apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'm a first time new home owner and I've recently inherited some family heirlooms, most of which I have no clue how to care for. I need Martha's help! I love to read, I am pro-Martha, and I would be happy to write the review!

p.s. I'm newly married and the proud new momma of a cat that likes to destroy everything in sight (you know, in case that's relevant).

p.p.s. I'm great with Photoshop and, after testing Martha's tips, I'm willing to include photographic evidence to support my review.

I saw this book last week in William Somoma and commented how cool it was to my sister...

Im visiting over from AT-LA, I feel like im swooping in on the NY prize, but I'll give it a shot.

I just moved into this adorable beach rental in Newport Beach with my boyfriend. The previous renters did not show the place any love, it was filthy when we moved in (fake eye lashes around the bathroom sink, mildew everywhere). The place has come a long way since we moved in , but I can definately use some direction on cleaning the various surfaces throughout the apartment. It is old and the walls are plaster, it has hardwood floors (which I've never had before) and slate tiles in the bathroom floor and walls.

I can certainly use some direction from Martha on how to clean these beautiful surfaces without damaging them.

I own the book, and can't claim to have read the whole thing, but it has been a great resource (practically encyclopedic) whenever I have a question about cleaning anything. And yes, you read that right, over 700 pages on cleaning...

How fun! I love when I come across a great resource that I can refer to again and again -- this is what keeps a book on my shelf. As full-time professionals, it's a challenge keeping up with housework, especially now that we've moved into our first home. It would be awesome to see what tips Martha has that works for both of us, our schedules and budgets - a bonus would be techniques for the workplace and post-cooking experiment cleanups. We also have a very energetic Boston Terrier to keep us on our toes! Photos would be included, of course.

I love the feel of a clean home; a place one can dwell comfortably in.

But to be frank, I detest the back-breaking work that it takes to keep any space clean. And in keeping with honesty, I have to admit that even after all that complaining I do while on four scrubbing away at the tub, I do love the end result...more so that I had done it myself with just 3 ingredients of lemon, vinegar, and baking soda. So the effort was worth it, once I get out of the dirty cleaning (ops, sorry about the oxymoron usage there) clothes and go soak in the freshly scented (by natural lemons) and newly polished tub filled with warm water and epson salts (to ease my back pains from the scrubbing labor just before).

Needless to say, until I can afford (i wouldn't bank on it happening anytime during the life of our solar star) the Merry Maids, this book will make its way all around my apartment.

Thanks AT for the cleaning, I mean err, reading, this.

I'm pro-Martha, but only to a point, and I have to say, I've been a little irritated by this book -- I'm mean, there are those of us who clean to live verse live to clean. Something about the smugness of the Martha shot has me thinking this is a book that will make me feel inadequate that I'm a clean to live person (although my husband is more of a live to clean man). I'd like to think I'd provide a balanced perspective on the book, from a typically busy professional woman who understands the value of a clean home (and a happy husband!). Anyway, I'm curious about the book.

I would be the most appropriate recipient/reviewer for the book since I share one very crucial thing in common with Martha Stewart: I only clean for show.

(I'm sure that book cover photo session was the first time Martha has picked up a bottle of window cleaner in 20 years).

Like one of your other commenters, I'm about to become a first time home-owner. However, it's not the new home I'm moving into that needs Martha's cleaning expertise. It's the old Brooklyn apartment I'm moving out of.

I'm sure Martha has all the tips and info that I'll need to make sure I get that security deposit back after clearing out of the place.

I am in desperate need of Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook: The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home because basically everything in my home right now could use some TLC. My sister got the cleaning genes in our family; I basically think of myself as a clean but untidy sort of person living in a clean but untidy sort of place. I just returned from a two-week work trip overseas, and the perspective gained from 14 days in truly clean hotel rooms has revealed that my house is both untidy and rather grungy. My pre-war building has many benefits, but the hardwood floors and plaster walls create dust, the original tiles in the bathroom never get shiny, and years of neglect (from other tenants I swear) have left my appliances dull and dingy. My newfound commitment to a cleaner, healthier space would be dramatically enhanced by advice from the guru of clean herself, and I would certainly welcome all the help I can get! If chosen, I guarantee a pithy review submitted in a timely fashion with appropriately awe-inspiring before and after photos...

I do not come from a family of cleaners, so I need Martha to teach me the way to keep countertops sparkling, grout immaculate, and soap scum out of the picture.

My husband and I just moved into a large apartment, about twice the size of our previous place, and we are frightened by the prospect of cleaning it. Space is great, but only if you don't have to share it with dust bunnies!

So I hope that AT and Martha can help us start out clean!

Beachwood jeff, you should re-examine your lease regarding the condition of the apartment when you vacate. In the standard lease for NY apartments, it basically says that the unit has to be "broom-swept clean" or something along those lines. As such, I don't think you need to go crazy with getting every single water spot out of your bathtub. And no matter what, the landlord will be hiring someone to come in and do a thorough cleaning anyway.

Congrats on the new place!

Oooh pick me, because I lurrrve Martha and have had this book on my amazon wishlist since it came out. I like cleanliness, but hate to clean or actually I hate to begin cleaning, but once I start I get into it. I think having Martha's tips to inspire me and a deadline to submit a review would be the great kick in the pants I need to really get into the knitty gritty areas of my basement apartment. My very old basement apartment, with many challenges that I share with a very large boxer-pit.

Because crack houses can become crack homes.

My house is a sty... I tried to hire a housekeeper and she ended up flaking out. Please help! I think Martha tries to offer up earth friendly cleaning methods, like using bleach and baking soda as opposed to chemical cleaners found at your local megamart. I'd love to try out the methods and offer up my two cents afterwards.

I would love to test lab this book because I have:

1 small apartment
1 tall, clumsy husband
1 15 month old son
2 hairy cats

This adds up to clutter, snacks, hair and goo everywhere. I'd love to see what help Martha would be for my situation.

Hello AT Judges,

So I made the move to NYC, after rocking sublets for 5 years of college( architecture degree, not a super senior, slacker), and one cramped, infested, drank and dank east village apartment. Ive made the move to Astoria. My place has a great layout, and lots of light, so there is potential for nice home. Basically the first time I have put down roots, and Id like to give it a go. I've been a fan of Martha since her first show, pre-jail, and I find her to be the perfect balance of inspirational and "nagging Mom", which usually gets me to clean up my act. Her book would be the go to resource for me, since I'm just starting out and really haven't had the responsibility of making my own place. And if it all goes well, Ill invite the NY AT's over for a cocktail in the new year ;-)
thanks-

I am a busy mother of seven that homeschools... some days I have time to clean thoroughly and some days it's "spot cleaning". I could really give this book a workout to see if the tips can do what they say they can do.

blogged ya; http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/2007/11/thursday-edition-of-contests-galore_08.html

Tomorrow is my husband's birthday, and he loves to clean. (I mean it. He totally loves it!) I, on the other hand, am basically a slob. Cleaning isn't really in my skill set. You'd think that this would work out great, in a Jack Sprat kind of way, but actually it means that he wishes I'd love to clean just as much as he does, and I wish he'd just relax about it already.

So this book would be a great birthday gift for him to hone his craft, and for me to pick up some skills that I'm lacking. Our review could offer feedback from both his experienced viewpoint and my beginner one.

Plus, we're trying to adopt, so if all goes according to plan, there will be a wee person in our near future, and cleaning will become especially important. Better brush up on those skills before our lives are taken over by baby demands!

Why?... Because I've just purchased "Apartment Therapy" and it needs a companion! We're ready to clean!

i would love this! i've actually picked the book up more than a few times wanting to buy it.

i grew up in a home that was NEVER clean or organized. my dad was disabled & my mom worked all day. so, i never really learned how to properly keep a home. when i moved out on my own, i started devouring housekeeping books & mags. i wanted to learn everything.

so, if i win, you can know that i WILL read it, highlight it, & use it. i'll let you know what worked, what was easy, what was too complicated, & how much i was able to apply to my apartment living.

I am a TERRIBLE housekeeper. This is partially due to blindness and simple lack of know how (my mom wasn't a very good housekeeper either). I think I'd be a good condidate to try this book out because I NEED the help and I can really put it to the test :)

The reason I should be chosen to review Martha’s book is simple – I am Martha Stewart trapped in a gay man’s body. I live and breathe Martha and would use this book as my bible, complete with candle lighting…scented candles, of course! I am all about reviewing and testing out what goodness she shares with her readers. Looking over my three years worth of Martha’s magazines I have catalogued in the sitting room, it is difficult to see what else she can ‘wow’ us with. Will the fun and surprises never end? The suspense is killing me! This book will be for me the Harry Potter of housekeeping books. Reading cover to cover, I promise to be a good housekeeper and keep to your two-week deadline…that is if I can put the book down long enough to write a review. Between the cookie recipe testing and the homemade potpourri making, I might have to devote myself entirely to this task. I am good keeping deadlines and am very organized – not cause’ I’m gay but because I use Martha’s organization techniques and time management skills. This book would be the perfect companion to my growing Marthapedia. Reviewing this book will be a joy for me - It is a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it! Pick me and I will!

As the oldest of 6 kids, I've seen just about every kind of dirt life (or a 3 year old) can throw at you. I've spent hours cleaning up after puppies, kittens, hamsters and other various domestic animals. I've sopped red wine up off the carpet with kosher salt and saved a wedding gown from with the same trick. I am a talented cleaner.

Like many good housekeepers, I know a false tip when I see one. Martha's book, like many of her cookbooks, is more than likely teeming with useful and valuable information. But like her recipes - its also very likely that they're not quite as simple as they originally appear. Would love the opportunity to test it out for you!

My house needs a lot of work--I NEED Martha!

Who couldn't use this?