Home Comforts: The Art & Science of Keeping House

Your home should be a retreat—a place to relax and unwind. But when it’s not running smoothly, it can feel anything but peaceful.

If your floors are covered in pet hair or every surface is piled high with clutter, it’s hard to feel at ease. Keeping up with eating well and staying on budget is difficult if the fridge is empty or the dishes are always dirty.

A Unique Take on Housekeeping

Home Comforts is not your typical housekeeping guide.

Written by Cheryl Mendelson, a lawyer with a Ph.D., she calls herself “excessively domestic.” Despite her professional career, she saw a gap in the market for a modern manual on housekeeping that goes beyond surface-level cleaning and organization.

In the opening chapter, Mendelson writes,

"I knew I would not want this information about me to get around... No one who mattered would talk to [a housewife] at a party."

She reflects on the societal pressures that made domesticity seem trivial in her professional circles.

What Makes Home Comforts Different?

Mendelson’s mission is to provide a practical guide that teaches anyone, regardless of experience, how to make their home a place of comfort and order. Whether you're a homeowner, a renter, just starting, or a seasoned homemaker, Home Comforts offers something for everyone.

Housekeeping, as Mendelson puts it,

"creates cleanliness, order, regularity, beauty, and the conditions for health and safety."

Home Comforts is about more than just cleaning. It’s about creating an environment where you can truly feel at home.

Personal Experience: The Sanitation Surprise

When I first read Home Comforts, I distinctly remember thinking, “It’s a miracle my family has survived my housekeeping methods!” 

Mendelson’s meticulous sanitation methods are light years ahead of mine. I couldn’t help but laugh at how much I’ve been winging it. Her advice on sanitizing laundry or cleaning various surfaces after an illness made me realize I have some serious room for improvement. 

While reading, I felt amused and a bit nervous about my past shortcuts. Luckily, no one in my household has suffered from my less-than-Mendelsonian standards—yet!

What You’ll Learn

This book isn’t about crafts or decorating. It’s about the essentials of home care. You’ll learn:

• How to establish routines that ensure things get done regularly

• Sanitizing laundry after illnesses

• Basic clothing repairs

• Using a dust mop correctly

• Removing every type of stain imaginable

• Shopping for furniture and bedding

• Fire, electrical, and water safety tips

Practical Applications

One principle from the book that has been a game-changer for me is Mendelson’s focus on routines. I now follow a daily and weekly checklist that keeps tasks from piling up.

Taking small, regular steps helps prevent the overwhelming task of deep cleaning all at once. The method is simple and has helped me feel more organized without spending hours cleaning every week.

Pros and Cons of Home Comforts

Pros:

• Extremely comprehensive, as it covers every aspect of household care, from cleaning to managing paperwork.

• Practical and straightforward advice that’s easy to implement.

• Perfect for both beginners and experienced homemakers.

Cons:

• Might feel overwhelming due to the sheer amount of information.

• Not much focus on aesthetic aspects like decorating or styling your home.

Comparison to Other Housekeeping Books

Unlike many other housekeeping books that focus heavily on décor or making your home look beautiful, Home Comforts goes deep into the “science” of keeping a home. If you’ve ever felt like you need a manual for managing your home, this book is for you. 

It’s more practical and less focused on appearance than books like The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo or Beautifully Organized by Nikki Boyd.

Key Takeaways

Here are some of the main lessons from Home Comforts:

• Establish routines: Regular tasks keep chaos at bay.

• Sanitize properly: Knowing how to clean after illness is essential for a healthy home.

• Paperwork matters: Organizing contracts, insurance, and important documents is part of effective home management.

• Safety first: Mendelson offers critical advice on fire, water, and electrical safety, areas often overlooked.

A Comprehensive Guide

Home Comforts is one of the most in-depth guides available on household maintenance. Mendelson covers everything from cleaning fabrics and textiles to maintaining the woods and metals in your home. You’ll also find advice on:

• Efficient home ventilation

• Managing home paperwork and contracts

• Purchasing insurance

• Hiring help, including the legalities and how to write references for staff

A Handy Reference for Any Household

You can read this book cover to cover or treat it like a reference guide, using the index to quickly find the answers you need. It’s a great addition to your home library and makes an excellent housewarming or shower gift.

Final Thoughts

My copy of Home Comforts with some of my other homemaking books.

Whether you’re managing your own home or hiring help, Home Comforts offers valuable insights to keep your space running smoothly. It’s the perfect resource for those looking to bring order and calm to their household routines.

Get Your Copy Today

You can purchase Home Comforts on Amazon.

Other Recommended Reads

If you enjoy Home Comforts, you might also like:

• Beautifully Organized by Nikki Boyd