Is there ever a week when cleaning isn't atop your loath to-do list? Within hours of disinfecting the kitchen work surfaces they're inevitably covered with sticky marks and scattered crumbs, and it seems to take mere minutes for the dust to settle once again on that sideboard. The dirty work, truly, is never done.Still, there's no sensation quite like having a spotless home. After the bath has been scrubbed, you, too, feel like a sparkling version of yourself - calmer, healthier, cobweb-free. Because you'll always strive for that clean slate - even at the expense of fun and relaxation - you persevere through the stain busting, the sanitizing, and the polishing.This book includes: the essential cleaning kit: tools and products to have on hand for tackling jobs big and small; easy step-by-step techniques for even the toughest of chores; trouble-shooting tips for stubborn stains, marks, and dirt; specialized advice for your furnishings, including granite sinks and window coverings, plus ceilings and hardwood floors; and speed-cleaning recipes for every room of the house.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
75 of 75 people found the following review helpful
By Emily Steed
Format:Spiral-bound
This book is divided into sections: first, the recommended cleaning kit is described. Then cleaning strategies for each room in the house are outlined. Next, there's a guide to cleaning common surfaces like ceilings, walls, windows, and floors. At the back of the book, there's a guide to stain removal, a cleaning calendar, and a resource guide.
My favorite part of the book is the cleaning calendar. Tasks are divided into categories based on how often they should be completed: weekly, monthly, every 3-6 months, every 6-12 months, and every year or so. As a neophyte SAHM and new home-owner, I find it helpful to have recommendations for the frequency of tasks. I found it helpful to put small "LabelOnce" brand labels on each task box so I could mark the last time I'd done it - it helps me to have a reminder of when I last vacuumed the coils on the back of the fridge, etc, especially for tasks that are performed less frequently.
Each room section begins with a "101" introduction (eg Kitchen Cleaning 101) that's fewer than 10 steps, along with a "10-minute clean" sidebar. That's followed by "The Next Steps" for more detailed cleaning. There's a page or two devoted to each part of the room (counters, sink, faucets, refrigerator/freezer, oven, stovetop, cabinets/drawers, and kitchen accessories for the kitchen section) that goes into detail about how to clean that specific element. Different advice for different materials (stainless steel, ceramic, etc) is given. Alongside these pages are sidebars with related information: protecting your counters, what's *really* on your counter, sink stopped up?, what's in your water?, defrosting your freezer, avoiding food overflow (in the oven), four more uses for oven cleaner, pantry purge (how long to keep pantry items), etc. At the end of each section is a page or two with tips to help keep the room cleaner between cleanings (eg, make the sink smell better by grinding the skins of citrus fruits in the garbage disposal).
The book covers the kitchen, bathroom, living/dining/bedrooms, home office, child's bedroom, and laundry rooms. The "Common Surfaces" section covers ceilings, walls, windows, window coverings, floors, and carpets/rugs. For each surface, different materials are discussed.
I find this book to be quite useful, but I am not a long-time homeowner and historically have not been good at keeping on top of the cleaning chores that need to be done. This book helps me keep my home more clean, and I've found it useful when I'm trying to tackle a large cleaning job. It has information that may be available elsewhere, granted, but it's all collected in one easy-to-find place. In particular, I like the step-by-step cleaning guides for each room. I thought I knew how to clean a kitchen, but I admit that it had never really occurred to me to wash the fronts of the cabinets or to use a vacuum to remove crumbs from drawers. For the experienced housekeeper I don't know that this book would be particularly useful, but if you have trouble keeping everything clean and knowing how to clean, it would probably come in handy.
My favorite part of the book is the cleaning calendar. Tasks are divided into categories based on how often they should be completed: weekly, monthly, every 3-6 months, every 6-12 months, and every year or so. As a neophyte SAHM and new home-owner, I find it helpful to have recommendations for the frequency of tasks. I found it helpful to put small "LabelOnce" brand labels on each task box so I could mark the last time I'd done it - it helps me to have a reminder of when I last vacuumed the coils on the back of the fridge, etc, especially for tasks that are performed less frequently.
Each room section begins with a "101" introduction (eg Kitchen Cleaning 101) that's fewer than 10 steps, along with a "10-minute clean" sidebar. That's followed by "The Next Steps" for more detailed cleaning. There's a page or two devoted to each part of the room (counters, sink, faucets, refrigerator/freezer, oven, stovetop, cabinets/drawers, and kitchen accessories for the kitchen section) that goes into detail about how to clean that specific element. Different advice for different materials (stainless steel, ceramic, etc) is given. Alongside these pages are sidebars with related information: protecting your counters, what's *really* on your counter, sink stopped up?, what's in your water?, defrosting your freezer, avoiding food overflow (in the oven), four more uses for oven cleaner, pantry purge (how long to keep pantry items), etc. At the end of each section is a page or two with tips to help keep the room cleaner between cleanings (eg, make the sink smell better by grinding the skins of citrus fruits in the garbage disposal).
The book covers the kitchen, bathroom, living/dining/bedrooms, home office, child's bedroom, and laundry rooms. The "Common Surfaces" section covers ceilings, walls, windows, window coverings, floors, and carpets/rugs. For each surface, different materials are discussed.
I find this book to be quite useful, but I am not a long-time homeowner and historically have not been good at keeping on top of the cleaning chores that need to be done. This book helps me keep my home more clean, and I've found it useful when I'm trying to tackle a large cleaning job. It has information that may be available elsewhere, granted, but it's all collected in one easy-to-find place. In particular, I like the step-by-step cleaning guides for each room. I thought I knew how to clean a kitchen, but I admit that it had never really occurred to me to wash the fronts of the cabinets or to use a vacuum to remove crumbs from drawers. For the experienced housekeeper I don't know that this book would be particularly useful, but if you have trouble keeping everything clean and knowing how to clean, it would probably come in handy.
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
By D
Format:Spiral-bound
As the child of a wonderful mother yet complete housekeeping slob, I have to admit, I truly didn't have the first idea about "how" to clean a house let alone what type of schedule I should maintain. This book was exactly what I was looking for. It has a detailed breakdown of various rooms in the house, with a guideline and specific "how to" instructions for where to start cleaning in each room, how to clean each aspect (area) of a room, and how often you should clean each component of a room. I also liked the friendly pep talk about doing just a little at a time rather than sitting on your bum watching tv, etc. I would highly recommend this to other "cleaning" challenged individuals.
My only complaint about the book is that the index did not specifically list any websites or retailers for some of the various cleaning supplies.
My only complaint about the book is that the index did not specifically list any websites or retailers for some of the various cleaning supplies.
28 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Spiral-bound
It's a pretty basic guide. Though it has a nifty little calendar in it that helps u organize when what should be cleaned and how often. But u can get a paperback version in newsstands now, so check around, and it's half the original price of the spiral bound one.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book using simple, cheap and chemical-free products.
I have bought one of these for each of my children. You can be clean using simple, cheap and environmentally safe products.
Published 13 days ago by Julia Jonathan
5.0 out of 5 stars
this book works for me
This book is Informative. I'm looking for a simpler way of living and I love this book and the magazine.
Published 18 days ago by alwaysconcerned
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Cleaning with ADHD"
Excellent resource for the unorganized. This book contains exhaustive lists of what to do in each room, frequency, and guidance on cleaning specific materials. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Oneironaut
4.0 out of 5 stars
It was okay.
I just received this book today. Overall, it's not bad. It's pretty basic. I was hoping for a little more detail, but not to the level of the Martha Stuart book that's approx. Read more
Published 24 days ago by brassplayer79
4.0 out of 5 stars
look good
I got it as promised and it was a great value... It has a lot of general information, common sense, nothing profound....
Published 2 months ago by Grant
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well put together
A lot of great idea's and organization tips in this Real Simple booklet. Well thought out. Can't wait for spring cleaning.
Published 2 months ago by Tamie L. Evans
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it!
This is an awesome book to have on hand! A good reference for tasks needing to be done around the house.
I would recommend this to a friend.
I would recommend this to a friend.
Published 3 months ago by Susan D Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great practical book
This book includes step-by-step instructions for household cleaning. It has some handy tips and lists only 20 needed cleaning products. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Heather
5.0 out of 5 stars
Learn the things you never knew you never knew
Real Simple is Pinterest before "Pinterest" things were cool. I love all their simple ideas that make your living a lot easier.
Published 5 months ago by O. Guzman
3.0 out of 5 stars
Cleaning Book
Book is excellent and thorough. Too technical for what I needed. I was looking for a book as a reference for children.
Published 7 months ago by j3
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