Book Review: Housekeeping Secrets My Mother Never Taught Me

 I wish I had discovered Housekeeping Secrets My Mother Never Taught Me by Joni Hilton when I was a newlywed. A clean house can save you time, money, improve your health and make you feel better about yourself. This book is a good guide to cleaning your house and is full of tips and pointers. (Although many of the decorating ideas are questionable or at least dated. But then I can't say that I'm a decorating expert either.) I also liked her statement "The easiest way to keep a house clean is to keep a clean house." So true! Here are some things that I learned from reading this book.

• To whiten grout make a paste of baking soda, water and a few drops of bleach.
• When moving nightstands, tables and other furniture, put orphan socks on the furniture legs to protects them and the floor from scratches.
• A good way to hang pictures and avoid hitting your thumb with a hammer is to hold the nail in place with an old fork.
• Most pillows can be washed on a gentle cycle.  Wash two at once, and put a clean tennis shoe with them in the dryer to help them stay fluffy.
• To keep colored clothes from fading, before wearing for the first time, soak in salt water overnight, wash as usual.
• When sewing a button onto white items use dental floss, it lasts much longer than regular thread.
• Dabbing clear nail polish over the threads on the top of the button will make it last even longer.
• Use ketchup to clean copper, or anything else with tomato acid in it.
• The easiest way to clean mini-blinds is to put on clean cotton work gloves, get them sudsy and then wipe the blinds with your hands.
• Used fabric softener sheets are great for shining chrome surfaces.
• To cut down on squeaking in hardwood floors, rub talcum powder into the cracks.
• Freezing candles before lighting makes the wicks last longer and the candle drip less.
• Stickers can be removed with vinegar.
• Shaving cream makes a great upholstery cleaner.