Cleaning Book Review #2: How to Cheat At Cleaning

I'm truly torn on rating this book, because it has some excellent advice (especially the justification about not making the bed!) and he does stress that having the right tool for the job makes things a lot easier (and they're not tools he's selling, which is a change). On the down side, the push of disposable products really bothers me. He tries to justify it by saying that you don't have to use energy and resources to clean disposable products, and in the case of, say, paper plates (which will biodegrade), sure. But diapers and plastic cutlery? I don't think it's particularly good to push that. And that uncomfortable message pushing this book down to a three-star rating.

I can't bring myself to push it down to a two-star rating (the disposable thing really rankles, can you tell?) because it does present a very important message: "Keep the kind of home you are happy with." It's not about impressing the neighbors or being as neat as your mother, it's about making *you* happy. Always remember that it's your house. If you're okay with a bit of dog hair on the floor, you really shouldn't try to make yourself vacuum every day because your Great-Aunt Martha might sniff at it. That's a recipe for frustration and stress.

Overall, there's not a whole lot the book will tell you that you didn't already know (except the justification for not making the bed, which I will use and cherish, thank you!) but it is an entertaining read.

( That was the end of the Amazon review, click here for more details, including why I will stubbornly continue to alphabetize my CDs )

Cleaning Book Review #3: Clean, the humble art of zen-cleansing

I've been very into cleaning with natural products every since I saw that I could get my copper-bottom pots clean with just vinegar and salt on How Clean is Your House. No more caustic – and expensive! – chemicals, and beautiful pots. It's 'cheap and cheerful', as Aggie and Kim would say. So I was excited to find this little book that's chock-full of natural cleaning tips.

I'm not going to argue about chemical cleaners being toxic or harmful to your health. I don't like them, but even if you don't think they're *bad* for you, they are expensive and tend to smell atrocious. Those are two reasons right there to go the natural route, when you can.

This book has sections on each of the main cleaners (borax, baking soda, lemon, vinegar, and salt) and a recipe section at the end for combining them. Sure, a lot of us already know that baking soda deodorizes a 'fridge and lemons can perk up your disposal, but there are many, many, many other great tips that you probably wouldn't have thought of (I, for one, thought Borax was only good for killing ants, freshening laundry, and making a really cool gooey putty to play with. Boy was I wrong!).

The very best part of this book? Unlike a lot of cleaning books, where you spend hours reading and not doing anything, this book inspires you to clean. You read a tip, think "Really? No, it can't be… I gotta try this!" and before you know it, you’re up cleaning something just to see if it really works (and all the ones I've tried have, remarkably well).

I would highly recommend this book. It's fun, clever, and most of all – actually helpful.