Today I am in snowy Minneapolis, still on my media tour promoting my new book Really Green. Tomorrow Cleveland, then Cincinnati. I can tell you, with all this traveling, I'm sooo happy to come home for a few days in between to my nice organic wool bed, clean filtered water, organic food, and my whole nontoxic and natural home. I had to leave on Saturday morning to fly to Chicago for a Sunday morning television show, so I prepared this newsletter in advance. One more week of tour, then I'll be back on my regular schedule. This week I had a first on my Green Living Q&A blog. Two readers independently asked the same question on the same day! They wanted to know about the new Chlorox Greenworks products (see the answer below). Had an interesting shopping experience in Kansas City last week. Knowing I was going to Chicago and Minneapolis, and the wind chill was below zero, II went to Macy's to buy some thermal underwear (they don't sell it in Florida). In the women's lingerie department, they only had long underwear made from synthetic fibers. When I asked for cotton, they sent me to the men's department, where they had the classic cotton waffle-weave thermal underwear I was looking for. So, ladies, if you can't find cotton thermal underwear, go to the men's department. Debra :-)
HEALTH, HOME & HABITAT #120 ~ 5 February 2008 * GREEN LIVING Q&A BLOG: new Q&As / new comments on previous Q&As 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 (tables of contents) I want to show you something. Please take a look. I have two decades of experience looking at the health and environmental effects of products. And I can tell you there are many aspects to look at. What I've done in this new book is clearly outline all the different things to look at, and I've created an easy form so you can collect the information and see at a glance how green a product is. Read more about Really Green and order...
GREEN LIVING Q&A BLOG Here are the questions and new comments posted through last Friday. 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.
* Toxic Plastic Water Bottles has a link to a new study that just came out this week showing that heating polycarbonate plastic bottles increases leaching of bisphonal A by 55 times. * How To Repel Ants So They Don't Come Back de-icer We are looking for a de-icer safe for people and plants for sidewalks and driveways. There are places below our roof-line where the ice is several inches thick.
Ammonium Polyproponate in Kids Clothing? I called Sealy (mattress manufacturer) asking about the chemicals in their mattresses and they told me that they use Ammonium Polyproponate for Fire Retardant purposes.... they also told me that this is added to "all kids clothing"... Drying and sealing wood I have mcs and have been living and sleeping outside in my garden for three years because I cannot tolerate the building materials in my house. My mcs is such that i will become sensitive to any toxic substance if im around it too long. I have tried to build me a non toxic shelter out of just wood nails and slate. I understand freshly cut wood is toxic for a time. Do you know how long it takes to outgas fully? And after that what is the best non toxic substance to seal it with. The wood is douglas fir. Spray Foam Insulation Hello Debra,
Ecofinishes Hardwood Flooring Has anyone had experience with Ecofinishes Air 1 collection of hardwood flooring? It looks as though the flooring has a UV acrylic finish. My kitchen has hardwood with a ceramic finish which was great -- no chemical issues at all. However, the company is no longer in business. I have done a great deal of research and haven't yet found another company that has the ceramic finish. I'm planning to replace the bedroom floor and want to be very careful.
Upholstery cleaning I have two sofas that areabout 12 years old and looking very dirty. I've washed the cushion covers in the washing machine and they look much better, but I'm wondering how I can safely clean the rest of the pieces. Thank you!
foam insulations Hi Debra,
Clorox Greenworks I was wondering what your thoughts are on Clorox's new "Greenworks" line of cleaners. Are they all natural? I would appreciate any comments you have. moth infestation We have had a lot of moths in our house for a couple of years. Our wool clothes are kept in plastic bags during the warm months (after being cleaned). What is a good alternative to mothballs? Also, any suggestions about how to really get rid of the root problem (moth larvae)? Many thanks, Maggie from D.C. Vinyl Clad Windows I'm looking to buy windows. I have looked at Andersons wood interior with vinyl clad exteriors. As long as the vinyl is on the outside and I seal the wood on the inside, should I be safe as a MCS person? I have read the entrees on windows and the problem with the exterior vinyl clad was not explained. Sectional sofa Hi Debra, I'm thrilled to just discover your website. Thank you for doing this. I have been looking and looking for a sectional with latex cushions b/c of the flame retardent issue. Any suggestions? (Would prefer not to go custom). I was diagnosed with having formaldehyde toxicity and did not realize my sheets could be a problem (I have a latex mattress)till I just read this blog. Can you suggest any brands that are safe? Thanks.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CLASSIFIED ADS to place a classified ad in this newsletter... HANDMADE, FAIR TRADE HEMP ITEMS. Handbags, hats, backpacks and more. Plus large selection of hemp food, bath and twine items. www.hemp-sisters.com HELP SAVE THE EARTH WHILE YOU SLEEP. Visit www.whitelotus.net. Mention this ad and save 5%. Natural and organic mattresses, pillows, bedding and home furnishings for everyone. We specialize in custom sizes and special needs. 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 REUSABLE BAGS. Eliminate disposable plastic bags and bottles from your life. Bags of all shapes and sizes are made from cotton, organic cotton, hemp, and recycled materials. Shopping bags, tote bags, and everything you need to pack a lunch. Reusable produce bags really keep organic food fresh. Reusable aluminum drink bottles. www.ReusableBags.com FIX WHOLE, ORGANIC FOODS FAST IN A VITAMIX. Whole food vegetable and fruit juices, creamy soups, frozen treats, whole grain breads, fresh nut butters and more are yours in minutes, made from your own organic ingredients. www.vitamix.com 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 SUSTAINABILY-HARVESTED WILD SALMON and other wild fish from the pristine waters of Alaska. Flash frozen, smoked, sausage and burgers, cans and pouches, salmon caviar. www.vitalchoice.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 E-BOOKS BY DEBRA DEBRA'S GUIDE TO CREATING A GREEN BATHROOM. Instant download e-book by Debra Lynn Dadd explains all the details of her do-it-yourself remodel. Learn how to choose green building products and materials for bathroom construction, save money on materials costs, and how to install a water-tight bathroom that will last for years. A complete directory of all the green products used on the project is included. Full color photos. Order now. 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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|  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. * 10 Simple, Inexpensive Things You Can Do To Reduce Household Toxics * How Toxic is Your Home? Quiz (excerpt from the book) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Debra's List ~ 100s of links to 1000s of nontoxic, natural & earthwise products
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ email: debra@dld123.com web: http://dld123.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
A NEW TOOL FOR EVALUATING THE GREENNESS OF PRODUCTS 
I also am available Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 4 pm eastern time to answer your questions immediately and personally with a