What do you think?
Rate this book
The Messies Manual: A Complete Guide to Bringing Order & Beauty to Your Home
This is the book that started it all! First published twenty-five years ago, The Messies Manual has helped over 350,000 people get rid of their messy habits. Sandra Felton's foolproof advice on organization has made this book a proven best seller that has helped organizers of all ages overcome a lifetime of messy habits. Expanding on the hot, new trend of home improvement television shows, this updated edition includes a new foreword and loads of insightful ideas. Presented in an easy-and fun-to-read format, this practical and perceptive book will help readers -organize activities -pay bills on time -keep a clean house -enjoy spare time without feeling guilty -and much more Felton's compassion, humor, and practical tips will help anyone make chronic messiness a thing of their past.
272 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1983
32 people are currently reading
537 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
February 6, 2025
Helpful in identifying the many reasons why you can be messy and some solutions.
The author was a Christian and briefly spoke to why we should clean as Christians:
1. We are made in the image of God and God is not a God of disorder. Living in disorder is not comfortable because it goes against this.
2. Humans are to "fill the earth and subdue it." This includes taking control over that portion of our lives that is our responsibility and ruling it wisely and well.
Use "little minutes" to do small tasks to keep things tidy. Don't wait till you have enough time to do something big.
Have a vision and goal for your home.
The author was a Christian and briefly spoke to why we should clean as Christians:
1. We are made in the image of God and God is not a God of disorder. Living in disorder is not comfortable because it goes against this.
2. Humans are to "fill the earth and subdue it." This includes taking control over that portion of our lives that is our responsibility and ruling it wisely and well.
Use "little minutes" to do small tasks to keep things tidy. Don't wait till you have enough time to do something big.
Have a vision and goal for your home.
August 2, 2008
I believe this was the third such "Messie" book that I read, all in the same year. It and "The Messie Motivator" have a lot of repetition between the two. I was hoping for something more, as I was flailing at the time.
If you only buy ONE of the Messie books, this is probably the most bare-bones how-to of the lot.
If you only buy ONE of the Messie books, this is probably the most bare-bones how-to of the lot.
May 11, 2011
An amazing book that opened my eyes to a lot of things I didn't seem to see while having it staring at my face. The author practically described my personality in great detail, I was convinced that she was spying on me and somehow wrote the book according to my life.. but how could she know what I was thinking too :)
The author divided people into two categories: Messies and Cleanies. She was a Messie but solved her problem 25 years ago and wrote this book to help fellow Messies to better their lives. I guess now you knoew which category I fit in :)
I can't remember when was the last time I read a self-help book from cover to cover, plus I enjoyed it so much and started to practice some of her methods. It really made an improvement that bought some beauty to my home, and I've just started.
Now I'm planning on getting more of her books and treating myself to the home of my dreams!
I recommend this book to anyone who is a Messie, that is lost and needs some guidance. It's GREAT!!!
Quotes I enjoyed from this book:
"It works if you work it."
Concentrate on the basics. Mount Vernon, the flipper, and the Three S system of organizing, used with persistance, will lift even the most hopeless Messie out of the morass of clutter she has fallen into.
Don't stop until you get where you want to be. Maybe the book will not be enough to keep you going.
Newton's second law of thermodynamics states that anything, left to itself, tends toward disorganization.
Felton's law is, "any house left to keep itself tends to disaster." Murphy's law applied to housekeeping is, "Any mess that can happen, will."
Not everything you face can be changed, but everything you change must first be faced.
Changing the way you think can influence your behavior permanently.
Housework is really the privilege of managing your home.
Cleaning your room is actually treating yourself with dignity.
Organizing is relieving the stress of chaos.
Keeping things picked up is embracing harmony in your life.
You got to have a dream. If you don't have a dream, How you ganna have a dream come true?
The bitterness of living in a mess remains long after the sweetness of resting is forgotten.
Reading. For bookworms, reading is quite a temptation - a wonderful way of escape into another world, which enables us to blot out the responsibilities around us. The piles around us grow dim as we lower our eyes to the book.
Television. The television is one of the few modern electronics that has made a significant difference in our time use. The time it saps from other activities causes us to feel rushed when we get up from the TV.
Computer. Undoubtedly the computer vies with the television for free time in many households. Computer games, the Internet, and email can be addictive. Hours fly by unnoticed and the house is forgotten.
What can be done at any time, is never done at all.
It is not so much how much time you have as how you use it.
We react to the idea of doing a job rather than just doing the part that is a problem.
The reason for this no doubt is because we are "thought people" not "visual people." We would rather plan an activity in an orderly fashion and then do it (or maybe never do it; but at least it is neatly planned) than do a little bit at a time.
Shopping on the Internet is perhaps the easiest of all - so easy we have to make sure we set boundaries on our spending.
Unfortunately, a cleaner is not the answer to the basic problem. One woman said she had a full-time maid but still had a problem. The maid just kept her piles dusted.
Basically, you are the only one who can organize for yourself.
Newton's law of inertia says that any body of matter at rest tends to stay that way unless some force moves it to get it started. Translated into housework, it means it win't be easy to break old patterns.
Doing housework the hard way is for those who have nothing better to do.
If you work and don't spend all day at home, you will have less time and less energy for housekeeping. Nevertheless, your goal can be achieved!
"Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of uncompleted tasks."
We have decided. We have organized. Now we have time to paint a few dreams.
"You alone can do it, but you can't do it alone." This is a favorite slogan for support groups.
For most people an ounce of morning is worth a pound of afternoon.
Also remember:
Early to bed, early to rise,
Makes your house neater than otherwise.
The author divided people into two categories: Messies and Cleanies. She was a Messie but solved her problem 25 years ago and wrote this book to help fellow Messies to better their lives. I guess now you knoew which category I fit in :)
I can't remember when was the last time I read a self-help book from cover to cover, plus I enjoyed it so much and started to practice some of her methods. It really made an improvement that bought some beauty to my home, and I've just started.
Now I'm planning on getting more of her books and treating myself to the home of my dreams!
I recommend this book to anyone who is a Messie, that is lost and needs some guidance. It's GREAT!!!
Quotes I enjoyed from this book:
"It works if you work it."
Concentrate on the basics. Mount Vernon, the flipper, and the Three S system of organizing, used with persistance, will lift even the most hopeless Messie out of the morass of clutter she has fallen into.
Don't stop until you get where you want to be. Maybe the book will not be enough to keep you going.
Newton's second law of thermodynamics states that anything, left to itself, tends toward disorganization.
Felton's law is, "any house left to keep itself tends to disaster." Murphy's law applied to housekeeping is, "Any mess that can happen, will."
Not everything you face can be changed, but everything you change must first be faced.
Changing the way you think can influence your behavior permanently.
Housework is really the privilege of managing your home.
Cleaning your room is actually treating yourself with dignity.
Organizing is relieving the stress of chaos.
Keeping things picked up is embracing harmony in your life.
You got to have a dream. If you don't have a dream, How you ganna have a dream come true?
The bitterness of living in a mess remains long after the sweetness of resting is forgotten.
Reading. For bookworms, reading is quite a temptation - a wonderful way of escape into another world, which enables us to blot out the responsibilities around us. The piles around us grow dim as we lower our eyes to the book.
Television. The television is one of the few modern electronics that has made a significant difference in our time use. The time it saps from other activities causes us to feel rushed when we get up from the TV.
Computer. Undoubtedly the computer vies with the television for free time in many households. Computer games, the Internet, and email can be addictive. Hours fly by unnoticed and the house is forgotten.
What can be done at any time, is never done at all.
It is not so much how much time you have as how you use it.
We react to the idea of doing a job rather than just doing the part that is a problem.
The reason for this no doubt is because we are "thought people" not "visual people." We would rather plan an activity in an orderly fashion and then do it (or maybe never do it; but at least it is neatly planned) than do a little bit at a time.
Shopping on the Internet is perhaps the easiest of all - so easy we have to make sure we set boundaries on our spending.
Unfortunately, a cleaner is not the answer to the basic problem. One woman said she had a full-time maid but still had a problem. The maid just kept her piles dusted.
Basically, you are the only one who can organize for yourself.
Newton's law of inertia says that any body of matter at rest tends to stay that way unless some force moves it to get it started. Translated into housework, it means it win't be easy to break old patterns.
Doing housework the hard way is for those who have nothing better to do.
If you work and don't spend all day at home, you will have less time and less energy for housekeeping. Nevertheless, your goal can be achieved!
"Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of uncompleted tasks."
We have decided. We have organized. Now we have time to paint a few dreams.
"You alone can do it, but you can't do it alone." This is a favorite slogan for support groups.
For most people an ounce of morning is worth a pound of afternoon.
Also remember:
Early to bed, early to rise,
Makes your house neater than otherwise.
October 12, 2009
According to her definitions, I'm not a true Messie, which is actually nice to know. I seem to fit in the "Average Housekeeper" category, so I recognize that I'm not the real audience for this book, but I was hoping to come away with a few gems to help me kick it up a notch or two.
Meh.
Before getting down to any actual organizing or housekeeping, Ms. Felton spends the first 100 pages or so classifying Messies, describing portraits of Messies, listing classic Messie excuses and debunking them, and giving a quick rah-rah encouraging course on goal setting. Nothing earth-shattering here that hasn't been dealt with in hundreds of other self-help books. And it's repetitive. Really repetitive.
The Mount Vernon Method has promise, but her Three S's are nothing new. Her main method of organization is get a bunch of boxes, store similar things in each and label the boxes accordingly.
I'm sure this book would be a good starting place for a true Messie, but it was a bit too heavy on the cheerleading and light on the actual housekeeping tips for my taste.
For more book reviews, visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
Meh.
Before getting down to any actual organizing or housekeeping, Ms. Felton spends the first 100 pages or so classifying Messies, describing portraits of Messies, listing classic Messie excuses and debunking them, and giving a quick rah-rah encouraging course on goal setting. Nothing earth-shattering here that hasn't been dealt with in hundreds of other self-help books. And it's repetitive. Really repetitive.
The Mount Vernon Method has promise, but her Three S's are nothing new. Her main method of organization is get a bunch of boxes, store similar things in each and label the boxes accordingly.
I'm sure this book would be a good starting place for a true Messie, but it was a bit too heavy on the cheerleading and light on the actual housekeeping tips for my taste.
For more book reviews, visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
January 17, 2009
Okay, so I admit it. I'm a "Messie"--my house is often in disarray and it's not my number one priority to keep on top of the place. But, I picked up this book when I was feeling like things had gotten out of control. It read like a 12 step program "Hi, I'm Marissa, and I can't find my floor."
The book had some practical ideas for unloading your junk and setting your house in order. It explores why some people are prone to messiness and some are not. Most of all, it was compassionate and humorous...and full of poignant insight.
I'd like to say this book converted me into a "Cleanie" but, the book is currently residing under a set of screwdrivers on my bathroom counter...so...you be the judge.
The book had some practical ideas for unloading your junk and setting your house in order. It explores why some people are prone to messiness and some are not. Most of all, it was compassionate and humorous...and full of poignant insight.
I'd like to say this book converted me into a "Cleanie" but, the book is currently residing under a set of screwdrivers on my bathroom counter...so...you be the judge.
January 22, 2013
The actual tips sprinkled through motivational talk didn't seem helpful to me.
My least favorite part was in the author's description of "Cleanies" she had known, where she suggested that a childhood neighbor spent most of his free time at the bar because his wife's overzealous neatness made her difficult to live with.
I wonder what nicely-labeled box we can put the idea that an alcoholic's spouse drives them to drink into.
My least favorite part was in the author's description of "Cleanies" she had known, where she suggested that a childhood neighbor spent most of his free time at the bar because his wife's overzealous neatness made her difficult to live with.
I wonder what nicely-labeled box we can put the idea that an alcoholic's spouse drives them to drink into.
June 18, 2017
I enjoyed the book and there were definite pearls of cleaning wisdom to be had. I will be moving soon, and am clearing the clutter accumulated from raising children for 25 years and then downsized to a bachelor; lotsa clutter to be had...! Clutter from memories, clutter from 'but I can use it in the future...', and clutter from "but I can wear it when it fits..."! Let. It. Go.
January 30, 2012
I read a lot of books on organizing, and this surprised me by how useful it was. While there are plenty of cleaning and organizing techniques given in this book, Felton focuses on identifying the mental attitudes and personality traits that lead people to become either organized or messy. She then shows how organized people approach cleaning and organizing problems, and contrasts that with the ineffective approaches that "messies" -- the chronically messy who want to be organized and clean but don't do it -- err in the same situations.
A couple of examples. A "messie" might make a schedule of housecleaning tasks to be done. Then, passing a dirt glob on the carpet, think, "I see that. According to the schedule, I'll be vacuuming tomorrow and that will take care of that," and walk on by it (and lots of other problems). A person who is effective at housecleaning, and whose goal is to keep a constantly clean and organized space, will simply clean it up as quickly as possible, probably as soon as they see the mess. A simple difference, you might think, but the results are profound. Also, a messie might wonder how he can ever find time to clean, say, a bathroom. A neatie will take advantage of a few spare minutes to quickly do some part of that task, so that, in a day or two, it is done. Simple stuff, sure, but insightful and useful to those who do not habitually think that way.
Felton's ideal is to have a house that is always clean and neat -- a house where, when someone drops by unexpectedly, you simply invite them in, without worrying about what the house looks like, because you know it is clean and neat. That simple and very worthy goal is overwhelming to a lot of people. This book can motivate, encourage and teach you how to accomplish it.
The book is simply written, and she does a lot of handholding for her "messies" readers, and that might put some people off. But she knows, as a former messy herself, that this subject can be extraordinary intimidating and is the cause of much stress, despair and self-loathing for many people. Better to err in the direction of too much comforting than too little.
Some of the ideas in this edition are outdated, but most are not. She has continued writing on the topic, and updated books from her are available. If the above resonates with you, check it out.
A couple of examples. A "messie" might make a schedule of housecleaning tasks to be done. Then, passing a dirt glob on the carpet, think, "I see that. According to the schedule, I'll be vacuuming tomorrow and that will take care of that," and walk on by it (and lots of other problems). A person who is effective at housecleaning, and whose goal is to keep a constantly clean and organized space, will simply clean it up as quickly as possible, probably as soon as they see the mess. A simple difference, you might think, but the results are profound. Also, a messie might wonder how he can ever find time to clean, say, a bathroom. A neatie will take advantage of a few spare minutes to quickly do some part of that task, so that, in a day or two, it is done. Simple stuff, sure, but insightful and useful to those who do not habitually think that way.
Felton's ideal is to have a house that is always clean and neat -- a house where, when someone drops by unexpectedly, you simply invite them in, without worrying about what the house looks like, because you know it is clean and neat. That simple and very worthy goal is overwhelming to a lot of people. This book can motivate, encourage and teach you how to accomplish it.
The book is simply written, and she does a lot of handholding for her "messies" readers, and that might put some people off. But she knows, as a former messy herself, that this subject can be extraordinary intimidating and is the cause of much stress, despair and self-loathing for many people. Better to err in the direction of too much comforting than too little.
Some of the ideas in this edition are outdated, but most are not. She has continued writing on the topic, and updated books from her are available. If the above resonates with you, check it out.
March 25, 2016
Sí, soy desordenada. Tengo que admitirlo públicamente. De verdad que me ha servido mucho este libro porque dejé de darme tanto palo por el desorden que voy dejando en todas partes. Gracias a él, ahora me conozco un poco más y sé por qué dejo las cosas empezadas, regadas en cualquier parte y otras cosas por el estilo. Ya no admito que en mi mente se aparezca un: "eres lo peor", "qué fastidio que seas así", etc. Ahora simplemente me río y arreglo lo que dejé en desorden. Para eso y más sirve este libro.
Podrás encontrar consejos prácticos de organización, poner en marcha tu creatividad y... sí, despejar un poco tu casa para que esa creatividad se tome tu vida entera y no pares de soñar. Podrá sonar muy a autoayuda o lo que quieran, pero de verdad es algo totalmente necesario que todas las personas desordenadas deberían leer. Ah, sí, precisamente le puse cuatro estrellas porque no pienso que debería ser un libro que solamente esté dirigido a las amas de casa. Bueno, yo no soy ama de casa y de todas formas me sirvió, pero creo que ganaría muchos más lectores si hubiera sido escrito para cualquiera que sea desordenado. Sin embargo, se entiende que para una mujer desordenada que es ama de casa y desea mejorar, esta será un arma invaluable.
También me parece que Sandra Felton tuvo poca visión... Tal vez creyó que su libro solamente le serviría a lectoras en Estados Unidos... Y no, no es así. Entonces a veces aburre la mención de tiendas que no conoces, libros que probablemente no encontrarás en español y cosas por el estilo... Tal vez la editorial debió pensar en quitar esas partes o algo así, aunque se entiende que hayan querido simplemente traducir el libro y respetar lo que dijo la autora, tal cual. De todas formas, ese tipo de cosas me aburrieron un poco. Por lo demás... ¡adiós, tengo que ir a ponerle orden a mi vida! *Tiene el libro en la mano*.
Podrás encontrar consejos prácticos de organización, poner en marcha tu creatividad y... sí, despejar un poco tu casa para que esa creatividad se tome tu vida entera y no pares de soñar. Podrá sonar muy a autoayuda o lo que quieran, pero de verdad es algo totalmente necesario que todas las personas desordenadas deberían leer. Ah, sí, precisamente le puse cuatro estrellas porque no pienso que debería ser un libro que solamente esté dirigido a las amas de casa. Bueno, yo no soy ama de casa y de todas formas me sirvió, pero creo que ganaría muchos más lectores si hubiera sido escrito para cualquiera que sea desordenado. Sin embargo, se entiende que para una mujer desordenada que es ama de casa y desea mejorar, esta será un arma invaluable.
También me parece que Sandra Felton tuvo poca visión... Tal vez creyó que su libro solamente le serviría a lectoras en Estados Unidos... Y no, no es así. Entonces a veces aburre la mención de tiendas que no conoces, libros que probablemente no encontrarás en español y cosas por el estilo... Tal vez la editorial debió pensar en quitar esas partes o algo así, aunque se entiende que hayan querido simplemente traducir el libro y respetar lo que dijo la autora, tal cual. De todas formas, ese tipo de cosas me aburrieron un poco. Por lo demás... ¡adiós, tengo que ir a ponerle orden a mi vida! *Tiene el libro en la mano*.
December 13, 2008
I bought this book looking for answers on managing paper clutter. I need to organize it. I'm a FLYbaby (big Marla Cilley fan) but I just could not make the paper thing work her way. Felton understands how people get emotional about paper clutter and she has several unique methods of dealing with it which I found intriguing and practical. I would definitely recommend Chapter 16 (Keeping up with the info flow) of this book to people struggling with the flow of paper and information in their lives. This chapter is not in the earlier edition of the book that I have.
August 25, 2009
I loved that this book wasn't an inherently organized person talking to other inherently organized people about becoming even more organized - it was written by a slob who had to overcome the same housekeeping problems I have. I felt like she really understood me. Naturally, I disagreed with her here and there, but it had a lot of good ideas that I'm going to try. The big idea I took from it is that you can't let the past (too many sentimental objects) and the future (things that may be useful someday) prevent you from enjoying your home in the present.
July 15, 2009
Okay,
I went on a Sandra Felton binge, and she tends to say the same things over and over, that said, this book is the best for practical advice so far. I am trying a few of the things she recommended but the jury is still out due to extenuating circumstances.
I went on a Sandra Felton binge, and she tends to say the same things over and over, that said, this book is the best for practical advice so far. I am trying a few of the things she recommended but the jury is still out due to extenuating circumstances.
December 4, 2019
I have read several books on decluttering, each time thinking if I can get at least one more thing that is helpful, it is worth the read. But I found this one had little to offer that was new.
Felton describes two categories of people: the “Messies” and the “Cleanies”, placing herself in the “Messies” category and using this framework to provide tips to those hoping to change their behavior. She emphasizes that you are the only one who can organize your mess, hiring others to do it is just a stop gap measure with no enduring results.
She pushes readers to get past procrastinating behavior, describing how watching TV, reading endless magazines and computers with their games, email and search engines can be addictive and quickly suck up your time. Nothing is as tiring as hanging on to work that is not finished, so she pushes her readers to get busy and do the work that needs to be done.
She provides lots of practical tips, some of which are fun, always conveying them in plain simple language. In particular she shows readers how to handle the vast amounts of paper that sometimes overwhelm our lives. And she provides advice on how to finally let go of things they have been hanging on for years.
There is nothing really new here, most of it I already do. I know my downfall is keeping horizontal surfaces clear, an ongoing battle I seem to fight every day!
Felton describes two categories of people: the “Messies” and the “Cleanies”, placing herself in the “Messies” category and using this framework to provide tips to those hoping to change their behavior. She emphasizes that you are the only one who can organize your mess, hiring others to do it is just a stop gap measure with no enduring results.
She pushes readers to get past procrastinating behavior, describing how watching TV, reading endless magazines and computers with their games, email and search engines can be addictive and quickly suck up your time. Nothing is as tiring as hanging on to work that is not finished, so she pushes her readers to get busy and do the work that needs to be done.
She provides lots of practical tips, some of which are fun, always conveying them in plain simple language. In particular she shows readers how to handle the vast amounts of paper that sometimes overwhelm our lives. And she provides advice on how to finally let go of things they have been hanging on for years.
There is nothing really new here, most of it I already do. I know my downfall is keeping horizontal surfaces clear, an ongoing battle I seem to fight every day!
January 1, 2020
I enjoyed reading this book. Some helpful insights without judgement about why keeping a ‘perfect’ house is more difficult for some of us. I don’t plan on using her methods but I do feel like there is still much to take away from this book anyways.
September 6, 2020
This really helped back in the day, probably could use a reread!
Read
November 14, 2020i am a mess
December 7, 2022
I didn't go all in and set up a flipper system but I still found some helpful tips.
June 2, 2025
I read a 1984 edition, which is very dated; I don't know if the newest edition has been revised at all to be more relevant.
October 23, 2025
Some really practical tips, but a lot to wade through to get to them.
February 2, 2013
I liked this one...this is a manual from a reformed clutterer.
Her tools are named: The Mount Vernon method, The Flipper, the Mount Vesuvious Method, and Simplify Sort and Store. These are not cutesy or difficult to grasp and mirror other organizers suggestions. Somehow her methods seem easier to dive into than some. I think she also grasps how it does depend on what stage of the decluttering process you are coming in at...full scale war and hopelessness, a slump period or just needing motivation to continue and tweak your own methods. This book works for all of these.
The pros: She understands from personal understanding how a clutterer...or "Messie" thinks. She has created a whole system and launched seminars, a self help group (Messies Anonymous) and has written at least 6 other books. According to the bibliography in the back she wrote one of the first books/articles focusing on OCD and the problems of Hoarding.
This has a great section on working with children and husbands..which is better than any other book I have read so far on this subject
Could be viewed PrO or Con: The motivational sections are peppered with bible passages. In this book it is not overwhelming, I ran accross only 4...but I could see some folks being turned off.
Con: The filing section is both dated and inefficient. This would be a great solution for someone who has never filed-because the message is this..just get started it will work out fine....but I see the use of sticky notes as labels to be fraught with disaster since these never keep their sticky. My handwriting is horrible, and so quickly jotted notes on these files would make everything difficult.
One exception for the excellent idea of a 3x5 card filer box as a address book and locator of files and stored item
Her tools are named: The Mount Vernon method, The Flipper, the Mount Vesuvious Method, and Simplify Sort and Store. These are not cutesy or difficult to grasp and mirror other organizers suggestions. Somehow her methods seem easier to dive into than some. I think she also grasps how it does depend on what stage of the decluttering process you are coming in at...full scale war and hopelessness, a slump period or just needing motivation to continue and tweak your own methods. This book works for all of these.
The pros: She understands from personal understanding how a clutterer...or "Messie" thinks. She has created a whole system and launched seminars, a self help group (Messies Anonymous) and has written at least 6 other books. According to the bibliography in the back she wrote one of the first books/articles focusing on OCD and the problems of Hoarding.
This has a great section on working with children and husbands..which is better than any other book I have read so far on this subject
Could be viewed PrO or Con: The motivational sections are peppered with bible passages. In this book it is not overwhelming, I ran accross only 4...but I could see some folks being turned off.
Con: The filing section is both dated and inefficient. This would be a great solution for someone who has never filed-because the message is this..just get started it will work out fine....but I see the use of sticky notes as labels to be fraught with disaster since these never keep their sticky. My handwriting is horrible, and so quickly jotted notes on these files would make everything difficult.
One exception for the excellent idea of a 3x5 card filer box as a address book and locator of files and stored item
February 16, 2025
Mom used to read this book, and when she did, that meant I had to clean. Never liked that much. But I did enjoy reading the book as an adult.
August 12, 2009
For practical advice on how to clean and organize your home I much prefer "Houseworks" by Cynthia Townley Ewer.
However, I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved her analysis of the group of people she calls "messies" and how intrinsically different they are from "cleanies." For example, a "cleanie" will see that something is out of place or dirty and immediately clean it up, while a "messie" will not even notice. (It made me think of my first solo apartment, when I had a sink full of dirty dishes that I didn't even notice (I think I just kept buying new ones), and a "cleanie" friend of mine finally barged in and washed the dishes because she couldn't take it any more.)
This book was very dated--my local library doesn't have the newer version. For example, Felton talks about a new invention called "soft soap" which keeps her from having to deal with messy soap dishes, and her sample weekly menu includes hot dogs with mac & cheese, fish sticks, and tuna-noodle casserole. Ah, the good old days.
This book was lots of fun to read. And it made me feel a bit better about being messy!
However, I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved her analysis of the group of people she calls "messies" and how intrinsically different they are from "cleanies." For example, a "cleanie" will see that something is out of place or dirty and immediately clean it up, while a "messie" will not even notice. (It made me think of my first solo apartment, when I had a sink full of dirty dishes that I didn't even notice (I think I just kept buying new ones), and a "cleanie" friend of mine finally barged in and washed the dishes because she couldn't take it any more.)
This book was very dated--my local library doesn't have the newer version. For example, Felton talks about a new invention called "soft soap" which keeps her from having to deal with messy soap dishes, and her sample weekly menu includes hot dogs with mac & cheese, fish sticks, and tuna-noodle casserole. Ah, the good old days.
This book was lots of fun to read. And it made me feel a bit better about being messy!
March 16, 2016
An amazing book that opened my eyes to a lot of things I didn't seem to see while having it staring at my face. The author practically described my personality in great detail, I was convinced that she was spying on me and somehow wrote the book according to my life.. but how could she know what I was thinking too :)
The author divided people into two categories: Messies and Cleanies. She was a Messie but solved her problem 25 years ago and wrote this book to help fellow Messies to better their lives. I guess now you knoew which category I fit in :)
I can't remember when was the last time I read a self-help book from cover to cover, plus I enjoyed it so much and started to practice some of her methods. It really made an improvement that bought some beauty to my home, and I've just started.
Now I'm planning on getting more of her books and treating myself to the home of my dreams!
I recommend this book to anyone who is a Messie, that is lost and needs some guidance. It's GREAT!!!
The author divided people into two categories: Messies and Cleanies. She was a Messie but solved her problem 25 years ago and wrote this book to help fellow Messies to better their lives. I guess now you knoew which category I fit in :)
I can't remember when was the last time I read a self-help book from cover to cover, plus I enjoyed it so much and started to practice some of her methods. It really made an improvement that bought some beauty to my home, and I've just started.
Now I'm planning on getting more of her books and treating myself to the home of my dreams!
I recommend this book to anyone who is a Messie, that is lost and needs some guidance. It's GREAT!!!
February 15, 2026
The book was written in the early 80s, so some of the material might seem "outdated" (K-Mart, Sears, television rather than Internet/computer, etc.). The book does have basic information to help those who struggle with maintaining an orderly, clean house. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I've moved from the class of a true "messie" (though I'm also not yet a true "cleanie".)
2nd review is of the 2005 updated The Messies Manual: A complete guide to bringing order and beauty to your home (2005). It has some helpful suggestions for those who need help keeping their home organized and clean, though some information is once again outdated (cassette tapes, telephone books, camera film).
2nd review is of the 2005 updated The Messies Manual: A complete guide to bringing order and beauty to your home (2005). It has some helpful suggestions for those who need help keeping their home organized and clean, though some information is once again outdated (cassette tapes, telephone books, camera film).
December 3, 2010
I have used this book almost like a Bible in getting my home organized so that I can have a more managable life outside the classroom. I need to come home to beauty and neatness and with my schedule I was having a hard time keeping all the balls up in the air. This book really helped when I had small children and with keeping things in order with my foster children. I think this book will be good for teachers because when we go home to a nice neat home to do more work it just helps to be able to relax and find your papers and stuff great for getting organized !!!! will help in keeping your classroom organized.
February 4, 2009
As a Messie of the 4-5 caliber I found this to be a very fun read. I could relate to the uber-Messies, and rejoice that I never went that far into clutters grasp. Some fun hints for restoring order and getting a grip on housekeeping, and some very clever illustrations of the various types of messies out there. Wish me luck on my quest to becoming an 8 or 9 (no one really wants to be a 10 anyway!) :)
August 28, 2010
I am a packrat and I am married to a hoarder, so cleaning seems like a neverending task. Packrats aren't always messies, because we know where it is and save things forever. I love to read books on how to better organize my clutter (and saved things) so that I can get new things to add into my already full house.
This book was easy to read, and full of checklists, poems, quotes, and even some pictures. I really enjoyed reading Sandra's book and found a few new tips to try.
This book was easy to read, and full of checklists, poems, quotes, and even some pictures. I really enjoyed reading Sandra's book and found a few new tips to try.
December 21, 2016
I read this book more than 3 years ago, and it still impacts my life on a regular basis. The author is full of realistic goals and knowledgeable reasoning behind the causes for living a "messy" life. I found myself in every chapter, and see long-term success now, even several years later. I highly recommend it!
March 15, 2016
Good, helpful, practical advice on how to get organized about keeping the house well managed. A bit dated at this point; there's a lot of technology that could be helpful in this process, but the principals are still excellent. I don't always apply it, but when I do our home runs much more smoothly.
July 25, 2007
This book didn't really give me any new information or ideas, but it was semi-interesting to read. I found myself wanting to skip most of it so I could search for the good stuff. I wasn't really expecting much, so I wasn't disappointed. It was just "okay."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews