Home-Ec 101: Skills for Everyday Living has become my go-to book. Mostly to prove to my husband that I am “normal.” My husband has always thought of me to be crazy…sometimes, more crazy is involved than I care to bring up here. It started one day after we were just married, and he came home to find the oven and refrigerator in the center of the room and me in Princess Leia buns armed with a mop, scouring sponge, and vacuum.
“What is going on?” he asked sternly with his arm on the phone, ready to call the folks with the rubber room.
“I just finished vacuuming the cabinets and refrigerator coils; now I’m wiping down the walls behind them.”
“Next thing, you’ll be vacuuming windows,” he said sarcastically, only to discover…
“I already did those today,” was my reply.
He shook his head and left the room.
My cleaning habits have always been a thing of confusion for him. In arguments, he declares he can clean the entire house in an hour…hour and a half tops! I point out that he cannot properly clean the entire house at that time.
From the moment I discovered the book Home-Ec 101: Skills for Everyday Living, I have had a partner in crime. Divided into four sections, Clean It, Wash It, Fix It, and Cook It, the basics of domestic life are covered. It’s an easy read filled with humor I appreciate (brilliant sarcasm).
The cover design to the pages has the 1950s feel when June Cleaver ruled the world. It was an era where women stayed home and were proud to be housekeepers, and prided themselves on keeping their home pristine and running seemingly effortlessly.
The first item that I had to share with my husband was on page 40. I am a vacuuming fool. There are plenty of us in this home. We leave our shoes at the door to help prevent tracking the garden through the house. I also vacuum thoroughly three times a day. My husband thinks I’m a nut job. But there for his eyes, on page 40, it reads: “Vacuum regularly: Vacuum deeply, a minimum of once a week, regardless of the size of the household. For each person or pet in the household, add quick vacuum for high-traffic areas.” I vacuum a tad more than that, but it works for me.
Then on page 71, we get into that whole issue where my husband thought I’d lost it. Windows.
“…Before starting on the glass itself, grab the vacuum and ye, you guessed it, the soft-bristled attachment, and suck off the loose dust, hair, and fuzzies from the sill, sash, and panes.”
I love it when I’m right.
It’s practical and inexpensive tips that keep a house sparkling.
“Got a funky microwave? Don’t worry; it won’t take long to fix. Add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to two cups of water in a microwave-safe container and zap on high for 3 minutes. Carefully remove the container from the microwave and wipe with either a rag or paper towels. The steam will have loosened all the cooked-on bits, and a little elbow grease should take care of the rest. If many cruds have accumulated since your last cleaning effort, you may have to repeat the process. Prevent future messes by covering food while it cooks.”
The author, Heather Solos, is a blogger whose blog, home-ec101.com, began in 2007. Her site took off, and she has been featured in national publications like Woman’s Day Magazine and on sites like Blissfully Domestic and Type-A Mom. Now she has pooled all her info into this book to share with the greater population.
This book is perfect for newlyweds, college students, the domestically impaired, and anyone who wants a cleaner home without the hassle. Pick up your own copy of Home-Ec 101: Skills for Everyday Living now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your own favorite bookstore.
I received a copy of Home-Ec 101 through One2One Network to facilitate an honest review. No other compensation was received. The opinions, where expressed, are my own and were in no way influenced by the sponsor. Others’ experiences may vary.