The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning - How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter

A charming, practical, and unsentimental approach to putting a home in order while reflecting on the tiny joys that make up a long life.

In Sweden there is a kind of decluttering called döstädning, dö meaning “death” and städning meaning “cleaning.” This surprising and invigorating process of clearing out unnecessary belongings can be undertaken at any age or life stage but should be done sooner than later, before others have to do it for you. In The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, artist Margareta Magnusson, with Scandinavian humor and wisdom, instructs readers to embrace minimalism. Her radical and joyous method for putting things in order helps families broach sensitive conversations, and makes the process uplifting rather than overwhelming.

Margareta suggests which possessions you can easily get rid of (unworn clothes, unwanted presents, more plates than you’d ever use) and which you might want to keep (photographs, love letters, a few of your children’s art projects). Digging into her late husband’s tool shed, and her own secret drawer of vices, Margareta introduces an element of fun to a potentially daunting task. Along the way readers get a glimpse into her life in Sweden, and also become more comfortable with the idea of letting go.

Published on: 2018-01-02

Released on: 2018-01-02

Original language: English

Binding: Hardcover

128 pages

Review 

“Magnusson shares solid guiding principles for organizing your home, no matter your age or life circumstance.”

- Business Insider

"A slim yet sage volume... Magnusson’s book is straightforward and unsentimental (with a bit of humor). The main message from this mother of five is: Take responsibility for your items and don’t leave them as a burden for family and friends."

- The Washington Post 

“If you love Marie Kondo, Swedish Death Cleaning may be for you ... feels especially relevant these days… The idea of death cleaning is to simply organize your everyday life to make it run more smoothly. People of any age can benefit from that!”

- The Kitchn

“Keep only what you love and what makes you happy in the moment. It’s like Marie Kondo, but with an added sense of the transience and futility of this mortal existence.”

- The New York Post

“Anyone who is aging or has aging parents has a dog in this fight ...  The nice thing about Magnusson’s instructions is that her book is also about taking charge of your life for yourself, while you’re living ... a peaceful, organized way to settle your affairs.”

- Lifehacker

“Sure, it sounds morbid, but it's actually a pretty smart idea. Death cleaning isn't about getting rid of all your stuff, but rather streamlining your life so you're only holding onto what makes you happy ... it's about so much more than dusting and sorting.”

- Elle Decor

About the Author 

Margareta Magnusson is, in her own words, aged between 80 and 100. Born in Sweden, she has lived all over the world. Margareta graduated from Beckman's College of Design and her art has been exhibited in galleries from Hong Kong to Singapore. She has five children and lives in Stockholm. The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning is her first book.