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

Written by Margareta Magnusson

Narrated by Juliet Stevenson

The original, official, bestselling guide to Swedish death cleaning—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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Jan 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9781508243823

Margareta Magnusson

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. She is the author of The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning and The Swedish Art of Aging Well.

Reviews for The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning

[heidi griebel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Definitely worth a listen, for some good perspective on lightening your load of possessions. Two thumbs up.

[Elle Marie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is a sweet, funny memoir with the reasoning added about why decluttering now will save your family time when you are no longer here. I helped to clean out my grandfather’s office when he passed. He had hundreds of books, letters, cards, and sermons as he has preached and pastored for a combined 50+ years. I definitely thought “I don’t want 88 cards for my 88th birthday to be thrown away.” No one wants our used birthday cards. Hahaha. And we love our loved ones but we aren’t keeping these things. This book was a good reminder that it’s ok to let things go. It’s the memories that last.

[V G · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Juliette Stevenson voice is a soothing aide for this subject.

[Shannon Mahler · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Humor, wisdom, great content and narrator.
Sage advice for sure!

[Elena Volta · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nice narration. Thoughtful topic. Some things to think about for everyone.

[chicken64 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Insightful, like listening to your grandmother impart her wisdom. I love that the author relishes in her memories and has lived such a full life.

[Christy Walker · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

“The only thing we know for sure is that one day we will die. But before that we can do anything.”

I am loving this little book I just started! It is not sad but truly inspiring. It mirrors my own journey and how I think but have yet to handle my stuff. I'm starting this process again! It is our life work. Back to curating my best version of my life, my family, and my home. I hope you check this one out at the library or listen on audiobook like I am. I love her wit and charm while lovingly guiding us to do the work of ordering our lives

This book is truly delightful! #Love4theJourney
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=365540902238321&id=100063472423131

An article about the author:
https://inews.co.uk/culture/books/margareta-magnusson-swedish-grandmother-marie-kondo-death-115147

[noha_elnadi7468 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I listened to the audio version... Overall, the book provided some interesting insights into organizing/getting rid if excess and focusing on items that truly matter... Though some aspects are typical of Sweden, it provided an opportunity to knowing more about the country and its culture from a native.

[katewolicki · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book has a few strange spots. But the overall plan is valuable and since the book is so short, it definitely is worth listening to. A lot of food for thought as well as practical tips.

[Coelecanthe · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good for little hints and tips. Also good for end-of-life cleaning before death.

[Betsy McCullen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book and very thoroughly written. As a minimalist for most of my life…I still learned things in here…especially about personal end of life clearing. I listened to the audio version. She has a very pleasant and soothing voice.

[Katayoun Izadi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful book and great narrator, her soft voice was very appropriate. Thank you

[Nada Beeswax · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book the audible, digital or hardback version of the best decluttering, organisational and to the point books on the market. There is no selling, marketing or advertising; there's no gimmick! Just practical advice on how and why you need to get your chaos under control! I, however, as an American am not fond of the recipes no matter how simple.

[kaethe_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It's not that she's wrong, it's that I have now done the death cleaning for five people: she just didn't have anything to say that I didn't already know. Sweet though, and I really like the idea of people tackling their stuff before they die, in a thoughtful way.

Library copy

[DJ · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Concise and sweet explanation of Swedish death cleaning. Definitely worth reading to add enormous value to your everyday life and your loved ones

[DJ · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such good advice! Wish I wold have read this before my grandparents passed.

[lsmartin1s · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this book touching and funny in addition to instructive. Charming for a self help book.

[sweetangst · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

More memoir than bulleted list of How-Tos. I like memoirs and it’s well narrated, so I enjoyed it. The dildo bit made me laugh. I wish there was an accompanying PDF to the audio with the jam recipes.

[Sarah · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book and it gave me a really good thing to think about. Who wants my junk when I die? It's not junk to me. It's things I love and that make me happy. Things that hold sentimental value to me. But to others, it will just be junk. I don't wish to pass away soon, but when I do, I dont want my loved ones dealing with more than they need. Why have to mourn and get rid of junk when I can't make it easier now.

[Monica Benninghoff · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sweet gentle book filled with encouragement, motivation and praise to begin decluttering. This book found me while I was watching cleaning blogs on YouTube. I didn't want to stop the story, but must now begin decluttering my home.

[Liz Choi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I’m in my 40s and just moved. The task of organizing felt daunting until I listened to this book. Now I feel relief and joy to do this work.

[laura400 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely delightful. Not a how-to book. Feels like a visit with a witty, interesting, young-at-heart elder who loves to tell stories about her life. I listened to the audiobook, which was excellent.

[ajhackwith · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I went into this expecting a philosophical approach to downsizing I could apply to my (distinctly not end of) life. However, since it focus more on things like what to save for your children and the like, I didn't get a lot from it.

[jepeters333 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[fliss88_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4 stars from me but not for the tips and advice. Decluttering has been done to death over recent years and Margareta Magnusson hasn’t really come up with anything new. However, the whole point of decluttering, to her mind, is to get it done so that the job isn’t left to your spouse or children after your death! Very sensible idea if you ask me! My eldest daughter has already made comment to this effect “I’m going to have to deal with - all this - one day, you realise”. Don’t tell her I’ve told you this!

[thewestwing-864351 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The book basically just says get rid of your stuff before you die so your loved ones/other people don’t have to deal with your junk. It’s very light on strategy. But it’s nicely written.

[sgtcat · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this. There's not much here that isn't common sense, but it's written very well.

[whybehave2002 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I love to listen to books that will help me to be better at something and I love to do that while cleaning, thus this book called to me. I will say I was disappointed. Other than it being a spin on my quarterly big cleans, I really didn't glean any cleaning tips. These tips were more about the emotional, or in this case lessening of emotions, when getting rid of things. I do this anyway but maybe others would find occasional learning moments in the book.

[omnomnomtea · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Helped me to communicate with my grandma, who is a hoarder. Worth 5 stars just for that, but also a good read and as it says, very gentle.

[nancyina2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked it. Kind of geared for end-of-life kind of "death cleaning," so take the title literally.