chickenpatty Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 I really want to become a better housekeeper this year. I do NOT want a website, because I know that as soon as I get online to look at it, I will get distracted and start checking the boards/email/blogs, etc... and not get any housework done. I need something that will help me know what to clean, how often to clean it and how to best clean. And I like pictures. :D I neeeeeeeeed a book. :confused: Recommendations, please?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 Check out the Don Aslet (author) books! I think they're considered "gold" in the house cleaning arena. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConnieB Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 Gotta agree that the Don Aslett books are probably going to be what you're looking for....check your library. He has a ton of different books, but honestly, having read several they seem to cover just about the same information just presented in a different format. So any of them should get you off to a good start! Another favorite is Home Comforts by Cheryl Mendelson. It's subtitle is Art and Science of Keeping House and it really goes into some wonderful detail about WHY you should do this or that......a little more concept-y and less step by step than Don Aslett, but a wonderful read none-the-less. This one is a favorite to give as a "first house" warming gift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelaNYC Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 I'm hearing good things about Sink Reflections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secular_mom Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 Side Tracked Home Executives Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 I have read quite a few (including those recommended here in this thread) but have found the most helpful, for me, is the Messies Manual. http://www.amazon.com/Messies-Manual-Procrastinators-Guide-Housekeeping/dp/0800751337 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise in Florida Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 Side Tracked Home Executives :iagree: I loved this book. They suggest you set up a system using color-coded 3x5 cards. I never actually got the system to work smoothly for me, but I use a lot of their suggestions. They have a lot in common with FlyLady. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PollyOR Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 You know what is motivating me like nothing else ever has? Watching episodes of Hoarders online. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekmom Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 Side Tracked Home Executives :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy loves Bud Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 [quote=ConnieB;1391991Home Comforts by Cheryl Mendelson I second this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 It's an older book, but one that helped me tremendously as a young wife thirty years ago "Confessions of An Organized Homemaker" by Denise Schofield I got to meet her after reading the books. A lovely warm woman, very friendly and down to earth. The books are filled with practical advice. I'm still using many of her tips in my home to this day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 I liked the Fly Lady's Sink Reflections and her tips about using a control journal. If I'm remembering correctly, she adapted the Sidetracked Home Executives' system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 Another fan of Sidetracked Home Executives. I'm not a fan of Aslett; he's condescending (IMO, don't shoot me). I like the *original* Sidetracked Home Executive system the best. You should be able to get those books for pennies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 I like the *original* Sidetracked Home Executive system the best. You should be able to get those books for pennies. :iagree::iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicAnn Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 If you need help in cleaning, then Home Comforts tells you how to clean everything. If you need help clearing out clutter and organizing the stuff you have, then I think Organizing from the Inside Out is good. I think you can get good stuff from all the books. I would try to figure out where your own specific issues are and then look for books that deal with that type of problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 I liked the Fly Lady's Sink Reflections and her tips about using a control journal. If I'm remembering correctly, she adapted the Sidetracked Home Executives' system. Yes, she did, and constantly gives props to them for helping her. In fact, they partner in different areas of business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PollyOR Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 I've been thinking more. Motivated Moms is a planner/check list which tells you what and when to clean. It is an $8 PDF download. For the "how to," Speed Cleaning is another choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConnieB Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 Another fan of Sidetracked Home Executives. I'm not a fan of Aslett; he's condescending (IMO, don't shoot me). I like the *original* Sidetracked Home Executive system the best. You should be able to get those books for pennies. Yeah...but he's a guy so what did you expect, lol. I like his methods, not him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 I love Real Simple Cleaning. It is truly very simple to use, and teaches you how to clean stuff. I love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 Agreeing: Home Comforts Sidetracked Home Executives Organizing from the Inside Out These three will tell you what to clean, when to clean it, and what to do with everything else. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacie Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 Agreeing: Home Comforts Sidetracked Home Executives Organizing from the Inside Out These three will tell you what to clean, when to clean it, and what to do with everything else. :D :iagree: This is exactly what is in my arsenal. And they are my "go to" books as listed in their order. I've read so many (I'm a bit OCD in that area) and these are the ones I've kept or purchased for myself. Plus I love giving them to others who are struggling or just starting out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhomemaker25 Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 Has some great stuff to get your cleaning organized. I love the books already mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNC Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 (edited) I would go with these four, and I've read/own most that people have mentioned! I love homemaking books :). 1. Sink Reflections by Marcia Cilley. No pictures, but very helpful in setting up your cleaning schedule into daily, weekly and zone schedules. http://www.amazon.com/Sink-Reflections-Marla-Cilley/dp/0553382179/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261931826&sr=8-1 2. Martha Stewart's Homkeeping Handbook. Awesome sepia photos and very detailed. Doesn't have the scholarly approach of Home Comforts, but I love that one too! http://www.amazon.com/Martha-Stewarts-Homekeeping-Handbook-Everything/dp/0517577003/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261931879&sr=1-1-spell 3.Keeping House by Cindi Harris, great color photos. She has detailed instructions alsol. I bought this one used - the spiral edition is cheaper. If you click on the used spirals, Amazon has one right now for $1. http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-House-Hints-Beautifully-Clean/dp/1841725978/ref=sr_1_27?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261931951&sr=1-27 4.HouseWorks, by Cyntha Townley. Awsome color pics! Great organization tips, she runs the Organized Home website. http://www.amazon.com/Houseworks-Clutter-Speed-Cleaning-Chaos/dp/0756613612/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261932066&sr=1-1 HTH!! Edited December 27, 2009 by LNC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 (edited) I checked this out from the library years ago, and it changed how I think and approach keeping our home. 1. Sink Reflections by Marcia Cilley. No pictures, but very helpful in setting up your cleaning schedule into daily, weekly and zone schedules. http://www.amazon.com/Sink-Reflectio...1931826&sr=8-1 I think the library is a great place to look for the book that will click for you. And they're free, can't get better than that. Edited December 27, 2009 by Tammyla Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 You know what is motivating me like nothing else ever has? Watching episodes of Hoarders online. ;) OMG! I have never heard of that show. I am watching Bob & Betsy right now. Unreal. Those poor people! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubermomto5 Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 it's all about what you want. sidetracked home executives is the gold standard for telling you how to organize your schedule so you can get it all done. my mom has done the card system since the late 70's and it has helped her through a house with 7 kids, then later a house with 10 grandkids and their parents! she loves it. i could never stick with the card system but i made a chart with the weekly, monthly etc that i follow and that is the only reason my house is not a pile of dirt. i hated sink reflections because i don't think any system fits all people. she insists on a clean sink, but for me if my bed isn't made, that's the real trauma. maybe it's because my sink gets dirty almost immediately and my bed stays clean till i get into it at night! also, i am a barefoot girl and i like it! don aslett and the clean team are almost the same, and they tell you how but not in the 'homekeeping' sense. the art and science of keeping house is an AMAZING book but it is huge and could be overwhelming. you would want to read it if, like me, you love reading about homemaking, or if you want to know more about why and how AFTEr you have a system. organizing from the inside out is more about learning how to control your stuff rather than cleaning/homemaking. that martha book sure sounds interesting! now i've got to find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2abcd Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 I've read most of the books listed. I think what I need is affirmation and encouragement from real people. I know what to do and how to do it, but enjoy doing so many other things in life:o) That said, I am going to read this book next: http://www.clutterdiet.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16162&cat=259&page=1& The hoarder's show might help, too. Eewww! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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