These days, everyone is flat out and on the go. The last thing you want to do at the end of a hectic day is clean the house. It’s why we’ve devised Speedcleaning. It’s for people who want a clean house but are time-poor. The approach can be summed up in one word—systems. Having systems in place will mean your house will run more smoothly and efficiently. The best news is that with some organisation and 15 minutes a day, you can transform your cleaning routine!
For those readers who are not familiar with the bestselling book Spotless, Shannon Lush is a fine art restorer who knows how to repair anything, whether it’s an expensive antiquity or a favourite aunt’s vase. Shannon is also a keen collector of handy household hints, a lifelong passion that has been handed down through generations. Not only does she collect hints, she also tests and modifies them to make them even better. Shannon is also known as the ‘Queen of Clean’, appearing as a regular guest on radio and television across Australia and New Zealand. She helps listeners with all manner of domestic disasters and has never been stumped.
Jennifer Fleming is a presenter and producer on ABC Radio and has worked with the country’s leading journalists and commentators. Jen first met Shannon over the telephone—when Shannon rang James Valentine’s Afternoon Show on 702 ABC Sydney as a talkback caller. Week after week, people would ring for help with new spills and stains and Shannon would have an answer for every problem. Jen noticed there was a huge interest in non-toxic remedies and a desire to remember old-fashioned tips and advice. She approached Shannon with the idea of writing a book. Once Spotless was released, people started asking if there was another book. They wanted information on cleaning techniques, and that is how Speedcleaning came to life. Like most listeners and readers, Jen doesn’t know a lot about stains and cleaning, but she’s good at asking the right questions and extracting the best information from Shannon’s encyclopaedic database brain. It’s a perfect collaboration.
Thank you for responding so positively to Spotless. We hope you’ll keep Speedcleaning next to Spotless on the bookshelf and use the two in tandem.
Many people have assisted in the creation of this book. Thanks to James Valentine from 702 ABC Sydney for allowing it to begin. Thanks to Susan Morris-Yates, Megan Johnston, Nanette Backhouse, Ian Faulkner, Stuart Neal, Jane Finemore and the team at ABC Books for their contribution. Family and friends have given so much support. Particular thanks to John and Pat Fleming, Tony Speede and Jodi McKay. Thanks also to Amanda Woods who relayed the advice about spiders and lemons in the first place. Thank you to Elizabeth Troyeur—and, of course, to the Queen of Clean, Shannon Lush.
I’d like to add my thanks to all those that Jennifer listed, and to add a few more. To the women of my family, Eleanor Saich (my wonderful mum), Bronwyn Macinante and Narelle Dean (my supportive sisters), Tamara Custance and Erin Lush (my beautiful daughters) and my aunts and grandmother and all the rest. And to the men of my family, John Referendum Hayes (my dad), Trent Hayes, John Hayes Jr (my brothers) and so many more that I could fill a book just with the names of my loving, supportive and inspirational family.
My ABC family—James Valentine, Richard Fidler, Carole Whitelock, Bernadette Young, Louise Saunders, Annie Gastin, Alison Buchanan, Bonita Brown, Scott Levi, Madeleine Randall, Aaron Kearney, all the producers and technical staff, publicists, publishers, way too many to list.
A special thank you to all the listeners and readers. I’ve enjoyed meeting so many of you.
I can’t bypass big thank yous to Jennifer Fleming—a friend and collaborator.
And last but definitely not least my wonderful husband Rick who not only puts up with a workaholic wife, but aids and abets her.
