Haley's Hints

Rating:
Summary: FIVE STARS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN
Review: After seeing Haley on PBS I couldn't wait to order his book, if only to encourage him to continue proposing solutions to cleaning problems that don't harm the planet and our health. My other cleaning books are so full of chemicals that I have never been able to apply the suggestions. Haley recommends safe everyday products that we have around the house and after using several of them I know how well they work. It's worth the price of the book just for the hint on how to remove pet (and human) hair from carpets and upholstery. (Just put on a rubber glove and rub - it's absolutely magical!). Thanks Mr. Haley!

Rating:
Summary: Some useful tips, lots of filler
Review: I bought this book because I've really enjoyed seeing Haley demonstrate his tips on PBS, but I have to agree with the reviewer who said there is too much common knowledge thrown in here along with the truly useful hints.

In the home office section, he tells you that if you don't have an answering service then you should get a reliable answering machine. (Oh, I might have bought an unreliable one!) You should record your message in a concise, polite, professional manner, without being cutesy or clever. (Whew, that tip really saved me!)

In the same section, he says you should store papers, etc, that you don't use very often in the attic or in a dry basement, and to make sure everything is well catalogued and accessible. (Gee, none of that would ever have occurred to me.)

He also has a lot of tips that start out with phrases like "Some say that it works to do such-and-such." Couldn't he try these things out before putting them in the book, so he could definitively say whether to do them or not?

Despite these criticisms, there are some good tips interspersed with all the filler. There's probably a good 100-page book of hints hiding within these 400 pages.

Rating:
Summary: A Bachelor's Dream
Review: I hate cleaning, and must admit I'm not very good at it. Part of my dislike is wrought out of ignorance. I simply do not know what I'm doing. Cooking is also not a skill I have. I need help.

Haley's Hints teaches me to cheat my way though a lot of household problems. He covers cleaning and cooking tips, but that's just the beginning.

Like the old "Hints from Heloise" I read in the newspaper as a kid, Haley presents very do-able solutions to everyday problems. Unlike Martha Stewart's ideas, which seem unreasonable in the average income family, Haley seems to have considered the practicality of his hints quite aptly.

Whether is it is hiding food odors, discouraging ants or his various methods of removing gum from things, he has a trick to it here in his well organized book.

The guy is thorough. The sheer number of pages will provide plenty of ideas for your home. Besides making a great read for extended bathroom visits, it serves best as a reference. HThe index is impressive and easy to use.

I fully recommend "Haley's Hints: A Compilation" by Graham Haley.

Anthony Trendl

Rating:
Summary: Haley's Hints....A book for Chimps
Review: Just a few generations back it was common for children to be handed down the combined knowledge of years of experience by their parents and grandparents. This knowledge generally included hundreds of tips on how to do everything from making wilted lettuce crisp again to removing odors to making stiff jeans pliable and many, many others. These days that knowledge does not seem to be passed along. If you missed out on all the hints that make life easier "Haley's Hints" comes to the rescue. "Haley's Hints" is a collection of hints gathered from multiple sources and compiled into a single volume. The coverage is truly amazing as you read through tip after tip and learn how to resolve problem after problem.

The only way to indicate the breadth of the coverage is to give you a taste of the table of contents. The contents include:
Tips to make life in the kitchen a breeze
Organizing and cleaning everything around the house
Hints to delight even the most experienced launderer
Sewing, mending and knitting hints
Ideas for infants, toddlers, school kids and especially moms
Tips to make life easier for those in their golden years
Tips and information to help you do-it-yourself
Tips your pets will love you for
Getting rid of what's bugging you
All you want to know about cars but were afraid to ask
Wonderful ways to improve a garden
Tips when camping, picnicking, or entertaining in the backyard
Taking care of your sporting equipment
Hints for the third of your life you spend at the office
Tips to pamper you, relax you, and keep you looking and feeling great
Hints for every occasion
Charts on measurements, metric and substitutes

This is a very highly recommended book that should be in every home. It makes a great gift for any occasion and is one of the most useful books I have in my personal collection.

Rating:
Summary: KEEP IT HANDY
Review: Most of these many hints, are common knowledge. There was only a few surprises. I returned this book without hesitation after trying to find more than a few worthy ideas. I consider the book to be 95 percent filler.

Some examples,

Hint: Insulating the hot water pipes saves energy. Wow.
Hint: Rotating your tires, will make them last longer.
Hint: Using a roll back thermostat saves energy.
Hint: Alternate wearing two pairs of shoes, makes them last longer.

Sorry, I was not impressed. I believe those who are handy-person types will agree, this book does not command the going price.

Rating:
Summary: GrEaT bOoK
Review: Some of the tips are extremely usful but some aren't at all. For example the carpet cleaning tips made my carpet worse after 3 weeks. Use your head when using this book, if it sounds to good to be true, it is!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent. Pays for itself with just one of it's "hints"
Review: This an excellent book to keep handy at all times. Furniture, carpets and countertops can be saved with just normal household items. It also includes tricks for making everyday tasks easier and faster. Anyone of any age will find this book extremely useful. Great gift.