Whether your home is small or large, an apartment in the city or a country cottage, it is a space that should be at once beautiful and livable. The...
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reviews
Jan 05, 2011
Jen
rated it: 
I would have never picked this book up on my own, seeing that it retails for more than $40 new! But luckily, it ended up being the ultimate bookmooch score, and i just paid media shipping.
And what a score it was. I'm not going to lie, Martha Stewart may be a little crazy, but she's also super amazing. This book is HUGE, and extremely thorough, with a billion little tips on everything. I understand that with the internet, it's not really necessary for a book like this, but I enjoyed More...
And what a score it was. I'm not going to lie, Martha Stewart may be a little crazy, but she's also super amazing. This book is HUGE, and extremely thorough, with a billion little tips on everything. I understand that with the internet, it's not really necessary for a book like this, but I enjoyed More...
Jul 09, 2010
Whether you love Martha Stewart or tend to roll your eyes at the mere mention of her name, you have to like the new Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook: The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home. It is short on glitz—photographs are in black and white and the author herself appears only once, at the beginning of the book—but long (very long: 700+ pages) on practicality. The index is thorough with ample cross references. Stewart and her team of researchers want you to know e
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Nov 01, 2009
Elizabeth
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I love this book. As Martha would say, "It's a good thing." This book was a gift to me, but in retrospect if I had known that I would be using it as much as I am, I would have paid the $45 for it. It's a fantastic reference guide. It's not just about cleaning your house, although there are a plethora of amazing cleaning and organizational tips. It's a good reference for general home maintenance. I know how to fix a running toilet, a dripping faucet, control pests if I ever have t
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Sep 29, 2011
Sheralie
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This is a great encyclopedia-style book with fantastic pictures, sidebars, diagrams and charts for laundry, cleaning and the nitty gritty of homemaking. Visually very pleasing. Great for looking up random things you do not know, whether polishing silver correctly or ironing different style tablecloths.
Don't read too much at a time or you will may suffer an anxiety attack. Just remember that is Martha at her best and none of us are quite like her!
Don't read too much at a time or you will may suffer an anxiety attack. Just remember that is Martha at her best and none of us are quite like her!
Jan 25, 2009
Dianna
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This is the best cleaning reference manual ever! I asked for it for my birthday a few years ago, because I spotted it (hehe, get it, spotted?) at the library and loved it.
One of the many tips I learned: I grew up with shower doors, so I never knew you could wash a shower curtain liner in the washing machine to keep it clean. It totally cleans away the soap scum! Why can't you stick the whole shower in the washing machine? Thanks Martha!
One that doesn't work for me: She r More...
One of the many tips I learned: I grew up with shower doors, so I never knew you could wash a shower curtain liner in the washing machine to keep it clean. It totally cleans away the soap scum! Why can't you stick the whole shower in the washing machine? Thanks Martha!
One that doesn't work for me: She r More...
Jul 16, 2010
Tamra
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At Katie's recommendation, I picked up this book. But I just couldn't read it. I opened to random pages and read things like, "Never use bleach" because it's not good for the environment or your health, etc. Well, I already knew that, and I'm still going to use bleach. Sorry, Martha. I also still leave the water running when I wash my dishes. Not only does this mean that I'm not listening to Martha Stewart (THE Voice when it comes to homemaking), it also means I'm SO not Green.
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Mar 27, 2010
Sasha
rated it:
This book was pretty good, although now that I've read it through (with some skimming, of course) I can hardly remember what the good parts were.
Flipping through it again, I remember that I used it (along with a review of the same section in "idiot's guide to cleaning") to update my schedule of monthly-to-yearly tasks. It got me thinking more about ergonomics. I learned that I could use the cooling racks I have for baking in my hand-dishwashing, so that they dry more effect More...
Flipping through it again, I remember that I used it (along with a review of the same section in "idiot's guide to cleaning") to update my schedule of monthly-to-yearly tasks. It got me thinking more about ergonomics. I learned that I could use the cooling racks I have for baking in my hand-dishwashing, so that they dry more effect More...
Mar 06, 2009
Lisa
rated it:
I got this from an Amazon seller for a steal, like five bucks. I still sometimes wonder why the hell I have it until I actually have cause to use it. It's one of those odd books you have that you don't read but comes in handy when you need to remove a particular stain, figure out how to hang a picture, what on earth to do when the family silver is tarnished! ;)
So, not a must-own, and I still can't fathom why on earth I bought it. But it's there, it was cheap, so yeah, not a bust.
So, not a must-own, and I still can't fathom why on earth I bought it. But it's there, it was cheap, so yeah, not a bust.
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Jan 21, 2009
Libbeth
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This is a huge book with a wealth of information. I can usually find advice on how to deal with any problem around the house in here. I tend to "justify" the cost of a book by asking myself if at least one thing of use was gleaned from it. This book has met that criteria and, I am sure, will be refered to often in the future. It's the sort of book that you can imagine future generations of the family treasuring. Even if it becomes outdated it will be a fascinating snapshot of how we li
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Jan 04, 2009
Sara
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Martha Stewart is a homekeeping goddess... I don't care what any other opinion of her may suggest. There has never been anyone before her to compare, and I seriously doubt there will be any to follow. This book is the perfect handbook for anyone who keeps a house, who appreciates the fresh smell of cleaning agents, who wishes that there were a salary available for domestic goddesses so that we could live as our mothers did... once upon a time.
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Jan 16, 2009
Christine
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This is an AWESOME book. It has a wealth of information. She explains how to take care of everything in your home, right down to the most minute details. I have never come across a guide that was so helpful and descriptive. The pictures were in black and white, and honestly - I prefer color. But other than that, I have nothing but good things to say about this book. I reference it often, it's really worth every penny.
Jan 25, 2011
I can't believe I'm reading this cover-to-cover. It was supposed to be just a resource book, sitting on the shelf for housekeeping emergencies, yet I can't put the damn thing down! Who knew there are like 10 different types of forks? And I've been using the inappropriate setting on my washer and dryer!
Martha, thank you for creating an exhaustingly complete encyclopedia of all things domestic.
Thank you.
Martha, thank you for creating an exhaustingly complete encyclopedia of all things domestic.
Thank you.
Dec 24, 2008
bernadette
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Our house didn't come with a manual on how to care for it so this is a great reference - we don't do most of it, but it's a go to guide on how to clean various items around the house. What she outlines for what to do daily, weekly, monthly, seasonally, annually, are a bit obsessive but the cleaning methods are effective and she explained how to make my own cleaners, which I liked a lot.
Aug 21, 2009
Chrisula
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Thankfully Martha Stewart is the most anal woman on the planet when it comes to keeping a home. A book filled with all the things my mother never taught me and mostly had to learn on my own. Now I have a place I can go when I'm not sure how to clean or fix something, or need to know the difference in sheets, towels, cooking utensils, or whatever! Definitely worth it!
Feb 22, 2009
Meg
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Not the typical book you find on my list, but this is my serious go to book for all things housekeeping...how to iron properly, how to get out hard stains, when to change batterys, filers, etc, in the home....silly, i know, but a great reference book. Could also probably find all the same stuff by googling it, but it is helpful to have it at you fingertips!
Dec 19, 2008
Elisa
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this is a ginormous reference book, not the kind of book you read from beginning to end (although you know i'll try!). it has tips on everything related to the upkeep of a home, including how to get rid of every kind of stain imaginable and how to properly clean every single surface in your home. martha stewart is my hero.
Dec 22, 2009
Brandie
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I only managed to skim this book because if I would have read the entire thing, I would've died of boredom. But I liked her lists of seasonal To-Do's in the front of the book...those I found helpful and actually did learn a few things from.
I also determined that I am not as clean as I thought!! lol.
I also determined that I am not as clean as I thought!! lol.
Nov 23, 2009
Emily
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Out of curiosity, I checked this out of the library. I am curious about the passing down of housekeeping lore and was on the look out for any natural ingredient recipes for cleaners. Tedious info I know. But it's all in there, and then some. If I owned a home I would buy this book for its encyclopedic qualities. It also makes for a great door stop or paper weight.
Mar 12, 2011
I have had this book for a few years now and keep it on my laundry room shelf. I have read it a few years ago, but need to re-read it. I think I'll move it to my upstairs bookshelf so that I see it and remember to read it more often. Lots of helpful hints for maintaining/cleaning/organizing/etc.
Dec 13, 2008
Anna
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I read almost all of it on a drive from California to Idaho and I was fascinated the whole time. Although it made me feel like I could clean anything, it also made me feel very tired! Martha Stewart, bless her heart, must have at least 10 maids to do all of the once-a-week and twice-a-week and 3-times-a-month and once-a-season and daily and weekly and monthly and every-five-year chores that she recommends. If I sat down with that book and a calendar (which I must confess I am dying to do) and
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Nov 17, 2009
Diana
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ok, so you don't really read this book all at once, but I have found many of her instructions very useful. For example, who knows how to properly fold a fitted sheet? Martha knows all.
Got this as a Christmas present last year and use it all the time.
Got this as a Christmas present last year and use it all the time.
Apr 06, 2010
Amy
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Hands down, this is the best guide for any homeowner. It should be a mandatory wedding gift! It should be a mandatory gift to each person as he or she turns 18. Seriously, it is that impressive and that necessary.
Amen!!
Amen!!
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Apr 21, 2010
This book is seriously a tank. It is huge. But it has so many great tips in it. I've barely cracked the surface, so it will be a long while before I finish. I will let you know what I think if/when I get to the end.
Jan 20, 2010
Katie
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Tells you how to do everything. Anyone who owns an appliance or a piece of furniture needs this book. Martha wants me to live in a happy, clean, well maintained home. And what Martha wants, Martha gets.
May 07, 2009
Heather
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oh man, I love this book, I want to buy it now, there's nothing she doesn't cover, from cleaning the oven to how to dust lamp shades to stain removal tips to pet care, you name it, its in this book.
Jan 15, 2010
Stephanie
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I am a huge Martha Stewart fan. I think I have almost all her books and I get her magazine. I think this is one of her best books out there. It's completely thorough and goes through all the details of cleaning and organizing your home. There are also questions on what to do if you have moths in your closet or pests in your kitchen. Anything and everything you can imagine about home solutions is in this book. She also gives great tips on how to clean water deposits in your shower and inclu
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Mar 22, 2010
Katie
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Update: Wow it was long, but now I feel like I can reference the book quickly and the book has already come in very handy. Like today, I found out that soap with eucalyptus will help keep spiders away.!!!! That makes me so happy!!!! I am going out for some soap right away!
This book has everything I have ever wanted to know about my home. It has information on cleaning, essential Kitchen tools, How to pick out a sink, stove etc. Where to store things in your kitchen, How to sharpen a knife. More...
This book has everything I have ever wanted to know about my home. It has information on cleaning, essential Kitchen tools, How to pick out a sink, stove etc. Where to store things in your kitchen, How to sharpen a knife. More...
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Jul 15, 2009
Caralee
rated it: 
hated it . if your mother in law hates you or you have never cleaned a single thing read this if not leave it i'm sure martha ment well this was a snooze fest and i sold it at a yard sale
Nov 21, 2008
Mollie
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This isn't a book you sit down and read, but it is amazing none-the-less. Definitely comes in handy for almost every situation relating to your home. Martha Stewart is a god.
May 13, 2010
MASSIVE. its odd how fun this is to look at. a necessary book for me to buy. also, does she have stock in bon ami? she says to use it to clean pretty much everything.
