MrsThorsen's Full Review: Cheryl Mendelson - Home Comforts: The Art And Scie...
I read a review of this book in a newspaper, and what struck me most is that while the reviewer generally disagreed with the author's housekeeping recommendations, he grudgingly admitted that it was enjoyable to read! I was fascinated, and purchased the book immediately. What a treat! I recently married and am now keeping house seriously for the first time in my life, and have received many housekeeping tips books in the past year. Home Comforts is my favorite. The prose alone could make me flip open a chapter, even if I don't have an immediate housekeeping query.
I appreciate that rather than just a listing of "do this, do that" tips and tricks, Ms. Medelson takes the time to explain *why* things should be done a certain way. I started with great ambition, planning to do everything "right", and keep a fixed schedule of housekeeping chores as recommended. Alas, I lack the natural drive that the author seems to possess, and just can't discipline myself to do it all. But, armed with the facts about just how harmful dust and dirt can be (hint--it varies greatly depending upon which room the dirt is in!), I feel that I'm making a much more educated decision about what I choose to clean or not clean each day.
The book is a little more expensive than others, but you might make up the cost by saving money on dry-cleaning! Armed with her very comprehensive chapter on caring for different fabric types, I took a leap of faith and washed some clothes with "dry clean only" tags. To my surprise and delight, they actually became much cleaner than they'd ever been from dry cleaning! So now I can look at the fabric content of clothes and know if the "dry clean only" tag is really truthful or not.
This would make a great gift for anyone who really *cares* about keeping house. I imagine the information contained in the book is roughly equivalent to a graduate-level home economics course (does that exist?). I think anyone who really honestly doesn't care much about their housekeeping will be intimidated by large size and lack of photos, and so there are other books more well suited to "beginners" (I'm thinking along the lines of 19-year-old bachelors living in a fraternity house. . .). But for most people, I must recommend "Home Comforts" as a very fine reference book.
If you look at the book and really are turned off by the lack of color and flash, try "10,001 Hints & Tips for the Home"; I find it very useful and comprehensive, and actually includes a wider variety of topics, although it lacks the exquisitely detailed information contained in Ms. Medelson's book.
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