Rating: 
Summary: Oh, Please!!
Review: While Ms. Mendelson's book is extremely well written and researched, it is so far removed from the real world life of most people I know that in some sections it almost came across as fiction!! The scientific info is very helpful, hence the three stars. But so many of her housekeeping suggestions were simply beyond the realm of possibility for any mere mortal trying to juggle housekeeping, parenthood, and perhaps a job. Many of her daily housekeeping routines are performed weekly at best in the average family household, her weekly routines include many items most consider a blessing to accomplish two or three times a year!! This book has the potential to plunge an average housekeeper into years of depression and psycho-therapy if she measures herself against the ludicrous expectations of Ms. Mendelson. For example: How many housekeepers who have more than one child change the sheets in their household twice a week? (How many do it once a week??), Did you know that kitchen sinks are to be used only for food and dishes? No handwashing in the kitchen sink (huh???) Her obsession with preventing bacteria had me envisioning her sitting at her countertop with an instant read thermometer lest the butter she was allowing to come to room temperature be out a moment longer than necessary. The book contains lots of really well written how-to's, but any sincere attempt to fashion ones own housekeeping on this book would make the average mom and home maker a basket case!!
Rating: 
Summary: Superb reference
Review: 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:
Summary: the how and the why for new homekeepers and experinced ones
Review: I have dog eared my copy to bits. I can now calculate watts and amps, tell you what fabric is ironed on what temperature, and what detergent or soap combination gets out what stain. As a librarian, I always want the full details as well as the guidance, and this book provides it. If you simply want to understand what temperature to wash your clothes at, this book will tell you that with minimal effort on your part. The chapters and index are organized well. If you'd like to understand why the clothes are washed at that temperature, you can read on. This book is good for the beginning home keeper, whether a bride or a college student with their first apartment. The experienced home keeper will enjoy the more technical discussions of microbes and pressing and disinfecting.
Rating:
Summary: the gift of a century for certain! *10* stars
Review: My sister bought this book for me a few years ago as a Christmas gift, and errantly enough I often made the mistake of simply checking the index and thumbing to the appropriate pages when needed. This week, in a fit of un-hominess related to flat-mate changes, 30-something grad school home-neglect, etc., I went to my bookshelves looking for some solace. For the first time -- I looked at the table of contents and there I found the secrets I had been looking for all along: Chapter 1 - My Secret Life. I started reading the book from the preface onward immediately. Though I am a child of the early 70's, I was raised by parents born in the 30's, subjected to post-war/50's cleaning rigors through the week and every weekend. At heart, like my own grandmother, I am a putterer - 100% contrary to my callisthenic style chore-upbringing. For years, I have secretly reveled while doing all of my housework as close to bedtime as possible, sometimes hours after all "normal" people were long in bed. The truth is I honestly like doing housework -- I simply do not like doing it first thing out of bed, nor according to any clock. I love going to sleep knowing that there are far better reasons to wake up in the morning than some mess left over from today. To finally find a book written by someone who genuinely loves to keep house, this was a sleeping joy sitting on my bookshelf I am sorry I never started reading cover-to-cover long ago. Though I am sure I will probably find a point within a few chapters where I decide that it will be relegated to more of a reference, I now know that when I have a little free time here or there, want to steal myself away to relax with a cup of tea between loads of laundry -- I have just the tome to which to turn to learn more and more about how make house into "home". Cheryl Mendelson brings her secret love of housework into her writing brilliantly and sometimes humorously. After years of looking at housekeeping as a chore while I tried to keep up with the clockwork callisthenic style of my childhood and feeling guilty for wanting to relax my way through making my home just that, I finally found an author who approaches her subject as something to revel in rather than revile -- an author who validates the secret wisdom of my own grandmother as absolutely nothing to feel guilty about. At first realization that Mendelson left "JD" off the cover, an eyebrow went up as to how many pages would pass before the respect and humor turned into a dry-as-heck legal brief, as enthusiastic as a math professor reciting his grocery list, but it doesn't really happen. Anyone can pick up a little 100-page quickie on how to make chores more efficient or effective, written by people who hate to "waste time" tending to household needs. While Mendelson does indeed write about many things effects the same ends, her style exudes respect and truly communicates that one does these things to convert the house into a well balanced, efficiently run, harmonious home. A place to "come home" to, rather than a demanding place that simply adds to the worries of the outside world. Save your pennies and ignore those little "hints" books -- this one single volume is worth its weight in gold.
Rating:
Summary: Just what I've been looking for
Review: Call me weird, but I am *so* excited about this book I can't wait to pick it up and read more! I've found the motivation and inspiration I've been seeking in this book. I knew I needed something that trancended a collection of tips and tricks, something that could tell me *why* cleaning house is not drudgery, but rather a noble task. Since my mom was a poor housekeeper and didn't have much practical insight to pass on to her kids, I lack the tradition of cleanliness and order, something I long to have in my own home. Cheryl Mendelson tells me without making me feel more guilty than I already am about my lack of good housekeeping skills, that by applying my intelligence and right attitude with practice, I can be proud in the accomplishment of providing a comfortable haven that nurtures myself and my family. Other housekeeping manuals provide nothing more but a sterile list of how-to's that don't motivate me to change my habits. But Cheryl brings a historical perspective and even a kind of spiritual understanding of our shared longing for comfort and order that doesn't leave me feeling empty, but rather excites me to reach a higher level of competence. It's as if she has written a workbook for Proverbs 31! (She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 31:27)
I believe this book will be a treasure to hand down to my children, or at least the right attitude gleaned from it.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent...
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A Terrific Resource for Anyone
Review: If you are considering this book, please know that I am pretty finicky about what I read-and what I buy. I will not look twice at a book that insults my basic knowledge. THIS BOOK IS NOT THAT!! It is a great resource for anyone. It is a book that you will want to keep around forever and a book that would make a great gift for a man or woman, wedding shower gift, housewarming gift--but just one warning, if you are buying one for a gift, make sure you buy one for yourself!! Directions and clearly written information from everything from proper cleaning to domestic employment laws!! 800+pages-I learn something new everytime I pick it up or reference something.
Rating: 
Summary: Voice of reason
Review: The why's of keeping a well run house are articulated really well. Although one can live in disorder there's no equivalent to the feeling of relaxation that comes in a clean, uncluttered, well stocked house that has it's functional rhythms.
I bought this book on a whim and it inspired a pleasurable, organised spring cleaning in the spring of last year (after many false starts in prior years..).
Since then, have given it to friends who say they perenially feel they are falling behind their home cleaning and comfort goals.
Rating:
Summary: Too detailed for its own good
Review: I found this book to be detailed but not as helpful as other housekeeping books I've read. When I tried to find out how to deal with a stain, I was given a very detailed description of what causes a stain and how chemicals work to take it out, but I ran out of patience and looked in another book to find my answer. Another time I opened the book, just to read it and pass the time, when I came upon a detailed description of how to sweep. I dare say that if anyone is intelligent enough to comprehend and retain the information about stains, he/she probably knows how to sweep. I suppose this book can be motivating and helpful in some respects, but as a quick reference I haven't found it as good as others. I'm thinking about giving my copy away because it takes a lot of space on my shelf.
Rating:
Summary: With Cheryl's help, I AM MARTHA STEWART!
Review: I come from a long line of messy women. As a young bride, I bought this book for myself, determined to put every word of it into practice and wow my husband (and myself) with my amazing homemaking skills. And while I don't have the time to do everthing all the time, I do know how to make my house a home, how to properly clean anything, and how to organize my pantry. Just reading the book gave me a great sense of power, making me feel that despite my cluttered tendencies, I could take on the challenge of organizing my home -- my life -- and succeed. I enjoyed reading the history of homemaking, which really keeps the reading interesting. I am now addicted to these homemaking and organization books, thanks to Cheryl. I would recommend this book to anyone -- from the young newlywed to the experienced sage. Keep it handy for easy reference.
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