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The Home Handbook
When did we lose the knack of looking after our own homes? We have become dependent on 5-in-1 chemical cleaners; we can't seem to wield a Hoover anymore; and descaling the kettle is a task to be indefinitely delayed. Somewhere along the way we have lost the domestic tradition that was simple, quick and effective. The Home Handbook seeks to redress the balance and celebrates the art of caring for your home in the most environmentally-friendly, fuss-free way.
Learn how to ...
fold a fitted sheet, wash a wallpapered wall, clean shower curtains, unblock a toilet, make your own home-made window cleaner, care for duvets, clean pearls, remove scratches from a wooden table, spot-remove a stain, clean and defrost a freezer, remove heel marks from stone floors, use lemon juice around the house, use bicarb on pots and pans, get red wine out of a carpet, polish wooden furniture, clean really filthy brass, clean a really filthy oven, make cut flowers last longer
... run the modern home
Learn how to ...
fold a fitted sheet, wash a wallpapered wall, clean shower curtains, unblock a toilet, make your own home-made window cleaner, care for duvets, clean pearls, remove scratches from a wooden table, spot-remove a stain, clean and defrost a freezer, remove heel marks from stone floors, use lemon juice around the house, use bicarb on pots and pans, get red wine out of a carpet, polish wooden furniture, clean really filthy brass, clean a really filthy oven, make cut flowers last longer
... run the modern home
- GenresSelf Help
351 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 21, 2019
A thorough guide to keeping a British home clean and beautiful. Emphasis on the British part. As someone originally from Latin America I felt a bit disconnected to the alluded products, brands and house designs mentioned on this book. However, we all have kitchens and bedrooms and bathrooms, so I did find valuable tips on how to keep these areas tidy and hygienic.
The author says the book shouldn't be read in a linear way, recommending its use as a reference book to be opened in the section needed for specific situations or questions. I read it all page by page in order, since I am new to housekeeping and didn't feel like I had any particular cleaning problem at the moment. I found this approach useful because the author writes in a very systematic way and you don't feel overwhelmed with information, you ease into it chapter by chapter. Although I have to say there is a lot of information that did not apply to me and I'm sure it'll be the case for other readers; the book is quite comprehensive, going through every type of floor/fabric/appliance you can think of and the appropriate way to clean them, so I found myself skipping pages of information that I had no use for.
I expected more from the "Schedules" chapter, I must say The information is good but I was hoping to see it presented on a different way. I must have become too accustomed to the American way of organizing information in checklists, bullet points, charts and such. There's none of that throughout this book, it's just old fashion subtitles and paragraphs, no illustrations either.
Bottom line, what I got from this book was inspiration to create my own daily system of cleaning. As days passed I somehow found myself becoming more organized on my cleaning routine. I still have to work on figuring a set weekly and monthly routine but so far this book has pointed me in the right direction.
I would recommend this to people with little knowledge of cleaning or someone who wants to have a good reference book to rely on when unexpected housekeeping problems arise.
The author says the book shouldn't be read in a linear way, recommending its use as a reference book to be opened in the section needed for specific situations or questions. I read it all page by page in order, since I am new to housekeeping and didn't feel like I had any particular cleaning problem at the moment. I found this approach useful because the author writes in a very systematic way and you don't feel overwhelmed with information, you ease into it chapter by chapter. Although I have to say there is a lot of information that did not apply to me and I'm sure it'll be the case for other readers; the book is quite comprehensive, going through every type of floor/fabric/appliance you can think of and the appropriate way to clean them, so I found myself skipping pages of information that I had no use for.
I expected more from the "Schedules" chapter, I must say The information is good but I was hoping to see it presented on a different way. I must have become too accustomed to the American way of organizing information in checklists, bullet points, charts and such. There's none of that throughout this book, it's just old fashion subtitles and paragraphs, no illustrations either.
Bottom line, what I got from this book was inspiration to create my own daily system of cleaning. As days passed I somehow found myself becoming more organized on my cleaning routine. I still have to work on figuring a set weekly and monthly routine but so far this book has pointed me in the right direction.
I would recommend this to people with little knowledge of cleaning or someone who wants to have a good reference book to rely on when unexpected housekeeping problems arise.
April 1, 2018
An easily understandable, dip-in book, aimed at teaching you how to clean basically everything in your home, gleaned from experts in every area, from wood to delicate china.
It’s great to keep on hand in case you should need it, although I think some illustrations would’ve been great in some sections (folding a fitted sheet, for example).
It’s great to keep on hand in case you should need it, although I think some illustrations would’ve been great in some sections (folding a fitted sheet, for example).
August 2, 2017
If you're first time running a home, anything that urges you to have a regular routine, put things away and clean will be useful.
As someone who has long run a home, I'm not sure it gave much insight.
As someone who has long run a home, I'm not sure it gave much insight.
August 14, 2013
I thought this book was very good it gave myself a lot of handy tips and is got myself motivated to clean up my house and try to get it in order. I liked the way she wrote about her life and experiences in some parts. I thought the handy tips of cleaners and how to clean things were very handy. a very good addition to my library which I can keep on hand when I need a push to clean. Highly Recommended if you need a push about cleaning, organizing or just a good book to read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews