Customer Reviews

Organic Housekeeping: In Which the Non-Toxic Avenger Shows You How to Improve Your Health and That of Your Family, While You Save Time, Money, and, Perhaps, Your Sanity

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ellen Sandbeck's book, Organic Housekeeping, has joined The Joy of Cooking on my bookshelf as a reference standard. It is packed full of practical ideas, written concisely and with humor. When it comes to housecleaning, I need all three.

My canine friend left me a mess on my living room carpet, which by the time I discovered it had set itself rather stubbornly. I lined up all the carpet cleaning products from under the sink, grabbed my magnifying glass to read the fine print on all the cans, then tried to determine which would help and which would make the mess worse. My frustration mounted until I remembered recently receiving a copy of Sandbeck's book. I grabbed it and started with "Rug and Carpet Care" and found I had a hard time putting her book down.

I noticed immediately how well indexed Organic Housekeeping is. It was easy to find the answers to quite a number of my current household dilemmas. From my mother-in-law's flour moths to how to avoid bacteria-ridden kitchen sponges, I have found inexpensive, non-toxic, healthful ways to resolve common household problems. I pick it up for one thing and find I am enjoying the insights and her common sense approach to house cleaning so much I have read well beyond the answer to my original question.

I have no problem giving this book a five out of five star rating.

The first washing machine inside the door of the laundromat I used to go to in Berkeley was named Cleanliness. The one right next to it was Godliness. I always tried to use those two to make sure my bets were covered both in this life and the next, but I never realized what an ungodly toxic proposition the pursuit of cleanliness is until I read Organic Housekeeping, by the practical organic ecologist, Ellen Sandbeck. The author's wry wit, thorough research, and empirical use of herself, her home, her family, her pets, and her own charming illustrations to demonstrate her eminently sane and healthful approach to housekeeping are solvents tough enough to cut through the greasy buildup of a million commercials for synthetic cleaning products that, as this book shows, not only fail to get things cleaner but slowly kill us while they're doing it. Most of the time, we learn, vinegar, baking soda, and a shot of vodka will do the trick. Full of tips on everything from reducing clutter to cleaning the air you breathe, Organic Housekeeping will dissolve your guilt over never getting things clean or organized enough and save you from having to clip coupons for all kinds of stuff you don't need.

This book has way more information than just about cleaning. Ms. Sandbeck tells you what will make your life easier then gives hints for accomplishing such as how to unclutter when you live with (or are) a pack rat. She tells of how to keep a home clean and neat without being a clean freak or having to be Martha Stewart. This book is filled with normal things that normal people can do inexpensively. There are great ideas for dealing with insects, water conservation, recycling, and more. I also thought that the writing style was easy to understand and amusing.

Ellen Sandbeck's latest is a truly practical guide to getting things clean without killing yourself. Some of the tips are oldies, but goodies that our grandparents used, but there's plenty of new, and quite clever, suggestions as well. I also really appreciate that she encourages the reader to find their own comfort level with what they think is "clean." Instead of dropping twenty or thirty bucks on cleaning products that really do more harm than good, buy this book and leave the world a better place!

When an editor does what they do best, they make several crucial decisions. One of those decisions is whether or not to allow the author's own voice to come through. Ellen Sandbeck is a quirky type, somehwat of an acquired taste, and probably wrote the book as she would talk to someone. If you can get to appreciate her "I have a worm farm" sense of humor about things, you will probably find the tone enjoyable.

I find the book to be uneven, and more than useful homekeeping tips, it is more like a Tightwad Gazette for the chemically sensitive. Also rather odd is the author's assertion that only those with dust mite allergies need change their sheets on a regular basis. Otherwise, "If you are healthy and comfortable on sheets that are changed biweekly, monthly, or even YEARLY, there is no compelling reason to change your practice." Excuse me while I heave at the thought of people changing their bed linens only ONCE PER YEAR!!!

I found another book to be much more helpful, and the author seems closer to grounded earth, aka sanity:

Home Enlightenment: Practical, Earth-Friendly Advice for Creating a Nurturing, Healthy, and Toxin-Free Home and Lifestyle by Annie Berthold-Bond

Nothing too new in this book, but I am happy that it is in the house. I forget how to mix cleaning solutions sometimes. It is a good reference to have on hand, though I think you could find most on the internet as well.

A good housewarming gift for a "just learning how to clean" couple/person.

I am not much of a housekeeper and that is why this book is so great! I started using it the day I bought it, and its simple
and easy to use instructions and formulas have saved me much time and money, plus my house is cleaner and more well organized!
I also like the focus on not using toxic chemicals that can harm your health or the health of your family. A wealth of information! (plus humor)

Growing up using chemical cleaners, and not growing up with anyone who is chemically sensitive, I never thought about going through life without needing the stuff. This book was a real eye-opener. I picked it up as I am about to embark on owning a new home and trying to maintain it in an eco-friendly (and inexpensive) manner. I found the book thorough, entertaining, and reasonable. It covers a myriad of topics besides household cleaning; eco-conscious fabric/material/building choices, natural personal hygiene, safe lawncare/gardening, home safety, etc. I was not a big fan on how each chapter was set up though. For instance, while the theme may be "laundry," all the laundry info just seemed tossed in without any organization. It also would've been nice to have had a key with all the supplies recommended for each chapter. In order to get an idea of the supplies you would need in order to upkeep your home, you basically need to read through each chapter and just write down the supplies she frequently refers to (there's only a handful of products she refers to throughout the book so she could've even annotated them at the beginning of it). It's not that big a deal, it just would've made it more handy. Even though the chapters seem disorganized, its saving grace is a decent index, so you can get the info you need. While the book alerts the reader of all the toxins chemical cleaners provide, it offers them in an informative manner, not in a way that would make you feel guilty if you used them. I didn't feel like this book was preachy, which is something alternative living books tend to do. All in all, this is an approachable, helpful guide that just may change your life and make you think about your choices in the future. This would make an awesome housewarming gift.

I love this book. More that just a cleaning manual, it helped me sort out what matters and what really doesn't matter in the routines of everyday life. Ellen Sandbeck must be a delight to live with--her priorities have seemingly been honed by years of learning that pleasing yourself needn't mean household disaster, and that the paranoia about health and wellness that's sold by product manufacturers and women's-magazine articles alike is not warranted. This is a very practical guide to keeping your home sane and orderly, your kids healthy and helpful, and yourself fairly unburdened. Three cheers and five stars!

This is the 1st time I have taken the time to write a review about any book. That should say something at least. This book has become my bible as I have bought and begun to renovate my first-ever home. While my mom is nagging about bleaching out the basement and hiring a pest control service, I am able to come back to Organic Housekeeping for advice that is in line with my morals. This book is NOT preachy. Instead, it offers practical advice for straight-to-the-point how to do ____ without poisioning your family (pets included!). Thank goodness for this book! I recommend it to everyone who has an interest in being green. :)