My friend subscribes to an e-mail discussion list for working moms, and she passed along a series of messages based on a rather passionate discussion. I thought it my duty as a writer with a sarcastic edge to spew some verbiage about the discussion, being I deem the subject matter right up there with abortion rights and equal pay for women.

Let me preface this with the fact that I'm only one-half of the working mom role. I'm the working part, not the mom just yet. Thus, I thought she sent me the e-mail because it was an interesting thread about marital stress. Or perhaps a list member admitted she was having a steamy affair in the office. Hmm. I was intrigued.

But these working moms weren't all a-flutter about the libido-enhancing herbs. They were engrossed in none other than a lively, impassioned discussion about the methodical finesse of cleaning. That's right. As in scrubbing toilet bowls, scouring refrigerators, wiping bathtubs, and mopping kitchen floors. Now, not only was I intrigued — I was also shocked.

Then, of course, there's the inevitable fact that she awakens several times a night to breastfeed, burp, and diaper change. Not to mention that she rises and shines before the birds to get herself ready for another hectic day before awakening her brood and getting them ready for their day. I'm exhausted just reading that. And to think — she still carries the weight of eliminating dust balls? Go figure.

In a nutshell, here's what I surmised from this e-mail discussion: Working mothers really are superwomen. In the midst of all the muss and fuss that goes along with any given day, they're actually deeply concerned about keeping their homes in tip-top shape.

Like the pop song "I'm Every Woman," they really are every kind of woman (am I getting corny yet?).

They're modern, yet mindful of the "good old" traditional values of a warm, clean, welcoming haven for their spouses and kids — so important in this day and age when the home is considered a mere way station sandwiched between school, sports, and sleepovers.

They're multitasking geniuses, capable of perfecting their many roles with a keen sense of time management (and a sense of humor).

They're smart, but modest — these women trolled the Web and hoofed it to libraries in their quest to find the best sources for achieving the stature of "domestic deity."

And they didn't brag about it either — though they were probably on the Web at 2 a.m. while rocking their baby back to sleep or in the library zipping around the aisles while they waited for their 10-year-old's karate class to end.

But enough of the admiration. I figure all the information I extracted from those e-mail messages may have an impact on working moms everywhere. I'll share the wealth, and perhaps one day refer to this article if ever I become engrossed in maternal madness and start to panic over how to — gasp — fit a proper cleaning method in my own chaotic home. Either that or I'll simply rely on what popped into my mind the first time I read the threaded discussion: 1-800-HOUSEKEEPER.

• "It took me an hour to clean a bathroom, and I have three! First, I started wiping the sink, only to figure out I had to clear it off first. I went on to scrubbing the toilet, but oops! I had to rinse the brush in the sink, and then realized I had to clean it all over again!"
  
  
• "This is my daughter's last week at childcare, and then she nervously starts her pre-K class. Me? I just hope I can figure out whether I'm supposed to vacuum or dust-mop the wood floors!"
  
  
• "I never can keep it straight what has to be done first, and almost inevitably, I have to redo something."
  
  
• "I've recently subscribed to four cleaning lists to help me in my confused and domestically challenged life."
  
  
• (in response to that last quote): "I think that borders on masochism!"

• "Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House," by Cheryl Mendelson Says one working mom: "This explains how, why, and when to clean things and take care of your home, in general. I really like the book and refer to it at least once a month." (If you'd like to buy it online, check out Amazon.com.)
  
  
• "Speed Cleaning," by Jeff Campbell The same mom says this tome gives the nitty-gritty about how to clean as efficiently as possible — the author even assigns roles if there are two or more cleaning mavens in the house. (If you'd like to buy it online, check out Amazon.com.)

• "I use Simple Green spray on the bathroom counters unless they're really dirty."
  
  
• "I vacuum first and use a dusting attachment to go over the counters and floors, then I spray the counters and wipe them down."
  
  
• "I learned to do it all from the top down, but I save the sinks for last. I rinse the toilet bowl brush out in the sink. You know? It never occurred to me to just flush it as a way of rinsing it."
  
  
• "I started using those bleach tablets that you put in the toilet tank. They really help to keep the bowls clean."
  
  
• "I rinse the toilet brush out in the tub. So it makes sense, I guess, to do the tub last."
  
  
• "If you're potty-training (or even if you're not), you might not want to try those blue toilet bowl tablets. My son freaked out —- he thought there was something wrong with the toilet! He didn't even want to pee. I caught him flushing repeatedly until the water was almost clear!"
  
  
• "I like the blue toilet tablets. When they're 'done,' I know the toilet needs a cleaning (or another tablet)."

1. Take out mats or rugs and shake them out. Roll 'em up and leave 'em outside the bathroom until the floor dries (cleaning the floor is a later step).
   
   
2. Dump all dirty, used towels in the laundry basket, and stack clean ones outside the bathroom, to be replaced when the floor dries.
   
   
3. Now start with anything that needs cleaning on the walls. Use glass cleaner on mirrors and pictures, and use a damp towel on window sills.
   
   
4. Remove items from toilet tank, sink ledges, counters, and any other furniture.
   
   
5. Spray surfaces of these areas if appropriate (read labels). It's probably safest just to use a damp sponge and rinse it in the sink. If you want to get really crazy, polish those surfaces by using a dry paper towel.
   
   
6. Clean the tub after the sink but before the toilet. Sprinkle some cleanser (or spray or squeeze whatever cleanser you choose) and clean with the same sponge you used for the sink.
   
   
7. Dump in your choice of cleaner into the toilet bowl. Spray the seat and the rim, then clean with a paper towel. Brush the bowl and rinse it by flushing the toilet. Without touching any other surface, replace the toilet brush in the holder.
   
   
8. Spray the floor with Lysol (all-purpose cleanser) and wipe it up with a paper towel. Or, if you have a lot of filth or a really big floor, vacuum it first, then sponge mop it.