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Organizing for the Rest of Us: 100 Realistic Strategies to Keep Any House Under Control
So you want to keep your kitchen counter clean but you aren't ready to toss the toaster? You want to be able to find your kids' socks but aren't looking to spend your 401(k) on clear bins? You long for a little more peace but minimalism isn't sparking joy? Discover 100 practical, do-able tips to organize, declutter and manage your home. Traditional organizing advice never worked for decluttering expert and self-proclaimed recovering slob Dana K. White. Is it possible, she wondered, to get organized without color coding my sock drawer? As Dana let go of the need for perfection, she discovered the joy of having an organized house in the midst of everyday life. You can too! In Organizing for the Rest of Us , Dana teaches you how to make great strides without losing your mind in organizing every room of your home. You'll find her 100 easy-to-read organizing tips invaluable, Organizing for the Rest of Us includes colorful, practical photos, a presentation page, and a ribbon marker, making it a thoughtful and useful gift or self-purchase if you Fans of Dana's popular podcast, A Slob Comes Clean , will treasure this book as a timeless (and frequently revisited) resource. With her humorous, lighthearted, easy-to-follow approach, Dana provides bite-size, workable solutions to break through every organizational struggle you have--for good! Look for additional, practical organizational resources from
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 11, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 837 reviews
May 23, 2022
God! Give me the strength 😬🙏🏻
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
May 11, 2022
This is my third of Dana's books, and definitely my favorite. It does such a great job of tackling de-cluttering, organization, and general housekeeping and cleaning, all while keeping mental health struggles, neurodiversity, and physical disability in mind (which is something I've learned the hard way that most "cleaning book" authors don't keep in mind at all, sadly).
If you're looking for a book of Dana's to start with, I definitely recommend picking this one up first! In fact, if you do read this one, I'll be blunt and say that I think her other books are unnecessary. This book says everything those two say but better and more succinctly, and while she does mention a few times during this book that you can reference *insert book here* for more information, I actually think it's all summed up plenty within these pages.
The only negative thing I'll comment on — and, funny enough, I think I said this about both of her other books that I read as well — is that it gets repetitive at times. There are only so many times I need to be reminded of the "container concept", for example, but it's mentioned in more chapters than not. Then again, that might be a positive for someone who's new to Dana K. White's processes, though, so it might actually be a bonus for some readers, as it definitely drives the message home!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go rest my ache-y spine, because I finished this book earlier this evening and then went on quite the cleaning spree (if that tells you anything about how motivational Dana is!). 😂
Thank you so much to the publisher and LibroFM ALC Program for providing me with this audio copy in exchange for an honest review!
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If you're looking for a book of Dana's to start with, I definitely recommend picking this one up first! In fact, if you do read this one, I'll be blunt and say that I think her other books are unnecessary. This book says everything those two say but better and more succinctly, and while she does mention a few times during this book that you can reference *insert book here* for more information, I actually think it's all summed up plenty within these pages.
The only negative thing I'll comment on — and, funny enough, I think I said this about both of her other books that I read as well — is that it gets repetitive at times. There are only so many times I need to be reminded of the "container concept", for example, but it's mentioned in more chapters than not. Then again, that might be a positive for someone who's new to Dana K. White's processes, though, so it might actually be a bonus for some readers, as it definitely drives the message home!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go rest my ache-y spine, because I finished this book earlier this evening and then went on quite the cleaning spree (if that tells you anything about how motivational Dana is!). 😂
Thank you so much to the publisher and LibroFM ALC Program for providing me with this audio copy in exchange for an honest review!
———
twitter | booktok | bookstagram | blog
November 6, 2021
I read a lot of organizing and decluttering books and Dana K. White's are always my favorites. I generally get one or two good points from an entire book and I take those with me. With Marie Kondo, it's the whole spark joy thing. With Dana, it's the container concept that's always stuck with me (you have a container for each type of thing you have and when it's full you need to get rid of the things that are not your favorites -- whether it's a bookcase or your sock drawer or your living room, don't get more containers, just keep the best of your things). That was in her other books too (Organizing at the Speed of Life and another who's title I forget) and that's in here, along with some of her other takeaways like start with the place you see first because it inspires you and don't take everything out Marie-style but take one thing at a time and deal with it immediately.
This book is 100 tips in large print format. Each tip takes a page or two, but they're spaced large so this is sort of a gift book format (there's even a page in the front for you to write your name as a present, though I wonder if some people might take offense at getting a gift book telling you how to declutter your house). There are some photos of her and her spaces but they seemed to be ones she already had from her blog. Sometimes they were cool and helpful, and sometimes she explained something with just words and I thought this is where you really could have used one of those photos. Most of the photos are sort of stock images like rolled towels, but some are obviously from her cleaning her own bathroom sink and such, which I always enjoy.
Dana is likeable and fun, and she writes from the perspective of someone who could never keep her house clean and organized until she developed these systems so it's relatable for those of us who were not born to clean. I'm not sure if I recommend this one over her other books, but if you like reading tidbits it's a good pick. It's also nice in that it doesn't tell you the same principle 15 times in a different room each time, which lots of organizing books do to fill up a whole book. This also covers cleaning jobs and not just decluttering and organizing, so it's helpful there (slip a pillowcase over your ceiling fan to collect the dust, etc.).
Well recommended.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
This book is 100 tips in large print format. Each tip takes a page or two, but they're spaced large so this is sort of a gift book format (there's even a page in the front for you to write your name as a present, though I wonder if some people might take offense at getting a gift book telling you how to declutter your house). There are some photos of her and her spaces but they seemed to be ones she already had from her blog. Sometimes they were cool and helpful, and sometimes she explained something with just words and I thought this is where you really could have used one of those photos. Most of the photos are sort of stock images like rolled towels, but some are obviously from her cleaning her own bathroom sink and such, which I always enjoy.
Dana is likeable and fun, and she writes from the perspective of someone who could never keep her house clean and organized until she developed these systems so it's relatable for those of us who were not born to clean. I'm not sure if I recommend this one over her other books, but if you like reading tidbits it's a good pick. It's also nice in that it doesn't tell you the same principle 15 times in a different room each time, which lots of organizing books do to fill up a whole book. This also covers cleaning jobs and not just decluttering and organizing, so it's helpful there (slip a pillowcase over your ceiling fan to collect the dust, etc.).
Well recommended.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
January 29, 2022
In times of stress my mind candy reading is decluttering books. They're just so mentally soothing.
So, the other day, I somehow stumbled across Dana K. White's book Organizing for the Rest of Us: 100 Realistic Strategies to Keep Any House Under Control. I meant to download a kindle sample but accidentally did an instant purchase download. (I think my last few brain cells left the building a couple of weeks ago.) I know I could have returned it but I figured what the heck, I like her writing (I've read her other two books How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind: Dealing with Your House's Dirty Little Secrets & Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff) & I am certainly spending plenty of hours looking at/navigating a hoard at a relative's house while I am over there helping for hospice care. Realistically, my sister & I will be the ones tackling much of the stuff in the upcoming months. Being there makes me want to come home & literally chuck everything. Lately I've been pondering Amish (?) style where I own two wooden chairs that I would hang on chair hooks on the wall when not using them. That amount of stuff sounds about perfect right now. Of course, the reality of my own house is waaaaay different than that, as I have more than my fair share of clutter. (And here I sit typing on my computer rather than chucking stuff left & right.) But, I have had a lot of time recently to ponder the realities of aging, caregiving, & massive amounts of stuff... things that those left behind have to handle usually. I guess you could say I've been thrust into the deep end of thinking about the Swedish Death Cleaning mode & similar things related to getting older, downsizing, cleaning out after death, legacies, etc.
White's book was a perfect, easy read for my (currently) addled brain. It has 100 tips (meaning: short, easy pages) about decluttering & organizing. If you've read her other books, this is not really new info. Still, I found it pleasant -- a book that put me in my (mental) happy place.
So, the other day, I somehow stumbled across Dana K. White's book Organizing for the Rest of Us: 100 Realistic Strategies to Keep Any House Under Control. I meant to download a kindle sample but accidentally did an instant purchase download. (I think my last few brain cells left the building a couple of weeks ago.) I know I could have returned it but I figured what the heck, I like her writing (I've read her other two books How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind: Dealing with Your House's Dirty Little Secrets & Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff) & I am certainly spending plenty of hours looking at/navigating a hoard at a relative's house while I am over there helping for hospice care. Realistically, my sister & I will be the ones tackling much of the stuff in the upcoming months. Being there makes me want to come home & literally chuck everything. Lately I've been pondering Amish (?) style where I own two wooden chairs that I would hang on chair hooks on the wall when not using them. That amount of stuff sounds about perfect right now. Of course, the reality of my own house is waaaaay different than that, as I have more than my fair share of clutter. (And here I sit typing on my computer rather than chucking stuff left & right.) But, I have had a lot of time recently to ponder the realities of aging, caregiving, & massive amounts of stuff... things that those left behind have to handle usually. I guess you could say I've been thrust into the deep end of thinking about the Swedish Death Cleaning mode & similar things related to getting older, downsizing, cleaning out after death, legacies, etc.
White's book was a perfect, easy read for my (currently) addled brain. It has 100 tips (meaning: short, easy pages) about decluttering & organizing. If you've read her other books, this is not really new info. Still, I found it pleasant -- a book that put me in my (mental) happy place.
January 29, 2022
If you grew up with hand-maids, bed chambers, a governess, and butlers and you have recently been disinherited, then this is the book for you. Seriously though, if you are in the weeds, live in clutter, are clueless on how to do your own dishes and when to do them, then by all means, I would highly recommend this book to you.
I've read this author before and I found her a little irritating but still gave her books 4 stars. This one also gave me that same feeling but even more so, and it wasn't as useful. I often felt like I was 8 years old and told to go wash dishes and do the laundry for the first time. I had a hard time thinking the info in here was useful for adults. Because of tone, I kept thinking, "Is this for kids?" Then my next thought was "No. That would be inappropriate."
Anyway, this was not for me (or even my young adult children). So 2 stars.
I've read this author before and I found her a little irritating but still gave her books 4 stars. This one also gave me that same feeling but even more so, and it wasn't as useful. I often felt like I was 8 years old and told to go wash dishes and do the laundry for the first time. I had a hard time thinking the info in here was useful for adults. Because of tone, I kept thinking, "Is this for kids?" Then my next thought was "No. That would be inappropriate."
Anyway, this was not for me (or even my young adult children). So 2 stars.
October 15, 2022
4.0 stars
This is a fantastic household management book. I really love this author's writing.
This is a fantastic household management book. I really love this author's writing.
February 19, 2023
When I heard that Ms. White had a quick organizing book being released I was excited to read it.
She's someone I've listened to her podcasts over the years. She has a down-to-earth way of explaining things. This book is full of practical and realistic strategies that can be implemented in any household, regardless of size or complexity. Ms. White does a good job of recognizing that everyone's home and organizational needs are unique and encourages readers to find solutions that work for them.
The book provides clear, step-by-step instructions and tips for tackling each area, and includes real-life examples and stories to help illustrate her points. Everything from dog hair to dishes can be found on these pages.
She's someone I've listened to her podcasts over the years. She has a down-to-earth way of explaining things. This book is full of practical and realistic strategies that can be implemented in any household, regardless of size or complexity. Ms. White does a good job of recognizing that everyone's home and organizational needs are unique and encourages readers to find solutions that work for them.
The book provides clear, step-by-step instructions and tips for tackling each area, and includes real-life examples and stories to help illustrate her points. Everything from dog hair to dishes can be found on these pages.
Audiobook source: Libby
Narrator: Dana K. White
Length: 3H 11M
May 26, 2024
It was alright, I like her energy. But, in my opinion, the tips weren`t that useful and she was very repetitive. Unless, you know nothing about cleaning/organization and it is your first contact with the topic, I wouldn't recommend it.
January 8, 2022
When someone launches a third or fourth book on a topic such as home organization, their potential audience begins to form two groups: those who have read their other books (or watched their videos, or read their social media posts), and those who are new. So the question comes up: for those who are already “in the club,” will this book teach them anything they don’t already know? And for the newbies, is this a good place to start, either on the topic itself, or among the author’s other books? Who will get the most out of this particular book, and what is different about it from the others?
My opinion on this one is somewhere in the middle. As one who enjoyed digging into the more traditional format of Decluttering at the Speed of Life, and who learned a few things as well from How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind, my first reaction at seeing the so-much-white-space, so-many-photos format was to think it was going to be mostly eye candy, or videos flattened onto paper. And to be honest, although I did pick up a couple of interesting cleaning tips, most of what’s in the book will not be new to anyone who has paid close attention to Dana’s online videos.
However, that’s not everyone in the world, and I think a lot of people who might not pick up the earlier books would enjoy this one more. At 200+ pages, it is not just a skimpy photo essay (and as other reviewers have pointed out, there are a few places where an extra photo or two might even have clarified products or processes). It does cover all of Dana’s key strategies, such as the decluttering questions and the “container concept”; and there is a little more actual cleaning content than the title might suggest. So for that reason, I would not think it strange at all to suggest giving the book as a gift, perhaps as part of a shower gift or care package.
Finally, I appreciated the advice to “Schedule Your Pop-Tarts.”
I preordered this book, but I was given an advance copy as part of the launch team, in exchange for an honest review.
My opinion on this one is somewhere in the middle. As one who enjoyed digging into the more traditional format of Decluttering at the Speed of Life, and who learned a few things as well from How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind, my first reaction at seeing the so-much-white-space, so-many-photos format was to think it was going to be mostly eye candy, or videos flattened onto paper. And to be honest, although I did pick up a couple of interesting cleaning tips, most of what’s in the book will not be new to anyone who has paid close attention to Dana’s online videos.
However, that’s not everyone in the world, and I think a lot of people who might not pick up the earlier books would enjoy this one more. At 200+ pages, it is not just a skimpy photo essay (and as other reviewers have pointed out, there are a few places where an extra photo or two might even have clarified products or processes). It does cover all of Dana’s key strategies, such as the decluttering questions and the “container concept”; and there is a little more actual cleaning content than the title might suggest. So for that reason, I would not think it strange at all to suggest giving the book as a gift, perhaps as part of a shower gift or care package.
Finally, I appreciated the advice to “Schedule Your Pop-Tarts.”
I preordered this book, but I was given an advance copy as part of the launch team, in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2022
Even though I've followed Dana K. White's blog, A Slob Comes Clean, for a while now, and have read both of her other books, I knew I had to add her newest book, Organizing for the Rest of Us, to my personal library. After pre-ordering this book, I received an advance copy to review as part of the launch team.
Overall this was a funny, lighthearted read packed full of practical advice offered in small bite-sized chunks, which is perfect for People Like Me. I've mentally subtitled it "How to have a tidy home if you have ADHD". Paired with some sticky tabs and highlighters, this would make a great gift for young adults starting their first homes, or for other People Like Me that I know also struggle to keep up with their homes.
When I first stumbled upon Dana’s blog, I immediately self-identified as one of her People Like Me. I've tried (unsuccessfully) over the years to declutter, only to end up with stacks and stacks of storage totes filled with too much stuff taking up too much space in my home. Dana's Container Concept resonated with me and my goal is now to declutter all those storage containers and take my space back. I also love her tips about daily tasks and hope that (someday) those daily tasks will have turned into habits that I won't think twice about doing.
Overall this was a funny, lighthearted read packed full of practical advice offered in small bite-sized chunks, which is perfect for People Like Me. I've mentally subtitled it "How to have a tidy home if you have ADHD". Paired with some sticky tabs and highlighters, this would make a great gift for young adults starting their first homes, or for other People Like Me that I know also struggle to keep up with their homes.
When I first stumbled upon Dana’s blog, I immediately self-identified as one of her People Like Me. I've tried (unsuccessfully) over the years to declutter, only to end up with stacks and stacks of storage totes filled with too much stuff taking up too much space in my home. Dana's Container Concept resonated with me and my goal is now to declutter all those storage containers and take my space back. I also love her tips about daily tasks and hope that (someday) those daily tasks will have turned into habits that I won't think twice about doing.
January 2, 2022
"Your house isn't a project, and treating your home like one does more harm than good. There's no beginning, middle, or end. *There's definitely no end.* The project mindset lends itself to putting off starting until there's 'time' to really do things right. While you wait for that ideal time, the house gets worse, which means cleaning it up will require even more effort, so you put off starting even longer. It becomes a vicious cycle."
This is a thorough and basic guide to decluttering and keeping your house manageable, including detailed and practical cleaning tips. I've discovered it's particularly good for people with ADD/ADHD or who just find themselves "messy people".
If you're a big DKW fan there isn't much new here, but it's packaged really practically, prettily, and reasonably concisely. A good addition to the bunch. And new readers if you aren't familiar with her, get on over to YouTube and enjoy her great videos!
This is a thorough and basic guide to decluttering and keeping your house manageable, including detailed and practical cleaning tips. I've discovered it's particularly good for people with ADD/ADHD or who just find themselves "messy people".
If you're a big DKW fan there isn't much new here, but it's packaged really practically, prettily, and reasonably concisely. A good addition to the bunch. And new readers if you aren't familiar with her, get on over to YouTube and enjoy her great videos!
April 5, 2022
Although I found a few helpful tips from this book, my overall impression was the author was talking down to me. She managed to say the same thing in different ways throughout the entire book. She was also very obsessed with talking about how wonderful her dishwasher was. I don't think you need to devote half the book to the advantages of owning a dishwasher. Hopefully her other books are better, I wasn't that impressed with this one which is ashame because I had really looked forward to reading this when I picked it up.
September 11, 2023
4.5
1. 3 layers of a clean house: Clutter, Daily Tasks, actual Cleaning.
6. Declutter the most visible space + Remove trash first + No Misc.
5. Don’t treat house like a project – there is no end; procrastination.
11. Declutter 1 item at a time (vs. everything out).
9. Containers are limits – the rest is excess.
19. Take “before” photos to motivate – even for 5 minute task.
20. Time your tasks – for reality check.
30. Live with decluttered space. May not need to buy organizing containers.
39. Daily tasks: solve most annoying problem for 7 days to identify your routine.
68. Clean shower while using it.
► Conquering Chronic Disorganization by Judith Kolberg - personal & emotional organizating, creative
► Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism by Fumio Sasaki - minimalism, decluttering, focus
► New Order: A Decluttering Handbook for Creative Folks (and Everyone Else) by Fay Wolf - organizing tips & tools
► Clean Mama's Guide to a Peaceful Home: Effortless Systems and Joyful Rituals for a Calm, Cozy Home by Becky Rapinchuk - cleaning, rituals
► How to Be Organized in Spite of Yourself: Time and Space Management that Works with Your Personal Style by Sunny Schlenger - organizing personality types & strategies
1. 3 layers of a clean house: Clutter, Daily Tasks, actual Cleaning.
6. Declutter the most visible space + Remove trash first + No Misc.
5. Don’t treat house like a project – there is no end; procrastination.
11. Declutter 1 item at a time (vs. everything out).
9. Containers are limits – the rest is excess.
19. Take “before” photos to motivate – even for 5 minute task.
20. Time your tasks – for reality check.
30. Live with decluttered space. May not need to buy organizing containers.
39. Daily tasks: solve most annoying problem for 7 days to identify your routine.
68. Clean shower while using it.
► Conquering Chronic Disorganization by Judith Kolberg - personal & emotional organizating, creative
► Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism by Fumio Sasaki - minimalism, decluttering, focus
► New Order: A Decluttering Handbook for Creative Folks (and Everyone Else) by Fay Wolf - organizing tips & tools
► Clean Mama's Guide to a Peaceful Home: Effortless Systems and Joyful Rituals for a Calm, Cozy Home by Becky Rapinchuk - cleaning, rituals
► How to Be Organized in Spite of Yourself: Time and Space Management that Works with Your Personal Style by Sunny Schlenger - organizing personality types & strategies
January 16, 2023
I love Dana White and she has helped me so much with learning how to get my house under control. She’s a unique voice in the world of cleaning and decluttering. This book felt mostly like a list of things I have heard her say in her other two books. It still was motivating, but her first book changed how I did so many things so comparatively this didn’t have the same effect.
February 2, 2023
There are 3 layers that keep a home pleasantly clean:
1. Decluttering - Organizing isn’t possible when there is more stuff than your home can fit. An area that constantly becomes chaotic is cluttered. I loved the container concept. Only keep as much items as the container fits. Only as many containers as the space fits. Ultimately, the house in itself is a container. Once decluttered, a home is kept decluttered by the “one in - one out” rule (which I don’t think is realistic, but good to have an eye to it)
2. Doing daily tasks (this has been in my blood ever since the kids started arriving, it is simply more efficient to do it earlier then later + you get peace of mind thrown in; sometimes the effort becomes exponential by procrastinating. So the efficiency of it has always been very motivating; here there is another strategy i love: procrastination station elimination)
3. Actually cleaning (which will not be daunting if the first two are in check)
Overall, I have benefitted from this practical guide:
*it gave me names for strategies I instinctively did and thus became they clearer and their importance increased my motivation to do them in a more extensive manner or oftener;
*it gave me the chance to think of how I can improve my housekeeping and motivation to declutter more drastically and never procrastinate (procrastination elimination station
*I have learnt some new strategies and found out about some cleaning methods/products
1. Decluttering - Organizing isn’t possible when there is more stuff than your home can fit. An area that constantly becomes chaotic is cluttered. I loved the container concept. Only keep as much items as the container fits. Only as many containers as the space fits. Ultimately, the house in itself is a container. Once decluttered, a home is kept decluttered by the “one in - one out” rule (which I don’t think is realistic, but good to have an eye to it)
2. Doing daily tasks (this has been in my blood ever since the kids started arriving, it is simply more efficient to do it earlier then later + you get peace of mind thrown in; sometimes the effort becomes exponential by procrastinating. So the efficiency of it has always been very motivating; here there is another strategy i love: procrastination station elimination)
3. Actually cleaning (which will not be daunting if the first two are in check)
Overall, I have benefitted from this practical guide:
*it gave me names for strategies I instinctively did and thus became they clearer and their importance increased my motivation to do them in a more extensive manner or oftener;
*it gave me the chance to think of how I can improve my housekeeping and motivation to declutter more drastically and never procrastinate (procrastination elimination station
*I have learnt some new strategies and found out about some cleaning methods/products
March 21, 2023
This was a short listen with many ideas that you would already have heard if you listen to her podcast or have read her books. (I love her voice and humor, so I will always listen to anything new she puts out!☺️)
But there were some new ideas throughout and it’s easy to read if you are short on time.
Some things were not practical for me, or I already do, but some I would like to try- such as bleach-soaked cotton balls in my shower grout!
As always, go wash the dishes!🤗
But there were some new ideas throughout and it’s easy to read if you are short on time.
Some things were not practical for me, or I already do, but some I would like to try- such as bleach-soaked cotton balls in my shower grout!
As always, go wash the dishes!🤗
November 13, 2021
I needed a kick to do some decluttering and this is just what I needed - a nonsense, simple approach. I appreciated her sense of humor and that she also identified herself as having behaviors that she mentioned (e.g. not realizing how much time has passed since you last cleaned something, getting distracted in the middle of cleaning, etc.). Not only did I see myself in those descriptions, it felt like we were sharing tips as equals.
I really liked her container concept as a way of controlling clutter: don't buy more containers to contain, find a clutter threshold by appropriately filling containers and use one-on-one-out principles.
I also appreciated the ways that this was the opposite of the empty everything out to declutter policy - she provided a more realistic way to tackle clutter slowly without destroying your house.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC.
I really liked her container concept as a way of controlling clutter: don't buy more containers to contain, find a clutter threshold by appropriately filling containers and use one-on-one-out principles.
I also appreciated the ways that this was the opposite of the empty everything out to declutter policy - she provided a more realistic way to tackle clutter slowly without destroying your house.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC.
December 29, 2021
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
If you've read Dana K. White's previous books, this one won't really hold any surprises. It's full of relatable advice on how to keep your house clean and operational. Sadly, there isn't any magic trick to it: just habits. Things you do daily, or almost daily. One thing that really struck me is to start cleaning with what is visible - not a hidden drawer full of junk, but your entryway, or the living room table, something that will make a visual difference once it's decluttered.
It's a very effective book that keeps you motivated to have your house under control.
If you've read Dana K. White's previous books, this one won't really hold any surprises. It's full of relatable advice on how to keep your house clean and operational. Sadly, there isn't any magic trick to it: just habits. Things you do daily, or almost daily. One thing that really struck me is to start cleaning with what is visible - not a hidden drawer full of junk, but your entryway, or the living room table, something that will make a visual difference once it's decluttered.
It's a very effective book that keeps you motivated to have your house under control.
August 30, 2022
I liked Declutter at the speed of Life a million times more. Some hacks were good ideas, but a lot of ideas in this book are very situational...
January 30, 2023
O carte neobișnuita pentru mine, dar aveam nevoie de extramotivatie in timp ce făceam curățenie.
Cumva e greu de crezut ca am ajuns sa avem nevoie de astfel de carti, dar puterea de cumpărare este atât de mare acum, iar ofertele sunt asa de multe și peste tot, încât te poți trezi extrem de ușor ca ai o casa pe care nu o mai poți controla.
Cele 100 de strategii sunt utile și practice. Multe dintre ele le știam și aplicam intr-o anumită măsură, dar tot e buna o reamintire + de învățat câteva strategii noi.
Takeaway: secretul nu e o organizare mai bună, ci un declutter mai bun. Fiecare om are o anumită capacitate de a gestiona lucrurile. Dacă curățenia e greu de intretinut => declutter pana cand ajungi la ceva gestionabil pentru tine și familia ta.
+ pretuieste mai mult timpul tău și libertatea de a trăi intr-o casa curata, decât dorința de a avea tot-ce-s-ar-putea-sa-imi-trebuiasca-candva
Cumva e greu de crezut ca am ajuns sa avem nevoie de astfel de carti, dar puterea de cumpărare este atât de mare acum, iar ofertele sunt asa de multe și peste tot, încât te poți trezi extrem de ușor ca ai o casa pe care nu o mai poți controla.
Cele 100 de strategii sunt utile și practice. Multe dintre ele le știam și aplicam intr-o anumită măsură, dar tot e buna o reamintire + de învățat câteva strategii noi.
Takeaway: secretul nu e o organizare mai bună, ci un declutter mai bun. Fiecare om are o anumită capacitate de a gestiona lucrurile. Dacă curățenia e greu de intretinut => declutter pana cand ajungi la ceva gestionabil pentru tine și familia ta.
+ pretuieste mai mult timpul tău și libertatea de a trăi intr-o casa curata, decât dorința de a avea tot-ce-s-ar-putea-sa-imi-trebuiasca-candva
January 8, 2022
First things first - I preordered this book in physical form, but was given an advance e-copy to review as part of the launch team. My review is an honest assessment of the book and not influenced by the receipt of the advance copy. And, I have to be honest, I'm really looking forward to having the hardback to dip into!
I've been following Dana K White for several years and having read her previous work and her blog, I wasn't sure what this would add. Initially, it seemed to just be a reworking of her earlier books in a more bite-sized, digestible format. While this is true to a point (and necessary to introduce new readers to Dana's systems) this book is packed from cover to cover with useful hacks designed to make cleaning and organising your home far less arduous than it might otherwise be. This is not a book dealing specifically with decluttering, though it does touch on her methods (she has another book that focuses on decluttering in a lot more depth).
Dana's chatty writing style, like her presenting style (if you haven't checked out her youtube it's well worth a look) is refreshingly honest. If you, like me, have struggled to keep your home under control and never understood why everyone else seems to have it all worked out - be assured that Dana is a kindred spirit. She's never condescending because she's been there, and every tip she shares is the result of a lightbulb moment in her own struggle to find effective strategies that didn't come naturally to her.
I would say this is a great book for anyone who struggles to keep their home clean and tidy. Whether you are just starting out in your own home, or are overwhelmed with all the things life demands we all do, or have executive function issues - there's a lot of useful advice on offer here in an easy to read format that doesn't demand hours of concentration. You can dip in and out as you have a few spare minutes (in much the same way her methods allow you to achieve visible results in short chunks of time) without losing your thread; most of the sections are only a page long. But don't be fooled. The strategies may be bite-sized, but they have the potential to make a big impact on all aspects of your home.
I've been following Dana K White for several years and having read her previous work and her blog, I wasn't sure what this would add. Initially, it seemed to just be a reworking of her earlier books in a more bite-sized, digestible format. While this is true to a point (and necessary to introduce new readers to Dana's systems) this book is packed from cover to cover with useful hacks designed to make cleaning and organising your home far less arduous than it might otherwise be. This is not a book dealing specifically with decluttering, though it does touch on her methods (she has another book that focuses on decluttering in a lot more depth).
Dana's chatty writing style, like her presenting style (if you haven't checked out her youtube it's well worth a look) is refreshingly honest. If you, like me, have struggled to keep your home under control and never understood why everyone else seems to have it all worked out - be assured that Dana is a kindred spirit. She's never condescending because she's been there, and every tip she shares is the result of a lightbulb moment in her own struggle to find effective strategies that didn't come naturally to her.
I would say this is a great book for anyone who struggles to keep their home clean and tidy. Whether you are just starting out in your own home, or are overwhelmed with all the things life demands we all do, or have executive function issues - there's a lot of useful advice on offer here in an easy to read format that doesn't demand hours of concentration. You can dip in and out as you have a few spare minutes (in much the same way her methods allow you to achieve visible results in short chunks of time) without losing your thread; most of the sections are only a page long. But don't be fooled. The strategies may be bite-sized, but they have the potential to make a big impact on all aspects of your home.
March 10, 2023
Most books that are similar to this I have found to be a flop. This book was actually quite realistic and doable! She realizes that getting started organizing is going to take a while, so the reader shouldn’t beat themselves up. (My words not hers). I also liked her tip where everyday of the week you do one thing, laundry, mop floors, dust, etc. but if you have something going on that day it’s ok to skip it that week because of the little stuff you do during the week. You just can’t pick the same day of the week to always go to the doctors to get out of laundry or your family will soon be without clothes!
Read
February 17, 2023I consider myself an organized person, but I still very much enjoy reading books about organizing and decluttering because I find they inspire me *to* continue to keep things organized. I almost always learn something new and/or a better way of doing something. :-)
September 13, 2024
Just a quick overview of some cleaning things - like reading bullet points. Still, she makes so much sense to me and it’s nice to listen to while cleaning.
September 19, 2023
Updating my rating to a 4 based off the fact I’m now swiffering our walls.
April 5, 2023
Lots of good tips and reminders.
July 23, 2022
Superbly quick little cleaning book which inspired me to just get my act together! (I tackled the dishes and threw away some junk as I listened!) although I will say that her advice to get an e-reader to get rid of the clutter of books is WRONG (hello they’re my decor and I love them), and buying a new shower curtain liner every month is hella wasteful. Other than that, super useful and inspiring tips!!
Thank you Libro.fm for the ALC!
Thank you Libro.fm for the ALC!
September 13, 2022
I really like this author. She is such a real person, and she presents her knowledge in a fun, everywoman fashion.
My only reservation with this book is that I think I got a good bit of this information from her other books. It was a very enjoyable, quick listen though.
My only reservation with this book is that I think I got a good bit of this information from her other books. It was a very enjoyable, quick listen though.
February 8, 2022
I am not a naturally clean person. I do not enjoy tidying up, and I am capable of living in disaster areas that horrify most people. However, I own a home now and am trying to respect the space that I have, and want to keep house better. Enter Dana K White.
This book is clearly not meant for people who are already cleaners, or have houses that can withstand surprise visits from people. This book is for people like me, who dread the thought of another human being witnessing my out of control environment. I'm still not quite the target demo, but I was so relieved reading this book. The author never made me feel stupid for not knowing how to declutter my house, what my daily tasks should be, or even the basics of a well-honed laundry routine. This book is filled with truly basic advice that is still somehow a complete mindset change, and I appreciate that greatly.
Where this book fails a bit, for me, is that the audience is very clearly stay at home housewives with children and a husband. I understand that's where the author is coming from, and who a large percentage of her demo probably is, but single people, men, nonbinary folks, etc, all need to clean, too. Some of the tips relied on your kids helping out, or were written in such a heteronormative way I just had to laugh. Lots of "he/she" written out instead of just "they," always defaulting to "she" when referring to the one doing primary cleaning, and cisnormative ideas about who's making messes of the toilet all irked me. That being said, this book really did help me.
Fairly detailed review of a simple cleaning book so anyways- very helpful, somehow a bit heteronormative. Still really recommend.
This book is clearly not meant for people who are already cleaners, or have houses that can withstand surprise visits from people. This book is for people like me, who dread the thought of another human being witnessing my out of control environment. I'm still not quite the target demo, but I was so relieved reading this book. The author never made me feel stupid for not knowing how to declutter my house, what my daily tasks should be, or even the basics of a well-honed laundry routine. This book is filled with truly basic advice that is still somehow a complete mindset change, and I appreciate that greatly.
Where this book fails a bit, for me, is that the audience is very clearly stay at home housewives with children and a husband. I understand that's where the author is coming from, and who a large percentage of her demo probably is, but single people, men, nonbinary folks, etc, all need to clean, too. Some of the tips relied on your kids helping out, or were written in such a heteronormative way I just had to laugh. Lots of "he/she" written out instead of just "they," always defaulting to "she" when referring to the one doing primary cleaning, and cisnormative ideas about who's making messes of the toilet all irked me. That being said, this book really did help me.
Fairly detailed review of a simple cleaning book so anyways- very helpful, somehow a bit heteronormative. Still really recommend.
September 25, 2023
4 stars. Easy to read with helpful tips and organized in a thoughtful manner. I liked a lot of the material, but also felt some of the things were not for me, and just made mental notes for those. Many of the ideas can be expanded outside of the original description, while others are more specific. There are some personal decisions to use, like for me personally, folding a towel only to roll it doesn't make sense. I do not have floor space for baskets and tubs. If I'm folding something, I'll keep it folded and pull from the bottom of the stack. Not having kids currently, this makes sense for me. Perhaps having kids, it'll be easier. I also have never had the issue of towels on the ground, so some of that discussion was completely foreign to me. Similarly, laundry is not a big issue, as I treat it almost like dishes, and do it 5/7 days a week. Our laundry room is usually cold and is small, so folding things like towels straight out of the dryer doesn't make sense, but otherwise, I prefer to be comfty and listen or watch something while doing it since it is harder for me to do those things without a task attached. I can trick myself into relaxing a bit after the folding is done to finish an episode before putting the items away. If I already have a system in place, the book was not as helpful for making it more streamlined if very different, but if slightly different, if had helpful suggestions.
I do recommend the book as overall, it was a fast read and helpful. I will say the tone of the book may grate on some, but mostly didn't bother me as the writer seemed more genuine with sharing her experience.
I do recommend the book as overall, it was a fast read and helpful. I will say the tone of the book may grate on some, but mostly didn't bother me as the writer seemed more genuine with sharing her experience.
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