It’s Time Again for Hurricane 101
How to prepare your home for hurricane season. Know what supplies to have on hand if you need to stay or evacuate.
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How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles, for Good.
Dear Home Ec 101,I’ve been noticing this micro tiny bug that is gray with black spots, it looks identical to a ladybug, but it is not the Asian beetle. It does have wings, I know that. They’re also very tiny, sometimes you really have to strain your eye to see them. Then sometimes you can …
Help, how do I get rid of drain flies?
Dear Home-Ec 101, I have three window wells in my finished basement. I am forever finding tiny black dead flies. I have sprayed and thrown gallons of bleach and ammonia down the window wells I found something like yellow cocoons in the window wells that I think they have built. There were several in each …
Know Your Neighbors: Emergency Preparedness 101
Today’s topic has several meanings. First, know your literal, next-door neighbors. Know their names and phone numbers. Yes, this means you might have to introduce yourself after having lived in your neighborhood or apartment complex for several years. (If your neighbors are a little weird, maybe use a Google Voice number so you don’t have …
Emergency Preparedness 101: How to Evacuate Safely
Two things before we start this basic how to evacuate safely discussion. Please note that this is a beginner look at emergency preparedness. It’s for those who are just beginning to think about how they or they and their families will handle an emergency and isn’t the place to show off how awesomely prepared you …
Emergency Preparedness 101: The Very Basics
I live in a part of the country where our usual emergency preparedness includes being ready for hurricanes from June until the end of November, small tornadoes in the spring, and extremely rare earthquakes. 2020, of course, threw in plague and civil unrest. Your home may have other risks, including some that you didn’t expect—looking …
How to Remove Smoke Stains from My Cupboards
Hi Home-Ec 101I had a candle burning under the edge of my cabinet, and it got hot enough to burn it. Some of it is light, and some a pretty dark burn. I have attached pictures. I tried baking soda and water, didn’t work. The furniture markers and crayons did not work. I’ve read about a super fine 0000 steel wool …
How to Remove Sticky Residue From Furniture
Dear Home-Ec 101,My furniture has become very sticky after years of polishing it. Sticky to the point of having to give it a little pull to lift it off the furniture. Googling for a solution, I have used a mixture of water and vinegar. It helped a little but not much. What next?Signed,Sticky in Stockton I …
The Microwave Glass is Broken, Can I Still Use It?
Dear Home-Ec 101, The microwave glass is broken, ugh. Not Me and I Didn’t Do It struck again. Do they ever visit your house? This time Not Me threw a ball in the kitchen and I Didn’t Do It Either batted it with the broom handle into the microwave or the broom handle itself hit …
Why Do I Have Fruit Flies With no Fruit?
This week’s random pest question comes from Twitter: Calling @HeatherSolos and her @HomeEc101 knowledge: How do you get rid of fruit flies? Note: There’s no fruit in the house. Twitter If I had suspected my friend had fruit flies, I would have suggested the following advice for getting rid of fruit flies. (I didn’t) Generally, …