46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely life-changing, July 21, 2009
This review is from: Is There Life After Housework?: A Revolutionary Approach to Cutting Your Cleaning Time 75% (Paperback)
This book has entirely changed the way I approach housework. I used to be in a constant state of discouragement about the state of my home, even when I tried so hard to stay on top of things. I would cringe whenever visitors were over, because I knew my home wasn't as inviting as I wanted it to be. I'm not a perfectionist by any means, but I DO want a home that's not messy and unpleasant.
Now, things are different. I feel in control. I have time to focus on my family and other important things. My family responds so much better to cleanliness and order around them. I am actually really enjoying the housework now, and feeling a huge sense of satisfaction in spending minimal amounts of time doing what used to take me FOREVER. My home is far from perfect, but it's a vast improvement.
In a nutshell, here are the basic ideas of what this book is all about:
1. Aslett gives a very concise and helpful explanation of the basic cleaning chemicals and equipment that you need. It's all much simpler than most people think. I realized that most of my cleaning chemicals/supplies from the grocery store were unnecessary and ineffective, and now I have chemicals that actually work, and supplies that make the work SO much faster and easier.
2. Much of the housework can be either severely minimized or prevented entirely, if you take preemptive measures. And Aslett shows you exactly what measures to take. Preventing housework takes much less time and effort than doing housework. Of course you can't ever entirely get rid of the work, but you'd be surprised how much of the cleaning your house can do for you.
3. Aslett shares the techniques that are used by the cleaning professionals, and teaches you how to clean anything in a fraction of the time that it takes most people. These professional techniques not only cut down cleaning time dramatically, but are actually more effective and thorough. You can have speed AND quality.
4. My favorite thing about this book is Aslett's philosophy that you can maintain a clean and orderly home in about 30 minutes a day. His method is, to me, revolutionary. It seemed a little unrealistic when I first read the book, but I have been using it and it works like a charm. Gone are the days when the first 3-4 hours of every Saturday morning were spent cleaning (only to be undone in the next 24 hours or less). Now I can spend that time on Saturdays doing things I would rather be doing. Plus, I can have that nice, clean, "Saturday afternoon" feeling every day of the week.
This book is a pretty quick read. But SO helpful, and entertaining. Don Aslett is funny, informative, and encouraging. After just a few pages, I wanted to put the book down and go right to work trying what I had just learned.
But here's the thing: just reading the book won't change your home. Like anything else in life that's really worth it, this method takes lots of effort, self-control, and discipline. It means that you have to change some bad habits and acquire some new good ones. And as we all know, changing habits is hard. But the clean home, and resulting peace of mind, is totally worth any effort you put in.
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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clean like the pros!, January 6, 2009
This review is from: Is There Life After Housework?: A Revolutionary Approach to Cutting Your Cleaning Time 75% (Paperback)
When I was a new stay-home mom, I was overwhelmed with housework. I bought a lot of "how to clean the house books", and they were mostly the tricks of how other moms do it. Don Aslett is different: he is a Janitor. He says, "Don't clean the way your mom taught you; do it like the professionals!" Janitors have to get it done quickly and efficiently so they can move on to the next house. Moms need to get it done so they can get down to the business of quality time with their family.
I threw out all my grocery-store products, and went down to the janitorial supply. It was a lot cheaper. (And if I had not read the book, I would not have known to ask for the "professional discount", which they gave me.) I was cleaning the house with less energy and getting more results.
Don Aslett is the guru of house cleaning: he knows a lot, he shares all the info, and he is funny.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book!, April 10, 2008
This review is from: Is There Life After Housework?: A Revolutionary Approach to Cutting Your Cleaning Time 75% (Paperback)
If you're only going to buy one book on cleaning, get this one! Best book I've read so far on tips for faster, better cleaning. I highly recommend it.
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