How the Queen Cleans Everything: Handy Advice for a Clean House, Cleaner Laundry, and a Year of Timely Tips

by Linda Cobb

In a convenient, omnibus reference, the "Queen of Clean" presents a year's supply of practical and effective cleaning, housekeeping, organizing, and gardening tips, offering helpful tips on everything from laundry to odor control to natural fertilizers, in a volume containing Talking Dirty with the Queen of Clean, Talking Dirty Laundry with the Queen of Clean, and A Queen for All Seasons.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference

464 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2002

Reviews

[Marlene]

5/03/2020 I'm going to be writing in pieces right on Goodreads rather than working on it offline until I finish the book. I anticipate spreading this book out over a year.

This was a gift from my mother because she really liked it. She thinks it's better than Heloise.

I decided to skim through the May chapter since it's May. (Happy May, everyone!) The May chapter has tips about gardening, lawn care, and gardening tool care. I'm not a gardener, even though I always thought I would be. Right now, our goal is to get grass again. (Our yard lost about 75% of its grass when we renovated.) But I did like the section on caring for the tools. "Keep a container of sand in the garage or shed, and push your shovels and trowels into it when you've finished your chores. Sand is a wonderfully natural abrasive. It will clean your tools and stop them from rusting."

There is a cleaning checklist on p. 101, including tasks to be done daily, weekly, twice weekly, biweekly, monthly, quarterly, twice a year, and annually. I'll share from the daily section:

*Make beds
*Put dirty clothes in the hamper.
*Hang up clothes.
*Clean up spills.
*Wash dishes
*Wipe counters and stovetop

I think that's a good list. I'm not sure why we would need to hang up clothes. It sounds like some people hang up clothes without washing them? I have heard this before, but I would never want to do that. Who knows how long it's going to be until I wear them again?

But in addition to that daily list, I've come to the conclusion, both from experience and from listening to podcasts, that daily pick-ups just really need to happen. Tidying up everyday is important to avoid snowballing. And attracting more clutter. Ugh. (Dana K. White from A Slob Comes Clean has totally convinced me of this. Which reminds me - I haven't put it on my personal daily list yet. *Slapping my head now*)

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Queen of Clean is easy to read or to use just to look up recipes or how-to's to clean anything in your home. It's motivating and she has many great tips for cleaning with home-made cleaners, too.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok the cover is terrible. BUT, she has tips on how to clean everything. Including products she uses, which are mostly natural and things you can find around the house. I'm tempted to give this as a wedding present, b/c I think it'd be so useful.

[Alexandria Blaelock · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a heap of useful information in here about HOW to do stuff. For me, the most useful part was the annual calendar which I've developed further for myself with garden and vehicular maintenance tasks.

An update might be nice, but I think we'd end up losing some old-school knowledge.

[Mandi Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALL my cleaning questions answered. GREAT reference. Did you know that spit removes blood stains?

[Sabrina]

My mother-in-law (at the time) actually gave me this book for Christmas in 2003, in her usual passive aggressive way. Oh well, screw her, right? Thank God I don't have to put up with her anymore.

Anyway, the book is full of tons of helpful hints and everyday household type advice. Good reference to have on hand.

[Jaimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep this one handy and have found good solutions to stubborn stains and cleaning tips

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

She's not kidding - everything!

[Doris McAllister]

Love referring back to this book, given to me by my good friend Cindy V. Bookmarks on pages 9, 17, 23, 32 and 61.

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good info book

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I use this book all the time. It is great.