A Dirty Guide to a Clean Home - by Melissa Dilkes Pateras (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Melissa Dilkes Pateras is the most competent housekeeper/ DIY-project master/home repair genius that you've ever been sexually attracted to. Once she followed her kids onto TikTok and began sharing her years of knowledge, she found a community eager for her approachable, often tongue-in-cheek advice on everything from caulking to why color-coded closets are a spiritual experience. She doesn't care about transforming our homes into a minimal, beige Instagram post. Melissa sees housekeeping as a form of anxiety relief, self-care, and self-esteem-building. She wants us to feel able to take care of our homes in a way that works for us-so we can relax and feel confident inviting others over; in short, to say, "come on in""--

Book Synopsis

Everything you need to know about laundry, cleaning, and basic home repairs--from the TikTok star who made bluing a thing, showed you how to fold a fitted sheet, and taught you to properly use your (caulk) gun.

"[Melissa Pateras] makes chores enjoyable in her bawdy debut. . . . Doing laundry has never sounded so fun."--Publishers Weekly

Melissa Dilkes Pateras is the most competent housekeeper, DIY-project master, and home repair genius that you've ever fantasized about becoming. When she followed her kids on to TikTok, she discovered a community hungry for her approachable, tongue-in-cheek advice on everything from balls--dryer balls, that is--to why color-coded closets are a spiritual experience. She doesn't expect you to know what you were never taught, and she doesn't care about transforming your home into a minimal, beige Instagram post; she simply wants to help make your life easier.

Can housekeeping be fun? Whether you're terrified of your laundry pile or have an inner handyperson who's been longing for their moment, A Dirty Guide to a Clean Home is a joyful all-purpose guide to organizing, cleaning, laundry, repairs, and beyond. As Melissa says, "Your home shouldn't be your adversary."

Review Quotes

"Pateras, who dispenses housekeeping tips on TikTok, makes chores enjoyable in her bawdy debut. . . . The plentiful tips are often surprising. . . . Other 'hacks' are simple yet clever. . . . Throughout, Pateras's ribald humor animates the advice ('I love balls . . . in my dryer, ' she writes on preferring dryer balls to dryer sheets). Doing laundry has never sounded so fun."--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

In addition to creating viral videos with housecleaning tips and tricks, Melissa Dilkes Pateras has worked in social services for over twenty years, specializing in behavior and relationship management. She lives in Ontario, Canada, with her wife and three children.