Gill Chilton 
Cleaning and Stain Removal for Dummies 

Whether you’re a devout neatnik or a free spirit who likes to
draw designs in dust, Cleaning & Stain Removal For
Dummies is for you. It helps you make quick work of dirty work
with all kinds of practical tips and techniques, plus trade secrets
used by the pros. You’ll learn how to use the proper
equipment and tackle specific cleaning challenges, including

* Floors, walls, and ceilings

* The kitchen and bathrooms

* Furniture and furnishings

* Appliances and equipment

* Windows

* Bicycles and cars

* Clothes and laundry

* Decks, driveways, and patios

There are whole sections on removing stains and tackling 101
common problems that you’ll use as a reference when faced
with life’s inevitable spills and mishaps. Author Gill
Chilton, a columnist who writes home tips for Family Circle,
doesn’t just give tips to make cleaning easier, but provides
tips to make life easier, including:

* A room-by-room guide to what needs to be done, and how
often

* Daily and weekly lists so you can stay on top of things

* Quick fixes before unexpected guests arrive

* How to get the most results in the least time

A perfect gift for young people going off to school or setting
up a house for the first time, for adults suddenly forced to take
responsibility for a modicum of cleanliness, or for experienced
housekeepers who want to learn short-cuts and money-savers, this is
the book that helps people get off to a clean start!

Table of Content

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting Your Hands Dirty: Cleaning Basics 7

Chapter 1: Recognising the Value of Cleaning Well 9

Chapter 2: Equipping Yourself 17

Chapter 3: Talking Timing and Techniques 37

Part II: Cleaning Your Home Top to Bottom 47

Chapter 4: Cleaning Ceilings, Walls, Radiators, and Window Treatments 49

Chapter 5: Standing Up to Floors 61

Chapter 6: Scouring Everything and the Kitchen Sink 75

Chapter 7: Bringing Brilliance to the Bathroom 93

Chapter 8: Polishing Furniture and Furnishings 107

Part III: Keeping Up Appearances Outside 123

Chapter 9: Washing Up Outside 125

Chapter 10: Making Windows Sparkle 131

Chapter 11: Sweeping Up the Garden Path: Decks, Driveways, and Patios 141

Chapter 12: Devoting Time to Your Vehicles 157

Part IV: Cleaning Special Items and in Special Situations 167

Chapter 13: Tuning In to Electrical Equipment 169

Chapter 14: Shining Sports and Hobby Equipment 177

Chapter 15: Treasuring Personal Valuables 187

Chapter 16: Facing Family Cleaning Challenges 201

Chapter 17: Cleaning for Special Occasions 223

Part V: Removing Stains 231

Chapter 18: Caring for Your Clothes 233

Chapter 19: Understanding Basic Stain Types 255

Chapter 20: Treating Everyday Stains 265

Chapter 21: Tackling Scratches, Scuffs, and Rips 277

Part VI: The Part of Tens 283

Chapter 22: Fast Fixes for Unexpected Guests 285

Chapter 23: Ten Tips for Facing a Landlord Inspection 291

Chapter 24: Being Clean in Other People’s Homes 295

Chapter 25: Extraordinary Uses for Ten Ordinary Items 301

Appendix: Stain Removal Guide 307

Index 317

About the author

Gill Chilton is a consumer journalist with 20 years
experience in writing on practical subjects. She writes for, among
others, Family Circle, Woman, and Good Housekeeping
magazines, and answers questions on a regular consumer advice page
for Family Circle. Cleaning is forever a hot topic: Readers
may love or loathe it, but, as they tell Gill, they can’t
ignore it.

Gill is also the author of Home Basics: The Complete Guide to
Running Today’s Home published by Reader’s
Digest and she has appeared on radio and TV demonstating
practical household tips.