Surprisingly, this is not simply a useful "how-to" book about natural cleaning. It is also a beautiful book--a pleasure to read and look at, with its lovely photographs and illustrations, accompanied by Kellar"s accessible, conversational writing style. Everyone enjoys the look, feel, and smell of a freshly cleaned home, but many people in recent years have become alarmed at the number of potentially harmful chemicals and solvents in commercial cleaning products and yearn for a safer, healthier way. Here it is! Fresh cut lemons, glycerin, table salt, vanilla beans, canola oil, peat moss, vinegar, and fragrant herbs are combined by the author to create cleaning solutions for just about every kind of soiled surface or household item. More than 90 individual recipes for cleaning and deodorizing your home are described in detail, including polishes and cleaners for wood floors and furniture and dozens of inventive ways to remove stains and freshen clothing, upholstery, and carpeting. Beyond the health and safety issues of using harsh chemical cleaners, there is also the cost issue. The natural materials used by Kellar are commonly available and inexpensive. Moreover, they work as well as more expensive and more unhealthy products. People with allergies and chemical sensitivities will love this book, as will anyone who longs for a clean, fresh-smelling, sparkling home without risking poisoning themselves or the environment. To put these strategies and recipes together in such a gorgeous and enjoyable book is an additional and unexpected bonus for the reader. This is a useful, practical, and elegant little book that would make a charming gift for any friend. --Mark A. Hetts