Household Hacks - Book Review

It seems the term "hack" is now applied to more than computers and technology. There are beauty hacks, cleaning hacks, decorating hacks, every kind of hack you can think of as the term expands to cover our whole way of living. Clearly, we are in an age where quick, simple, and easy strategies are desired to save time, save money, and save energy in a way that helps us lead simpler or at least easier lives. With more than two hundred hacks, I figured this book would be bound to help me achieve a simpler lifestyle.

Now, I'm not saying we want to double-mitt dust our way through house. That might be a bit much, but I do think most of us are looking for ways to simplify our lives and, if possible, use a bit of creativity in the process.

What I do see is an increased interest in the use of natural cleaning products such as vinegar and baking soda. I've been using vinegar for years and have found it to be versatile and helpful in many areas. HOUSEHOLD HACKS not only suggests a return to those natural cleaners but also adds several more: hydrogen peroxide, lemons and lemon juice, salt, baking soda, vinegar and apple cider vinegar. Just knowing the main benefits of each is a great help in knowing how to best utilize the product.

The book is organized into two basic sections. The first is the section that details uses for the various natural cleaners. The second goes on to look at the types of household hacks that can be applied to the different areas of the home including a home office and the car. At the end are several more creative household hacks.

The wonders of baking soda

As I said earlier, I'm pretty familiar with vinegar but I never realized all the things baking soda could do. The most I'd ever done was stick a box at the back of the fridge. I had no idea it would help get rid of the musty odor of my books that are currently in the garage and the storage unit, and you'd certainly think someone who has a pack of dogs to clean would give some thought to potential of baking soda. Nope, not once did I ever think I could use baking soda as a dry shampoo. That alone is going to save me time and money.

Useful alternatives and suggestions

Additional alternatives and suggestions accompany each major household hack in the Extra Hint section.

One of my favorite household hints

I know a lot of people may know this one but I never realized that you could use baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain. I cannot tell you how much I wish I'd know this before. Might have saved me quite a bit of money, too. I've included the video below just in case you haven't heard of this one before.

Brief Summary of Household Hacks

This is a wide-ranging collection of household hacks that provides a quick reference and easy-to-find resource for the use of a variety of natural cleaning products as well as a great number of tips and useful strategies to take care of things around the house. The fact that we are a mobile and technology oriented society is addressed with the inclusion of the home office and our beloved cars. I also appreciate that benefits of the natural cleaners that are so readily available helps me figure out more ways to use it in my everyday life.

Some might wish the book had more applications for each of the products but, for me, that is made up by the expanded household hacks applied to various areas of the home, especially the home office. Given the multiple uses of each of these natural cleaners, it simply wouldn't be practical to list them all. The applications offered gave me a good sense of how I can use these products in other ways.

Like anyone who has come across these topics online, I certainly did find things I'd heard before. That has worked out to be a plus for me as I can find it now in one resource rather than having to search it out. My memory isn't as sharp as it once was so I can review things before I tackle a job, too.

Final Thoughts on Household Hacks

I would have to say I am happy to have this book within easy reach on my iPad. I'd recommend this for anyone who is looking for an introductory book or one that provides a lot of handy tips and strategies to help around the house -- and I mean a lot.