Dear Home Ec 101, My husband just started a new job that has him wearing dress slacks -like Dockers- and dress shirts instead of the jeans and t-shirts he’s always worn. Even though I wash and dry them separetely (to avoid any ironing!) they still come out with quite a bit of lint on them. I…
Is Vinegar an Acceptably Safe Alternative for Chlorine Bleach when Disinfecting
Dear Home Ec 101, Can one substitute vinegar -lots of it- for the bleach when cleaning and disinfecting? I can’t be around bleach, it triggers SEVERE migraines. Signed, Pickled in Pickens Heather says: There are certain times where I am reluctant to give a hard answer. In our litigious climate, I’m sure you can understand my…
What About Soap Nuts?
Dear Home-Ec 101, Are soap nuts ok to use in my high efficiency washing machine? Since HE washers don’t agitate like standard top loading washers, I was curious if the soap nuts would be effective. Signed, Curious in Cupertino Heather says: I have never used soap nuts, so my answer is based on the manufacturer’s…
How to Use Rubbing Alcohol Safely
Heather says: This is another post in the series on household chemicals. Rubbing alcohol is frequently recommended by frugal and green bloggers for use as household cleaner, and needs to be used with care. Rubbing alcohol is a general term that most often refers to isopropanol, but can also refer to ethanol. It is very…
How to Use Vinegar and Borax in the Laundry
Dear Home Ec 101 You mentioned using vinegar or borax to remove detergent build-up from towels. We have hard water in our area and I believe this could be a problem for us, even though I haven’t had a problem with odor. I have few questions: How much vinegar or borax should I use in my…
20 Quick Tips for Using Leftover Coffee or Coffee Grounds
Dear Home Ec 101, It seems like no matter what amount of coffee I make there is always a half-cup of leftover coffee in the pot at the end of day. I hate wasting it. Are there any handy uses around the house or garden for leftover coffee? Signed, Something’s Brewing in Brampton Heather says:…
The Unappreciated Importance of Regular Toilet Cleaning
Dear Home Ec 101, I have a 9 month old baby girl and as she is becoming more mobile, it is becoming a lot more important to me to keep things really clean. She loves crawling into the bathroom and playing with those little plastic screw covers at the base of the toilet and as…
Removing Candle Soot from the Wall
Dear Home Ec 101, I am a 25 years old mother. My daughter just started her terrible twos and I need some me time. A great way for me to relax is to curl up on the sofa once she is asleep, light some candles and put my iPod on. It helps me relax. But…
Vinegar as a Dishwasher Rinse Aid
Dear Home Ec 101, Can white vinegar be used as a natural dishwasher rinse aid? It seems that I remember reading that somewhere. White vinegar seems as though it would be more environmentally friendly and less expensive than the commercial dishwasher rinse aid products. Is there any harm in using white vinegar as a rinse…
Let’s Talk About the Voluntary Phosphorus Ban in Household Detergent
Heather says: Some of you may have noticed that there has been a change in the formula of your Automatic Dishwashing Detergent, others may have just picked up a new box as usual, without paying much attention. Sixteen states including: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Virginia,…
How to Get Rid of Ants in Compost
Dear Home Ec 101, Every time I have tried composting, it gets full of ants and I freak out and spray the compost pile. That’s probably not so good, eh? Is it okay for a compost pile or bin to be full of ants? Signed, Scared There’ll be Ants in My Pants¹ Heather says: I…
Passive Composting, Win Win I Say
Heather says: I’m not a gardener. Every once in a while -usually in late winter- I have these grand ideas that it’s going to happen and suddenly I’ll have the time and energy to invest in the garden. Then life shows up and it sits on my bucket list for a while longer. That said,…