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Real Simple: Cleaning
Breaking down the dirtiest home-cleaning jobs into manageable tasks, a room-by-room handbook presents step-by-step techniques and strategies for cleaning and maintaining a healthy home, and includes tips on tools and products to keep on hand, troubleshooting hints for stubborn stains and dirt, speed-cleaning recipes, and specialized advice on furnishings, fabrics, walls, and flooring. 100,000 first printing.
160 pages, Spiral-bound
First published October 23, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 15, 2013
"Real Simple: Cleaning," by Real Simple Magazine, is a guide to cleaning your whole home. The book is well thought out and organized from content to actual design of the physical book, which has a clear plastic cover and spiral binding so it opens and stays flat. The book walks you through the most basic stuff, like how to select cleaning supplies and sweep your floor, to the more specialized stuff like how to clean different kinds of upholstery.
The book assumes that the reader is a woman and has kids, which ugh, but also assumes that the reader is busy and doesn't LIKE house cleaning and so wants to get things done well and quickly. There's recommendations for how often things should be done, which can and will vary for you. For instance, they recommend dusting wood moldings once a month. I find that if I don't do it every two weeks the dust gets noticeable. However, I live in a ~~vintage~~ building in a large city and have wood floors. So if your experience doesn't jibe with the book, trust your own experience and act accordingly.
They also push using re-usable material like microfiber cloths and lambswool dusters, and using vinegar instead of harsher (and more expensive) chemicals. If you're looking to go greener, this is a pretty good starting place, and unlike green-your-home pinterest boards it won't recommend that you, say, mix ammonia and bleach (which is toxic).
I checked this book out from the library. Although I know how to clean a home, I still found helpful information in it AND got inspired to do a little cleaning. The photos are of bright, light-colored, clean, organized, stream-lined rooms. It's a little aspirational. I might purchase a copy of this book just to act as a kick in the pants to get up and actually clean more often than I currently do.
If you pair this book with some decent quality cleaning supplies, this would make a good house warming gift for a young person you know VERY well who's gotten their first apartment... assuming you can make it clear it's not an insult (you're soooo filthy/stupid, here's how you clean things you lazy gross person!). This was an impulse check out, stashed near the cook books. I'm glad I picked it up. I learned some new stuff.
The book assumes that the reader is a woman and has kids, which ugh, but also assumes that the reader is busy and doesn't LIKE house cleaning and so wants to get things done well and quickly. There's recommendations for how often things should be done, which can and will vary for you. For instance, they recommend dusting wood moldings once a month. I find that if I don't do it every two weeks the dust gets noticeable. However, I live in a ~~vintage~~ building in a large city and have wood floors. So if your experience doesn't jibe with the book, trust your own experience and act accordingly.
They also push using re-usable material like microfiber cloths and lambswool dusters, and using vinegar instead of harsher (and more expensive) chemicals. If you're looking to go greener, this is a pretty good starting place, and unlike green-your-home pinterest boards it won't recommend that you, say, mix ammonia and bleach (which is toxic).
I checked this book out from the library. Although I know how to clean a home, I still found helpful information in it AND got inspired to do a little cleaning. The photos are of bright, light-colored, clean, organized, stream-lined rooms. It's a little aspirational. I might purchase a copy of this book just to act as a kick in the pants to get up and actually clean more often than I currently do.
If you pair this book with some decent quality cleaning supplies, this would make a good house warming gift for a young person you know VERY well who's gotten their first apartment... assuming you can make it clear it's not an insult (you're soooo filthy/stupid, here's how you clean things you lazy gross person!). This was an impulse check out, stashed near the cook books. I'm glad I picked it up. I learned some new stuff.
March 26, 2024
I've toted this book from state to state, house to house, and it's spent most of its time sitting on the shelf surrounded by mess. I bought it after moving into my first actual house as a young wife, and I realize now what actually attracted me to this book was the minimalist, clean and white and green pictures, not the actual instructions.
I mean, it actually tells you to use a microfiber cloth to wipe down your cat on a regular basis.
Essentially, dust your cat.
I feel like this might be good for someone in a cleaning business. I'm not sure how practical it is for normal people. But, it has lots of details for removing stains and does provide step by step processes for all the things, so... On one hand, Google would probably answer most of my questions faster. But, if the Internet ever isn't around, this would be what my autistic kid would need to clean her house thoroughly.
But I've not had my house thoroughly clean in 16 years, so is this book really worthy of real estate on my shelf? Jury is still out... I feel like it might be a good resource that would keep me away from the rabbit trails on the Internet, and the pictures are inspiring to me. But it hasn't worked for 15 years.
I mean, it actually tells you to use a microfiber cloth to wipe down your cat on a regular basis.
Essentially, dust your cat.
I feel like this might be good for someone in a cleaning business. I'm not sure how practical it is for normal people. But, it has lots of details for removing stains and does provide step by step processes for all the things, so... On one hand, Google would probably answer most of my questions faster. But, if the Internet ever isn't around, this would be what my autistic kid would need to clean her house thoroughly.
But I've not had my house thoroughly clean in 16 years, so is this book really worthy of real estate on my shelf? Jury is still out... I feel like it might be a good resource that would keep me away from the rabbit trails on the Internet, and the pictures are inspiring to me. But it hasn't worked for 15 years.
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June 27, 2019A great reference for everything cleaning. I love knowing that I have it on hand.
December 1, 2019
Fairly standard info, but might be good for someone who's just bought a house or is striking out on their own for the first time.
April 18, 2008
My name is Liisa and I am a cleanaholic! Saying that, this is my favourite book on cleaning (gosh, does that mean I've read others .... you betcha!)
"Real Simple: Cleaning" is THE reference guide for cleaning your home. It is broken down into different sections with detailed descriptions. Of course it covers those tips you already know but it offers plenty more as well. I also really liked the layout and "feel" of the book.
A fantastic, thorough and must have reference on cleaning.
"Real Simple: Cleaning" is THE reference guide for cleaning your home. It is broken down into different sections with detailed descriptions. Of course it covers those tips you already know but it offers plenty more as well. I also really liked the layout and "feel" of the book.
A fantastic, thorough and must have reference on cleaning.
July 16, 2008
Fantastic! This book is crystal clear in cleaning, from the order of how to clean each room to why you use each cleaning product (there are few) to how to properly clean appliances, and other useful tips. I'm 41 and have been cleaning for a long time, but this is a great book that I would buy.
I like the calender for cleaning in the back as well. This would be a superb bridal shower gift!
I like the calender for cleaning in the back as well. This would be a superb bridal shower gift!
June 8, 2009
I love this book. Laminated pages with a spiral spine so the pages can open and lay flat. Step by step approach to cleaning and a suggested calendar of chores. Tips on making cleaning easier. Great pictures. NOW if I can just stick to it. When I first read the book, it was a great motivator. I guess I just need to re-read the book every week ;)
February 13, 2008
Excellent book! Very detailed and descriptive instructions on cleaning everything in your house. It's a great reference book to have in my library at home.
February 4, 2009
Great tips! Fun cleaning schedules and cleaning tips! Enjoyable!
September 19, 2008
I would also like to have this book on hand. It is an organized way to clean your house.
July 17, 2009
Okay, so I haven't applied what I've learned, but this is a really great resource for techniques and cleaning necessities for those of us who are not domestic goddesses.
April 2, 2011
A good overall guide to what to clean and how, addressing specialty items and different surfaces, with an index for stain removal.
March 14, 2017
I loved this book and plan to own a copy. So helpful.
March 1, 2014
Love it!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews