How to Cheat at Cleaning

I saw this article in the Austin American-Statesman today about a new book called How to Cheat at Cleaning by Jeff Bredenberg.  I like how this guy thinks!  Like I am always saying, part of thinking like an organized person means asking yourself how you can do things faster or even not do them at all.

Among his advice is ten things to stop cleaning right now– among them, sneakers (buy dark-colored ones), pillows (buy new ones frequently instead) and stove drip pans (keep a nice set for company and use the dirty ones everyday).  He even suggests not making the bed (!) because dust mites thrive on the moisture in your covers, and leaving it unmade lets things evaporate and become less hospitable to the mites.  This advice actually does jive somewhat with something I read in Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House (considered a Bible of housekeeping). It is recommended to air out your covers before making the bed.  So– a compromise:  make the bed later in the morning after breakfast to give the covers an airing first.

Interestingly, he says in the interview that men’s brains aren’t wired to recognize clutter, and it’s not a priority to them.  What do you think, guys?  Comments?