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Title: Home Comforts : The Art and Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson, Harry Bates ISBN: 0-684-81465-X Publisher: Scribner Book Company Pub. Date: 01 November, 1999 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $35.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.39 (185 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Good start, but could be better
Comment: I was excited to find this book, since it seemed to be the encyclopedic book on housekeeping questions I always seem to have. It covers a wide range of subjects from fabric construction to great detail on bacteria found in the kitchen. The first part of the book is dedicated to how to make a house a home. It is strongly opinionated in a [certain] way about what and how things should be done. I agree with many of them, but realize it adds much stress to life.
It covered some of the things I never seemed to remember, even though my mother repeated them over and over, such as the proper way to make a bed.
I was disappointed to find that it failed to answer many of my basic questions such as "How do I remove yellow underarm stains on my husbands shirts". The advice was wear an undershirt and wash in hot water... Or how to wash upholstry, do I get it professionally cleaned or use my hand held. She suggests reading the label... What chemicals do they use when they clean professionally? Not answered. Why are they no longer using Scotch Guard? Not answered. Are there other fabric protectors? Not answered. Etc. Etc.
So, I guess I was left with all of my orginal questions and disappointed in the book. I think that it is a great start. Maybe a revision will address all the holes to make it the encyclopedia of housekeeping.
Rating: 5
Summary: Superb reference
Comment: There are many, many times I've picked up this excellent book for quick reference, from finding out how to properly launder my down comforters to hand-washing cashmere to remembering the simple formulas for sanitizing food surfaces. I've also read several chapters at a time to map out a spring-cleaning plan or to better understand home maintenance.
Mendelson has compiled an exhaustive and complete guide to every aspect of keeping home, and she is sure to include those opinions that differ from hers (and why she thinks the way she does). She explains the science behind cleaning, from chemistry to the life cycle of dust mites, and tells you exactly why it's useful to do those jobs "no one sees" (dusting the tops of doors? laundering pillows? vacuuming upolstered furniture?). Her sources are product and chemical manufacturers and industry insiders -- the very people best equipped to tell you the best way to clean a hardwood floor, polish silver, or care for crystal. Many people's lives are much too busy to include the rigorous cleaning schedules she suggests, but she repeatedly makes it clear that everyone should adapt the suggestions to their own homes and lives. And with this reference, readers are able to prioritize their projects to get the most out of what time they do have.
Much of the information in this book was known by the women of past generations, but has sadly been lost as many women's lives focused less on home keeping. There is no need for home keeping to be gender-specific, and Mendelson makes no assumptions about the gender of her readers. To say, as some have, that the book is sexist because it talks about traditional housekeeping is, in fact, itself sexist. The idea that men can't or won't use this knowledge is absurd. Here, the information is updated and available for both sexes to keep their homes well-maintained, orderly, clean, and above all, pleasant to live in.
Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent...
Comment: book! Discusses just about anything concerning house cleaning and homemaking. A great reference-type book, I liked it so much that I sent a copy to my son.
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Title: Checklists for Life: 104 Lists to Help You Get Organized, Save Time, and Unclutter Your Life by Kirsten M. Lagatree ISBN: 0375707336 Publisher: Random House Reference Publishing Pub. Date: 01 January, 2000 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: Confessions of an Organized Homemaker: The Secrets of Uncluttering Your Home and Taking Control of Your Life by Deniece Schofield ISBN: 1558703616 Publisher: Betterway Books Pub. Date: 01 February, 1994 List Price(USD): $11.99 |
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Title: Speed Cleaning by Jeff Campbell, the Clean Team ISBN: 0440503744 Publisher: Dell Publishing Company Pub. Date: 01 May, 1991 List Price(USD): $10.95 |
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Title: Organizing from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern, Morgenstern ISBN: 0805056491 Publisher: Henry Holt & Company Pub. Date: 15 September, 1998 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: Making a Home: Housekeeping for Real Life by Better Homes and Gardens ISBN: 069621203X Publisher: Better Homes and Gardens Books Pub. Date: 01 September, 2001 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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