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The CHAOS Cure: Clean Your House and Calm Your Soul in 15 Minutes
With the help of New York Times bestselling author and housekeeping guru Marla Cilley, you'll cure your household CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome) by changing your messy home into a soothing sanctuaryAre you suffering from CHAOS, otherwise known as Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome? If your house is a jumble of dirty dishes, piles of paper, and never-ending laundry, you are probably afflicted. But don't give up hope, because now there's an The CHAOS Cure. In her eagerly anticipated new book, Marla Cilley--aka "The FlyLady" to the hundreds of thousands who visit her website for daily domestic inspiration--reaches into our homes to help make housecleaning more meaningful and life less messy. With a little bit of armchair therapy and plenty of practical, tactical tips--such as "On the Fly!" quick fixes and genius uses for sticky notes--she'll help us get our houses in shipshape order before we can break a sweat. Along the way, the FlyLady teaches us to embrace household maintenance as an act of self-care, and to enjoy the soothing satisfaction of an orderly habitat.Before you know it, you'll be on the fast-track to living CHAOS-free, surrounded by sparkling serenity.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 18, 2018
404 people are currently reading
864 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
March 5, 2019
This is different from FlyLady's other books: it's more about what you can do in fifteen minutes than about trying to be a complete system. The sticky note suggestions and illustrations are downright cute. Compared to her other work, this book seems heavily edited. I enjoyed not having to deal with the random capitalizations, acronyms, and buzzwords found in her other books.
September 23, 2019
Enjoyed reading this book, especially author Marla Cilley's explanations as to why her generation's slobs are slobs*:
1. They were raised with an "if you can't do something right the first time, don't do it at all" mentality. If they didn't clean their room to perfect standards, they were liable to have the contents of their dresser dumped out and would have to start cleaning all over again.
2. They were raised to devote large chunks of time--often one entire day per week--to cleaning, with the expectation that newly cleaned areas would be picture-perfect clean.
3. They're now living in a world where fewer people have large chunks of time, let alone an entire day of the week, to devote to cleaning.
4. Since "doing something right the first time" means spending a whole day on cleaning and making everything perfect, and since they don't have that sort of free time anymore, they just don't clean at all. Because why clean at all if you can't do it right the first time?
Of course, Cilley's explanation is very generalized--not every Boomer and Gen Xer was raised that way, and not every Boomer and Gen Xer who was raised that way avoided cleaning in adulthood--, but I think it makes sense for myself and others I know.
Cilley spends much of the book talking her reader down from perfectionism. Any amount of cleaning is worth the effort even if the result isn't perfect. If you spend a few minutes a day cleaning, your place will look far better than if you spend no time whatsoever cleaning because you keep waiting for enough time to allow yourself to do it all perfectly in one go.
*I tried to find a non-pejorative word to describe people who hate cleaning and avoid it when they can, and I couldn't find one. (My husband suggested "normal person.") Plus, I really like cleaning blogger/podcaster and self-described slob Dana White's ownership of the word "slob" in which she turns being frequently called a slob during her childhood into empowerment as an adult, neutralizing the word and facing it. "Slob" isn't a perfect word, and that's okay.
1. They were raised with an "if you can't do something right the first time, don't do it at all" mentality. If they didn't clean their room to perfect standards, they were liable to have the contents of their dresser dumped out and would have to start cleaning all over again.
2. They were raised to devote large chunks of time--often one entire day per week--to cleaning, with the expectation that newly cleaned areas would be picture-perfect clean.
3. They're now living in a world where fewer people have large chunks of time, let alone an entire day of the week, to devote to cleaning.
4. Since "doing something right the first time" means spending a whole day on cleaning and making everything perfect, and since they don't have that sort of free time anymore, they just don't clean at all. Because why clean at all if you can't do it right the first time?
Of course, Cilley's explanation is very generalized--not every Boomer and Gen Xer was raised that way, and not every Boomer and Gen Xer who was raised that way avoided cleaning in adulthood--, but I think it makes sense for myself and others I know.
Cilley spends much of the book talking her reader down from perfectionism. Any amount of cleaning is worth the effort even if the result isn't perfect. If you spend a few minutes a day cleaning, your place will look far better than if you spend no time whatsoever cleaning because you keep waiting for enough time to allow yourself to do it all perfectly in one go.
*I tried to find a non-pejorative word to describe people who hate cleaning and avoid it when they can, and I couldn't find one. (My husband suggested "normal person.") Plus, I really like cleaning blogger/podcaster and self-described slob Dana White's ownership of the word "slob" in which she turns being frequently called a slob during her childhood into empowerment as an adult, neutralizing the word and facing it. "Slob" isn't a perfect word, and that's okay.
January 28, 2019
I love this book for its simplicity and do-ability. Two things I loved about is the Launch pad idea, using post-it notes and her reminder to have a place to relax. I’ve heard of the FlyLady a while back and I’m impressed. I like her approach to no-fuss and embracing imperfection. Lots of great tips here.
April 23, 2022
I liked the friendly tone to this housekeeping tip book. It was a very quick read, but one I’ll need to page back through to remind myself of the tips I want to follow. The thing I like most is her emphasis on not being a perfectionist about cleaning. Her take is perfectionism causes procrastination—people don’t want to start anything they don’t have time to do perfectly (and maybe she’s equating perfection with thoroughness a bit here). Time is definitely my setback, and I’m very skilled at making it a versatile setback. For work days, it’s “I work all day, so I want to rest when I get home and not spend it cleaning.” For days off, it’s “It’s my day off. I want to have fun, not clean.” Yes, I’m very talented.
With each chapter (they’re extremely short, so it’s easy to scan back through for what you want to reread) she emphasizes how little time different tasks can take. “Set your timer,” she says, and then she’ll outline a 5, 10, or 15-minute cleaning job you can do. It doesn’t have to be perfect—doing a little bit is better than waiting until you can spend a thousand hours on it (side note: the time estimate in my household for any unpleasant task is “5,000 years”).
These short tasks are meant to be worked into routines until they become habits. The author spent a year devoting a month per habit in order to get her act together. I’m not ready to launch into that, but I do plan to try a few things out.
What I’ll probably try:
1. The author’s crisis cleaning techniques
2. Using old shampoos as makeshift cleaning products (gets rid of stray bottles without wasting the little bits of leftover soap that are keeping you from throwing them out)
3. Extinguish my hot spots (drop/piling points for stuff when I get home from work)
4. Clearing surfaces and finding a home for everything (this one’s hard because I don’t have a lot of space, but I admit it looks better).
5. Store extra sheets folded flat under the mattress (genius!)
6. Sneak attacks (5-minute cleaning forays) on the basement and “computer room” which no longer has a computer but is filled with stuff
What I probably won’t try:
1. The author’s sticky note system
2. Getting dressed “to the shoes” before I start my day.
3. Getting rid of books to make room on shelves (someday, FlyLady, but today is not that day)
4. Get rid of old t-shirts, even ones with sentimental value (No can do. I need my old gymnastics t-shirt from 4th grade. Besides, my teddy bear is wearing it. Do you want Teddy to be naked? What? I should do what with Teddy???)
5. Do a load of laundry a day (we are a household of two)
I would have loved to see a chapter or two dedicated to apartments and small homes. I hate cleaning, true, but part of my problem is definitely limited space. I don’t have a linen closet to clean out and convert into a pantry, for example.
This book is as much about being kind to yourself as it is about improving your home and developing good habits. Worth a look for folks who feel overwhelmed by a messy house.
With each chapter (they’re extremely short, so it’s easy to scan back through for what you want to reread) she emphasizes how little time different tasks can take. “Set your timer,” she says, and then she’ll outline a 5, 10, or 15-minute cleaning job you can do. It doesn’t have to be perfect—doing a little bit is better than waiting until you can spend a thousand hours on it (side note: the time estimate in my household for any unpleasant task is “5,000 years”).
These short tasks are meant to be worked into routines until they become habits. The author spent a year devoting a month per habit in order to get her act together. I’m not ready to launch into that, but I do plan to try a few things out.
What I’ll probably try:
1. The author’s crisis cleaning techniques
2. Using old shampoos as makeshift cleaning products (gets rid of stray bottles without wasting the little bits of leftover soap that are keeping you from throwing them out)
3. Extinguish my hot spots (drop/piling points for stuff when I get home from work)
4. Clearing surfaces and finding a home for everything (this one’s hard because I don’t have a lot of space, but I admit it looks better).
5. Store extra sheets folded flat under the mattress (genius!)
6. Sneak attacks (5-minute cleaning forays) on the basement and “computer room” which no longer has a computer but is filled with stuff
What I probably won’t try:
1. The author’s sticky note system
2. Getting dressed “to the shoes” before I start my day.
3. Getting rid of books to make room on shelves (someday, FlyLady, but today is not that day)
4. Get rid of old t-shirts, even ones with sentimental value (No can do. I need my old gymnastics t-shirt from 4th grade. Besides, my teddy bear is wearing it. Do you want Teddy to be naked? What? I should do what with Teddy???)
5. Do a load of laundry a day (we are a household of two)
I would have loved to see a chapter or two dedicated to apartments and small homes. I hate cleaning, true, but part of my problem is definitely limited space. I don’t have a linen closet to clean out and convert into a pantry, for example.
This book is as much about being kind to yourself as it is about improving your home and developing good habits. Worth a look for folks who feel overwhelmed by a messy house.
August 5, 2019
I feel like maybe I should have catagorised this book under "fantasy" rather than "nonfiction!" But that's just me and shouldn't reflect badly on the book at all. The author did bring up some excellent points about how to stay motivated and conquer bad habits. I especially like trying to foster 1 habit/routine at the time and using post it notes to keep you focused until that routine is automatic habit. I also like the idea of trying to find your 10 biggest trouble areas and schedule them over the course of the next year. September I will develop a habit of wiping down the bathroom sink everytime I use it and spending 10 minutes each week just swishing and wiping in there to prevent things from becoming a huge problem. October I will.... you get the idea. It's all about manageable chunks to keep things from getting out-of-hand and learning to live with "clean enough" rather than trying for "white-gloved spotlessness at all times."
This was a very down-to-earth and practical guide which I will most likely pick up again at some point in the future.
This was a very down-to-earth and practical guide which I will most likely pick up again at some point in the future.
April 7, 2019
Marla Cilley, a.k.a. The FlyLady, is like your own personal cleaning cheerleader. Her best point: “Perfectionism is like quicksand.” When we say we don’t have time, do we really mean we don’t have time to do it perfectly?
March 11, 2021
I read Marla's website many, many years ago when it was quite new and thought this might be a nice way to revisit some highlights in a less scattered and busy format. And it is. But I didn't find it very enlightening or even interesting this time around. I think I'm just at a different stage of life now and it no longer resonates with me.
June 15, 2019
I still don't know what or who a FlyLady is, but after reading this I'm convinced she's trying to sell me cleaning products or some sort of personal coaching.
There are a few practical tips in the book but they're sprinkled in with very basic advice, like: to declutter a pile, put away the things in the pile. Someone is coming to hang out in your kitchen? Put away the things from the kitchen. To feel better about your cluttered dresser, put away the things on the dresser. "Now doesn't that feel better?"
The book itself is as disorganized as the closets it keeps telling me to conquer, letting me know that I should jump back and forth through the pages to get the full story of how to accomplish each task.
I'll save you the trouble of reading this book with a three-bullet summary:
-actually have a place to put things, and put 'em there
-turn straightening into a habit by doing it daily
-you don't need to do it perfectly every time
Books I'd recommend instead of this one:
-The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo
-Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps, by Kelly Williams Brown
There are a few practical tips in the book but they're sprinkled in with very basic advice, like: to declutter a pile, put away the things in the pile. Someone is coming to hang out in your kitchen? Put away the things from the kitchen. To feel better about your cluttered dresser, put away the things on the dresser. "Now doesn't that feel better?"
The book itself is as disorganized as the closets it keeps telling me to conquer, letting me know that I should jump back and forth through the pages to get the full story of how to accomplish each task.
I'll save you the trouble of reading this book with a three-bullet summary:
-actually have a place to put things, and put 'em there
-turn straightening into a habit by doing it daily
-you don't need to do it perfectly every time
Books I'd recommend instead of this one:
-The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo
-Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps, by Kelly Williams Brown
December 30, 2018
I enjoy reading this type of book and watching back-to-back episodes of Hoarders when I need to get motivated for a big cleaning project. This one contained mostly common sense, with...food recipes, waaaait whaaaat?!?
It didn't provide desired motivation or upgrade my basic skills, but did provide further means of procrastination while delaying my cleaning project. One thing I found disturbing is the author's recommendation to use any kind of soap, shampoo or detergent for cleaning needs and absolutely no mention of vinegar or baking soda.
I guess the goal of this book is to not find excuses when it's time to clean, and instead to just get it done.
It didn't provide desired motivation or upgrade my basic skills, but did provide further means of procrastination while delaying my cleaning project. One thing I found disturbing is the author's recommendation to use any kind of soap, shampoo or detergent for cleaning needs and absolutely no mention of vinegar or baking soda.
I guess the goal of this book is to not find excuses when it's time to clean, and instead to just get it done.
May 15, 2019
Skip. Super unhelpful & super non-ecofriendly. Literally, buy shit to make it easier to throw away when cleaning - such a dead mindset.
The one redeeming quality of this book is that you feel comfortable having people over when clean. But I just effectively used one sentence to tell you what this book took 150 pages to do. SKIP IT.
The one redeeming quality of this book is that you feel comfortable having people over when clean. But I just effectively used one sentence to tell you what this book took 150 pages to do. SKIP IT.
December 6, 2021
I found some good ideas in here but overall it felt like a long blog post about cleaning and tips for cleaning
January 16, 2020
I picked this one up from the library after seeing it featured on a Dayton gift shop's Instagram page. The asterisk explaining the CHAOS acronym caught my eye - Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome.
I wasn't familiar with the FlyLady prior to picking this up, but I appreciated her overall message. We learn from a young age that housework is a chore and that it requires large chunks of time devoted to it to ensure that it's done right. Cilley insists that all of that perfectionism is standing in our own way. I also felt personally attacked when she applied this wisdom to books, specifically:
"At one time or another, we have all held onto books...because it felt wrong, somehow to give them away. Could this be another layer of perfectionism that needs to be addressed? Holding on to books for the sake of having them is hoarding."
Oh no! My pride! I do think this book will serve as a positive reminder that progress, not perfection, is the goal for housekeeping and decluttering.
I wasn't familiar with the FlyLady prior to picking this up, but I appreciated her overall message. We learn from a young age that housework is a chore and that it requires large chunks of time devoted to it to ensure that it's done right. Cilley insists that all of that perfectionism is standing in our own way. I also felt personally attacked when she applied this wisdom to books, specifically:
"At one time or another, we have all held onto books...because it felt wrong, somehow to give them away. Could this be another layer of perfectionism that needs to be addressed? Holding on to books for the sake of having them is hoarding."
Oh no! My pride! I do think this book will serve as a positive reminder that progress, not perfection, is the goal for housekeeping and decluttering.
January 5, 2019
Highly recommended
Brilliant for anyone who needs a helping hand to get organised! I've been following Flylady for years and it has truly changed how I feel about my home.
Brilliant for anyone who needs a helping hand to get organised! I've been following Flylady for years and it has truly changed how I feel about my home.
January 11, 2021
Good little tips for how you can easily tidy up an area in 15 minutes. 2021- my year for no clutter! 🤷🏻♀️
January 8, 2026
Easy read and motivating to read to start the new year off right!
May 3, 2023
A lot of good advice. I like the 15min timer. Audio
July 30, 2020
This book was decent. While her first book, Sink Reflections, covered the details of her system, this book gives tips and advice for dealing with cleaning and decluttering in every area of the house. While I knew this was the case going in, I still thought there would be a broad-picture overview of the system included in this book. But that is not the case. Some people who are well familiar with her may prefer it this way, but I think it still would have been helpful to have an introduction to the system for those who are new to it. But even without this, I would have given the book more stars if I found it helpful as a whole. However, I didn't find anything particularly noteworthy. All the tips and advice were good, and fairly straightforward, but nothing earth-shattering. They all have the common approach of helping you do the task as simply and as easily as possible, using what you have on hand instead of fancy specialized products for every new task, and integrating them into the rhythm of your life for the least possible hassle and disruption. Which, again, is great, just not particularly remarkable. This is not to say that there aren't any gems amongst all the tips and advice, just nothing that overwhelmingly stood out to me. I think the biggest thing that would be the most helpful to people is her overall attitude of cheerfulness, confidence, calm, and non-perfectionism that she is so known and loved for. That comes across on every page, and people will be refreshed by it, just as they were with her first book.
January 20, 2019
I love the easy way to read this book. I am now rereading it for the second time. The first time I read it I couldn't put it down. This book is going to help me in loving myself. Thank you so much for the fun way this book is written.
March 9, 2023
3.8⭐️ for me personally.
I think maybe because (not bragging lol) I'm generally not a very dirty or messy person by nature and I have never had a tendency to hold onto clutter, there was a lot in the book that I feel like did not apply to my current situation. However, I would 100% recommend this to someone who either:
1. Is completely new to homemaking and has no idea where to start with cleaning routines and what to do where.
2. Is a seasoned homemaker and is looking to do a total overhaul on their cleaning routine and schedule to simplify it and make it more sustainable.
I do feel really blessed that both of my toddlers (for now lol) are usually more than happy and willing to help with wiping, dusting, mopping, cleaning up toys, etc. But it does take a lot of time and discipline at the beginning and I'm seeing the fruit of it in how our home has been able to run now.
I think maybe because (not bragging lol) I'm generally not a very dirty or messy person by nature and I have never had a tendency to hold onto clutter, there was a lot in the book that I feel like did not apply to my current situation. However, I would 100% recommend this to someone who either:
1. Is completely new to homemaking and has no idea where to start with cleaning routines and what to do where.
2. Is a seasoned homemaker and is looking to do a total overhaul on their cleaning routine and schedule to simplify it and make it more sustainable.
I do feel really blessed that both of my toddlers (for now lol) are usually more than happy and willing to help with wiping, dusting, mopping, cleaning up toys, etc. But it does take a lot of time and discipline at the beginning and I'm seeing the fruit of it in how our home has been able to run now.
January 25, 2019
Cilley shares some practical and quick ways to organize your home. She sprinkles wit and even a few recipes throughout this easy read.
January 30, 2019
Very different from her other books. This one is more tips and specifics on cleaning and less about her overall “Flylady System”. Still good information.
If you have been following her on Facebook and are on her email list (and I have been on and off since 2006), you will read things that she hasn’t said before.
I didn’t have much added to my “cleaning database” 😆, but it’s nice to have another Flylady book around. She’s such a great cheerleader and I love how conversational her books are. Feels like a friend is giving some positive brainwashing to get motivated to clean. 💖
If you have been following her on Facebook and are on her email list (and I have been on and off since 2006), you will read things that she hasn’t said before.
I didn’t have much added to my “cleaning database” 😆, but it’s nice to have another Flylady book around. She’s such a great cheerleader and I love how conversational her books are. Feels like a friend is giving some positive brainwashing to get motivated to clean. 💖
February 17, 2019
Not worth the money
I've used flylady for years. I really wanted to like this book but the editing is poor and she just doesn't seem to have anything new to offer. The chapters are random and don't provide much of value. If you are looking for inspiration in keeping the chaos at bay you should read her earlier books or just use her website.
I've used flylady for years. I really wanted to like this book but the editing is poor and she just doesn't seem to have anything new to offer. The chapters are random and don't provide much of value. If you are looking for inspiration in keeping the chaos at bay you should read her earlier books or just use her website.
January 1, 2019
This is such an excellent book. As an avid watcher of YouTube reruns of How Clean is Your House? in the wee small hours of the morning this was a Jenny book that was right up my street. I love learning new things, especially if people are clever and use humor to teach me. I would greatly recommend this book and will return to it again and again myself to try to put her tips into practice.
June 9, 2019
Really fluffy. Was very disappointed as I'm a big fan of Flylady, but this book really had nothing to offer.
July 5, 2022
Simplistic, to the point, a guide away from perfectionism and toward more productivity around your home...
July 1, 2021
A fast and easy rainy day read. A lot of it was terribly obvious and a waste of paper and ink in my opinion, but there were a few good ideas I harvested that made it worth the one-time read:
PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION— tackle the big jobs 5-15 minutes at a time. Shoot, tackle all jobs in that manner.
Place sticky notes in places to help establish your new habits, and only work on one habit at a time.
Soap is soap. Clean with whatever soap is handy. The toilet can be scrubbed with shampoo. The sink can be wiped with a damp washcloth with a dab of hand soap. I liked her idea of mixing 50/50 soap and water in a vase to store the toilet wand in and swishing the toilet regularly. It eliminates the need for harsh chemical cleaners.
Incorporate cleaning into what you’re already doing. Taking a shower? Wipe off one small portion of the wall this time; another small portion next time. Again, progress, not perfection. Waiting for your coffee to brew? Pick up a damp swifter mop and mop a small section of the floor today, and a different small section tomorrow. Progress, not perfection.
For a clean vehicle, empty trash every time you’re at the fuel station. Gas in, trash out. Place a sticky note in the gas cap to remind you.
PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION— tackle the big jobs 5-15 minutes at a time. Shoot, tackle all jobs in that manner.
Place sticky notes in places to help establish your new habits, and only work on one habit at a time.
Soap is soap. Clean with whatever soap is handy. The toilet can be scrubbed with shampoo. The sink can be wiped with a damp washcloth with a dab of hand soap. I liked her idea of mixing 50/50 soap and water in a vase to store the toilet wand in and swishing the toilet regularly. It eliminates the need for harsh chemical cleaners.
Incorporate cleaning into what you’re already doing. Taking a shower? Wipe off one small portion of the wall this time; another small portion next time. Again, progress, not perfection. Waiting for your coffee to brew? Pick up a damp swifter mop and mop a small section of the floor today, and a different small section tomorrow. Progress, not perfection.
For a clean vehicle, empty trash every time you’re at the fuel station. Gas in, trash out. Place a sticky note in the gas cap to remind you.
September 20, 2022
If your house is a disaster and you find yourself continuously fighting depression at the state of things, this book may save your life. I discovered the FlyLady cleaning system some odd years ago when life was up in the air and nothing seemed to be going as I thought it might. Marla's cleaning tips didn't save my life (that honor probably goes to my Faith, my husband, and a dedicated therapist), but her system certainly took one of the major stressors out of my life. "The CHAOS Cure" is an amazing book that I wish I had discovered when I was in college. Alas, twas after marriage forced me to come to terms with a regimented lifestyle so as not to drown via basic life necessities.
Marla's book can be read straight through and skimmed through. A read-through will assist the reader in knowing where to turn to later when disaster strikes. She talks on how to get a mess in order and keep the mess from coming back. Every room in the house is covered, as is your car, and outdoor areas. It is well-written, well-organized, and an easy read. I would recommend this book to anyone needing to discover adulthood: a newly wed, a college gift, a baby shower gift, etc. This book is relatable and needed by all, most certainly due to the busy age we all live in.
Marla's book can be read straight through and skimmed through. A read-through will assist the reader in knowing where to turn to later when disaster strikes. She talks on how to get a mess in order and keep the mess from coming back. Every room in the house is covered, as is your car, and outdoor areas. It is well-written, well-organized, and an easy read. I would recommend this book to anyone needing to discover adulthood: a newly wed, a college gift, a baby shower gift, etc. This book is relatable and needed by all, most certainly due to the busy age we all live in.
October 17, 2022
I think this is a great book if you are new to cleaning your home. I like the simplicity in timing yourself, helping you realize it really doesn’t take that long to clean the bathroom etc. it breaks it down in exactly what you should do. Most of the book focused on things I already knew. Really the book was best for motivating me to just do it. I get the feeling that the author is full of anxiety and a little extreme in what she packs in her car. She lists 22 things you can stash in your car for emergencies. First one being a fire extinguisher. Never in my almost 50 years of riding in cars have I needed this so that seems like a waste of space. I don’t know how you have room for all these items. Also I’m sorry the author has such problems w weevils. That would discourage me from eating oats for years! Still, grateful I don’t have those issues to such an extent. Helpful tips if I did though. Lastly, the idea that soap is soap and I should keep my toilet brush in a vase full of bubble bath or whatever soap I have seems very wrong. It’s not been cleaning as god as commercial toilet cleaners for me and I’m afraid it is breading germs.
Overall it’s an easy and enjoyable read and a little bit helpful, maybe a lot helpful if you are new to cleaning.
Overall it’s an easy and enjoyable read and a little bit helpful, maybe a lot helpful if you are new to cleaning.
November 3, 2025
It was really helpful in getting momentum and scrapping perfectionism in house keeping. I was feeling a little overwhelmed about wanting to have my home feel nice and this (and her app) helped me get launched.
I will say that some of her habits do feel more perfectionistic (or plain stressful, such as cleaning the shower every time you shower. Might work for others but NOT for me, I already avoid showering more than I should lol) than I’m going for, and some of her attitude is a bit dated (ie. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and just clean), but overall I found it very helpful. I really am rating the app here too, because the app really makes it easy to implement her tips and has a rotating schedule built in so you don’t have to build one from scratch. I was able to customize it to fit my own needs and it’s been great.
I also felt validated that even though I was feeling overwhelmed, I already came to the table with a couple of cleaning routines, and that was nice to realize.
I will say that some of her habits do feel more perfectionistic (or plain stressful, such as cleaning the shower every time you shower. Might work for others but NOT for me, I already avoid showering more than I should lol) than I’m going for, and some of her attitude is a bit dated (ie. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and just clean), but overall I found it very helpful. I really am rating the app here too, because the app really makes it easy to implement her tips and has a rotating schedule built in so you don’t have to build one from scratch. I was able to customize it to fit my own needs and it’s been great.
I also felt validated that even though I was feeling overwhelmed, I already came to the table with a couple of cleaning routines, and that was nice to realize.
April 27, 2019
I've enjoyed and appreciated FLYlady's tips and encouragement for years. There was nothing new in this particular book though and it was lacking all the FLYlady stuff that I appreciate most about letting go of perfectionism and finally loving yourself, etc. Some of those concepts were mentioned briefly, but this book was just a quick, kind of watered down snapshot look at everything she's shared about keeping house before. There was also some stuff included that seemed either really dated or catered to an older generation (did you know there are even digital frames that display your digital photos?! Ummm... Yeah. For years.) Anyway, it was a really quick read, but it wasn't really a worthwhile read as someone already familiar with her ideas. I would definitely encourage reading her Sink Reflections book instead. I love that one!
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