5 comments about Organizing Plain and Simple: A Ready Reference Guide with Hundreds of Solutions to Your Everyday Clutter Challenges.

1. Donna Smallin's book delivers ! Organizing Plain and Simple, offers people a reasonable and concrete way to dig out from under the chaos. First, you declutter. Her excellent suggestions on how to finally accomplish this daunting task gives one hope that it can be done. No organizing cliches here, instead, yellow panels of ideas and actions targeted to specific problems appear among the text as quick, handy action steps to move you forward in your efforts.
   She tells you what to write on labels, how to select storage options, ( disorganized people rarely measure, that's a problem), what to do if you can't seem to discard a particular item and reminds you that what you really want is to be surrounded by what you love. You learn how to keep what is left so you can find it everytime, and not spend money to replace "lost" items.
   Donna Smallin is the sensible friend, who knows you and wants you to succeed, and she is guiding you to be able to do it yourself and to understand why and how.
   You even get a reward at the end...the organized life you deeply desire...that now has room for better things, personal confidence, career success, pleasant surroundings and the time and ability to share your hospitality with others.
   READ THIS SMART, INTELLIGENTLY WRITTEN BOOK AND RELEASE YOURSELF FROM CHAOS, CONFUSION AND CLUTTER FOREVER ! You deserve that joy.



2. In addition to the valuable information in this book, it is filled with tips and checklists that are well put together. The book begins by talking about organizing in general and then focuses on specific rooms, finances, time, home life, and transitions.



3. I got this book from the library originally, and was so motivated and floored by the amount of information covered, I just had to have it. It's one of those books that you like to own so you can hilight sections, make notes, etc. The book is not full of fluff - it's literally full of tidbits and information that covers budgeting, organizing closets, the house in general, decluttering (this is where I needed the most help!), etc. I just can't even begin to tell you how absolutey motivating this book is! I highly recommend it as a must have to help you accomplish your organizational goals at home.



4. I purchased this book because I wanted to organize the spaces in my home (I am terrible about not "finding a home" for new items and letting my mail pile up everywhere). I did find some information to help me in those areas, but this book contains a lot more information that what I was looking for - it is more of a "how to organize your entire life" guide. If that's what you are looking for, I think this is a good book. Here are the main sections:
   
   Getting Started (uncluttering)
   Organizing Room by Room
   Organizing Finances (saving & managing money, reducing debt)
   Organizing Time (stress, work/life balance)
   Organizing Home Life (family schedules, vacations, home safety)
   Organizing Transitions (moving, new baby, new pet, your estate)
   
   Some of the topics covered are items that can encompass an entire book (debt reduction, stress management), so I would consider the information presented as more of a starting point that a complete "how-to" and readers needing lots of help may want to find a book dedicated solely to that subject. However, the information presented is useful and is worth reading before taking on a task (i.e. - reviewing the travel section before taking a trip may ensure you don't forget an important detail)
   
   The book is easy-to-read and contains lots of helpful hints and ideas. The author also includes some good, straight-forward checklists (preparing for taxes, what items you will need for a new baby, list of items for a car emergency kit). I liked those and I also thought she offered some good advice - for example, a list of fun activities your family can do for free if you are trying to save money.
   
   Overall, this book covered more topics that I was looking for, but the information presented was good. I like this book as an overall reference to organizing. For a quick read on organizing your clutter, readers may want to consider Donna's book "The One-Minute Organizer Plain & Simple."



5. I was hesitate about getting this book on all the mixed reviews. Well I am glad I got it. Within 5 minutes of looking through the book I TOTALLY organized my kids mittens/gloves/hats/scarfs and now my foyer looks neat instead of messy. Can't wait to try the other tips I read about!!!!!!!!!

5 comments about Speed Cleaning.

1. I got a bit confused by the other reviews, and I bought this book not knowing whether it would be any good. Thank God it is a step-by-step guide of the weekly cleaning of bathroom and kitchen, and bedroom-livingroom, without any fuss.
   
   It is true that the tone of the book is strict. I suspect they think they are being funny. Also, no mention on stainless steel appliences. It must have been written before the age of self-cleaning ovens. But other than that..
   
   .. a really good book on speedy WEEKLY cleaning of all your rooms. I had thought of doing 10 minutes of cleaning every day. But then, when would I do the organizing and decluttering? And when would I do the heavy-duty jobs, like windows, shutters, the veranda? Enter the answer: "Weekly cleaning is the subject of this book. Daily cleaning is de-cluttering. And then, there is spring cleaning." Voila, my question answered! I am going to check out Clutter Control next. Karen Kingston's book on De-cluttering with Feng Shui is priceless, but I tend to forget a bit the lessons I learned from it. So another prosective might be nice.



2. I just finished reading the book and will be putting Jeff's techniques into practice soon. There are a lot of really good tips about how to clean specific areas of the house. I particularly liked the section on cleaing the tub & shower area.
   
   A number of reviews here take exception to the tone of the book, calling it "strict". Well, forget about it. The tone is light-hearted and fun. He is emphatic about using his methods but I completely understand why. In my own business, I've discovered methods that are the most efficient way to accomplish a task. But when I tell other people to use that method, they insist on going their own way. They go through the exact same testing, retrying, and learning curve that I already went through and they end up doing it my way after all. It's frustrating! Just listen to the voice of experience!
   
   For heaven's sake, Jeff has gone through these processes and discovered the best way to do it! Get yourself out of the way. Believe him. Try it. Then if you find a better way, write to him or write your own book.



3. Wonderful! I got the book yesterday, and started using his methods today, and I was able to clean my whole house in an hour (it used to take me 4 or 5 hours) and it looks sparkling. I recommend this book to people that like to see their house clean but don't have the time to do it. The book explains in a very detailed way room-by-room how to clean your house efficiently and faster.



4. My mom didn't teach us the art of housecleaning - at least not in an organized time saving manner. I will agree with some of the others that have left feedback - The author is a bit on the bossy side - but that said, the book has great advice on cleaning quickly. I was left with many ideas that helped to speed up my weekly cleaning. I will say, that after reading each chapter, I was inspired to jump up and clean.



5. The book describes a pretty good cleaning methodology. It seems a little out-dated as far as some of the equipment goes, but that is about the only complaint I have.

5 comments about Real Simple: Cleaning.

1. Great guide whether you want to do a quick "touch-up" before guests arrive or a thorough cleaning, this is a great book. It gives great tips for every kind of cleaning task you might have. I would NOT buy a small paperback because it takes the fun out of imagining how beautiful your home will look like when you are done (with the help of gorgeous pictures in the book).
   Worth every penny!



2. Nice layouts great pictures of sparking homes with nothing in them - really since I have alot of my stuff in mine and have to clean around it - must be easy for them. Nothing in here you don't already know -



3. This is a great book with wonderful ideas and well organized for cleaning your home. It is broken down by rooms for quick ideas, has a cleaning calendar and shows all of the different finishes, floors etc and how to clean each one. It is a great book with wonderful information and I highly recommend it!!



4. As the child of a wonderful mother yet complete housekeeping slob, I have to admit, I truly didn't have the first idea about "how" to clean a house let alone what type of schedule I should maintain. This book was exactly what I was looking for. It has a detailed breakdown of various rooms in the house, with a guideline and specific "how to" instructions for where to start cleaning in each room, how to clean each aspect (area) of a room, and how often you should clean each component of a room. I also liked the friendly pep talk about doing just a little at a time rather than sitting on your bum watching tv, etc. I would highly recommend this to other "cleaning" challenged individuals.
   
   My only complaint about the book is that the index did not specifically list any websites or retailers for some of the various cleaning supplies.



5. I didn't feel this book offered anything new. Rehash of ideas I've heard 100 times.

5 comments about Making the Best of Basics: Family Preparedness Handbook.

1. This book has some useful information but it doesn't fit the bill as an emergency book because much of it includes things like recipes which you cook in an 350 degree oven - which you may not have in a true emergency. Also, there are a lot of charts that look good but really don't help that much. 9 pages on the use of honey seems a bit much too. Resource section lists lots of resources but closer examination shows that many aren't geared to individuals or only carry one item for emergency use.



2. The publisher, Gold Leaf Press Says: Basics has sold over 350,000 copies. Concerns about the Year 2000 computer bug, unexpected job loss, volatile financial markets, and natural disasters such as severe storms have made home storage and preparedness a current topic all across the country.

   Making the Best of Basics has been the home storage and preparedness bible for a generation of readers. With over 350,000 copies sold, Basics is the most comprehensive single volume available on in-home storage.

   Making the Best of Basics has been updated for the '90s and offers the average family a manageable and effective plan to enable them to live on resources in their own home in a near-normal manner for up to a year. Basics includes chapters on storing and using (including 200 recipes) everything from water, wheat, and dried fruits and vegetables to vitamin supplements to maintain your family's health and emergency sources of fuel and energy.

   Basics is an excellent and proven source you can use to prepare for an uncertain future.




3. If you're like I was, you're looking through the various disaster preparedness books wondering which one is best. I have worked my way through 7 of the most popular books and offer a shared review of all of them here. I hope this comparison helps you make a decision.
   
   Book 1: Crisis Preparedness by Jack A. Spigarelli
   Like many of the disaster preparedness books, this one begins by answering the question, "Why bother being prepared?" It also outlines a framework for being prepared that includes accumulating supplies, getting mentally and physically prepared, and having your finances in order. One thing I particularly liked was the emphasis on the importance of knowledge. It wasn't just about what items you need, but also what skills and knowledge you should develop. But this book is mostly about food preparation for a major disaster, with emphasis on having a year's food storage, milling your own grain, growing sprouts, home canning, dehydrating, freeze-drying, etc. There are detailed tables showing the calories of various foods including their protein, fat, and carbs. The final third of the book offers advice on other topics, including weapons, hand tools, clothing, energy, medical, sanitation, transportation, communications, and home preparation. The book concludes with a list of recommended books and a brief listing of companies that sell disaster preparation items. Overall, this is a very good preparedness book. I probably should have given it 5 stars, but I thought it went a bit overboard on the food plan. That said, it is the most comprehensive of the preparedness books.
   
   Book 2: Preparedness Now! By Aton Edwards
   This is another thorough disaster preparedness book, one that focuses more on emergency situations (fire, chemical attack, etc.). It is organized into brief chapters (some only a few pages) on a variety of important topics, including: water, food, shelter, sanitation, communication, transportation, and protection. It is also filled with many packing lists detailing what you should get in preparation. It introduces the e-kit (a very lightweight kit to keep with you) and grab-n-go bag with more extensive items. Final chapters of the book discuss various possible disasters, including earthquakes, tsunami, infectious diseases, chemical and bio warfare, crime, fire, and extreme weather. Some of the commentary is a bit questionable, but the technical content is good. Note the deficiency with this book is that it does not offer any detail on food storage.
   
   Book 3: Disaster Preparedness for Dummies
   First of all, this isn't a book. It's a DVD video. I wasn't paying attention when I bought it, and was a bit surprised when it arrived. I generally like the Dummies series. They are well researched and serve as a good summary. This DVD offers a lengthy video discussing many disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, etc.), briefly outlining how you might prepare for them. It also has an overview of how you should react in case of a terrorist attack (nuclear, chemical, and biological). But the advice is all very general, and is more like what you'd expect to hear from your local weather station. For example, the video repeatedly advises you to "stay calm" and "evaucate in an orderly fashion." The videos are high quality, but don't expect detailed outdoor survival tips or food storage suggestions. Everything presented is relevant and useful, but it feels more like a FEMA public service announcement.
   
   Book 4: Emergency Food Storage and Survival Handbook by Peggy Layton
   This book is broken into six main sections. The first section offers decent but very incomplete summaries on preparing for short-term emergencies. The second section discusses how to store and purify water. The third part talks about the logistics of setting up a food-storage program, and has some suggestions on how to store food. The fourth section details what types of foods you should store. The fifth section has blank inventory planning pages. And finally the last section has some recipes. About half of the 285 page book is either blank planning pages or simple recipes. The first half of the book is pretty good stuff, but I found this book to be incomplete. It does however offer some good advice on food storage.
   
   Book 5: Organize for Disaster by Judith Kolberg
   This book goes an entirely different direction than the other preparedness books. Emphasis is on understanding the federal resources (i.e. FEMA, Red Cross, etc.) available, creating a personal intelligence network, organizing essential documents, maintaining insurance coverage, listing a home inventory, preparing your house for disaster, basic first aid, and having a good family communication plan. There is also a good list of necessary items to have on hand that would suit many common disaster. I recommend this book for its common-sense look at disaster preparedness. However, it is not the only book you would need, because it doesn't detail food storage, water purification, heating, etc.. That said, it covers some topics that the other books overlook.
   
   Book 6: Making the Best of Basics, Family Preparedness Handbook by James Talmage Stevens
   This book is almost completely about in-home food storage and preparation. There is little discussion outside that (except for basic water issues). Many chapters discuss food in significant detail, to include things like grains, recipes, preparing sourdough breads/biscuits, dairy products, honey, sprouting, drying of fruits/vegetables. At the end of this book is a huge compendium of preparedness resources, telling where things can be purchased in every US state.
   
   Book 7: No Such Thing as Doomsday, by Philip L. Hoag, revised in 2001
   This book offers well-researched insights into disaster preparedness. Topics include water, food, heating/cooking, light, power, communications, medical, sanitation, and security. Those subjects are well done. However, much of the book reads like a bit of doomsday prediction, with many pages devoted to scaring the heck out of the reader... focusing on missile attacks, chemical dangers, nuclear war, radiation, decontamination, communist threat, etc. For me personally, I would have like to see more pages devoted to likely threats (e.g. hurricanes, floods, earthquake, blackout, fire, etc.). Also note that Amazon may not carry the latest version (updated in 2001), so you may want to buy directly from the author.
   
   Overall, if you can only purchase three books, I would recommend Book 5, Book 6, and either Book 1, 2 or 7. With those three, you should have a balanced look at common sense organizing, food storage, and emergency items to have on hand. If you can buy only one book, I recommend Book 1.
   
   I've created a useful disaster preparedness list for your automobile on my Amazon author blog (just click on my name above the review). Also, you'll find a link to purchase a fully assembled auto kit.
   
   Written by Arthur Bradley, author of "Process of Elimination" - an intense thriller in which a martial artist, a greedy corporate attorney, and a conspiracy theorist try to stop a world-class sniper out to shape the next Presidential election.
   
   Please be kind enough to indicate if reviews are helpful.



4. This book puts it all together very nicely. It helps you organize and understand everything from emergency preparedness to long term stoage. If you had to pick one resource to rely in such matters, this would be it.



5. I bought this book because I am interested in long-term food storage, and most of it is about food, but it is not necessarily about food storage. There are a lot of recipes in here. Why I don't know. The thing that puzzled me was if you are reading the book to prepare for some emergency, how is it helpful to have all kinds of recipes for things where specific cooking temperatures are required, like bake at 350F for 30 minutes? I could see putting in recipes if they were for things you could throw together on a camp stove. But from what I could see, these were regular recipes. If I had known how many there were, I would not have bought this book.
   
   A good part of the book is composed of urls to sites that could easily be found on Google. They are for shopping for your Y2K supplies. I kind of wonder how much of survivalism is really just shopping, only for guys. The book contains glossy color ads for companies that were obviously selling a lot of freeze-dried meals to people scared about Y2K in 1997. It is weird to look at them.
   
   Some of the recommendations seem kind of foolish, like getting a Coleman lantern or socking away lots of batteries when you can get crank lamps and such. Others were I thought good, like to stock up on charcoal and get a hibachi.
   
   Generally a mixed bag, more mixed than I would have preferred.

5 comments about Green Up Your Cleanup (Green House).

1. i really have not used alot of the tips and cleaning ideas yet., but this summer when i deep clean i plan to use it alot more.



2. This book is fantastic! Simple recipes to clean every corner of your home without the need for masks or gloves (unless using Borax). It took a bit of time to create the cleaners, but it was truly wonderful not to run from my bathroom after spraying toxic chemicals to clean the mold and mildew off walls and ceilings. Wise choice to go with the spiral binding as it was easy to mark important pages without damaging the book.



3. ...purchased this book last week for a bridal shower gift when I was actually looking for another similar book, but this one is so much better. It's written in conversational language, an easy quick read that gets to the point. There are many examples, illustrations and an extensive resource list. There is a series of usable, simple recipes that include back-to-the-basics, non-toxic ingredients (the same stuff our great grandmothers used before there was such a thing as Proctor & Gamble). It's sort of formatted like a cook-book with recipes organized according to what needs to be cleaned; for example - ovens, showers, laundry, roofs, siding, etc. I bought a copy for myself and after talking about why the author wrote the book (her infant son developed exzema that physicians could not resolve) with my mother, mother-in-law and sister-in-law, I learned there are many children with eczema, including my nieces & young cousins. The author discovered that detergents (including all household detergents, not just laundry detergent) were causing her son's skin problems. When she started making her own cleaners (vinegar, baking soda, borax, washing powder, lemon) the eczema disappeared. It's too soon to see what effect the change in cleaning materials will have on my nieces, but I'm willing to bet it will be a positive outcome. In addition to this, there are safer alternatives to solving really tough cleaning challenges where you would normally use bleach or caustic sprays - ie; mildew & soap scum in showers, mildew on shingle roofs and disinfecting countertops - these are my biggest problems. While it might require a little more effort to mix the solutions every month or so, rather than grab the toxic stuff off the shelf at the grocery store, it's worth the peace of mind knowing that I'm not adding to the poisons my family & pets are exposed to. Highly recommend this book and it's a great gift for brides-to-be and first time home owners.



4. Book includes recipes for cleaning up, although I have yet to try them. Also includes useful tips for cleaning all sorts of areas in the home, from the garage to the kitchen and everything in between. Did try the wash for fruits and vegetables, idea makes sense, have tried it, seems to work well.



5. This is an excellent book. The author gives a small section on why we should go green, but recognizes that if you are even looking at a book like this you already are aware of most of the reasons. Recipes are given, essential oils are mentioned, but are not absolutely necessary, the author saying at one point "if you miss the smell of lemon in the commercial products". It enthused me to try some essential oils. I will definitely be trying some of these homemade recipes in my cleaning. The author also recognizes that sometimes you have to use commercial products but gives information so that you can make better choices.
   
   Recommended book for anyone who wants to take steps to being more eco friendly in their cleaning.

5 comments about Vinegar: Over 400 Various, Versatile, and Very Good Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of.

1. To heck with "going green" - Manmade Global Warming is utter nonsense (or explain why the icecaps on Mars are melting, too...) I use the shower-head cleaning technique to make sure I am getting the maximum force out of my environmentally hostile pulsating showers. This is a fun book, and you will be amazed at how versatile the product is. We're fans of apple cider vinegar, by the way.



2. A very interresting compilation of recipes. I have tried several already and i was extremly pleased with the result.



3. I just love this book. So easy to read and find stuff your looking for. I had no idea vinegar was so awesome. After reading this I became a vinegar addict and use it for all sorts of stuff. Well worth the money, especially if you are interested in cleaning without using harsh chemicals.



4. I don't know who has all the time it takes to figure out all these great uses for vinegar but better them then me! If you want to be an organic or green cleaner, this is a must have book. I bought this and the book about Baking Soda. I'm happy to add this to my home green cleaning book collection.



5. Most people would be surprised at the number of uses for vinegar and this book helps by providing many. From marinades to drain opener to insect stings to fabric softener, this book is a great reference work that should be included in any household library.
   
   Vicky Lansky's other publication, Baking Soda: Over 500 Fabulous, Fun & Frugal Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of is another book that offers great suggestions and makes a wonderful companion book to this one.

5 comments about Clean House Clean Planet.

1. I like this book a lot. I have used some of the recipes, but vinegar and plain baking soda alone are my preferred cleaning ingredients. It's very motivating and a great rescource for various 'green' cleaning needs
   However, her website, no longer exists. The 818 telephone number has also been disconnected. I wanted to check out some of her products. Does any one know where I can find her company?



2. I've read just about all of the "natural cleaning" books out nowadays, and I feel this one is still the best. Not only are these recipes safe, but they WORK. From one who hates cleaning and tries to avoid it as much as possible, I actually have found myself enjoying working with peppermint-scented bathroom cleaners, just as an example.
   
   Oh, and finding the various bottles needed isn't all that hard using the internet. :)



3. I love this little book. I have tried several of the recipes for cleaners and find that they work very well. It is unfortunate that the author can't be reached. She made a point of stating in the book that she was available ..had special bottles for the products etc. But , as it has been several years since the book was written, she seems to have dropped out of sight. I have been able to find adequate containers...and have begun to switch to using mostly these products for cleaning. I purchased a few basic essential oils...the price for them was quite reasonable..and Dr Bronners soaps are wonderful. It is pleasure to clean with products that don't make you gasp for breath...and knowing that I am doing something to help save the earth is a really good thing.



4. While the writer has great ideas of cleaning products that are harmful to use in the house and what they have in them, she uses old concepts that my grandmother used 50 years ago. This book is not really all that useful in my opinion when just basic baking soda and white vinegar have been a cleaning substance for many years. This book is not original at all.



5. Clean Your House for Pennies a Day THE SAFE NON-TOXIC WAY
   
   From the back of the book:
   
   Save Your Health, Your Money, Your Planet
   
   How many times have you said you're killing yourself trying to keep your house clean? You might have been joking, but you're closer to the truth than you think if you're using expensive commercial cleansers. Karen Logan, an environmentalist with years of experience developing and selling her own line of eco-friendly cleaning products, reveals the secret of using simple, ordinary ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, soap, lemon juice, and salt to make safe, inexpensive cleaners.
   
   For instance, did you know:
   * Olive oil is not only good as a salad dressing but also as a furniture polish
   * Plain club soda works great as a window cleaner
   * You can make your copper-bottomed pots sparkle with just lemon juice and salt
   * And ordinary liquid soap and water will clean up those ants marching through your kitchen?
   
   Happy, healthy cleaning!

5 comments about Baking Soda: Over 500 Fabulous, Fun, and Frugal Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of (Lansky, Vicki).

1. Great little book with lots of cool info. on how to use common baking soda in ways you never dreamed possible. Perfect for anyone trying to do natural cleaning methods without using harsh chemicals.



2. Great information and details on how to use baking soda instead of other less environmentally friendly cleaners.



3. If you are tired of using harmful or expensive products or just want to know some old-fashioned remedies, this is the book for you. As the title says, it contains over 500 ideas covering a wide variety of subjects-- stain removal, cooking, health problems, cleaning, even some organic pest control. I guarantee you will find many new uses for baking soda, even if you are already a believer in it's powers!



4. Vicki Lansky's one-woman tribute to sodium bicarbonate boggles the mind. In her own mother's words, "Who would believe she could have come up with all these uses?"
   
   Everyone knows you can cook with baking soda: it makes bread rise. It's a natural antacid. Dentists say you can brush your teeth with it. And it's quite common for to see an open box in the fridge for food odor absorption.
   
   But did you know that fridge box is only good for 3 months? After that, its freshening properties are used up. Get another box. What to do with the used-up, old box? Well, Lansky's got ideas for that, such as sprinkling the powder around the soil of tomato plants to lower their acidity and discourage pests. I haven't tried this one, yet.
   
   So, okay, I'm game. I tried a few of these `uses' and hard a darned good time doing it. My fiance thinks I'm nuts for getting so excited over baking soda, but likes that the product is undeniably cheap.
   
   Playing with powder
   Here are the ideas from the book that I tried, and how it all went.
   
   
   * Laundry Booster - On the book's recommendation, I added a ½ cup to my washer load, along with my detergent. Not only did my colors and whites come out brighter, but even my workout clothes smelled nice when I took them out. Lanksy notes this boosting effect only works with liquid laundry detergents, however. I suspect the deodorizing effect works with either kind.
   
   * Garbage Disposal Maintenance - When I noticed a stink arising from the disposal afer a weekend away, I immediately poured a ½ cup down the drain, followed by vinegar. It bubbled and frothed and took the nasty scent away. I didn't even need to run water after it.
   
   * Garbage Can Odors - This one's easy - sprinkle over wet, nasty garbage to remove the odor. My take is that you need too much soda to really get the odor out. It's better to just take out the garbage. But I did find that sprinkling a little soda in the garbage can bottom, between changing the bags, was helpful.
   
   * Carpet Cleaner - Sprinkle over the carpet and let sit overnight. Use a cheese shaker or flour sifter to spread it evenly - otherwise it either clumps, or all comes out at once. Vacuum in the morning. This old technique still works great. As the proud owner of two dogs, I can verify how well baking soda works to dissolve canine odor.
   
   * Tarnished Silver - I tried two baking soda techniques for cleaning silver and was pleasantly surprised with both.
   
   In the past, I used harsh-smelling chemical products, the kind that's impregnated in a wad of wool, to scrub, scrub, scrub my silver. The process was always messy and stinky. On really old, dirty, heirloom silver, it didn't even work at all, besides stripping away my silver plate to reveal the copper beneath.
   
   Blech. These methods are MUCH better:
   
   1. Baking soda and water, mixed into a paste, cleans the tarnish right away. Spread the goop all over your silver item, let it sit for ten minutes, then rub with your fingers (or an old toothbrush) until dirty baking soda paste falls away. Rinse, buff - and if necessary - repeat. This method cleaning and safely bids the grime begone from my stemware and plates.
   
   2. The other method is great for utensils. Fill a plastic bucket, or your sink with hot water. Add a square of aluminum foil. Sprinkle your silver with baking soda, drop into hot water, and let sit 15 minutes. Take out the silver and buff with a soft cloth. My silver turned clean and shiny with very little effort!



5. This book is a wonderful resource for anyone that wants to 'green' up their housecleaning, and it also gives tons of ideas on uses for baking soda. I have been trying to eliminate harmful chemicals from my household as much as possible now that I have a little one on the way. This book along with Vinegar: Over 400 Various, Versatile, and Very Good Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of by the same auther, and Green Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck provide a well rounded reference for using natural products instead of chemicals for just about any job around the house from cleaning appliances, sinks, tubs and toilets, to cleaning jewelry and composting. Even if you only take a handful of the ideas from these books they are worth the investment. This book is set up so that you can easily look up a job you want to accomplish in the index and go right to the appropriate page.

5 comments about Sidetracked Home Executives(TM): From Pigpen to Paradise.

1. Loved this book. It's an easy read and I've implemented the organizational strategies immediately for my whole family. It's working so far!



2. I have always been very organized until I had my second son. I am not sure what happened but I lost control of everything in my home. This book is quck and easy to read. The best part is you don't need any hard to find or expensive items to put this system to use. I can't say enough about this book. I even used it to organize my homeschooling lessons.



3. I've read many books on organization (and hope to someday accomplish all I've read!), but this book will always be my favorite. Pam and Peggy have "been there." There's nothing worse than an organization or "decluttering" book that's written by someone who was born organized (or a "B.O." as Pam and Peggy would call them!). You have to have walked a mile (or waded through the clutter) in the shoes of someone who is easily sidetracked, organizationally-challenged, and wasn't born with the organization gene. Pam and Peggy make you feel like you've found a kindred spirit who somehow waded through all their stuff and found a better way! I wish they'd re-release their original kit that included a de-junking video and a few other goodies!



4. Easy and entertaining read, plus tons of great, practical ideas for getting your home and life, organized!



5. I initially bought this book 15 years ago and my home was so organized, even with three children. I bought it again recently because we downsized homes and everything was chaos. My home is in order again, and it isn't even difficult! Great plan!

5 comments about The Not So Big House: A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live.

1. I was expecting her projects to downsize to ~1000 square feet. It felt like she was reducing large McMansions to smaller McMansions. Good photographs though!



2. This book was absolutely awesome. Beautifully illustrated, excellent content, and I totally agree with the idea that McMansions are not the way to go. I'd much rather have a smaller home that has been personalized to me and made beautiful than some big, cold half-empty McMansion.



3. The Not So Big House was given me by a craftsman friend who had used it building his new, wonderful home.
   I kept this book through my new addition / remodel project of 7 months, using it as the reference for my decisions.
   The ideas are sound; easy to understand and implement. I recommend The Not So Big House to anyone embarking on a home building project who loves good design and is on a budget.



4. First of all, I bought this book used and it was not in very good condition. A page that I really wanted to read was missing, for one thing. Unfortunately, I can't recall the seller's name now but I left a bad review when I received no response to my concern.
   
   But anyway, the book itself was very good. My husband and I are remodeling a house built in 1949 which used every nook and cranny for some function. It doesn't fit the modern concept of lots of empty space, so we are working on creating a little more empty space while using some of Susanka's ideas for making certain areas more compact. We are expanding our kitchen into a porch, but the ceiling in the porch is lower and this book gave us the idea to just keep it as it is because lowered ceilings add character and are something Frank Lloyd Wright used. I also like her recommendations for wood trim and moulding to warm up rooms and use many windows to bring the outside in. As my title implies, some of the details are pretty outdated such as any picture involving a computer and the kitchen chairs, but that can be overlooked since the overall ideas are still very usable.



5. I ordered this book after reading great reviews since I was in the middle of trying to work out the purchase of a turn of the century home where space was the size of just that, turn of the century. The Amazon review picked all the best photo's in the book and the only pages worth reading in it, so I bought it. I was extremely disappointed to receive a book that had too many 1980 - 1990's dated, uninspiring interiors and not so much in the way of smart architectural choices to think about, as was advertised.