The Manual of Housekeeping is essential reading for all those involved in the care of historic houses and their collections. Building on the success of bestselling earlier editions, this greatly expanded manual covers a wider range of subjects in greater detail and includes the very latest thinking on housekeeping theory and practice. The National Trust gives detailed practical guidance on the care and maintenance of fragile interiors and the decorative fixtures, fittings and objects that contribute so much to their interest. In particular, this book highlights the ways in which preventative conservation measures can help reduce the need for expensive repair at a later date. It also explains how to strike the balance between the care and display of historic interiors and the provision for public access. It is written by internationally renowned specialists and produced by the National Trust, this book brings together many years of practical experience in the care of hundreds of internationally renowned historic houses and their collections. It is expanded and beautifully illustrated, covering objects not in earlier editions - carriages, mosaics and tiles, natural history collections, and plastics. It explains how to care for objects in a house rather than in a museum environment. It is produced by the National Trust, based on its experience of caring for more than 300 internationally renowned properties.