Clutter's Last Stand: It's Time To De-junk Your Life! [Paperback]

Don Aslett (Author), Tad Herr (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2005

The book people say belongs on the shelf right beside the Bible, the book they read over and over, and give to their friends CLUTTER S LAST STAND, 2nd edition. This is the bold,unique volume that first put the finger on one of the major causes of depression and inefficiency in modern life junk and clutter! With good reason CLUTTER S LAST STAND, 2nd editon, has been called the book that convinces you to declutter. With a nonstop sense of humor and hundreds of hilarious illustrations, it lays out the case for dejunking, dramatically demonstrating how clutter invades and affects every area of our homes and lives.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Don Aslett, America's #1 Cleaning Expert, is the founder of one of the country's largest cleaning firms, Varsity Contractors. His home care books have sold more than three million copies-and counting. His private label brand of cleaners, Don Aslett's Time Savers, are perennial favorites on QVC. Don has appeared on Oprah, as well as all the national shows and in the pages of every woman's magazine, from Real Simple to Cosmopolitan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 262 pages
• Publisher: Marsh Creek Press; 2 edition (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593373295
• ISBN-13: 978-1593373290
• Product Dimensions: 0.7 x 5.7 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #97 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Home Improvement & Design > How-to & Home Improvements > Cleaning, Caretaking & Relocating

More About the Author

Don Aslett, owner and founder of one of the USA's largest and most successful cleaning companies--and self-made millionaire--has revolutionized both the home and the workplace with his popular cleaning services, products, and books

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

187 of 190 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a gem that will get you itching to clean out your closets July 29, 2001

By Carol C. VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

A friend told me that "You own the thing; then the thing owns you." So true. This is not an organize-your-possessions book as much as it is a pare-down-your-possessions book. In fact, Aslett refers to storage cubbies (china cabinets, desk organizers, closet racks, shadow boxes, extra shelves) as "junk bunkers," irrestibly beckoning us to fill them up, and he refers to "things and stuff" catalogs as "junk pornography." If you're like me, you'll be ready to throw out half your possessions when you finish the book. When I was reading this book (not at home), I was dying to get home & start cleaning out drawers & closets -- When I got home, I immediately ran to my spare bedroom closet & loaded up thirty-three beautiful but seldom-worn and too- tight dresses for Goodwill. I was equally ruthless with books I don't read, nail polish I don't use, plastic cups, old race tee shirts, stuffed animals from high school boyfriends, old lamps without shades, my ten-year-old skis and boots, old ice skates, ratty towels, clothes to "paint" or "work" in. The boxes of "stuff to sell on e-bay" (that have been int he garage for months) have been redesignated "stuff for Goodwill."

Aslett shows how cluttering your life with stuff really gets in the way of enjoying life. He points out the burden that results from excessive ownership -- pointing out the fallacy of acquiring inexpensive (or "free") things that cost us much more in the long run, the problems created by owning several of the same item (when one would suffice), for saving things for the future....

Aslett doesn't advocate stark minimimalism or an all-out blitz; he does have some sympathy for things to which you may be emotionally attached -- but he suggests ways of evaluating and miniaturizing junk (saving a scrap of fabric or a button from your prom dress, rather than the whole thing). He doesn't judge whether your possessions are treasure or junk; he gives you the framework for deciding whether YOU are better off keeping an item or getting rid of the item.

This isn't a new age simplify-your-life book, but Anslett doesn't hesitate top explain (near the end of the book) how filling your life with junk (possessions, food, draining "friends") can lead to depression and anxiety. It's laugh-out-loud funny in parts, readable, and painfully honest. Read it -- Goodwill, Salvation Army, Bottomless Closet, Disabled Veterans -- someone will be glad you did. Read more ›

151 of 159 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Do you want freedom, respect, room to grow - resd this! September 25, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Don Aslett doesn't know me, but he has influenced my life perhaps more than anyone. When I first started out in life, I was carefree, happy, and serene. I slept at night. Over the years, I found myself with a lot more things, but a lot less happiness. I tried "looking within", but it was all the stuff "without" that was making me depressed. Then someone gave me a copy of this book and I realized that I didn't need to suffer anymore. Although my home was clean, it was cluttered, as was my schedule, my life, my whole existence. During a big move, with Don Aslett's encouragement, I sold or gave away almost everything except those few precious things that really mattered to me. In my new (all white) house, I brought in only the bare necesseties and only objects that I felt I couldn't live without. My home looks beautiful now - light and airy. I dejunked my schedule and some not-so-good acquaintances and learned to say NO!. Since I had no junk to take care of, I had time to get a couple of degrees, learn to play the piano, and really have fun with my man and our child. I have read every one of Don's books - he has an incredible sense of humor and love for life. Don, you are the saint of orderliness and peacefulness. God bless you - and thanks for giving me my life back. Dr. D.

67 of 68 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It's simple,if you don't need it...get rid of it!!! December 29, 2005

By J. Guild TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

I first came across this book in the mid 80's.It is the best book on the subject of de-cluttering your life that I've ever seen.It was first published in 1984,and has been on bookstore shelves ever since.Just look at the reviews here;they go back for years.

Don Aslett has been billed as America's Cleaning Expert for at least 25 years.He started in the building cleaning business while in university,and by the time he graduated he was employing many to work for him and even had a fleet of trucks.He is so proud of his profession that he travels around the country carrying a briefcase that looks like a toilet.

In this book, he gives you the benefit of all his years in the business.You quickly learn that the biggest element in cleaning is dealing with clutter.

He is so good of taking the ordinary things that clutter up our life and sap our strength,and writing about it in such a humorous way ,that you'll have tears coming from your eyes from laughter.

It is almost uncanny how he addresses every excuse we've ever used to convince ourselves that clutter is worth keeping,sorting,arranging,storing,piling,labeling,boxing,hanging,stacking,packing,guarding,cleaning,keeping as spares,keeping in case someone else might want it,and on and on.

I was showing this book to a neighbor who has a double car garage ,and can't put any of his three vehicles,with a combined value of over $150K ,inside out of the searing sun in the summer and snow and ice of the winter;for the simple reason ,it's full of clutter.If you think Aslett's examples are exagerrated,this fellow has boxes of National Geographic magazines the Thrift stores won't even take.He even showed me a box of marine charts he collected when he had a boat.The boat's been gone for 15 years....He offered them to me;but No Thanks!Oh well,I'll just keep them,someone might use them.I asked him if he still had an anchor.He thought for a minute."I'm sure I do...somewhere.Do you want it? " No,I said,just wondering.

You have probably seen other books on getting rid of stuff,also numerous magazine and newspaper articles;but this is the real bible on the subject.Why else is it still being sold and reviewed after 20 years?

Aslett has been a popular speaker on the subject.He has also written books,"Is There Life After Housework" and"Do I Dust or Vacuum First?" He has also put out tapes that are hilarious.

His books are full of quotes and one of his best tests to evaluate if something is junk,just try to give it to someone.

I have a friend who often says;"Everything you get,takes looking after." That about says it all.

In the end,you may not learn too much from this book;it is intended to motivate you,not teach you.Everyone knows junk when they see it;getting rid of it is the challenge!

Here's to de-junking your life.

" Read more ›

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The DeCluttering Bible June 13, 2004

By Reformed Packrat

Format:Paperback

I've read and re-read this book a dozen times. Each time I gain something new, either a strategy for getting rid of junk. Or motivation. On the surface, it's a fun book with great illustrations, and info broken down into small bits. You can pick it up and start reading anywhere. But as you read, a philosophy emerges. I think its point (and any good book on decluttering) is:

1. Find out what is currently important in your life;

2. Get rid of the things that don't contribute to that;

3. Take good care of the things that remain.

Easy to say, but hard to do when you're looking at a closet overflowing with stuff.

The thing I like about Aslett's writing is that he addresses all the reasons people hold onto things. I mean, getting rid of your stuff can be emotional. It's not just the things, but what they represent. Like projects we've started, but never finished. (getting rid of them means admitting dedeat.) Keeping broken stereos and appliances in the garage, thinking we'll fix them (but never will.) Holding onto your dead grandfather's set of horseshoes (because you think getting rid of them would be disrespectful.)

The tragedy of clutter is that it distracts us from living fully in the present. And after reading Aslett's book, I was genuinely motivated to make some changes. Big changes. No, I didn't throw away everything I owned. But I did get rid of a lot. And I can safely say that I haven't regretted a single removal. The benefits have been that I appreciate what's left so much more (I actually READ the few remaining books, actually LOOK at the few remaining photographs, actually FINISH the remaining craft project, can actually FIND things when I need them.) The philosophy has trickled down and helped me be selective in my purchases and accumulating now.... I only bring something new into my home now if it enhances my life. No more recreational shopping. What freedom. And I sincerely thank Aslett for this book, and his dedication to his profession. Read more ›