No Time to Clean: How to Reduce and Prevent Cleaning the Professional Way

by Don Aslett

Americans spend an average of five years of their lives cleaning and maintaining their households. Instead, these tried and tested techniques help prevent the need to clean so readers can spend more of their precious time doing the things they enjoy. Readers will learn how Clean faster and more efficiently; Reduce clutter and messes; Make cleaning last longer; Set cleaning schedules that work with a hectic lifestyle; Aslett presents information in lots of easy-to-browse checklists, quizzes and sidebars that serve to educate and inspire readers every step of the way.

Genres: Nonfiction

150 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1996

Reviews

[Dan Stern · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that this is the best cleaning book I have ever read. This book gives short cuts and recommendations of products that make cleaning easier. For example, the "professional" spray bottles that make spraying and wiping up easier and most importantly... faster. I tend to be a scatter brain when I clean, going from one room to another and never quite finishing any one room. I felt that this book helped me become more organized

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Favorite idea from this book: when you're cleaning, start by going through every room with a laundry basket and picking up everything that doesn't belong there, and then putting it all away in the right place at once. Brilliant! I used to go from room to room, and I'd be making 18 trips to the toy room or office or whatever to put things away, when I could have just done it once.
A lot of the stuff was obvious. A LOT of it was drawn out unnecessarily. But it still gave me some good ideas and also gave me a little mental boost so that cleaning was fun. For awhile.

[Magda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like his idea of using standards, rather than charts or schedules, to clean.

p. 30: "You want to clean things when they're soiled, not when they're scheduled!"

You can still use a schedule, but that might only be to check to make sure things are clean.

He also offers advice on hiring a cleaner: get a firm price, outline the job/duties, clarify the scheduling, make your house rules known, and pay "when the work's complete, and done to your satisfaction."

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tried it, but it was hard to keep up in the long run. I picked up a lot of tips and ideas that I still use.

[Judy Desetti · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have got to get a plan for keeping up with cleaning.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok. He did have several good ideas and tips.

[Jeff]

This is my second time to read this book and I really needed to pay more attention to it the first time. Aslett provides many good techniques for keeping your place clean and orderly.