Dear Home-Ec 101,I read in your book about using acetone to remove grease or oil stains from clothes, but it just mentions it in a list of items one might use. Can you please elaborate on this? I am forever ruining knit shirts with food stains, as is my son (although, in his case, he …
Dear Home-Ec 101,I have been using my new front-load washer for over a year now, and all my towels are ruined. It doesn’t matter what color they are or were. They now all have large spots that look like I used chlorine bleach on them. Can you help? I have not changed the detergent or …
Dear Home-Ec 101, I’m making my husband a velveteen cloak for Halloween, and it’s already got cat hair all over it just from measuring and cutting the fabric. Can I throw it in the washing machine, or does it have to be dry cleaned? Signed, Hairy in Hailey Heather says: Do not throw your velveteen …
Dear Home-EC 101; I have a weird question for you. A few times lately, I’ve pulled whites out of my washer with yellow stains. Not on the neck or underarms like you might expect, but looking more like I washed a highlighter with everything. Streaks on hems or sleeves, where there were no stains before …
Dear Home Ec 101,I’ve been wanting to write you for a while! I have smelly sheets! I wash them and I promise I don’t use too much laundry detergent. Then I dry them and then store them in a built-in bookshelf that’s in our closet. For some reason as soon as I get the sheets …
Dear Home Ec 101, Do you have any tips for cleaning poop off of the cover of a cloth bean bag chair? The tag reads “Do not open under any circumstance.” It’s a $20 bean bag chair from Target and I don’t just want to “get anodder one” as my toddler suggests. As you may have guessed, the toddler was …
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. …
Ivy says: Remember this disaster? Well, I decided to just let my uncle have my carpet cleaner (since we’re pretty short on carpeting at Chez Ivy) and I bought myself a Little Green Clean Machine instead. Obligatory transparency statement: I was not paid to or asked to review this item. This is all me, kids. …
Dear Home Ec 101, Help oh great home ec goddesses! I was making breakfast for the kids, and didn’t have my tried and true apron on. As I am sure you guessed, I got grease on my favorite go to khakis. HELP!!!!!!! I need guidance! Thanks for all of your great tips. Signed, Greasy in …
Dear Home Ec 101, My daughter spilled finger nail polish remover on her dresser. What can I do to repair it? Thanks. Signed, Acetone ACK! Heather says: There are a few options to make the best of the situation. First, we have the “disguise it and pretend it didn’t happen approach.” With this method, you …