Home Design to minimize housework-- Is anyone interested in this?

I'll be honest-- I'm a lazy person! I don't like to clean. When I read this book, it was like a breath of fresh air!

Make Your House Do the Housework

I really thought this book would spark interest in designing homes and other spaces to reduce cleaning. I recently tried Googling, sure there'd be some websites devoted to the concept.

Instead, I couldn't find ANY. Maybe they're out there, but I can't find them. And I found the original promo for the 1977 TV series 'Man from Atlantis' in a few minutes! ;-D

Even the Asletts seem to have moved on to focus on the more conventional topic of how to clean better and faster. They still refer to the topic, but they haven't revisited it since 1995.

Is anyone else interested in discussing this topic? I don't think there are a lot of people who LIKE cleaning. ;-D

This is a great topic. In our home-built house a central vacuum cleaning system eliminates dragging a vacuum cleaner. Now, I see advertised a central system where the hose itself is automatically retracted into the wall. Our house interior doors are all pocket style This is not to everyone's preference, but when open, the door is never in anyone's cleaning way. We don't have it, but a one piece Corian top and sink eliminates ledges and seams that sometimes hold soil and slow cleaning. An induction cooktop is safer than conventional units and needs far less cleaning. We know because when our white induction cooktop failed, we replaced it with a white conventional glass-top unit. The conventional unit burns on food and is much harder to clean. A past home featured a single-unit combination washer and dryer--all in one cabinet. For small families, this reduces the number of trips to and from the laundry room. A laundry adjacent to the bedroom closet would reduce the transportation of dirty clothing from the bedroom to the laundry, and back again. A big stepping mat outside the front door reduces tracking in of dirt. A simple dish drying rack reduces the need to spend time wiping cleaned dishes with a towel. Where climate and soil conditions permit, not having any rain gutters eliminates the need to clean gutters. Wall hung toilets make it easy to clean around the toilet. After many years, we find they ease the job of bathroom cleaning. Showers can be designed without doors to clean by using an elongated shower cubicle. Showers in general seem a bit easier to keep clean than shower-tub units. Avoid tile and one need never clean grout again. An outside ducted air vent to the wood-burning fireplace reduces paint-soiling smoke from entering the room. Synthetic fiber carpets often require less cleaning than natural fibers. Gloss and semi-gloss interior paints wipe down more easily than flat coatings. A desk at home with large and many drawers cuts the amount of desktop clutter to be rearranged and cleaned. A file cabinet can also eliminate boxes of records sitting about to be cleaned under and around. A carefully selected wide broom will reduce the number of passes needed to sweep a given floor area. One piece faucets are available that require only one hole in the sink, thus reducing the number of sink-top apparatuses to clean around. Delta now has a touch-activated faucet that reduces handling the handle with wet or soiled hands. A ceiling mounted central air system return air grille reduces the amount of dirt sucked into the furnace. Filters then need not be replaced as often as with conventional near-the-floor return air grilles.

Marvin L. Mcconoughey,

Yay! Another fan of easiness! ;-D

I don't know much about HVAC systems, myself. But I wonder if changing filters more often isn't less work than dusting and vacuuming over your entire house more often. How long does it take to change a filter? However, if the sucked-in dirt damages the furnace, that would NOT be worth having to dust less! Any HVAC experts around? ;-D

I've been looking at a brocure for Kraftmaid's new Venicia line of frameless cabinets, and I was thinking that full extension drawers may be the most efficient storage method ever invented! And the vertical drawer, the pull-out pantry, seems like a great idea too! I noticed the brocure showed a pull-out pantry used in a home office for storing printer
supplies.

http://www.kraftmaid.com/browseby/storagesolutions/cabinets/default.aspx

I like the Natura Salerno door style in Honey Cherry, myself! But only because Mission Hickory isn't available for the Euro-style cabinets. *pouts* ;-D

I'm a fan of pocket doors and other forms of de-dooring! Don Aslett recommends getting rid of the closet door; I'd go further and get rid of the CLOSET! Just put in a wall of storage with lots of full extension drawers, and include alcoves with closet rods for hanging your clothes at whatever height is most convenient for you. In short, I'd have a custom closet system WITHOUT the closet. ;-D

The Black & Decker Build Your Own Custom Closet: Designing, Building & Installing Custom Closet Systems

I'd also use built-ins to make a bench and coat-rack with side storage shelves at the front door entry, INSTEAD of a coat closet! Kind of like a day-care center cubby unit for adults. ;-D

http://www.easyclosets.com/showroomDetail.aspx?g=5

This shows something of what I mean about a Custom Closet System without the closet! Though the website refers to it as a system for a walk-in closet. Looks to me like you could complete an entire exercise routine in this "closet"! ;-D

I'd just want to either bring it all the way to the ceiling, or box in the top so that it doesn't collect dust! The side looks like it's already flush against the wall.

http://www.easyclosets.com/showroomDetail.aspx?g=51

And here are some adult cubbies! Again, I'd want to bring the enclosed cabinets all the way up to the ceiling to get rid of the potential Dust Bunny Breeding Farm. And where's the dedicated space for kids to dump their backpacks, lunchboxes, and shoes as soon as they get in from school? There's not even any place for the horseback riding paraphenalia shown!

Sadly, the site told me they don't sell designs that go up the ceiling. :-( It's still got some nice stuff! And you might get some good ideas there.

For me, the best investment I've ever made in the less cleaning department is laminate flooring. The finish means it cleans up beautifully with a swipper or a damp mop. It doesn't show dirt, and after 7 years of VERY rough treatment it still looks great! I have a 5 year old and a dog (and have had quite a few foster dogs) and it has no scratches or scuffs. We stayed away from the Pergo brand because we live in a humid climate and I've heard bad things about that combination, but that was years ago so it may have changed.

The swipper and Roomba are great tools for the lazy, also the Swipper disposable dusters - they seem to pick up dirt and dust well and then you just toss them. I also buy cheap shower liners at the Dollar Store so I don't have to clean them - just toss them (I try to make up for the environmental impact in other ways).

I prefer shelves to hanging most clothes. Since I am disabled closet doors are replaced with nice curtains. Getting rid of carpets seems to make life a lot easier as well. Less allergy causing detritus trapped in the house.

The new stainless steel finish for appliances that doesn't streak is very helpful for a clean look. Also glass tops on tables makes cleaning easier.

Stephanie L. Marushia,

I hadn't considered laminate flooring, but I HAD been thinking that dyed and sealed concrete would be a great choice for easy maintenance flooring. It would also be great as passive solar mass, and for in-floor heating. I do understand that the sealant has to be periodically reapplied, which DOES sound like a major downer... maybe laminate would be better...

*sighs wistfully at thought of Roomba* My dad and I have been arguing about rag mops vs. sponge mops... He's not too open to throwaway items. I wonder if you could design machine-washable re-usable swipper cloths? It seems like there would be a market.

Did you know that you could buy machine-washable shower curtains that don't require a liner? Yeah, the packaging says that a liner is "recommended", but as long as it doesn't say liner REQUIRED you don't really need one. Still, the cost of laundering them might be more expensive than going the Dollar Tree route...

Ooh, the curtains are a great idea for people who aren't comfortable "letting it all hang out"! Thanks! ;-D

Got a URL for this non-streak stainless steel? I'm not familiar with it.

Astrin,

If you're a knitter (or know a knitter) you can have swiffer cloths that are washable and reusable. Here's just a one of a TON of patterns available out there:
http://greenmountainmama.blogspot.com/2007/09/swiffer-cozy-pattern.html

I once lived in a dwelling with painted concrete floors. Much to my surprise, they worked very well and were easy to clean. Concrete may be harder than wood, but neither is very soft compared to rubber soled shoes.

I like your ideas, astrin. You had also asked "I wonder if changing filters more often isn't less work than dusting and vacuuming over your entire house more often." Actually, filters clean better as they accumulate dirt, up to a point. This is counter-intuitive but has been well proven by filter engineers. Heating system suppliers have, or can order, air restriction gauges that mount to your heating system and show how much restriction has accumulated. Fewer filter changes also reduces replacement work and the cost of buying filters.

Mariana Wallig,

While I was looking into reusable pads, I found this!

Bissell 1867 Steam Mop Bare Floor Steam Cleaner

Since I have lots of chemical sensitivities, I like the ideal of cleaning without chemicals! AND you can buy microfiber cloths for it.

Heck, they might even fit the Swiffer! ;-D

Marvin L. Mcconoughey,

I think the big thing with concrete is that it's not "bare". If it is, it'll absorb everything, and generate dust as it wears.

The Monolithic Dome site had an article about adding epoxy to your garage floor to make it stainproof. I'm not sure how that would work in a house-- It sounds like a production to do with all those nerve-racking chemicals to handle.

My other concern is that concrete has no "give" in it when someone falls on it. I still remember a playground fall straight DOWN on my bent knee onto a trike path! {:-O

Marvin,

THAT'S interesting! I wonder if it's because the dirt particles tend to adhere to each other? As long as you don't have too many built up, the dirt particles actually function as part of the filter. ;-)

About how much does it cost to get an air restriction gauge?

Maybe Hercules could be a consultant. The way he routed a river through the Augean Stables was simply marvelous.

I have to add my two cents on the laminate flooring. I have a dog rescue and finally just ripped out all the smelly/furry carpets in my house and installed laminate. Cleaning time went down by 80%. I used Pergo in the grey stone pattern--it's gorgeous and because there's subtle shading, much more forgiving of scuffs (and, okay, dirt.)

Two of my girlfriends visiting from Norway installed the laminate through the whole house in a couple of days. They sealed it with a simple glue line in front of the doors and the kitchen sink and where the water bowls sit. I wish I'd asked them to seal the whole floor because there is one little spot where repeated, ahem, watering from the dogs has caused a little split, but even that took almost five years to happen. It's a perfect solution for me, with all the animals, but when I saw the "simplified cleaning" discussion, I had to recommend it to everyone.

I have to add my two cents on the laminate flooring. I have a dog rescue and finally just ripped out all the smelly/furry carpets in my house and installed laminate. Cleaning time went down by 80%. I used Pergo in the grey stone pattern--it's gorgeous and because there's subtle shading, much more forgiving of scuffs (and, okay, dirt.)

Two of my girlfriends visiting from Norway installed the laminate through the whole house in a couple of days. They sealed it with a simple glue line in front of the doors and the kitchen sink and where the water bowls sit. I wish I'd asked them to seal the whole floor because there is one little spot where repeated, ahem, watering from the dogs has caused a little split, but even that took almost five years to happen. It's a perfect solution for me, with all the animals, but when I saw the "simplified cleaning" discussion, I had to recommend it to everyone.

C. Poe,

I just vacuumed shed Russian Blue fur off carpet, so I can relate! ;-D

*sigh* That Roomba is soooo tempting...

Astrin, The dirt particles do tend to adhere to each other--its called agglomeration--and make filter air channels smaller, thereby trapping ever-smaller particles. Tractor maker Kubota's national service manager Dennis Bourgoin says as part of a long technical discussion on filtering, "Many customers firmly believe that if their air cleaner looks dirty, it must be letting dirt into their engine, thus reducing its life span. Actually, this is the opposite of what is really happening. It's very important NOT to clean air filters too often." I think we paid about $10.00 for our filter gauge several years ago, and installed it ourselves. I see a similar gauge now on iaqsource.com for $15.99 plus shipping

Marvin,

I showed your post to my dad! He decided since our air filter looked clean on the other side, NOT to change it yet. Thanks! ;-D

I'm fascinated by Monolithic Domes right now. Unfortunately, trying to figure out how to apply Don Aslett's principles to them is a challenge. The concrete curves aren't too friendly to installing built-ins, ESPECIALLY if you want to design out the dust catching crevices! Believe me, if you've ever cleaned a day care center to get ready for yearly inspection, you become very conscious of the desirability of avoiding these...

The H1N1 pandemic shows why this is so important. If dust can collect there, so can germs!

Astrin, I'm very curious to read that book. I hate housework too, so I developed some habits to help me with that. Maybe some can be usefull for you:
I've placed a paper shrader by the door, so whenever the mail comes, all junk with personal data is immediately destroyed. This way it won't risk pilling on the table and helps me against identity theft. Cleaning the bathroom is always very annoying, so I keep a brush and pine sol by the toilet and at every "heavy use" I brush it immediately. I also keep those cleaning wipes handy so once a day I use it on the seat and under, and mainly, on the flush handle. It doesn't take more than 3 minutes for all that. After using the shower (on the tub), I always remove any hair or dirt and make sure to rinse the tub with VERY hot water every time after use, this keeps me away from scrubing for longer, and all looks clean. My shower curtains are washable so I throw them in the machine with the bathroom rugs at the highest temperature, to kill germs; they are all white for a reason ;)
One thing I hate the most is to go to bed with the sink full of dirty dishes, so I try to wash everything as soon as I use them. In fact, I wash everything while cooking, so I have dinner with a clean countertop already, leaving only 2 dishes and whatever I used for cooking for my husband to wash. And he doesn't dare going to bed without doing it! I couldn't have a dishwasher, there would never have enough to fill it up.

Don Aslett's later books "Done!" and "No Time to Clean" have more on his houses, particularly a house he designed in Hawaii. Favorite materials: glass and concrete.

VickyLostInNM,

LOL! You certainly are a lot more organized than I am! ;-D

But you are right: The best way to keep on top of things is to do them right as they come up! Don Aslett recommends that as well.

I've been thinking lately that you should try to arrange storage for things where you use them, and plan your house layout for the way you really live.

For example, I was working on a house plan with the back door entering through the laundry room. I suddenly thought, "What's up with that? Normally you come in with your arms full of groceries."

So with a few flicks of the mouse, I put in a pantry with a counter to put the grocery bags down on. Ergonomics in action! ;-D

Sharon Lynn Farley,

Thanks for the heads up! I'll have to check those books out. ;-D

don't forget. liquid body soap cuts down on scum in the tub and showers, pendant lights are the trend but i went with ceiling cans so I don't have to clean them.Also all light shades point down. All sinks are undermount with no reveal. No exhaust hood in kitchen, we have a pop up downdraft behind the stovetop. Motion detector lights in hall and stairwell, no kid finger prints. Also, this is more behavioral than design. My DH has my kids (and the neighborhood kids, neices, nephews, etc.) trained not to touch the walls. A few stern voiced requests is all it took. It is funny when a new kid comes over and another kid sees them dragging their fingers down the hallway walls, they now train each other, "dude don't touch the walls".

I have stained and sealed concrete floors in much of my new home and I adore them. They are not dusty and they don't absorb spills. They are beautiful colors and look like they are stone because my builder scored them to make them look as if they have grout lines. They are great. This look has to be accomplished with new construction but is a fairly inexpensive and truly beautiful look for your home.

One other suggestion is don't wear shoes inside of your home. If you ask carpet retailers the best way to take care of your carpets, their advice is to wear socks inside your home. Bare feet isn't ideal, since it will leave skin oil, BUT probably still better than wearing street shoes inside. I grew up in a shoe-free house and do the same in my own home. My house gets dusty, but it's dust, not dirt and other debris from outdoors, not to mention, my husband and I both are in healthcare, I do NOT want us tracking in the nasty super germs from the hospital.

With that said about carpets, I really wish we would have just paid the extra $ to get our entire house switched over to HW floors. They clean up beautifully and after you clean it, you know it is clean. With carpet, I don't think you are ever 100% sure that you got everything out of it.

I also do things like leave a set of cleaning supplies in each bathroom. That way if I need to tidy up the bathroom, I don't have to go and get it from some place else. It makes it easier and gives me less of an excuse to put it off. We just bought a pr of roombas today and I am eager to try them out. Everyone I know who has had them, has raved about it.

Thanks for the book recommendation, it sounds like it would be a great read.