2019 Update: I’m in the process of digging through the months of insanity that is an inbox with a published email address. For every legitimate email, there are 500 fake, but not quite spam pitches. While I work finding the actual questions, I’m going to update a few Home-Ec 101 classics. This one was originally…
How To Remove Dried Dog Poop (Feces) From Fake Wood Flooring
Dear Home-Ec 101, My dog had a runny tummy and couldn’t make it outside during the night. Unfortunately, I didn’t notice the accident until it had hardened. How can I clean it up without damaging the floor (it’s a rental place, the floor looks like wood but isn’t – I don’t think its linoleum). Thank…
How Can I Remove a Hard Water Stain on Enameled Cast Iron?
This question is from the comments on How to Clean Stained Enameled Cast Iron Q: I just used my Tramontina dutch oven for the first time to attempt to cook some peas. Steam from the simmering beans condensed and ran down the outside of the pot and left what looks like hard water stains. No…
How to Dry a Damp Mattress
Dear Home-Ec101, We have had our pillow top mattress for two years. I tried a new spot cleaning vacuum on the surface, however, the mattress only absorbed the mixture of water and chemical cleaner. Consequently, the vacuum was unable to suck up any moisture. Now I am concerned the moisture and chemical is stuck in…
How to Clean Hardwood After a Toilet Overflow
Q: How do I clean up my hardwood floors after a toilet overflows. This question appeared as a comment on How to Clean Up After a Toilet Overflows The difference between cleaning up toilet water on your typical bathroom flooring e.g. vinyl or tile and cleaning up hardwood is the hardwood is porous. The advice…
Removing Body Soil and Other Grunge from Furniture Upholstered with Microsuede
Dear Home Ec 101, In 2006, we bought several pieces of microsuede furniture in a chocolate brown. Over time, the arms and headrests have become oily and dirty. The code on the label is “WS”. Can we remove the grime from our couch and recliner? How hard is it to clean microsuede without damaging the…
Removing Peanut Butter from Nubby Upholstery/Fabric
Dear Home-Ec101, My husband dripped peanut butter on our nubby weave couch and rubbed it in when he tried to clean it off. Can you tell me and your readers how to get messes like this out without further ruining the upholstery? Signed, Excuse the Mess, We Just Live Here I dream of the day when…
Can I Mix [cleaning product] with Bleach
Dear Home Ec 101, I love your site! Love the 50’s look! I want to mop with bleach once a month to help keep our grout white, but mopping with bleach and water does not seem to clean the floor well. Your site came up when I googled which cleaners/soaps can safely be mixed with…
Tackling Difficult Stains on a Smooth Top Stove
Dear Home Ec 101, I am well acquainted with the razor blade to clean the dried food spots on my smooth-top stove; however, there are “places” on my stove that cannot be felt with the fingers, and there is nothing to scrape with the razor blade, they’re just mars, I guess. I have a less…
How to Fix Dye Stains in the Dryer
Dear Home-Ec 101, I’ve noticed inside the drum of my dryer that there are blue and gray streaks, they look like they are from jeans. How do I get rid of these stains in my clothes dryer? Sincerely, Blue in Bluffton Heather says The simplest thing you can do is to close the dryer door…
Wash the Walls, Really?
Dear Home Ec 10, My living room desperately needs to be painted and I’ve rounded up a few friends willing to help sell their time for beer and pizza. I really want to do this right, is it true that I have to wash the walls before I paint? Signed, Short-Cut Shelby Heather says: Look at…
Do I Need Preservatives In My Homemade Cleaning Products?
Hi! I’ve been reading a lot about the need for preservatives in homemade products, especially those made with water. I always use either distilled or boiled water and most of what I make is made in batches of 32oz or less. The main exception to that is my laundry detergent and fabric softener which I…
Welcome Mats, Door Mats, and Runners: What’s the Point?
Heather says: The short answer? Door mats, welcome mats, and runners can extend the life of your flooring. Don’t believe me? It takes an average of six to ten steps for all of the dirt on shoes to fall away and let’s face it, not everyone is diligent about wiping their feet. All but the…
I Am Overwhelmed.
Dear Home Ec 101, I have a condition called skizo-affective disorder (skizofrenia and bipolar). My life and my house are a mess. I don’t even know where to start. Is there a step-by-step online course I can take or anything like that. Any information would greatly be appreciated. Thank you. Anonymous Heather says: Before I…
How to Clean Up After a Toilet Overflows
Dear Home Ec 101, So, twice this has happened lately thanks to little girls who don’t always flush when they’re supposed to. I have all the towels to mop up the water and um mess, from the toilet overflow itself. Then I have to wash the towels, floor, and toilet. And then I feel the need…
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