If you don’t see a post that fits your needs below, use the handy search box in the upper right corner. If you still don’t have any luck, send your question to helpme@home-ec101.com.
This page is updated regularly, so be sure to check back often.
Help with cleaning your whole home
If you need encouragement ideas or are looking for posts that might be related to issues that could be related to anywhere in the home, This is the section.
Dear Home Ec 101, I'm Overwhelmed
A new parent wrote in with a list of issues that had her feeling in over her head. We gave her some practical ideas and the Home-Ec101 community really stepped up to offer more.
Where Do You Find that Cleaning Motivation
Believe it or not, not everyone loves to clean for the satisfaction of a job well done. Here are some ideas of where to find your cleaning motivation.
The Dangerous Comparison Game
Social media is great for inspiration, but it's not always good for your self-esteem. Please remember that what you are seeing is not the full picture.
Cleaning for Those Who Are Immunosuppressed
If you have someone in your care who is on chemotherapy, radiation or other immunosuppression treatment, this post is for you: Alice Dick, MD guest posts to share tips.
Dry Wall Dust and Other Fun Construction Clean Up
Home renovation can be a frustrating time. The dry wall dust gets everywhere. Here's how to tackle the problem.
Feeling Desperate
This reader had child protective services involved in the past. She was scared they would be involved again We gave her advice on what to do to ensure everything would be ok, even when life was overwhelming.
How Long Will it Take to Clean My House?
Sometimes a reader's question can be harder to answer than others and sometimes it is downright impossible.
Quick Emergency Clean Up Tips
Did your mother-in-law just text to say she was on her way? Quick! Here's what to do.
Where to start
Sometimes getting started can be the hardest part. Read this, then put down your phone.
The Home-Ec 101 Guide to Household Chemicals
Those videos on CleanTok sure are soothing to watch. However, here at Home-Ec101, we need you to know that it is absolutely not safe to just mix household chemicals without reading labels and knowing precisely what you are doing.
Mixing household cleaners can have deadly consequences. The most well-known no-no is mixing bleach and ammonia, but did you know it is also dangerous to mix bleach and vinegar? It’s true.
The people making the videos mean well, but please don’t follow their example. Stick to one type of cleaner per job and rinse well between. Yes, you can enjoy the acid-base reaction of vinegar and baking soda, that one is more of a fun chemistry experiment you can use to help clean your garbage disposal.
Be safe. We’d like to see you again.
Home-Ec101.com's Guide to Household Chemicals
Cleaning relies on chemistry. Any chemist worth their salt knows that safety is rule one. Here's a guide to some of the most common products you'll find and use in your home.
How to Use Bleach Safely
Chlorine bleach is cheap, reliable, and widely available. Learn how to use it to sanitize and disinfect your home safely.
Synthetic or Distilled Vinegar, Is It the Same as Apple Cider Vinegar for Cleaning?
Homemade cleaning recipes can be confusing. Learn what to use when making your own household cleaners and why.
Oxygen Bleach an Introduction
Harness the cleaning power of oxygen. It's safe for colors and so much more. It gets your whites whiter and can be used as a disinfectant. Learn about oxygen bleach aka hydrogen peroxide and in its solid form, sodium percarbonate.
How to Use Rubbing Alcohol Safely
Isopropyl alcohol has long been used in homemade window cleaners, but since the start of COVID-19, it has been more widely recognized for its disinfecting properties. Learn how to use this household chemical safely.
Is Vinegar an Acceptably Safe Alternative for Chlorine Bleach when Disinfecting
What does the CDC say about using bleach instead of vinegar to kill germs? Is it a good alternative?
Do not mix bleach and vinegar
Most people know not to mix bleach with ammonia, but vinegar is another big no-no.
Chemistry is fun as long you know what you are doing. Unintended experiments can have dangerous, even deadly consequences.
Borax and washing soda and where to find it all, oh my!
Borax is often recommended as a laundry additive, washing soda is often called for in homemade cleaners, but where do you find them?
Sodium percarbonate? What is it again?
You know it better by its commercial name oxygen bleach or what we call it in solution, hydrogen peroxide.. learn more about this common household chemical.
Vinegar as a Dishwasher Rinse Aid
Will using vinegar as a rinse aid damage your appliance? Will your dishes still come clean?
7 Places To Use Bar Keepers Friend
Oxalic acid is what makes this scouring powder so effective. Learn where Heather and the team love to use BKF around the house
How To Clean Home Appliances
- Bagless Vacuums: The Dirty Secret
- How to Clean a Drip Coffee Maker
- How to Clean a Smooth Top Range / Stove
- How to Remove Melted Plastic from Your Oven
- How to Clean Out the Refrigerator
- How to Clean a Stinky Garbage Disposal
- How to Clean a Toaster
- How to Clean an Electric Kettle
- How to Clean and Shine Stainless Steel
- How to Clean Ceiling Fans
- How to Clean Greasy Oven Glass
- How to Clean Sugary Spillovers in the Oven
- How to Clean a Humidifier
- How To Clean Refrigerator Coils
- How to Keep Long Hair from Clogging the Vacuum
- Regular Dishwasher Maintenance Improves Performance
- How to Get Mildew Out Of A Coffee Maker
- Vacuuming Practices: Dealing with Lots of Hair
- Vacuum Recommendations from the Audience
- Vacuum Recommendations: Comparable to Dyson with Less Cost
- Why is There a Ban on Phosphorus in Dishwasher Detergent
How to Clean the Bathroom
- Hard Water Spots in the Shower
- Hard Water Deposits in the Toilet
- How To Choose Absorbent Towels
- How to Clean Up After a Toilet Overflow
- How to Clean A Bathmat After a Toilet Overflows
- How to Clean a Toilet
- Toilet Cleaning Tips
- How to Clean the Bathtub
- How To Clean A Grimy Bathtub and Surround
- How to Clean a Very Dirty Bathtub
- How To Clean Hard Water Deposits In A Toilet Bowl
- How to Clean Tile
- How to Repair Stained Grout
- How to Clean Cultured Marble
- How to Clean a Jetted Tub
- How to Get Rid of Hairspray Residue
- How to Get Rid of Pink Shower Mold
- How to Clean Moldy Shower Tile
- Micro Fiber Miracle Cloth: Review
- Should The Towels Be Stored In The Linen Closet Or Under The Sink?
- Why Do Hard Water Spots Come Back?
Bedrooms
- Mattress Cleaning and Other Indoor Sports
- Where Can Mildew Hide in a Bedroom
- How to Store Blankets Without Inviting Mildew
- How to Remove Cat Urine from a Mattress
- How to Clean a Down Comforter
- How to Clean and Care for Pillows
- Spare Sheet Storage
Closets
- Avoiding The Shoe Drama With Cubes
- Get Clothing Clutter Under Control
- How to Eliminate Shoe Odor in Small Closets
- The Fastest And Easiest Way To Declutter Your Closet
- How To Have A Linen Closet And Linens That Smell Great
Exterior Cleaning (Anything Outside the Home)
- How to Clean Lawn Furniture
- Pet Friendly Weed Control
- How to Get Rid of Ants
- How To Clean Out Your Dumpster
- How To Pressure Wash Your Siding
- How to Clean an Outdoor Lighting Fixture
- How To Clean Out Your Gutters And Why You Should
- Removing Sticky Soda Residue in a Car
Flooring, Carpet and Rugs
Furniture
Kitchen
- How to Handwash Dishes
- How to Repair Stained Grout
- How to Reduce Cooking Odors
- Cutting Board Basics
- How to Clean a Dirty Broiler Pan
- How to Clean a Smooth Top Range / Stove
- How to Clean Dirty Drip Pans
- How to Clean Refrigerator Coils
- How to Clean Stained Enameled Cast Iron
- How to Clean a Smelly Garbage Disposal
- How to Remove Burnt Food from Aluminum Pots and Pans
- How to Remove Burnt Food from Glassware
- How to Remove Hard Water Spots from Glassware
- How to Remove Melted Plastic from Cookware
- How to Remove Soap Residue from Plastic
- How to Get Started on the Giant Pile of Dishes
- How to Clean and Shine Stainless Steel
- How to Clean Out the Fridge
- How to Clean Corian
- How to Clean Granite Counters
- How to Remove Acrylic Paint from Laminate Countertops
- How to Remove Ink from Laminate Countertops
- How to Remove Kool-Aid from Laminate Countertops
- How to Remove Milk Splatter from Wood Furniture
- How to Dispose of Cooking Grease
- How to Clean Kitchen Light Fixtures
- Learn Your Refrigerator’s Zones For Optimal Food Storage
- Minimize Food Waste By Thinking Like A Kitchen Manager
- Someone Put Dish Soap in the Dishwasher (How to get rid of the bubbles)
- Why Isn’t My Dishwasher Performing as It Should
Need Laundry Help?
The “Wash It” Page has articles ranging from basic tips to freezing jeans, crayons in the dryer and lots more!
Living or Family Room*
- Do You Dust or Vacuum First?
- How to Clean Baby Toys
- How to Clean Ceiling Fans
- How To Clean Throw Pillows
- How To Dust and Clean Books
- Spring Cleaning the Living Room / Great Room / Family Room
Odors
- Can This Smelly Freezer Be Saved?
- Cooking Smells Took Over Apartment
- Don’t Just Cover Up Musty Odors
- Eliminated or Hidden? Febreze vs. Stink
- Help! Our New House Smells Like Mothballs!
- How Can I Make My Cat’s Litter Box Smell Better?
- How to Clean a Smelly Garbage Disposal
- How to Deal with a Cat Marking Its Territory
- How to Deal with Mildew in the Laundry
- How to Eliminate Shoe Odors in Small Closets
- How to Fix Sour Smelling Towels
- How to Freshen Plastic Storage Containers
- How to Get Rid of a Fish Odor in the Kitchen
- How to Get Smells Out of Car Upholstery
- How to Reduce Cooking Odors
- How to Remove Urine Odors from a Couch
- How to Remove Kerosene Odors from Unwashable Items
- How to Remove Musty Odor from Jeans
- How to Remove Musty/Mildew Odor From Furniture
- How to Remove Mildew and Musty Odors From Towels
- How to Remove Mothball Odor from a Closet
- How to Remove Mothball Odor from Clothes
- How to Remove Odors From Shoes
- How to Remove Odors From Stoneware
- How to Remove Smoke Smell from Plastic Toys
- Potential Sources Of Mildew In The Bedroom
- Sour Smelling Towels (And How To Eliminate It)
- What Causes Smelly Sheets?
- What To Do About Stinky Shoes
- What To Do With The Drawer That Makes Clothes Stink
- What To Do When Your Mattress Smells Like Cat Pee
Organizing The House
Cleaning Up With Preschoolers- Customizing The Chore Routine
- Dealing With Too Much Stuff
- Defining the Terms: Organized, Clean, Sanitary, Sterile
- Determining Your Home Management Style
- How to Curb Clutter
- How to Divide Chores Evenly
- Keeping Up With Receipts: Keep Your Tax Accountant Happy
- The Secret To A Clean House
- What Babies Don’t Need
- Yet Another Reason To Declutter
Spring Cleaning
- Why Is Spring Cleaning A Thing Anyway?
- Don’t Forget To Dust Your Computer
- Friendly Spring Cleaning Encouragement
- Spring Cleaning: The Family Room
- Spring Cleaning: Bedrooms
- Spring Cleaning For Disastrously Mess Homes
- Spring Cleaning: Room By Room
Walls
- How to Remove Candle Soot From Paint
- How to Wash Walls
- How to Clean Flat Paint
- How to Clean a Grungy Grille (Central Air Return)
- Dust the Walls
- How to Remove Marker from Painted Walls
Windows
- How to Clean Blinds
- How to Clean Mini-Blinds
- How to Clean Window Sills
- How to Clean REALLY Dirty Windows
- Now Is The Time To Wash Your Windows
- Tips For Buying Window Shades
- What Are These Bugs On My Window Sill?
I love this website. I am a new wife and mother and didn't take home ec growing up. I grew up in a single parent household and where everyone fend for themselves. I hope I didn't disappoint my husband with my lack of housekeeping skills. Now that our son is 1year I am able to do a lot more around the house. I want to run my household smoothly! Thanks again (found you from simplemom)
This website is insulting to liberated women. FYI: It's 2011
You're funny, April. Obviously, you meant that as a joke. Right? Has to be either that or comment spam to get your link up on this very popular, helpful site used by women and MEN of all ages….and nobody wants to think that about you, April. Good one, April.
This website depicts women as housewives who can only cook, clean and do chores. Where are the pictures of men? Are men too superior to do housework? Seriously, get with the times. A woman's role is not in the kitchen.
seriously? have you gone through the site? I think a lot of the people who come here regularly would disagree with your opinion. Nowhere on the site is there anything that says women have to do all these things or that it's their exclusive domain.
have a gander at the About page, /site-information-and-di…
"Home-Ec101.com is a site designed to teach real people, real skills, as they apply to real lives. Few people have the resources to keep up with the glossy magazines and the reality of television is it isn’t. Home-Ec 101 is an attempt to reach average people and teach them the domestic arts that make life a little less expensive, a little easier, and a little more enjoyable."
from my (guy) perspective, the site provides a lot of life skills information that people may not have learned growing up. I know I've learned a lot from reading the posts here.
My recent post Growing
I have no intent to link to this site for promotion purposes. Nice try. Don't be so defensive, it's a great website for housewives who have nothing better to do with their lives than cook and clean for their husbands.
April, I removed your second comment for containing a personal attack. This is in violation of the Home-Ec 101.com comment policy. While I disagree with your opinion, you’re welcome to share it, provided you can do so without calling names, using hate speech etc.
If you don’t like our neighborhood here, then don’t visit. This site is not gender limited. Everyone needs daily skills. I’m sure there men and women without spouses that find this information very helpful. There is even a male post contributor. I’d like to read your blog.~Heidi
I love this site. I am a full time working mom with two kids. My husband does the shopping and cooking while I do the cleaning and laundry. I am very ocd and don’t trust anyone. I had a cleaning lady in but felt she did not clean to my liking. I find this site very helpful and want to dismiss any previous views to the contrary. Thanks for all the great advice.
Seriously? EVERYBODY has to cook and clean at some point, why not learn a better way? Keep on doing what you’re doing, Heather, cuz I plan to keep coming back!
my deeper freezer came unplugged I would guess while we were loading up to go on vacation. We cleaned it out and I now do not resent my sons poopy diapers. However, there is still a slight smell to it. My wife says that the slight smell does not matter and we can start to restock food in it. Will storing food in it make you sick?