Other People's Dirt: A Housecleaner's Curious Adventures

This book should be required reading for not only every person in the business of cleaning houses, but also for those who have their houses cleaned. "Other People's Dirt" portrays a truthful, funny, occasionally aggrieved, but always intelligent story of occupation--an occupation often overlooked and stereotyped. As the owner of a vacation resort, a mom and pop operation where I'm not only the "glamorous" hostess but (on Saturdays) the very unglamorous cleaning woman, I could relate to the tales exposing sometimes surprising (sometimes revolting) lifestyles. While the author seemed to dive into lives of her clients far more than I would ever consider, it's clear she did so with the purpose of studying human nature. To call her "grumpy" or even resentful by exposing these stories in the book, critics fail to see the pure entertainment value of this quick, little read. On the other hand, I've had weekly cleaning ladies enter my personal home(s) for many, many years. Through Louise Rafkin's book, I have learned how to keep anything truly personal, personal. For example, you bet I strip my own bed lest anyone attempt to get an inside look at my sex life!!! Particularly because of the controversy and strong reader reactions it has caused, I think this book is a gem and I highly recommend. Michele Cozzens, author of I'm Living Your Dream Life: The Story of a Northwoods Resort Owner

This book by a writer and cleaning professional is about more than just cleaning. Louise Rafkin explores the relationships between cleaner and employer, interviews a woman who cleans up after murders and suicides,and even visits a community in Japan whose members clean other people's toilets as part of their ethic of performing service for others. She's got a feisty attitude that definitely comes through in her writing. It's a quirky, unusual, and sometimes very funny book where cleaning sometimes becomes a metaphor for living.

I have to wonder if those who made negative comments all finished the book. Is it an offense to be honest? So she shows a bit of attitude! I've never had the experiences of hiring a cleaner or being one so I learned some things about the variety of expectations and attitudes of those who hire. I was not at all offended by the author's independent spirit--this memoir is colorful but its strength comes from the author's trying to better understand the work she's engaged in. I'm interested in reading more by Louise Rafkin.

I am also a writer who cleaned houses for a long time because it gives you flexible hours and a fairly high rate of pay. Cleaning and domestic work is always so invisible to the world of public notice, and it yet it's the kind of feminine work that sees everything, the ultimate voyeur. Louise Rafkin not only had all these kind of intimate observations, she also writes about it so poetically, and with such a spiritual interest in the nature of "cleaning up" that it really rises above some naughty maid's tell-all.

For anyone who has any interest in human nature, or anyone who would like to learn a little more about that invisible person who cleans up after them each week, I recommend this book. Ms. Rafkin has the ability to find both humor and meaning in what is quite often dull and unrewarding work. As a long time housecleaner, both in the States and in Europe (and a former less than Merry Maid), I can say with certainty that Ms. Rafkin captures the essence of this very intimate profession. Personally, I wouldn't want to work for anyone who hadn't read and enjoyed this book.