Eco-Experts
(Page 2 of 3)
September/October 2003
By Natural Home magazine editorial staff
GAIL VITTORI is co-director of the Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems, a nonprofit sustainable planning and design firm based in Austin, Texas. The Center’s innovative and anticipatory design, policy, and education initiatives are currently focused on open building systems, green health care initiatives, resource-balanced master planning, and lifecycle design.
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Nicotine Stains
Do you have any suggestions for removing nicotine stains from walls before painting?
—JACK RHODA, VIA EMAIL
Debra Lynn Dadd replies:
Because nicotine stains will bleed right through new paint, it is necessary to remove the stains before painting. Undiluted lemon juice and vinegar are both effective grease cutters, which can be applied to the wall with a cotton cloth. If the stain doesn’t come right off, try scrubbing with a good stiff brush.
There are also eco-friendly commercial products available. For example, SafeChoice Super Clean (afmsafecoat.com) is a biodegradable industrial strength degreaser that is completely odorless. Oxygen bleach products are now sold in many supermarkets. These chlorine bleach alternatives usually mix the actual whitener (sodium perborate) with fillers. You can order straight sodium perborate from http://alsnetbiz.com/ homeimprovement/oxybleach.html.
As an alternative to stain removal, you could apply a sealer that will prevent the stain from bleeding through the paint, though this may not be the least toxic choice. If you do choose this method, look for low-VOC sealers.
Freshening Clothing
I use Febreze to freshen clothes between washings, but it irritates my throat. What can I use as a substitute?
—TERRI, VIA EMAIL
Debra Lynn Dadd replies:
According to the Procter & Gamble website, “Febreze is a product for use on household items and clothing that aren’t dirty, but don’t smell clean.” Though it can be used on clothing, Febreze was designed to eliminate odors on “soft” household surfaces such as mattresses and boxsprings, carpet and rugs, curtains and drapes, pet areas, and upholstered furniture. Febreze is made from ethyl alcohol (distilled from petrochemicals) with added fragrance. Either ingredient may be causing your symptoms. As I was looking for the Febreze website, I came across a posting on a message board from someone who worked in a pub, where his clothes picked up a lot of odors. He used an atomizer to spray vodka on his clothing, and the odors disappeared. Ethyl alcohol and vodka are the same ethanol—one made from petrochemicals and the other from grains. Even if you are sensitive to the petrochemical alcohol, you can probably tolerate the grain alcohol.