The CHAOS Cure

November 15, 2018
Cilley, founder of housekeeping-support website FlyLady and author of Sink Reflections (2002), makes it oh so easy to keep that buzziest of buzzwords, minimalization, well, minimized. Cleaning is her beat, though running through her narrative is a constant, underground refrain of getting rid of. Suggestions are room by room and object by object, from getting dressed and hosting guests, and addressing everything from old pillows to misfit T-shirts. And in blessedly short chapters with plenty of visual tips, like top five must-haves (feather duster, window cleaner, et al.), she walks readers through a quick and easy cleaning in 15, 10, even 5 minutes. Some of her best advice: don't set impossible standards for you and your home. Don't use refrigerator drawers for vegetables; you'll forget them, and they'll turn to slime. Stand up cookie sheets on their sides. And avoid magnets on a refrigerator. Home clean home.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)