Reader Questions - Home-Ec 101

Kiss That Grease Goodbye

Dear Home Ec 101, I am perplexed. I have never had a good answer to the question: how should I dispose of cooking grease (that is, grease from hamburger, bacon, etc.)? I’ve used several methods, but it’s all pretty disgusting and probably not environmentally friendly. I’ve poured it off into old glass containers and tossed …

How to Clean a Down Comforter

Dear Home Ec 101, I received a duck down comforter as a gift last Christmas. The tag says to have it taken to the dry cleaners, but not only would it be a pain, it wouldn’t be easy on the wallet. Now, I love my comforter. But I’m so terrified to wash it on my …

How to Remove Musty Odor from Jeans

Dear Home Ec 101, For a few weeks I’ve occasionally noticed a musty smell. At first I thought it was something in my house, but I couldn’t ever pin it down. I finally realized it was my favorite pair of jeans! I think they sat too long in washer, but I’ve washed them several times …

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 …

Cheese Sauce

Dear Home Ec 101,

My three year old son is allergic to eggs and I’m trying to find a cheese sauce for vegetables that is simple, but not greasy.
Can you help?

Signed,
Cheesin’ in Chester
Heather says,

Most of us who grew up in the 1980s can probably sing the jingle for Velveeta, “Cheddar’s greasy, cheddar’s oily.” I am not sure why I’m encouraging y’all to sing as I am not recommending Velveeta. That stuff is spendy and fake, a mortal culinary sin in the Handbook of Heather.

A little flour, butter, milk, and cheddar make a great kid friendly cheese sauce for vegetables. Ready? Good.

how to remove decoupage or modpodge from clothing

Dear Home Ec 101: I recently made fabulous folders with pretty paper and also a great magnetic memo board with fabric on a silver tray all thanks to decoupage. But I’m a bit of a mess and the decoupage is all over my favorite yoga pants and a cute t-shirt. How can I get it …

How to Freeze Bell Peppers

Dear Home Ec 101, My neighbor is a gardening whiz and brought over a ton of sweet bell peppers. I don’t want any to go to waste, but there is no way we can eat them all. Can you freeze bell peppers? Signed, ~Peter Piper Gratuitous Pretty Pepper Pic Heather says: Not only can …

Steamed Broccoli

Dear Home Ec 101, A while ago you posted a recipe for fettucini alfredo and suggested adding steamed broccoli. So, maybe it makes me look an idiot and maybe it doesn’t, but is there a proper way to steam broccoli? Signed, Stymied by Steam Heather says: While you don’t need any fancy tools to steam …

How High is High Altitude?

Dear Home Ec 101, I used to live about as close to sea level as one can get, but recently we moved to the mountains of New Hampshire. Do I have to worry about the high altitude directions? Signed, High on the Hog Heather says: At sea level air there is about 14.7 lbs of …