Cleanliness Is Next To. : Life's Most Essential Cleaning Tasks

The basic skills of homekeeping once were at everyone's fingertips. But the days when a girl sat at her mother's knee and observed the proper way to sew on a button or a young boy learned how to shine his shoes are long gone. Today, we are more likely to pay someone else to perform these minor repairs, or worse, toss something away simply because we don't know how to mend or clean it.

Finishing Touches is a new series of small and stylish guides to the home arts. Easy to understand and clearly illustrated, each book offers complete instruction in the most essential techniques of each topic, beginning with a basic materials guide that details all the basic tools and products one should have on hand at all times.

Cleanliness is Next to... outlines thirteen basic cleaning techniques that will keep everything from leather brief-cases to silver jewelry looking brand new. Although a tough cleaning job does sometimes demand outside help, most tasks just call for a little know-how and elbow grease. This mini primer identifies the best products and methods for spot-cleaning suede, laundering down-filled duvets, preserving hardwood finishes, and ten other common cleaning challenges.

CLARICE TAYLOR is passionate about needle arts and handicrafts. Working in humanitarian affairs she has, during her assignments, learned about sewing arts from all over the world.