Clean

As the cleaning guru for The Guardian's Weekend Magazine Space Solves column from 2005 to 2011, Stephanie Zia helped hundreds of readers deal with their near-impossible stains and cleaning catastrophes. This book gathers together 100+ of the best of her columns. PLUS• Cleaning without chemicals - the housework hater's healthy, quick cleaning guide. • Non-toxic stain removal - the knowledge. Learn the quick, easy way to identify and treat stains instantly without the need of a chart. • How to avoid the nasty chemicals lurking in everyday household products with links to online experts for further study. • What about the vinegar? The best uses for vinegar, baking powder, lemon juice etc - what works and what doesn't. And much, much more.The advice in this book isn't anti-non-organic or anti-chemical - everything is made of chemicals - but about balance. How to avoid the possible nasties and make informed, affordable compromises. You'll find plenty of top tips for using everyday non-toxic products you have around the home for cleaning and stain removal, but also last resort recommendations for chlorine bleach, oxalic acid and ammonia when no other substance is likely to do the job. Where there are areas of confusion and controversy - whether we should be avoiding non-stick pans, for example - carefully researched, non-alarmist, websites are recommended to help you make up your own mind.