How to use a weekly cleaning schedule to keep your house clean.

There is no perfect weekly cleaning schedule. There is only the cleaning schedule that works for you. What is the secret to creating a weekly cleaning schedule that works for you? There’s no big secret. it’s just a matter of dividing the cleaning tasks into manageable chunks. That’s what this system does. Please keep in …

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Deep Cleaning Your Table/Dining Area

You’ll notice this week isn’t necessarily a whole room. Homes vary a lot. Some small apartments may have just a nook in the kitchen. Open floor plans may have a corner in a wide space. You get the idea. The goal today is to take control of that space and make it shine. By now …

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Spring Cleaning Clutter Clearing Kick-Off

Sorry, my oldest son has been playing football for twelve years. Sports references now slip in whether I want them to or not. It’s been one heck of a year, and we are not quite done with everything COVID has to throw at us, but that light at the end of the tunnel is getting …

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A Guide to Kitchen Disinfection and Sanitation

Hi, Home-Ec 101, I just read your article on Hydrogen Peroxide. I just love your website! I was wondering what you use to disinfect/sanitize your kitchen counters. I am trying to find something natural and have a hard time finding information on what actually kills bacteria, germs, etc. I read one way to kill bacteria/germs …

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Know Your Neighbors: Emergency Preparedness 101

neighbors yellow and green doors

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 …

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How Long Do I Need to Boil Water When Under a Boil Water Advisory?

Dear Home Ec 101: I live in Hurricane Country and there are often boiling water advisories after a storm. How long am I supposed to boil the water before it is safe to drink? ~Avoiding the Runs in Ravenel Heather says: Boil water advisories are much more common than you may think. Advisories can be …

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Emergency Preparedness 101: The Very Basics

emergency preparedness

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 …

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Simple Shawarma-Inspired Chicken Recipe

I had a hard time coming up with the name for this shawarma-inspired chicken dish. Why? I don’t want to be culturally appropriative as this is not at all authentic. The flavors, however, remind me of chicken shawarma I have had in the past and hope to have again someday. (I miss traveling so much.) …

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Baked Spaghetti – Comfort Food

What’s your favorite comfort food? Our family’s recent go-to is baked spaghetti, I belong to a group on Facebook for food lovers that also enjoy True Crime. It has the absolute best name (it’s for fans of My Favorite Murder) Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Crime. Isn’t that just the best? Anyhow, one of the more …

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How to Remove Smoke Stains from My Cupboards

Abstract smoke wallpaper background for desktop

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 …

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