Houseworks. A Book on Living Clean, Green and Organized at Home

When I’m working I have no problem organizing tasks and keeping things on track. But somehow when it comes to my own home I’m a disaster: I can never find the school permission forms, I usually end up making grilled cheese AGAIN because I have nothing planned or in the cupboards, I don’t host playdates because of the state my home is in.

HOUSEWORKS-cover I think I found a book that might just help me get my home in the same kind of order as my office. Houseworks by Cynthia Townley Ewer of OrganizedHome.com, a book on how to live clean, green and organized at home.

When the folks at DK Canada first sent this along I thought it looked interesting but wasn’t really for me; I have limited time as is, how is reading a book going to help me. But then I started to flip through the pages. I came across the section Declutter the Closet. Following some simple rules (like only keeping items that fit now, not 10 pounds from now) I actually organized my closet in an afternoon. Wow, now I can find clothes easily.

I think what I like most about the Houseworks is the structure and the concise content. The Declutter the Closet was two pages but it was chunked making it easy to read and the images helped illustrate the point being made. This grouping and chunking content into readable bits is the structure of the entire book. Tips and tricks in each section are highlighted in callout boxes making them easy to focus on too.

Houseworks helps you tackle your home in stages and each stage is broken down into steps, making the task of decluttering or organizing or cleaning doable

Along with decluttering, organizing and cleaning your home, Houseworks also covers

how to plan, save, organize and store food and clothing.
selecting, saving, maintainging and cleaning various surfaces in your house like floors, mattresses, plumbing and more.
Decluttering and organizing specific areas of your home such as the bathroom, entertainment and household storage areas and more.
Setting up an information area and organizing paperwork like schedules, bills and filing.

HOUSEWORKS-inside Houseworks also includes examples throughout the book as well as some handy forms and planners you can duplicate for your own home. You'll also find a handy list of additional resources found on the web.

I may only have one closet done but I’m well on my way to better organizing my home.

* A copy of Houseworks was provided for the purpose of this review

GIVEAWAY!

The folks at DK Canada know how hard it is to balance a chaotic home so they’re offering one (1) EverythingMom member their own copy of Houseworks. To enter just tell us one aspect of your home you would like help organizing.

This contest is only open to EverythingMom members. Not a member? It’s quick and easy to join. Contest is only open to Canadian Residents and ends March 24, 2010. One (1) EverythingMom members will be randomly chosen after that.

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About the Author

Managing Partner and Editor-in-Chief at one of the best social networking and lifestyle sites for moms, EverythingMom.com. Trying to balance life at home with my 3 kids (all under 8), while building my business, working at EverythingMom.com and developing my writing. Oh and throw a load of laundry in and a dinner that isn't burnt. Wasn't working from home suppose to be easier?

Posted by Carrie Anne in book reviews on March 09, 2010

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Comments

0 # Kathleen_Callista 2010-03-09 20:11

Wow the book looks good! I really need help organizing my basement, it's such a mess! Laundry, storage, workshop! Sheesh!

Houseworks. A Book on Living Clean, Green and Organized at Home