On my April trip across Western Canada, I stopped at over 25 health food stores, searching the shelves for new, safe products. The products must have no chance of containing propylene glycol, and should contain very simple ingredients. I did compromise in some cases – organic vanilla extract can contain glycerin, which is a possible […]
Most of us have experienced stinky feet at one point or another in our lives. While some may reach for the fabric refresher spray or cleaning chemicals, those with chemical allergies need to be a bit more cautious in the products and methods we use. Even essential oils, which are tolerated by some with chemical […]
I see people from time to time asking about what dryer sheets and fabric softeners do, how they work, and what people can use instead to get rid of static in their laundry. I thought it was high time to address this issue. Fabric softeners and dryer sheets and bars perform similar functions. They coat […]
I’ve had to very closely examine my diet over the past while. I knew that wheat and oats caused me digestive problems, but I figured I was imagining things or that the problem was in other ingredients used with the wheat and oats. I’ve found propylene glycol in the most unexpected places, but one of […]
Recently in one of the allergy Facebook groups of which I’m a part someone asked an interesting question: If you’re covering your pillow with multiple layers of organic cotton, but allergic to the pillow’s fill, does what’s inside the pillow really matter? This question was a very timely one for me, because I changed all […]
Readers of this site will know that I’ve slowly been working on reducing the synthetic fibre content of my clothing and the fabrics in my environment. I’m allergic to polyester (including things labelled olefin), lycra/spandex/elastane, which is made from polyester, and nylon, whose fibres are lubricated with oil containing isothiazolinones. Given that, I’d rather not […]
Himalayan Salt Lamps: Hype or Help? We received a “Himalayan salt lamp” for Christmas this year from well-meaning relatives. The manufacturers of these lamps claim that the heated salt crystal releases negative ions into the environment, countering positive ions and electromagnetic waves. These manufacturers (and sellers of the lamps) have posted all sorts of “science” […]
One of my saving graces lately has been my cotton flannel PJ pants. Whenever I’m home I can put those on, even if they do have polyester seams, and avoid contact with the lycra/spandex/elastane in yoga pants and jeans. Someday I hope to cover or change all of their polyester seams, but for now they’re […]
I mentioned before having a lot a shirts and socks that were *almost* wearable with my chemical allergies, except for the presence of polyester or nylon in the threads. Polyester is made with polyethylene glycol, which is a cross-reactor with my allergen propylene glycol, and nylon fibres are lubricated with an oil containing isothiazolinone(s). While […]
It’s a question popping up on message boards and Facebook walls all over the place: “I’m allergic to x chemical, what products can I use that don’t contain that chemical?” While everyone jumps in and tries to answer and help as best they can, it’s less often that the key issue is acknowledged – the […]
I’m starting to get my clothing and house more under control for my chemical allergies. We have gotten rid of all body care and cleaning products that directly contain my allergens. Fabrics have been tougher, but I have the materials I need to cover up or change out the polyester seams in my cotton shirts […]
I spoke on Monday about natural fibre coat options I had found. Today I’d like to share a few more ideas for more natural fibre jackets: Canvas jackets – Canvas is a heavier cotton fabric that functions similarly to Ventile, absorbing water and swelling to block water penetration. Its fibres are not water resistant without some […]
Anyone who has looked for a synthetic-fabric-free jacket quickly learns that synthetic fabrics are everywhere. Nylon and polyester shells dominate the market. Gore-tex sells well for people looking to stay dry in wet weather, stretch weaves rule for fitted coats, and nylon and polyester linings help us slide into our jacket sleeves. Artificial furs and […]
It all started with an experiment. My daughter was making soap with medieval ingredients. I had saved her some beef tallow and some bacon fat, and were planning to add olive oil and a bit of beeswax. We entered numbers into the soapcalc.net calculator, which calculates the amount of water and sodium hydroxide (lye) to use […]
For the past few months, I’ve been thinking about socks. I’ve been trying to get synthetics off my skin, and socks were a part of this process for which I couldn’t seem to find a good answer. Buy mass-produced, everyone-buys-them socks from a big-box retailer, and you’ll come home with a sock that’s probably about […]
The neti pot. Unsettling in theory, but very useful and effective in practice. Want to know why you might want to use a neti pot? How to use it? Some tips and tricks to make it more effective? Read on. What is a neti pot? A neti pot is a container into which you put […]
Continuing Friday’s review of free apps that help people with allergies, today I’m reviewing some of the apps I found that might help people with chemical and contact allergies, although many are also helpful for people who like to live in less chemically-polluted home environments. Eczema Tracker (http://eczematracker.com/) [iOS] [Android – Coming Soon] My Rating: […]
I found myself today searching for apps that might help me with my food intolerances. I have intolerances to even minute quantities of egg and dairy, and this makes everything food-related a bit more of a challenge, from my husband shopping for food for me to eating out, and even sometimes trying to figure out […]
In all of my research into sustainable living, allergies, ethical companies, and the environment, I often find the best choice is to make things myself. Sometimes, though, that’s either unrealistic or impossible, and this is where I’ve found some really amazing things. Below are some of the favourites I’ve found so far: WeWood Watches Made […]
When we first moved into our home, we rented a Rug Doctor carpet cleaner from the grocery store and used the Rug Doctor carpet cleaning chemicals to wash all of the carpets in our house. Fast forward to several years later. There has always been a spot in the playroom that the cat sniffs and […]
I’ve been intolerant to eggs and dairy for several years now, which means that, as a dairy-lover, every time I find something remotely like dairy that I can eat I get really excited. One of the best things I’ve done in finding non-meat products is to search for things labelled vegan. I’m far from vegan, […]
← Continued from Essential Oils 101 What Can Essential Oils Do? Despite my cautions above, essential oils can be used safely by most people, if used correctly, in highly diluted form. Depending on the specific oil, properly used essential oils can kill bacteria and fungus, soothe, reduce appetite, aid breathing, reduce coughing, and more. Each essential […]
Essential oils are some of the go-to scent and disinfecting agents in the homemade and natural product sector. People buy them and use them all the time, with little regard for exactly what they are. They’re natural, right? So they must be safe? This is not entirely true. To understand how we can safely use […]
The inevitable result of almost any spring cleaning, life change, move, or discovery of chemical allergies is that you will come across things that you no longer want around. Sometimes the item is worn out, sometimes it’s obsolete, sometimes it’s no longer suitable for the way you choose to live your life, and sometimes it’s […]