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Publication Date: Friday, April 01, 2005 Dudes against dirt
Dudes against dirt
(April 01, 2005) Spring housekeeping isn't just for the gentler sex
by Stephanie Ericson
Are you a man wondering why your dates don't come back after visiting your apartment? Or are you a woman tired of explaining hygienic principles of bathroom care to your man? Do you wish your hubby would dust off all his golf trophies himself?
Well, a guide to practical cleaning just might provide needed relief, at least according to Tom McNulty, author of "Clean Like a Man: Housekeeping for Men (and the Women Who Love Them)." Judy Wheeler, owner of Towne Center Books on Main Street, says she has it in stock for those inspired by spring.
McNulty contends that the biggest stumbling block to men empowering themselves with mop and vacuum isn't laziness or indifference, but practical knowledge - and perhaps they need a little encouragement.
"All a man needs to clean the house is opposable thumbs, a few supplies and a little know-how and motivation," he assures his readers. "You already have the thumbs. 'Clean Like a Man' will give you the rest."
More than a compilation of helpful tips, McNulty's 2004 "manly" paperback manual of 218 pages is an organized how-to guide, comprehensive without being too overwhelming for most men (we hope!) It's also peppered with "manly" humor and hints, such as the whys and how-tos of overcoming unacceptable odors in the living space of the olfactory challenged male.
But there's plenty of good advice for anyone who hasn't already memorized "Heloise Hints." (My mostly unused edition has 518 pages of them.)
Since McNulty doesn't take prior housecleaning knowledge for granted - he includes detailed instructions on making the bed, ironing a shirt and sewing on a button - the book may also be the perfect gift to give to your son or daughter when he or she starts living on his or her own. (Then again, I'm probably dreaming.)
McNulty explains what products to use where, how to break down housecleaning into manageable pieces, doing laundry, etc., and gives suggestions for organizing and uncluttering your space. Perhaps relying on a presumed masculine interest in machinery, McNulty goes into detail on the vacuum cleaner - how to use it and how to buy one. In his "Grime Wave" chapter, I was amused to see that his list of "most common man-stains" on garments begins with beer and ends with vomit.
McNulty also lets you throw in the towel (literally), ending the book with a brief primer on how to hire professional house cleaners, whether you "go pro" for special occasions or give up completely.
"Clean Like a Man" is published by Three Rivers Press in New York, a member of Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House Inc.
Some he-man housekeeping hints
Maybe you've heard these before. But maybe HE hasn't.
¥ Use a walkman while cleaning.
¥ To clean dusty plants, use a hairdryer set on cool or run water over them in the shower.
¥ "Set a time limit and then rush, rush, rush.... Racing the clock takes the 'deer in the headlights' factor out of large housecleaning jobs that can be intimidating. You'll be surprised at how much you can get done in a half hour of focused, frenzied effort."
¥ To remove accumulated hard-water minerals from hard-to-remove plastic showerheads, fill a plastic bag with half white vinegar and half hot water and attach it with a rubber band and let it soak for several hours.
¥ Use duct tape or a safety pin to temporarily fix a loose trouser cuff or hem.
¥ Strain wine through a coffee filter if it contains tiny bits of cork.
¥ Cat litter is one low-cost way to deodorize and dehumidify closets, drawers, refrigerators, ashtrays, garbage cans and even your car. You can put it in thin socks or nylon stockings.
¥ Put a few drops of cologne on a light bulb. When the light comes on, the aroma of the room improves.
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