Household Hints

This is one of the most useful purchases I've ever made. Although I don't think it's really saved me much time--I guess I'm not capable of doing it that efficiently--or maybe I just leave things to long for a speedy maintenance swipe. For instance, it swears you will be out of the bathroom in 15 minutes--it still took me over an hour. But by God, that bathroom sparkled! And it was really useful in giving me those in and outs on for instance... well, how to clean the toilet... I really found their explanation of tools and techniques useful. ( )

I believe, and I think Jeff Campbell and the Clean Team would agree, that most people have no conception of how long individual cleaning tasks actually take them. Our last thorough cleaning of the bathroom, for example, may only have taken an hour, yet we may recall this one hour as two or even three. Cleaning already feels like an endless cycle, so why do we waste additional time cleaning things inefficiently?

In Speed Cleaning, the Clean Team arms the reader with the necessary equipment and methods to complete a weekly cleaning of the entire house with a minimum of time and effort. Following the book's instruction, you have all the tools and solutions you need at your fingertips and work methodically around a room, never cleaning the same place twice. There's no wiping down the whole mirror for one set of fingerprints, no spraying and wiping repeatedly when your cleaning solution isn't powerful enough and no vacuuming or mopping before you're done stirring up dirt and dust from above.

We learn many of these things on our own over time, but this team has their routine down to a science and they're here to share! Even the very efficient housekeeper can shave a few minutes off here and there by keeping in mind their set of rules ('trade secrets'), lists of materials to have ready for each type of room, and schedule of tasks to complete (in order) for the most efficient cleaning of each room.

Near the end of the book, they've compiled a set of alternatives to the cleansers and materials used, as well as some insight into how to choose and what to expect from an outside cleaning service. ( )

I was searching for a book that would show me a comprehsive way to keep my home clean without making it my primary focus in life. This book has delivered all I was hoping for and more.

First, I am a decent housekeeper 90% of the time. However, not being a professional I was finding it difficult to get the "Merry Maids" clean look by myself. There were some things I was overlooking and other things I was avoiding simply because I did not know how to accomplish specific cleaning tasks.

After reading this book I armed myself with the right tools, cleaning products, and methods and found this book really does what it says. I am able to go once around the kitchen cleaning counters, cabinets, refrigerator, stove, etc, and then once around cleaning the floors. The kitchen had the Merry Maids look in about 1/3 to 1/2 the normal amount of time I spend cleaning, and it was cleaner!

I have not yet attempted the bathrooms, but I am up the challenge and can't wait to try out the speed clean methods.

I should also note that there are various editions of this book by the same author. The longest one is over 400 pages. I am not sure what this one leaves out, but they it is only 1/2 as long. ( )