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Speed cleaning : a spotless house in just 15 minutes a day
With today's hectic lifestyles the last thing you want to do after a busy day is clean the house. But Speed Cleaning is here to provide the answers for everyone who wants a clean house but doesn't have the time to spend hours with cloth and duster in hand. Shannon Lush and Jennifer Fleming show how in just 15 minutes a day their sure-fire systems and ingenious methods are all you need to achieve a spotless house without the hard work. Filled with brilliant and practical advice, non-toxic cleaning methods and good old-fashioned common sense, this book shows how to clean your house top to bottom, room by room as well as providing handy hints and tips for yearly Spring and Autumn cleaning and organisational dos and don'ts for everyday routines. A must-have for anyone who wants a spotless house with limited time and minimum effort.
- GenresNonfictionReference
207 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 4, 2009
"So you want to ditch the dust in record time? Blitz the bathroom before guests arrive? Flat out and on the go. The last thing you want to do after a hectic day (or on the weekend) is clean the house. But help is at hand! The undisputed Queen of Clean, Shannon Lush, and Jennifer Fleming have written Speedcleaning for everyone who wants a clean house but doesn't have much time."
I don't think this book has any magic answers to cleaning and it certainly won't come and clean the house for you (wouldn't that be great). What it does have is some really great time saving tips and ideas and if a 'green' house is what you want, then this book certainly will help you achieve that.
The thing I loved about reading this book is that it reminds you that housework doesn't need to be an all consuming activity in your daily life and that if you break it down into small chunks, your life will be so much easier. Of course the benefit is that there is more time for things I really love, like reading and scrapbooking!
I don't think this book has any magic answers to cleaning and it certainly won't come and clean the house for you (wouldn't that be great). What it does have is some really great time saving tips and ideas and if a 'green' house is what you want, then this book certainly will help you achieve that.
The thing I loved about reading this book is that it reminds you that housework doesn't need to be an all consuming activity in your daily life and that if you break it down into small chunks, your life will be so much easier. Of course the benefit is that there is more time for things I really love, like reading and scrapbooking!
August 12, 2021
Turns out reading about cleaning is (marginally) more interesting than actually cleaning. And having this book on one’s shelf for 15 years doesn’t make one’s house cleaner or neater. Probably should keep it for my sons, for when they eventually move out. They have no idea how to clean and this book will help those who have actively avoided learning how to clean. Rather than my position - which is I know how to, I just don’t.
April 9, 2009
Some good tips in here but as I have read a few housekeeping type books and organising books, there was nothing new, to me, about the routines.
There are lots of tips on what to get things clean with and how and general advice, and it’s not just the same advice as in other books. For example, I had not come across the advice to spray door frames with lavender oil to deter flies, which, should the cat ever stop earning her keep and catching them, I will keep in mind. The two sponge technique was a revelation. Lots of books and recommend bicarb and vinegar for environmentally friendly cleaning and many supermarket products now tout bicarb as an ingredient but I knew that for the best effectiveness they needed to be brought together at the same time to fizz and the two sponge technique accomplishes this.
I hadn’t really given much thought before I ordered it to the fact that it was published in Australia and thus the heavy emphasis on insects and pests. I was quite startled to read about some of the “common” kitchen pests, bugs in the linen and putting snake poo in the corners of your rooms to deter mice. I now feel very lucky that I don’t have to cope with cockroaches and armies of ants as a matter of routine, and spiders webs that can short out your light bulb, crikey.
As a bit of an aside, I notice that in this and just about every household management book I’ve read they say “wash your towels once a week”. Now, does this mean save them up and do a massive towel wash or, and I think this is the true meaning, are they implying that a towel can last a week without washing. I come across this again and again and have even heard the argument that a towel doesn’t really get dirty, just wet but surely a wet towel attracts bacteria. I can’t imagine my family drying themselves on day seven with towels that have been wet and air dried over and over for a week. Maybe it’s just our family and excessive towel use but I do a towel wash at least every other day.
I intend to publish this review on my blog, not just Goodreads, hence the harping on about towels in the hope it provokes a few comments and thus an insight into other people’s towel habits.
There are lots of tips on what to get things clean with and how and general advice, and it’s not just the same advice as in other books. For example, I had not come across the advice to spray door frames with lavender oil to deter flies, which, should the cat ever stop earning her keep and catching them, I will keep in mind. The two sponge technique was a revelation. Lots of books and recommend bicarb and vinegar for environmentally friendly cleaning and many supermarket products now tout bicarb as an ingredient but I knew that for the best effectiveness they needed to be brought together at the same time to fizz and the two sponge technique accomplishes this.
I hadn’t really given much thought before I ordered it to the fact that it was published in Australia and thus the heavy emphasis on insects and pests. I was quite startled to read about some of the “common” kitchen pests, bugs in the linen and putting snake poo in the corners of your rooms to deter mice. I now feel very lucky that I don’t have to cope with cockroaches and armies of ants as a matter of routine, and spiders webs that can short out your light bulb, crikey.
As a bit of an aside, I notice that in this and just about every household management book I’ve read they say “wash your towels once a week”. Now, does this mean save them up and do a massive towel wash or, and I think this is the true meaning, are they implying that a towel can last a week without washing. I come across this again and again and have even heard the argument that a towel doesn’t really get dirty, just wet but surely a wet towel attracts bacteria. I can’t imagine my family drying themselves on day seven with towels that have been wet and air dried over and over for a week. Maybe it’s just our family and excessive towel use but I do a towel wash at least every other day.
I intend to publish this review on my blog, not just Goodreads, hence the harping on about towels in the hope it provokes a few comments and thus an insight into other people’s towel habits.
November 16, 2007
This was a fun little book, filled with useful cleaning tips, with a focus on natural cleaning solutions, rather than using a million different bottles of things. Bicarb and vinegar, all the way. I generally find cleaning/housework books to be aimed towards people who don't work fulltime (ie women at home with kids who can clean one room of the house every day), and while this is a little inclined this way, it's better than the FlyLady school of cleaning whose routines seem to rely on the woman who is doing the cleaning having hours and hours and hours at home during the day. Who the hell gets up in the morning and scrubs their sink? I have a 20 minute routine in the morning before I head out the door to work and that's before 6am - there's no way I'm going to be scrubbing the sink.
Errr, a little off track there. This book is better than FlyLady (but similar enough to it that if you like FlyLady, you'd probably really enjoy this as well), and while I'd never be able to follow the routine it suggests to the letter, I still picked up some useful information. Mostly about the value of bi-carb and vinegar!
Errr, a little off track there. This book is better than FlyLady (but similar enough to it that if you like FlyLady, you'd probably really enjoy this as well), and while I'd never be able to follow the routine it suggests to the letter, I still picked up some useful information. Mostly about the value of bi-carb and vinegar!
December 3, 2008
Gave me some useful tips on cleaning products.
Speed Cleaning suggests to using vinegar to clean just about everything – I really dislike the smell of vinegar around my house so it would have been nice for a suggestion of something else to substitute this with.
Some of the ideas Sharon came up with are just silly, like using a hair dryer to dust – seriously, this has to be one of the worst ideas I have heard about, I’m sure anyone who enjoys a spotless home like me must agree.
One of the most useful tips I took away from this book was the "clutter bucket" and I still use this method today when I have a cleanup session like on the weekends. It really saves me a lot of time and a lot of trips up and down the stairs – love it!
What is good about this book is that it makes you review your cleaning methods. It makes you rethink how you clean and suggests better ideas. Going to stop here, this is making me sound like a weird clean freak.
Speed Cleaning suggests to using vinegar to clean just about everything – I really dislike the smell of vinegar around my house so it would have been nice for a suggestion of something else to substitute this with.
Some of the ideas Sharon came up with are just silly, like using a hair dryer to dust – seriously, this has to be one of the worst ideas I have heard about, I’m sure anyone who enjoys a spotless home like me must agree.
One of the most useful tips I took away from this book was the "clutter bucket" and I still use this method today when I have a cleanup session like on the weekends. It really saves me a lot of time and a lot of trips up and down the stairs – love it!
What is good about this book is that it makes you review your cleaning methods. It makes you rethink how you clean and suggests better ideas. Going to stop here, this is making me sound like a weird clean freak.
May 1, 2007
Lush must be the Queen of the Fizz Clean. She also seems to have an obsession with bugs and mould inside houses (something I do not have in my modern brick & iron 'solar passive' home). Although I find Lush's methods too time consuming (I personally couldn't do what she suggests in 15 minutes, given the tools she suggests) there are a LOT of good ideas to streamline your housekeeping in here. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and intend to purchase my own copy to dog-ear and sticky-tag. Particularly humourous are the "blokes hints" such as how to and why you should clean out the dishwasher after you've used it to clean greasy car engine parts. A great reference for those interested in making home life easier.
December 11, 2013
handy book for suggestions on what will clean what and what product will get rid of which stain/insect etc. as far as 15 mins goes... I personally couldn't do what she suggests in just 15 mins. also I was disappointed that there are alot of references to a master list... with no chapter on the actual master list or aby explination of what her version of one is. I picked up some great tips but its not the best one ive read on cleaning. and had a few weird suggestions in it... like using female (human) urine for something...cant remember exactly what but yuck!
April 28, 2012
Well, it's helped me organize better but not completely done in 15 minutes a day/room. BUT ALL THE HELPFUL HINTS (my favs are Oil of Cloves - silverfish, Lavender Oil - flies/mosquitos, and Lemon Oil - Spiders) The information in this book is sooo valuable it's hard to believe that Shannon Lush and Jennifer Fleming give it too you so cheaply:)
EVERY WOMAN (and man for that matter) SHOULD READ THIS BOOK. It will change the way you clean forever
EVERY WOMAN (and man for that matter) SHOULD READ THIS BOOK. It will change the way you clean forever
August 1, 2008
This book is fantastic for unorganised/insanely busy people like myself! The remedies are also mostly organic, or relatively simple - No Nasty Chemicals. Very useful and environmentally friendly.
August 14, 2012
Love this book, but wish I could say I used it effectively. I refer back to this constantly for ideas on dealing with specific problems or spot removal. I need to use it more :(
November 7, 2018
I really did hope that this book was going to be useful, but it assumes so much of the reader. Even to get to the baseline the authors set is hours worth of work, and I’m certainly not up to washing my broom after every use, and other such tasks.
Some other comments
- writing style bored me
- the assumption that only males would have a different cleaning style that would need addressing, rather than different learning styles potentially being relevant
- the feeling that the author felt right thinking people would know how to do all the tasks, and it was just the schedule order that would make the difference
- 15 minutes a day - only if you can keep the place tidy, and there seems to be a lot of extra time that wasn’t counted in that time
Some other comments
- writing style bored me
- the assumption that only males would have a different cleaning style that would need addressing, rather than different learning styles potentially being relevant
- the feeling that the author felt right thinking people would know how to do all the tasks, and it was just the schedule order that would make the difference
- 15 minutes a day - only if you can keep the place tidy, and there seems to be a lot of extra time that wasn’t counted in that time
August 8, 2018
Obviously didn't read the whole book form start to finish in one sitting but I looked up some things recently and I feel I have read enough of it to rate it.
Overall, most things I read in this book I already knew form my mum. It would be a great book for someone who doesn't really know how to start.
Overall, most things I read in this book I already knew form my mum. It would be a great book for someone who doesn't really know how to start.
August 5, 2018
I LOVE this book. This is my must have cleaning reference. Helped me so much and uses natural cleaning products. If everything is done like this I am happy :)
June 15, 2021
Incredibly nonsensical book that requires to spray insecticide on all kinds of places, including cooking books. Stay clear of this book. The writer should seek professional help.
July 7, 2025
Ho trovato questo manuale utilissimo e molto istruttivo. Ce l'ho sempre a portata di mano pronto ad essere consultato. Lo "interrogo" ogni qualvolta ne ho la necessità.
did-not-finish
March 20, 2014The title of this book is totally misleading. It gives instructions on such a thorough cleaning that it cannot be possibly done in 15 minutes a day. You might get to keep one room clean in 15 minutes a day if you follow the principles and methods described in here.
For the advanced cleaner who wants to learn about a few methods of getting stains out of various surfaces, there is something to be learned. But I must admit that the title's misleading idea of follow what we write and you will have a clean house in 15 minutes a day has greatly annoyed me and I put the book on my discarded shelf. I do not like to be taken for a ride.
For the advanced cleaner who wants to learn about a few methods of getting stains out of various surfaces, there is something to be learned. But I must admit that the title's misleading idea of follow what we write and you will have a clean house in 15 minutes a day has greatly annoyed me and I put the book on my discarded shelf. I do not like to be taken for a ride.
March 22, 2016
Advice on speed cleaning, eg, steps for each room, vacuum techniques, etc. Inc:
Planning layout
Strategies, eg, little & often, schedules, etc.
Tools for the job
Cleaning materials, eg, glycerine & purpose for them
Room by room (Inc, outside):
Cleaning kit needed
Areas of room & order, eg, ceiling
How to clean items in each room
Do's & don'ts
Stain removal
Planning layout
Strategies, eg, little & often, schedules, etc.
Tools for the job
Cleaning materials, eg, glycerine & purpose for them
Room by room (Inc, outside):
Cleaning kit needed
Areas of room & order, eg, ceiling
How to clean items in each room
Do's & don'ts
Stain removal
January 30, 2013
She's nuts for baking soda, white vinegar, and natural cleaners! Nothing wrong with that, and lots of tips, but I find my own methods infinitely more satisfying. I guess house cleaning is a very personal thing. Some people swear by ammonia, which I NEVER use!
June 13, 2010
Maybe I'm just a big freak, but this book is great for all my cleaning questions and tips :)
October 3, 2011
...per ora devo dire che mi ricorda il metodo FlyLady
certo che con tutti quei prodotti nominati... super inquinamento, aspettami!
Preferisco usare l'aceto ;-)
certo che con tutti quei prodotti nominati... super inquinamento, aspettami!
Preferisco usare l'aceto ;-)
January 17, 2013
This crap only works if your house is already clean!
July 28, 2013
A good introduction to the joy of housekeeping - or at least getting yourself organised to keep the chaos from rolling over the top of you.
December 29, 2015
Quite a repetitive book but there were some interesting cleaning tips. I do like the clean a bit everyday philosophy better than spending a whole Saturday cleaning all the things.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews