For Packrats Only: How to Clean Up, Clear Out, and Dejunk Your Life Forever

by Don Aslett

Offers hints for packrats on clearing out all the "stuff" that has accumulated over the years.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Marilyn Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe first and definitely best decluttering book ever.

[Avis Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of those absolute necessities of life, especially in a consumer society. A terrific motivator and a must-read just for the anecdotes.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some info was dated but there was a lot of humor used to help inspire people to declutter. I'm reading declutter books to keep my motivation up while I am on a decluttering mission, but fortunately, I am not in the position clutter-wise of the people this book is aimed at. :) Still parts of it made me smile and Mr. Aslett had some good ideas.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

So far not much of it has applied to me. I'm not much of a packrat anyway but I do know I keep too much stuff. I'm hoping this book will help me say farewell to some of it.

I couldn't finish this book. I just didn't get into it so I finally just put it down.

[Hope Irvin Marston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third or fourth book I've read on how to get my house in order. It's the best by far because it was entertaining, all inclusive, and gave me specific help for dealing with every possible situation I might encounter. Furthermore, it motivated me to get started tomorrow morning.

Readers will find step-by-step help for beginning and then following through no matter which untidy spot they tackle first. Though the author didn't suggest this, I've decided to begin by cleaning out and tidying up every drawer in my four-room home. First I will tackle my home office (I am a writer), where twenty-one drawers desperately need my attention. (I'll be sure to keep my largest trash can nearby.)

Hope Irvin Marston, author of THE WALLS HAVE EARS: A BLACK SPY IN THE CONFDERATE WHITE HOUSE, a Charlotte Award 2021 Nominee in the High School Category.

[Dan Stern · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is filled with great ideas and instructions written in a humorous way. I have been trying to declutter for years and this book offers creative and logical ways. And he tackled everyone of my hoarding issues. And he nailed it when he mentioned how your clutter weighs on your mind as well. He's like a psychiatric professional cleaner, organizer. If you are thinking about having too much stuff to the point where it is always on your mind, then this is the book for you. I highly recommend it!
i didnt like the length and how small the words were
how much was on a page

[Cheryll · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute jewel! Many years ago I had watched a VHS video Aslettt did on how to clean, yep VHS! I still use that advice. And having taken Marie Kondo's advice on organizing, reading this book was more guilty pleasure than needed advice. So I read the first half then decluttered my basement, 4 trips to the thrift store, 1 to Habitat for Humanity and 1 to the dump. Whether you are a packrat or not this book will inspire you.

[JoAnn M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been known to be somewhat of a clutter bug, so this book offered some good hints at helping with the problem. Good humor in the book, too. Some of the stories were incredible at what folks keep!

[Judi Mckay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of take home pointers and a few good checklists. It's basically common sense, but written in a light hearted and interesting way. It's a good guide to those wanting to start decluttering.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute illustrations!

[VJK · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book on dejunking. I found it helpful.

[Jenny T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you want to keep or junk? Don gives you plenty of reasons why you should do the latter, as well as methods and resources for doing so. My reading of this book inspired me to declutter the utility area under the stairs, putting back what we actually use. I have yet to sneak most of the unused junk out of the den and shed, but at least I started. I'm debating about whether I should give the book to my (hoarder) mother, but I think I'll pass it on to the Goodwill. My father-in-law could use it too...but he'd probably be too offended if I gave it to him.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book and "Clutter Free: Finally and Forever." I preferred this one, and felt it was more helpful. "Clutter Free "was more of the same, lots of anecdotes, etc. I bought these books to help me de-junk, (oh, the irony!) as I tend to be neatness challenged. While all of the stories were entertaining, they weren't very progressive when it came to MY project.

"Not For Packrats" was a little bit more informational. Aslett writes in a jokey style that is easy to read, and provides a little humor- sorely needed by people who have enough clutter to drive them to reading a book like this!

The stories are motivational, with enough clutter it can feel like you are the only one that has ever had to face such a problem. Reading that you are not alone, and probably not even really that bad, can help.

Aslett is also well-known for writing about how to clean things such as carpets, curtains, walls- in which order to clean the bathroom fixtures, etc. But this book is primarily about de-junking.

[Feathertail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this for anyone having Junk and Clutter problems. I found the point was made many times over, and was convinced of my readyness to cleam by the 16th chapter.
I would recommend that, if at one poit, one finds yourself getting bored or tired of reiteration, simply read the subheadings and first one or two sentences of a paragraph. If the section is interesting, then by all means read the rest. I am just trying to help with 'bordum' issues because many a wonderful point are made later on, but one must sort through the things that really apply to you to get to them.

[Patrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say, as a "self-proclaimed" pack rat, this book helped me get rid of alot of clutter in my kids room and in my life period. It was an easy read and had some funny moments. I highly recommend to all my fellow packrats!

[Bookwyrmgyrl]

Nice reading format with each page divided into two columns, and plenty of headings to break up the space. Also, the cartoons and humorous graphics add visual interest.

I like Don Aslett's work and enjoyed this book.

[LaRhonda]

This is the perfect time of the year going into the holiday's so I am on a roll...reading and cleaning!

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not a packrat. I think he still wanted me to read this, but I'll do better with something that's more about organizarion, and less about de-cluttering.

[Magda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than some of his other books, I thought.

[Jyw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best picture of decluttering and the frame of mind surrounding hoarding.

[Sarah Garner · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has a lot of good ideas that I have yet to put into practice.