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Is There Life After Housework?
Offers professional advice on tools and techniques that can make cleaning house less time consuming and more efficient
216 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
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331 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 13, 2023
Don Aslett gives practical, usable advice in a friendly, easy voice. This book changed my approach when I was a young woman, and I really enjoyed reading it again. It was great brushing up on the details I had forgotten
November 24, 2009
I read this book twice. I read the original version from like, 1980, then decided to get the updated one from the library. I read it and then realized my "updated" version was from like 1992! And there is ANOTHER version of it updated again in 2005.
1. I will probably read a cleaning book three times now, because I want the most recent version. That really makes me seems boring.
2. I thought the original 1980 version was great. I loved the 1992 version even more. I may decide the 2005 version is the BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN. And that really, really makes people not want to invite me to their book club meetings. Like I need another reason to be a dork. But these books are just so good!
3. I wish he talked about things I specifically have, like a steam mop. Or discussed the carpet cleaning methods of 2009 and which are best. (Probably I should read the 2005 version.)
4. I don't even remember why I was numbering anything! But fourthly and finally, Don Aslett rocks and because of him I polished my floors for the first time ever last week. You should read his books. You never know what chores you didn't even know you weren't doing, like waxing your floors!!
1. I will probably read a cleaning book three times now, because I want the most recent version. That really makes me seems boring.
2. I thought the original 1980 version was great. I loved the 1992 version even more. I may decide the 2005 version is the BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN. And that really, really makes people not want to invite me to their book club meetings. Like I need another reason to be a dork. But these books are just so good!
3. I wish he talked about things I specifically have, like a steam mop. Or discussed the carpet cleaning methods of 2009 and which are best. (Probably I should read the 2005 version.)
4. I don't even remember why I was numbering anything! But fourthly and finally, Don Aslett rocks and because of him I polished my floors for the first time ever last week. You should read his books. You never know what chores you didn't even know you weren't doing, like waxing your floors!!
February 24, 2010
seriously kept me up late reading, Don Aslet is very entertaining. I was motivated to actually clean the bathroom the next morning. Nothing was ground breaking as I think my mother must have read his books when they were popular in the 80's because she followed/taught me how to clean like this. I must have forgotten somewhere down the road because it was sure good to learn it all over again.
September 9, 2009
My mom gave me the 1970s version, so some of the tools were a little outdated, but I went to a local Don Aslett Cleaning Center and they gave me the updates.
I really liked how he pushed for cleaning with concentrated formulas - I really do save a ton of money now on cleaning supplies. He also shares the techniques that "professionals" use. I bought a couple of cleaning tools that I hadn't had/thought of before (like a squeegie for outdoor windows) and that made all the difference. I cleaned all of the windows on my house - inside and out - in about 45 mins!
I doggie eared my copy all over the place. It has lots of great ideas for how to increase your effectiveness in a shorter amount of time. Great read.
I really liked how he pushed for cleaning with concentrated formulas - I really do save a ton of money now on cleaning supplies. He also shares the techniques that "professionals" use. I bought a couple of cleaning tools that I hadn't had/thought of before (like a squeegie for outdoor windows) and that made all the difference. I cleaned all of the windows on my house - inside and out - in about 45 mins!
I doggie eared my copy all over the place. It has lots of great ideas for how to increase your effectiveness in a shorter amount of time. Great read.
April 9, 2010
Can be a bit overwhelming at first, but I found it helpful to mark the parts that I wanted to remember and add to my cleaning routine. Then after reading everything, I went back to those parts and typed them up into my new cleaning "schedule" with all the new "how-to"s that Don gives. Amazing insights into the cleaning world- it is funny how we think we need to clean our homes differently than janitors clean professional buildings. They're getting paid to do it, so most likely they are making sure to use the best things and do it the best way!
March 1, 2017
After reading this book, my conclusion is that the answer to the title is "no." Still, don asletts writing is fun to read.
May 21, 2020
Don's philosophy boils down to this-- get rid of things you don't need (though this is not a de-cluttering book) then spend a few minutes a day, a couple hours a week, and few hours each month to keep the house clean. He advocates using better tools along with basic routines and processes to cut down on housework.
Am I going to wash my windows, wax my floor, and wash my walls and ceilings? Probably not any time soon (and maybe ever). But he's given me a manageable way to keep control of the housework, and tips for when I decide to tackle bigger jobs.
I appreciate that even though his career built on cleaning, he understands that people don't live to clean. His approach is friendly and encouraging, while still being practical and effective. A few quotes:
"When we feel good and are really rolling on some other project, stopping to clean means stopping to do something that someone else is just going to mess up again, anyway. It produces resentment in us all. When you have momentum elsewhere, that's just not the time to stop and spit-polish a house-- even if things are dirty and you’ve scheduled it-- because you’ll hate every minute of it."
"If it hasn’t been used and it isn’t dirty, don’t clean it just because it’s there.
Cleaning to make things sparkly instead of just giving them a healthy glow is often a waste of time and effort."
Encouragement:
"Satisfaction-you used your skill and the result was good!
Pride-it looks great and you know you did it!
Relief-it’s finally done and you won’t have to do it again for a while!"
Am I going to wash my windows, wax my floor, and wash my walls and ceilings? Probably not any time soon (and maybe ever). But he's given me a manageable way to keep control of the housework, and tips for when I decide to tackle bigger jobs.
I appreciate that even though his career built on cleaning, he understands that people don't live to clean. His approach is friendly and encouraging, while still being practical and effective. A few quotes:
"When we feel good and are really rolling on some other project, stopping to clean means stopping to do something that someone else is just going to mess up again, anyway. It produces resentment in us all. When you have momentum elsewhere, that's just not the time to stop and spit-polish a house-- even if things are dirty and you’ve scheduled it-- because you’ll hate every minute of it."
"If it hasn’t been used and it isn’t dirty, don’t clean it just because it’s there.
Cleaning to make things sparkly instead of just giving them a healthy glow is often a waste of time and effort."
Encouragement:
"Satisfaction-you used your skill and the result was good!
Pride-it looks great and you know you did it!
Relief-it’s finally done and you won’t have to do it again for a while!"
January 28, 2018
I thought he had good advice but I didn’t read the 2005 edition but the 1992 edition so it was a bit out of date. The advice to use professional items only seems out of date when you consider the quality of home products these days. I didn’t finish it as I lost interest. It’s not a page turner but it ‘s not completely boring either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2023
I was surprised by how good this book was, lots of great tips even if you've already been cleaning your own house for 20 years. This would be a great gift for someone just starting their own family or moving into their first home!
October 6, 2017
Mostly outdated. Or else information that average people know.
December 1, 2018
I think I read this book about 10-15 years ago. Good practical tips and a reminder of how a good housework routine can bless your life.
August 30, 2019
Liked the format of Dust or Vaccuum First better. This one didn't have as many actual tips as just general information as to why you should or shouldn't clean certain things.
November 10, 2009
This is another book I borrowed from my mom's bookshelf at home. I found myself skimming the first couple chapters that just seemed so obvious to me. But then I started getting into the chapters that focus more on specific tips for cleaning certain areas of the house. Granted, this book is very outdated on a few things (Swiffers and steam mops obviously weren't around, and I don't know anyone who actually cleans their walls and ceilings once a year--maybe it's just me). But generally, I really liked his approach to cleaning. A lot of it is obvious, logical advice, but it was a good reminder for me.
His main point is this: if you just do quick, easy maintenance cleaning (squeegee the shower walls when you're done showering, wipe around the bathroom sink when you're done using it, use good heavy-duty door mats to collect 80% of the dirt entering your house) then you will easily eliminate the need for more hard core cleaning sessions full of hard scrubbing, which will eventually damage the surfaces. He also points out that if you use the right cleaner for the right messes and stains, you won't have to do any scrubbing--you spray the surface with the right cleaner and wait for the cleaner to break down everything and you can just wipe it clean, eliminating scrubbing from housework.
This book is meant for women who feel like they're spending all their time doing housework, which is NOT me at all. I find myself so busy with so many other things I'm constantly neglecting my housework, despite the organized cleaning schedule I've created. So I didn't need to learn how to spend less time on housework, but this book inspired me to do more housework--to do chores more regularly, even if things don't actually look dirty, simply because then the task is more easily completed. He also talks about how the longer dirt and grim sit (on tile, carpet, shower walls, etc.) the more the dirt gets embedded and becomes impossible to ever completely eliminate.
So this was a pretty good book--no ideas that were revolutionary, but good tips and handy charts on what cleaners to use on what for best results. A bit out-dated (or maybe just unrealistic). I don't know about other people, but I'm not going to be shampooing all my upholstered fabrics or scrubbing my ceilings every year.
His main point is this: if you just do quick, easy maintenance cleaning (squeegee the shower walls when you're done showering, wipe around the bathroom sink when you're done using it, use good heavy-duty door mats to collect 80% of the dirt entering your house) then you will easily eliminate the need for more hard core cleaning sessions full of hard scrubbing, which will eventually damage the surfaces. He also points out that if you use the right cleaner for the right messes and stains, you won't have to do any scrubbing--you spray the surface with the right cleaner and wait for the cleaner to break down everything and you can just wipe it clean, eliminating scrubbing from housework.
This book is meant for women who feel like they're spending all their time doing housework, which is NOT me at all. I find myself so busy with so many other things I'm constantly neglecting my housework, despite the organized cleaning schedule I've created. So I didn't need to learn how to spend less time on housework, but this book inspired me to do more housework--to do chores more regularly, even if things don't actually look dirty, simply because then the task is more easily completed. He also talks about how the longer dirt and grim sit (on tile, carpet, shower walls, etc.) the more the dirt gets embedded and becomes impossible to ever completely eliminate.
So this was a pretty good book--no ideas that were revolutionary, but good tips and handy charts on what cleaners to use on what for best results. A bit out-dated (or maybe just unrealistic). I don't know about other people, but I'm not going to be shampooing all my upholstered fabrics or scrubbing my ceilings every year.
March 21, 2011
I really learned a lot from this book. My mother was one of those who spent 90% or more of her time cleaning and cooking. I have always been one to think, there has to be a better way. This book gave some really great cleaning tips. Some were really common sense, but the kind of common sense that people ignore half the time. It also set out specific instructions on how to clean what, with what, how often, and what tools will get the job done the fastest. While some of the instruction was a little out-dated (I would love to have Aslett's opinion on Swifer mops and such) the basic tips and instruction are highly applicable to the every day home. I did skip a couple of chapters that just don't apply to me with where I live and my time of life and I have no desire to become a professional home cleaner, but I plan on going back and reading this book again when the transition to owning my own home happens. I feel like my cleaning burden really has lightened through application of the knowledge contained in this book. A great read for any homemaker (or homemaker's husband) even if you already do everything he talks about, you may pick up some things you didn't realize were important (like me).
February 10, 2014
One of the bad parts of Winter Storm Nika (other than losing our power for 5 days) was not having a good book to distract me. Fortunately, I found this gem! Silly as it may sound, I came away with some obvious yet valuable advice. First of all, get rid of junk and clutter. Without that mess, it's much quicker to clean. Next, if you make the mess, you clean up the mess. This will help me to help my boys become more responsible for themselves. Finally, some tips on window cleaning without streaks or smudges. Now I just need to find a janitorial supply store to get a professional grade squegee thingy. Don included some entertaining anecdotes, too. One interesting one as that he visited an elementary school with about 400 students. Two hours after lunch, the janitor was still cleaning up the mess. Another school of the same size in the same area was also visited. At this school, the janitor was done in about 15 minutes because the principal at this school believed in the students being responsible for cleaning up after themselves.
September 24, 2013
Okay, so I am a bit odd and really enjoy cleaning. This book was very detailed--so much so that I want to own a copy for a reference book. I liked the ideas overall. There were a few I won't ever be doing (like waxing my floors), but I love the setup he gives with making sure you've got the right tools readily available to do the right job.
Aslett's main point is to let chemicals do the work for you (let it sit, then come back and it will wipe right away). The only thing is that he recommends owning a few specific solutions to do the work, but when I went to a janitorial supply store, some of them are not being sold any more due to governmental control. So perhaps they are a bit too powerful, and a bit of elbow grease is in order.
Aslett's main point is to let chemicals do the work for you (let it sit, then come back and it will wipe right away). The only thing is that he recommends owning a few specific solutions to do the work, but when I went to a janitorial supply store, some of them are not being sold any more due to governmental control. So perhaps they are a bit too powerful, and a bit of elbow grease is in order.
January 30, 2008
Good book about making housework easier. I didn't have time to read the whole book before I needed to return it to the library. It is a slow read. It is not very concise and is not organized well. However, I found some great tips that I use that really do cut down on my cleaning time. Don Aslett is THE expert on cleaning. He owns Varsity Cleaners, which is the company the Church contracts with to clean buildings. Incidentally, I cleaned a church building and used his techniques then when I was trained in them. Wish I had read this book before working there and I would have been more effective.
February 9, 2017
"Pulpit, pedestal, or poetry cannot come as close to enriching the lives of others as can a woman with a good, clean, happy, well-organized, well-disciplined life at home."
October 10, 2008
This book is so awesome! I've learned a lot about how often things need to be done, the quickest ways to do things, etc. Of course I have been revising things to fit into my life style - for instance I don't want all of the fancy things that they sometimes suggest you get - but overall this book is AWESOME! I recommend just skimming through it and reading the part most relevant to your situation though... this is not a novel after all.
October 25, 2009
I think I've read this before - early in my marriage - because I already do a lot of the things he recommends. It was very familiar.
I am more into natural/green cleaning, but I he includes a lot of excellent techniques. I also appreciated tips on things like getting oil off of concrete. The book is simple to read and the illustrations are helpful. The humor was a little odd, but it was generally easy to read and apply.
I am more into natural/green cleaning, but I he includes a lot of excellent techniques. I also appreciated tips on things like getting oil off of concrete. The book is simple to read and the illustrations are helpful. The humor was a little odd, but it was generally easy to read and apply.
May 9, 2015
I thought this book was great. The author is positive and his enthusiasm for excellence is contagious. I don't think my cleaning time will be reduced by 75% but then again... I don't spend too much time cleaning to begin with. :) I love the how-tos on cleaning windows, washing walls, etc. So many things he says to do make perfect sense and it leaves me wondering why I do things so inefficiently!
October 21, 2009
This book lives up to its claim of cutting down on cleaning time by 75%. I had read this about 10 years ago and upon re-reading realized how much I have made the concepts part of my everyday life. This time around I brushed up on some of the tips and tried his window washing method. I'll never go back.
December 8, 2010
Great book on house cleaning. Time managment is very helpful. I bought a number of products he recommeded. One was good solid square rags. I have used them for twenty years! They are just now getting "raggie", lol. Super way to not use papper towels.
I really got alot out of this book.
Highly recommend it. If you can still find it in print, buy it.
I really got alot out of this book.
Highly recommend it. If you can still find it in print, buy it.
September 1, 2012
My sister loaned me this book, and WOW. I wish I had read these as a newlywed. I really haven't been cleaning in the most efficient way and I have felt that I am constantly doing housework and not having enough time to live life so I really enjoyed the tips he offered. Everyone should own this book.
July 15, 2008
I had an older copy from the library, so the cleaning techniques and recommendations were a bit dated. However the book was well written and quite enjoyable to read. I'm going to put some of the tecniques discussed into practice and we'll see if housework becomes less time consuming.
July 23, 2008
Who doesn't want to cut down their cleaning time so they can go out to play!? Good book for learning to streamline your cleaning to get it done and keep it done. . . . aparently I need to read this one again! LOL
July 4, 2009
Great tips for keeping the house spic 'n span - if only I was good at consistently executing. Seriously, though, changed my tactics years ago when my aunt gave me this book and things have been more manageable ever since.
Want to read
March 13, 2010I went to a Women's Conference where Don Aslett was speaking. He was so hilarious and he gave this book to us. I've always wanted to read it. My parents have been long time customers of his so I'm excited to see what it has to offer.
November 29, 2010
I've had this book for awhile, but finally had a chance to read it (sick in bed). Not exactly revolutionary, but a good pep talk and common sense stuff. It actually made me want to get up and clean something.
December 30, 2016
Finally, a manual for how to clean the house!
I read the 10th anniversary edition and review it on my blog:
https://seminary2016.wordpress.com/20...
I read the 10th anniversary edition and review it on my blog:
https://seminary2016.wordpress.com/20...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews