Dear Home-Ec 101, I have long wished to use washing soda and borax–suggested in all sorts of green home guides for everything from dishwashers to washing machines–but I cannot find them locally. Internet searches have been to no avail either. Do you know where I can buy them online? Thank you! New reader of your blog Heather says: … Read more
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 … Read more
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. … Read more
Hi Ivy and Heather, Long time reader, 2nd time emailer. 😉 I was squealing with delight when I saw Barkeeper’s Friend at my local Bed Bath and Beyond. I know in many of your posts, you recommend using it for cleaning various things. Of course, now that I have it, I can’t think of one … Read more
Dear Home Ec 101: The other day, I set a wet a receipt on the bathroom counter to dry. (The cat has gotten a bunch of things wet.) It was one of those older fashioned ones with purple ink. The next morning, I discovered I’d put it ink side down and now had a nice copy of the … Read more
Dear Home Ec 101: Where can I get sodium percarbonate? Thanks, Short and Sweet Heather says: For those not in the know, sodium percarbonate is the generic name for the active ingredient oxygen bleach products like Oxo-Brite, OxiClean, or Clorox Multi-Purpose Stain Remover. The short answer is you can find sodium percarbonate on the laundry aisle in … Read more
Ivy says: If I had new cleaning toys to test out every day, I’d have a spotless house. Nothing motivates me to do some cleaning like yummy new cleaning toys. Tonight, I bought the Micro Fiber Miracle Cloth at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for $9.95. It comes with 4 cloths, one big one, 2 medium … Read more
Dear Home-Ec 101, How do you get chewed up plastic off the carpet? My puppy and my big dog chew everything! When I had hardwood it was easy. . . carpet, not so much. Also, I have trained the puppy for the most part to pee outside, except for one area of the house. She … Read more
Dear Home-Ec 101, Okay dames, got a good one for you…how on EARTH do you get those little grease splatter stains off of your favorite shirt?!? I’ve tried everything, but my fave sweater still sits shelved…waiting to be worn…poor sweater. Thanks. Signed, Swearing at my Splattered Sweater Ivy says: Oh, don’t swear, dear, it’s unbecoming. … Read more