How to Clean a Very Dirty Toilet

Dear Home Ec 101,How do I clean a really gross toilet? It has all that yellow and brown crud inside that just won’t come off. I heard that pumice stones scratch the porcelain and will only make it worse in the long run.Please HELP!Signed,Skeeved in Skaneateles Dear Skeeved in Skaneateles: Since people searching for how …

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How to Clean a Grimy Bathtub and Surround

clean grimy bathtub

Dear Home-Ec 101, I have a 25 year white tub surround that has accumulated a darkened tint due to left over scum even after cleaning it often enough for this very busy mom and full time art teacher.  What is fast and quick and odorless, green, effective, etc. Seems that I am also very good …

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How to Scrub a Tile Floor

Dear Home-Ec 101, I was looking on your site for information on the best (and hopefully most efficient) way to scrub floors.  I found posts on your site about linoleum and mopping, but the only thing I found on scrubbing was a sentence saying that scrubbing floors required significantly more water.  I have tile floors …

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How to Fix a Constantly Running Toilet

Dear Home-Ec 101, The toilet, in my bathroom is constantly making noise. It sounds like water is always running. Is there any way to turn that off? Signed, For the Love of Pete, Someone Jiggle the Handle Already! Heather says: There are a few things that can go wrong inside the tank of a toilet …

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Cleaning The Bathtub

Dear Home-Ec 101, I’m hoping you or your readers can help me with this household problem.  Our bathroom has a plastic-inserted bathtub, and it seems as if no matter how much I clean and scrub away at it, the tub still has this scummy ring around it that won’t go away.  I’ve tried several commercial …

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Getting Started: The Great Bathroom Cleansing Ritual

Ivy says: Getting your house back in shape absolutely requires that you clean the bathroom. Let me tell you, you could have mounds of laundry piled everywhere and a spotless bathroom and I totally wouldn’t think you’re gross. But make me use a dirty bathroom and I’ll take pictures and post them here on Home …

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Linoleum Lament

Dear Home Ec 101, I was hoping you could help me with a cleaning problem I have been having lately.  I can’t get my floors clean!  No matter if I wash the floor on my hands and knees or if I use a mop, there’s still a dirt residue that will not go away.  I …

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Hard Water Spots

Dear Home Ec 101, No matter what I do, the hardwater spots on my shower and tub keep coming back?  What am I doing wrong? Signed, Speckled in Spencerton Heather says: Well there are a couple of options.  You could invest in a water softener or be super diligent and use a squeegee after every …

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