Mrs. Hinch - Hinch Yourself Happy: All The Best Cleaning Tips To Shine Your Sink And Soothe Your Soul

MICHAEL JOSEPH

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India | New Zealand | South Africa

Michael Joseph is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com

First published 2019

Copyright Mrs Hinch, 2019
Illustration copyright Alice Tait, 2019
Illustration on based on photograph by copyright Jasmine Photography Ltd

The moral right of the author has been asserted

Publishers Note: The information in this book has been compiled by way of general guidance only. Nothing in this book is intended as an express or implied warranty of the suitability or fitness of any product or service. The reader wishing to use a product or service discussed in this book should first consult a specialist or professional to ensure suitability and fitness for the readers particular lifestyle and environmental needs if necessary. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestion in this book.

Product Safety: Use cleaning products safely and always follow the following guidelines:
Always read the label and product information before use.
Wear gloves when using cleaning products to protect your hands and wash hands after use.
Carry out a patch test on inconspicuous areas before use of products.
Take care when using any cleaning products around your pets. Do not let cleaning products come into contact with pets and ensure that the cleaned area is dry before allowing pets to come into contact with it.

ISBN: 978-0-241-39976-7

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To My Husband Jamie, My Beautiful Boy Henry Hinch, My Family, My Friends and My Hinchers

All the Best

Love Soph xx

T his book is for each and every one of you because you guys really are the absolute best. You have genuinely changed my life.

As you have all heard me say many times before, I am not a professional cleaner. Ive never claimed to be. But I hope I can help to make the whole process fun for people. I think cleaning (aka hinching) really has the potential to bring people together. Just hear me out on this one youve got all your celebrities and your supermodels, and even those people you just aspire to be like, but remember this, Hinchers, were all the same when were wearing a pair of rubber Gregory Gloves and cleaning our toilets. Im just saying!

Now some may think it strange, but I have such a laugh when I clean, organise or just hinch in general, and I would love everyone to come along with me for the ride. I just do whatever works for me and I try to make it as easy and as enjoyable as possible. I love life and I love to smile you can never smile too much now, can you!

I get asked all sorts of questions about housework, removing stains, limescale, being organised, etc, but believe it or not, especially more recently, I get asked so many more questions about my life in general, so fingers crossed Ill answer them all for you in this book. Hopefully youll be able to take a lot away from it and pick up tips, just like I have, that will stay with you forever.

If I talked about cleaning but didnt tell you about the positive impact its had on my life and why I started hinching in the first place, it would feel odd. Cleaning has been my saviour in a lot of ways. Ive always been very open about the fact that I am a worrier. I live with anxiety, nerves and panic attacks, but grabbing one of my favourite cloths and getting busy has been the thing that Ive found helps to calm my mind more than anything else.

I think its so important to be upfront and honest about my worrying and panic attacks, and thats why I also wanted to give you an insight into both my past and my present, and explain exactly why my Instagram account means so much to me.

So grab yourself a cuppa and get yourself cosy in your favourite comfy spot in your home, with your favourite throw, and read on, my Hinchers.

All the best,
Mrs Hinch x

M y home means everything to me. It means safety and cosiness and happiness. All of my achievements are here and its mine and Mr Hinchs and Henrys home, and that means the world.

No one knows what really happens behind closed doors. No matter how well we know people, we never truly get to see what happens when they come in, kick off their shoes and hide away. All of your secrets are in the place where you live. You probably have your best and your worst times there, and its your private treasure chest that only you have a key to.

Anyone can live in a house, flat, apartment or caravan, but making that place a home is the best feeling ever. Now, it goes without saying that what truly makes somewhere homely is the memories that you and your loved ones share there. That obviously is one of the most important things. But from an aesthetic point of view, you can make somewhere your home by putting things you love in it. You decorate it how you like and you keep it clean. You douse it in your fave scents and you care for it. Its extremely special, after all! I really do think we should respect our homes. I cherish and respect everything I own and I feel so lucky to have it.

There is a danger of turning your house into a show home to impress other people, so its got to be about what you like. I browse peoples homes on Instagram daily, and some of them literally take my breath away. But I dont think to myself, I want that house, because I love and enjoy my own. But we can still appreciate each others different tastes and styles. Your friend may pop over for a cuppa once a week and have a nose about, but youve got to live there day in, day out, so its not about impressing other people, its about being comfortable and happy in your own space.

Saying this is a big step for me, because years ago I would have decorated my home in a way that I thought other people would like or be impressed by (Ill get into that more a bit later), and its real progress that I dont feel the need to do that any more. I honestly believe that I found myself through my home.

Is my house perfect and spotless? No way! Is it to everyones taste? Definitely not. Some people dont like the grey and white look, so my place would be their worst nightmare because they would think its boring. But I love it. Am I happy here? I really am.