Lived In Living Room? Deep Clean Challenge Week 5

Couch in front of stairs with area rug and ottoman in living room

It may be called a den, but it doesn’t have to look like bears live here. – Heather, to her kids, too often Welcome to the Deep clean Challenge Week 5. Just joining us? So far, we have: Cleared Clutter Cleaned the Kitchen Cleaned the Bedroom Scrubbed the Bathroom Are you seeing progress? Let us …

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How to Care for a Leather Couch

Dear Home Ec 101, What is the best way to care for a leather couch?  I have seen several leather conditioners advertised, but do these leave a waxy finish?  I have had my leather couch and love seat for four years, and they have held up well, but a few scratches are starting to show up.  …

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Ceiling Fan Cleaning 101

Dear Home Ec 101, How do you clean ceiling fans? I’m especially wanting to know how you manage to clean them without dust bunnies falling down onto the furniture. Signed, A fan of fans Ivy says: I suppose, theoretically, if you cleaned your ceiling fans constantly that there’d never be any little bits of dust …

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Now’s The Time To Wash Your Windows

Ivy says: My mom always said there’s something very spiritual about washing your windows. Her theory on this is that the windows are the eyes of your home and by washing the windows, you’re opening up those eyes to let the sun shine in. It’s a newish year, and if you’re an American, we have …

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Removing Cigarette Smoke Odor From Couches

Dear Home Ec 101, I recently purchased a sofa and loveseat from a lovely couple who listed the furniture on a popular online auction site.  The set appeared to be in great shape, and I got the furniture for what appeared to be a bargain.  When I got them in place in my basement rec …

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Wall Dusting 101

Our fabulous commenter Bramble asked: How exactly does one dust the wall? Do you dust the entire wall with a dust cloth? Do you wash it? Ivy says: This, of course, varies depending on how big your walls are and how dirty your walls are. My preferred method is to use a wool duster with …

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Laminate Lament

Dear Home-Ec 101, Hi! I hope you lovely gals can help me… My husband and I are remodeling a house, and we installed laminate, faux wood floors. We probably did it backwards, because since installing the floors, we’ve had plumbers and tilers in…and now the floors are filthy! We need advice on how to clean …

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