Heather Solos 
If you’re overwhelmed by the process of cleaning your home, quit worrying about finding the best option. Stop trying to learn everything and start doing something. We all know that in a perfect world we’d make our own ecologically sound cleaners—not all homemade cleaners are, you know—always reach for a rag to clean, and never …
Personal update at the end, skip to it if you prefer. Home Ec 101 has been around a long time, almost 12 years. I have shared many weekly meal plans, but the ones on the site are by no means the only ones I’ve made. When you’re feeding more than a trio, not having a plan …
Hello, I have a set of embroidered, cream-colored Christmas towels that are only used for decoration. They have never been washed and reside in my linen closet. I recently took them out of the closet, and they have yellowed in certain places. I am extremely upset as these towels are my favorite and were pretty …
Dear Home-Ec 101, My dog had a runny tummy and couldn’t make it outside during the night. Unfortunately, I overlooked 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 you,Desiccated …
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 …
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 …
This question comes from the comments on Why does my chicken stock taste like water? Q: Why is my chicken stock always greasy and watery? When making chicken stock, it is perfectly normal for there to be fat and grease in the stock. To remove this, cool the stock completely in your refrigerator. Because chicken …
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 …
Dear Home-Ec 101,Well, I am probably the worst person when it comes to checking out—I did that literally for two years when my husband left me three years ago for almost a year. The result has been devastating. I am constantly consumed by guilt and serious insomnia. I wasted two years of life and, worst …
It’s been a while and I hope you are well. Amelia Katelyn was born on March 2 at 10:35 am. There was some serious concern that the gestational diabetes I developed was inhibiting her growth, so I was induced three weeks early. She’s tiny, currently at 5.5 lbs, but healthy and absolutely the center of …