Cleaning Plain & Simple: A Ready Reference Guide with Hundreds of Sparkling Solutions to Your Everyday Cleaning Challenges

by Donna Smallin Kuper

Learn how to clean smarter, not harder, and you’ll have more time to do the things you love. With plain and simple advice on everything from dusting and swabbing to polishing and vacuuming, best-selling author Donna Smallin shows you how to make the most of your valuable cleaning time. Hundreds of quick tips and practical solutions for every imaginable cleaning situation promise you the sparkling, healthy environment you want for your family. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Self Help, How To

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

I am an organizing strategist, certified House Cleaning Technician and author of a dozen books on how to unclutter, organize, clean up and simplify your life. My latest release is Clear the Clutter, Find Happiness. I invite you to sign up for free organizing tips at www.unclutter.com or join my Unclutter.com Organizing Support Group on Facebook.

Reviews

[Emily]

This book really helps in a pickle - especially if you use natural cleaning techniques that may or may not involve baking soda and vinegar, after accidentally bleaching something. DON'T DO THAT!

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book full of tips. Now some of the tips don't apply because of when the book was written.

[Jae · Rating 4 out of 5]

handy reference. i am addicted to idea of cleanliness...

[Laralee Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as boring as I expected. Covers literally everything inside and outside of the house. Helpful information for as a new homeowner who didn't know how to clean and maintain some features/surfaces of our new house. Great reference for stain removal and mixing DIY cleaners.
I've always thought I kept a very clean house, but this book made me realize there are some things I have overlooked. I can't decide if I'm gross or if these standards are just the ones kept by the type of people that write books about cleaning. Do people really wash all their kid's stuffed animals once a week? Or actually clean their city trashcan on a regular basis? Do people who clean like this do anything else?

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a great gift for someone setting up their first home. Lots of advice about how to clean different rooms and a variety of items. It also has advice about how to schedule cleaning projects for maintenance.

[Monique Guilland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find the lists and cleaning tips really useful.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great ready reference with cleaning advice. A lot of the advice I already knew, but I liked that it had solutions for making your own simple cleaners out of household chemicals, such as vinegar and baking soda. Tips on removing tough carpet stains using hydrogen peroxide also interested me. I'll have to try it sometime. Not really a book to read cover to cover, but a great reference.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book from the library and I am definitely going to need to pick up my own copy to use as reference. I was not one that was born with an innate ability to clean everything and anything when it needs to be cleaned, so this book helped me set up a cleaning schedule for myself as well as explaining the difference between disinfectants and antibacterials as well as other useful information!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you find yourself in need of a book about how to clean your dwelling--this one is the best! Simple and straightforward, yet allows for all levels of cleanliness from "rarely, if ever" to "sparkling clean everyday".

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Especially has great ideas for greener cleaning. (Great for those with small children and/or pets.) Different options for different people; chose the style that fits you or your schedule best.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book for people like me who value cleanness much more than actually cleaning. Full of good ideas that I'm sure even the already perfect suzy homemaker would find some new ideas.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a natural slob, this book gave me some great ideas on how to make my home organized, clean, and sparkly. It's mostly a set of ideas and tactics to use when cleaning. I'm still working on it . . .

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

great small chunks of information on basic cleaning. Good present for someone just living on their own for the first time. I learned all about cleaning from my mother- so not much was new.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many tips and ideas, I always keep it nearby.

[Loki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book for everything you want to know about cleaning, helpful in organizing your cleaning no matter how big or small the job may be.

[Cher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of great cleaning schedule ideas plus tips & tricks for every room. I liked the format of this book & enjoyed all her ideas for organizing to make cleaning easier.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skimmed through a lot of it. Very informative and helpful. Would like to buy to use as a reference for homemade cleaning solutions.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great resource for how to clean just about anything. I keep it handy next to my cookbooks!

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was pretty good, and gave me some great advice.

[Andrea]

This one looks good at first glance (before I return it to the library!) One to look at again in more depth.

[Mikeyb4 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very helpful tips and easy enough things to do to help lighten the burden of this lazy cleaner.

[Allina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want this book. Checked it out from the library, but really could use it as a reference.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the cleaning obsessed person, this book is fun! It has ideas for cleaning virtually anything.

[Kristen Luppino · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this...full of great facts and interesting too! also healthy and natural cleaning!

[Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great tips and a realistic demeanor.