Too Busy to Clean?: Over 500 Tips & Techniques to Make Housecleaning Easier (Paperback)

~ Patricia R. Barrett (Author) "Mention the word housekeeping to friends and watch what happens..." (more)
Key Phrases: powdered cleanser, liquid cleaner, sponge mop, Too Busy, Get It Together, Organizing Yourself (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

There are probably a half dozen or so people in the world who actually enjoy housework. For most of us, however, the object is to do the basic work necessary in the fastest and least painful way. Patti Barrett offers the reader a wealth of tips and shortcuts, and much practical advice for the complete cleaning novice. She helps the reader evaluate personal standards (and meet them!), make the most of limited time, do the necessary work most efficiently, help set up routines to keep ahead of the game, and just as important, how to get the rest of the family or housemates involved in the process.

This is a handy book filled with tips on stain removal and odor control, and practical advice on cleaning every part of the home, the garage, appliances, storage areas and closets, and even the car. The author has a wry sense of humor and knows that most readers have better things to do with their free time than use it up cleaning house. This will help. --Mark A. Hetts

Product Description

This witty handbook is filled with shortcuts and tricks for making cleaning more tolerable and efficient. The updated edition features a new trim size plus tips for getting organized and cleaning just about anything. 279,000 copies in print.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC; Rev Upd Su edition (January 4, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580170293
• ISBN-13: 978-1580170291
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 4.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #662,013 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful guide that finally inspired me!, October 28, 1999

By A Customer

When I check out this book at the local library I thought, "Gee, why am I doing this...." because I don't like how-to books. However, this book turned out to be a great teacher to me and now I'm ordering it to own.The author shows many options in cleaning depending how far you want to go, so I can clean my house anytime... even when I have only 10 minutes before my guests come. You may not need this book if you consider yourself a good housekeeper, but this book will help so many people like me, who don't prefer filthy house but at the same time don't know how to clean and organize it fast, easily, and effectively. Thank you, Patti! Your writing is so funny I enjoyed this guidebook as a book to read, too.

5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed How-to book, January 14, 2009

By	Southern Princess (Georgia) - See all my reviews

This book is a detailed how-to book with household chores broken down into daily, weekly, and annually done duties. There are reasons why things must be done, tips on how to make them easier (ie- getting crayon off a hallway wall), and a little humor here and there.

For the clueless or novice housekeeper this is a great reference book!

1.0 out of 5 stars Rename the Book, February 24, 2000

By A Customer

The book should be renamed to "How to Clean". The current title sounds like it would give tips on making housework quicker and easier--boy that was way off! The book gives basic details on cleaning a house as any person might already be aware of and there were no shortcuts mentioned. If you're looking for timesaving techniques, it's not here.