Shannon Lush Jennifer Fleming - Speedcleaning : a spotless house in just 15 minutes a day

At times you will notice cross references to other pages in this book. Please use the search function of your e-reader as the page numbers correspond to the original print edition. For a list of useful search terms, see the index.

You will find that different types of cleaning information are included in this book. To make finding the correct cleaning tips easier, weve included symbols and boxes.

	Broom symbol This is your speedcleaning guide
	Glove symbol This helps with setting up strategies to make cleaning easier and speedier.
	Flower symbol This is your Spring and Autumn Cleaning Guide
	Hints box General hints are boxed like this
Priceless box Hints from yesteryear are boxed like this.

If you think your cleaning is slow

HOW TO FROM LEES PRICELESS RECIPES, 1817

These days, everyone is flat out and on the go. The last thing you want to do at the end of a hectic day is clean the house. Its why weve devised Speedcleaning. Its for people who want a clean house but are time-poor. The approach can be summed up in one wordsystems. Having systems in place will mean your house will run more smoothly and efficiently. The best news is that with some organisation and 15 minutes a day, you can transform your cleaning routine!

For those readers who are not familiar with the bestselling book Spotless, Shannon Lush is a fine art restorer who knows how to repair anything, whether its an expensive antiquity or a favourite aunts vase. Shannon is also a keen collector of handy household hints, a lifelong passion that has been handed down through generations. Not only does she collect hints, she also tests and modifies them to make them even better. Shannon is also known as the Queen of Clean, appearing as a regular guest on radio and television across Australia and New Zealand. She helps listeners with all manner of domestic disasters and has never been stumped.

Jennifer Fleming is a presenter and producer on ABC Radio and has worked with the countrys leading journalists and commentators. Jen first met Shannon over the telephonewhen Shannon rang James Valentines Afternoon Show on 702 ABC Sydney as a talkback caller. Week after week, people would ring for help with new spills and stains and Shannon would have an answer for every problem. Jen noticed there was a huge interest in non-toxic remedies and a desire to remember old-fashioned tips and advice. She approached Shannon with the idea of writing a book. Once Spotless was released, people started asking if there was another book. They wanted information on cleaning techniques, and that is how Speedcleaning came to life. Like most listeners and readers, Jen doesnt know a lot about stains and cleaning, but shes good at asking the right questions and extracting the best information from Shannons encyclopaedic database brain. Its a perfect collaboration.

Thank you for responding so positively to Spotless. We hope youll keep Speedcleaning next to Spotless on the bookshelf and use the two in tandem.

Many people have assisted in the creation of this book. Thanks to James Valentine from 702 ABC Sydney for allowing it to begin. Thanks to Susan Morris-Yates, Megan Johnston, Nanette Backhouse, Ian Faulkner, Stuart Neal, Jane Finemore and the team at ABC Books for their contribution. Family and friends have given so much support. Particular thanks to John and Pat Fleming, Tony Speede and Jodi McKay. Thanks also to Amanda Woods who relayed the advice about spiders and lemons in the first place. Thank you to Elizabeth Troyeurand, of course, to the Queen of Clean, Shannon Lush.

Id like to add my thanks to all those that Jennifer listed, and to add a few more. To the women of my family, Eleanor Saich (my wonderful mum), Bronwyn Macinante and Narelle Dean (my supportive sisters), Tamara Custance and Erin Lush (my beautiful daughters) and my aunts and grandmother and all the rest. And to the men of my family, John Referendum Hayes (my dad), Trent Hayes, John Hayes Jr (my brothers) and so many more that I could fill a book just with the names of my loving, supportive and inspirational family.

My ABC familyJames Valentine, Richard Fidler, Carole Whitelock, Bernadette Young, Louise Saunders, Annie Gastin, Alison Buchanan, Bonita Brown, Scott Levi, Madeleine Randall, Aaron Kearney, all the producers and technical staff, publicists, publishers, way too many to list.

A special thank you to all the listeners and readers. Ive enjoyed meeting so many of you.

I cant bypass big thank yous to Jennifer Fleminga friend and collaborator.

And last but definitely not least my wonderful husband Rick who not only puts up with a workaholic wife, but aids and abets her.

Can you find a spare 15 minutes a day? Thats all the time it will take to speedclean a standard room in a house. Sounds too easy, doesnt it? Well, there may be some initial changes youll have to make before you reach top speed, but once you do, you too could become a lean, mean, speedcleaning machine!

In this book we outline three types of cleaning: daily cleaning; speedcleaning and spring/autumn cleaning. Daily cleaning includes jobs like wiping benchtops, washing dishes, sorting laundry and emptying bins. Speedcleaning includes weekly and emergency cleaning. Spring/autumn cleaning is done only twice a year and is like a stocktake or audit of the household. Well take you through the house, room by room, outlining speedcleaning techniques as well as describing how to make general cleaning speedier. We also anticipate cleaning emergencies and include lots of tips and hints for around the home.

Here are the basic rules for speedcleaning:

Follow this order to speedclean each room.

1. Assemble the clean kit.
2. Declutter the room and empty wastepaper bin.
3. Dust ceiling and light fittings.
4. Dust walls and tops of cupboards/bookshelves/wardrobes.
5. Dust paintings, hangings and other wall features.
6. Clean light switches, door jambs and window sills.