How to Clean and Care for Practically Anything

by Consumer Reports

Lists top recommended products, methods, and strategies for any cleaning project, from an entire basement to a quick pick-up, providing coverage on such topics as cleaning agents, appliances, stains, cleaning schedules, and the different areas of a home. Original.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, How To, Self Help

288 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 1986

Reviews

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite possibly excellent, but since I never do any cleaning, I never got around to really reading it. It's here, still, for reference, just in case.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published in 1996. Nowadays, this information can be quickly found on the internet.

It has some good tips.

[Rajhesh Panchanadhan]

Provides practical ways to clean household and personal items, including appliances, upholstery, carpets, and automobiles

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book among the many that I have. It has come in handy in my daily life. Has answers to a lot of my questions.

[Jackson Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful if outdated cleaning guide.

[Lauren Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

YES, IT'S USEFUL

Alright, I’m cheating here. I have the 1996 edition of How to Clean Practically Anything, by the Editors of Consumer Reports – WHICH I still use, and which was already in its fourth edition waaay back then. So the 2004 or any more recent editions can only be even better. This guide gives advice for best methods of cleaning over 200 different household items, from leather furniture upholstery to the dishes. What it doesn’t provide is many tips for alternative products – you might not find any vinegar and baking soda recipes to unclog the drain, or the hint that toothpaste polishes the inexpensive silver.

What it does do is take the mystery out of commercial products – explaining, for example, why body soap usually has a fragrance, and revealing what might be misleading about the claims made about trash bags. For a small investment, that kind of information can be priceless.

Lauren Williams, Certified Professional Organizer(R), Owner, Casual Uncluttering LLC, Woodinville, WA USA

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bubble! Up. So! We. Can? Expect? More. Firework's! Tonight. Well? As? You. Recall? Is? Following. The story? You. Also? Work! With! Them. I'm? Not. Going? To! Be. As? Polite? This. Time! Look? At? The scene! You! Know. What? I, mean. That's? Not. Good! As? Soon! As. We? Find! Out. More? Let? Me! Just. Show! Just. Exactly? What? Your. Gonna! Be. Dealing? With! Here. I, got? It. If? It's? Not. Too? Inconvinient? Upon. Further? Inspection! And put? It. Right? Behind! Me. A look? At? The scene! Right. Now! It's? Nice! & quiet. Well? Aware! Exactly? So! Why? Exactly? Am, I? Still. You! Know. Still? Even! Still. Thinking? About? This. Do? Yourself! A favor? Practice! What? You. Preach! I, can't. Believe? I, waited. Here! So! Long. Expanding! The lead? Stop! Exactly? Straight. Ahead! Stop! Study. Your! Lesson. Let? It. Be? Known! Live! I'm? Gonna! Say. Something? That? I've? Never! Said! Before! Your. At? Risk? With! A mind! Like. This?

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been thumbing through some of my mom's books and came across this one. It's quite handy, especially with the stain chart at the back. Whereas it is a good reference, I have noticed a couple minor problems. First, it seems like they are making a mountain out of a mole hill with some of the stains/cleaning. Some of these scenarios can easily be cleaned up with nothing more than a squirt of glass cleaner or such instead of the concoction they recommend. Also, with the stain removal guide, it needs to take the material into consideration. It might take a whole other cleaner to get a stain out of nylon than it does cotton, for example. They do address these issues in other parts of the book, but, unfortunately, not everyone is going to read and may just skip to the chart at the back. In spite of these minor problems, it is still a nifty little household guide to have on hand for emergencies. I'd be curious to hear how well their recommendations work :)

[Andrew Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible helper and tremendous time saver for virtually any cleaning problem that may occur at home! I myself have never come across such a complete and practical resource before. What's more, it's suitable for both regular home owners and cleaning industry professionals like me. The stain removal guide is one of a kind. Never really thought a simple book could turn all household chores into child's play. I even use some of the described techniques and apply them in my company when we do apartment and house cleanup in Melbourne. My advice: don't hesitate to get this book if you hate to clean but have to do it yourself.

[Nicole Finch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear background and instructions on cleaning, cleaning appliances, cleaning chemicals, and cleaning processes. I know most of the stuff in this book just by virtue of living on this earth for over four decades, but this would be a good gift for a young person just getting their first apartment. It also has a detailed index and some good charts of what you can clean yourself and what you should get professional help with. I'm sure a more recent edition has updated sections on HE washers and dryers that were lacking in this edition that was in my local library.

[LizthePrude · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book! Especially the stain guide in the back of the book! It's become really handy with me being a mom. Like, how do you get out juice?! Whether it be grape, cherry, tomato, or whatever juice you can think of, you just boil water, and pour it from a height of 6-12 inches right over the stain and it comes right out! (I can hear a lot of you saying, "But my Mom always told me hot water will SET stains!" It's NOT true! Take a leap of faith and try it!)

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

This easy to read and cross reference book will help one handle cleaning of every type. I picked it up to learn how to clean gum, wine and plaster. But, i found out about so much more. Every adult should have a copy of this handy book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great help for stain removal!

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree, that stain guide has saved my butt more than a few times! Heh.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

still cant get clean..scrb,scrub,scrub..must be clean.

[Christopher Brehm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book very helpful when you need to clean something and are thinking how in the world will that come out.

[Fantods]

Added in the pursuit of completely cataloging every book I have read or owned.

I actually have never cracked it open...

[Daniel Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

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[NK92 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot does not apply to nontoxic cleaning, some does.

[Shevaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super helpful and practical guide! Perfect for a home maker or new house owner.

[Sean Evans]

How to Clean Practically Anything (1996)