiple chemical sensitivities
Sweet Savvy ~ how to choose and use natural sweetners (lots of recipes)
Talk With Debra ~ call for a personal consultation

Map of Debra's Websites



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