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Clean+istry

new grilling season demands a new grill cleaning brush

A new grilling season demands a new grill cleaning brush.  Ideally you will will clean the grates of your grill after the coals have burned, but before the grill cools completely.  Of course you will not (even Clean+istry does not).  Give the warmed grates a brush before cooking when you fire the grill the next time.

The Weber 1647 18-Inch Grill Brush is the traditional grill brush with a hardwood handle that we all know.  Clean+istry has owned several of them.  The brass bristles don't rust and the scraper perfectly clings to the circumference of a Weber grate.  Regardless of its iconic status, this brush is difficult to keep clean.  $7.25 at grills.com


 
Weber T-Brush.  Designed to clean tight corners, this brush has brass bristles but will not scratch percelain enamel.  Comes in 6 and 12 inch models.  $3.99 and $7.99 at grills.com


If you cant get past the name the Mr. Bar-B-Q Platinum Prestige Stainless-Steel Grill Brush has a lot going for it.  Made from commercial-grade stainless steel, it has a 3.5 inch square head with brass bristles and angled scraper.  It is rust and corrosion-resistant and is dishwasher safe.  $9.99 at grills.com


Steven Raichlen Best of Barbecue SR8004 Signature Grill Cleaning Brush.  Attractive too, this brush has a removable, stainless head and a bakelite handle. at grills.com


Sharper Image 17-Piece BBQ Tool Set (MB301).  For the James Bond of grillers, the tools are secured with Velcro and elastic straps in a zip open rugged soft-sided “briefcase”.  Tools are polished stainless steel. Handles are clad in heat-resistant, rubberized Sure Grip.  Includes a cleaning brush with two replaceable heads.
$79.95 at grills.com

5 rules for clean overnight houseguests

It’s that time of year again (Memorial Day) and Clean+istry was reminded of the 5 rules for clean overnight houseguests.  Embrace them and repeat invitations will flow your way.  Ignore them and prepare yourself for endless 'Real Wives of NYC' Bravo re-runs in your sweltering two-room apartment.

• Suitcases or travel bags with wheels belong in airports, not homes.  If you bring one, pick it up and carry it into your guest room.  Avoid hitting walls along the way.
• Upon arrival in your room, take a mental picture of it.  If your memory is less steel-trap and more etch-a-sketch, take a picture with your cell phone.  Your host created a clean, inviting sanctuary for your stay.  Keep it that way.  If closets or drawers are available for storage, use them and NOT THE FLOOR.  Do not place your luggage against a wall, leaving black marks.  Make your bed each morning.  Avoid the temptation of simply tossing a bedspread over it.
• Similarly, if you enjoy the exclusive use of a guest bathroom, PRETEND THAT YOU DO NOT.  Wipe the sink after use.  Lower the toilet seat.  Hang and fold towels.  Store your personal toiletries in an available cabinet or in your kit neatly tucked away.  EXTEND the shower curtain after use.
• Be kind to furniture and furnishings.  House rules rarely need to be overtly stated.   A simple glance about a room should suffice.  Example: coasters placed on a table or countertop imply that placing sweaty glassware directly onto furniture is not cool.  When in doubt...ask.  Impress your host upon arrival by asking if the house follows a shoes-off policy.  Finally, take cues from your host.  If he/she creates wall-art with greasy hand prints, then summon your inner Diego Rivera and go for it. 
• Clean guests never “ask” if they can help tidy-up or clean after-meal dishes.  They simply “do”.  Such inquiries are passive-aggressive methods of signaling that “I’m on vacation.”  If you are a guest in someone's home, you ARE DECIDEDLY NOT on vacation, regardless how convincing your host may otherwise make it seem.  You are enjoying the company of generous people.  Treat them AND their home with respect.

All that said, let the season begin.  Relax.  Happy memorial day!

women's voices for the earth

Women’s Voices for the Earth is a group based in Missoula, Montana.  They’ve been organizing house parties to share the gospel and practical advice about how to make your own green cleaning products.

Frustrated by chemical laden products (even in trace amounts) and by the lack of disclosure from manufacturers, the group is helping people save money by making your own.

Clean+istry agrees.  Even so-called “green” cleaning companies remain guilty of not disclosing ingredients.  Not cool.

Read Raiding the Pantry to Add Sparkle and Shine, in today’s nyTimes.

the new york times publishes commonly created homemade cleaning products

In Whipping Up A Batch of Furniture Polish, the New York Times publishes some commonly created homemade cleaning products.

With the exception of the window cleaner (Clean+istry avoids the use of ammonia)  the soft scrub (see Clean+istry’s, pictured above) and more aggressive, although non-toxic, toilet bowl cleaners are all solutions we mix and use regularly.

Instead of the ammonia based window cleaner suggested in the article, try a simple 50/50 solution of water and distilled vinegar.  Incidentally, don't forget HOW TO CLEAN A MIRROR, as featured in our post on the Francois Ghost Mirror from Kartell.

MoMAstore features lifestyle products from Japan

For a limited time only, MoMAstore is featuring a collection of lifestyle products usually found exclusively in Japan.

'ii desu ne!' (how nice)

The entire collection is well worth the trip.  Keep in mind that supplies are limited.

Glitter Smile Sponge, by Masaya Kakutani, 2005

The sponge (glitters far more in person) has a pile surface to facilitate scrubbing. Its pear shape fits easily into the bottom of most glasses. Includes a small loop for hanging. Made of PET and PU foam. Hand-wash only.  price $8.00


Folding Bread Board, by Hiroyuki Arai, 2006

A missed opportunity to call this the 'origami' wood cutting board, it easily flips and folds into different positions. Open it fully to cut long loaves of bread, or fold it to cut small round loaves. The board's indentations catch crumbs, while the space-saving design makes storage easy and instant. Made of wood with cotton lining and a leather strap. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.  price $75



Pig Cooking Lid, by Marna Inc., 2001

Say 'sayonara' to placing paper towels over bowls when reheating food in the microwave.  Made of soft silicone with a pig face in the center, this multipurpose lid can be placed directly over ingredients in a pot to help them cook evenly, releasing steam through the pig's snout. It can also be used to cover food in the microwave, and even as a grip to open lids. Dishwasher safe.  Clean+istry bought the pig snout lid.  It’s brilliant in the microwave and brings a smile to our face each time we look at it.  Size: 1h x 7"diam.  price  $18

Electrolux is making Kitchen Stars

Electrolux is turning 90 (happy birthday, E.) and to celebrate is seeking 90 Electrolux kitchen owners across Europe with the selfless goal of making Kitchen Stars of them all.

Participating is simple.  All you need is:

• To live in Europe (Clean+istry is sadly disqualified),
• A kitchen with one or more Electrolux appliances in it,
• A photograph of YOU in the actual kitchen, and…
• A story (a special meal, a special moment, a psychologically-damaging renovation experience...)

Winners (aka “Kitchen Stars”) will receive the iconic Electrolux ErgoRapido (essential for kitchen cleanups).

In addition, all stars will be featured in the online gallery, the book and any other materials created for the birthday festivities.

A rigorous student of the consumer, Electrolux knows that the kitchen is ground zero for momentous home experiences.

Clean+istry, for instance, had its first dinner party of the summer season last weekend.  Our guests congregated in the kitchen prior to dinner where we merrily finished the creation of perfectly roasted asparagus, vigorously debated the merits of Hillary Clinton remaining a candidate for the Democratic Presidential nomination, and unknowingly witnessed the final evening of a couple before the announcement of their separation the very next day (not Clean+istry).

And that was just one evening.  See how easy it is?

We wish our European friends well and eagerly anticipate the results.

to enter, go to www.kitchenstars.net

Galvalume Plus

As part of this year’s Design 100 issue, Met Home (June 2008) features Geller House (number 94), clad in Galvalume Plus--a steel siding product found more commonly in the construction of modest commercial buildings or livestock pavilions , NOT modernest gems.  Set on 18-acres outside Appleton, Wisconsin, the Wendell Burnette designed metal house takes its cue from a nearby farm.  And then, shall we say, extends the idiom just a tad further.

Galvalume Plus is an alloy of 55% aluminum and 45% zinc.  The aluminum provides the barrier protection and extended durability while the zinc delivers the galvanic protection.

Galvalume has been tested in the U.S. for 36 years and in Canada for 17 under a variety of environmental conditions, ranging from rural to severe marine.  The material is maintenance-free and sits on top of an ice and water shield to prevent moisture from permeating the house.  In agricultural settings, as described above, it should last 50 years.  And then some.

Galvalume is not inexpensive, falling in the range of cost between good shingled siding and masonry.  Nor is it easy to install.  In what must certainly be described as extreme understatement for a house of such rigorous precision, "the siding can require special training to apply, and care must be taken to prevent bulges or dents..."  This is design code for select your contractor CAREFULLY.  We would suggest a master roofer for the job.

Clean+istry grew up on a farm.  But it was nothing like this.

Read more about Galvalume Plus here.

More images at wendellburnettearchitects.com

the drudgery of household chores, and the comfort

A beautiful muse on the drudgery, the symmetry and the absolute necessity of household chores, by Akiko Busch.

Domestic life is all about doing things over and over in the same way, with every hope and intention that you’ll get the same result, and knowing in your heart of hearts how easily you could get a very different one.*

* from The Drudgery of Chores, and the Comfort.  NYT, May 18, 2008

thout design—simplicity, clarity and honesty

Thout Design “is a place where needs are met with simplicity, clarity and honesty.”  Clean+istry could not have said it better ourselves.  So we didn’t.

Thout designs have that “why didn’t I think of that” quality to them.  UtiliTILE, a modular wall system can be customized for any space.

Tiles are 16”x16” square and are available in white lacquer, white oak and American walnut.

UtiliTILED: Dining is an ingenious system of four tiles, each with its own unique storage function for dining.  Dimensions:  24” x 24”.

UtiliTILED: Trayed are four trays that click one on top of the other and then to the wall with magnets.  Each is a self-contained table top with a special spot for your drink.

UtiliTILED: Forked Up is a tile that allows for up to 4 place settings of flatware to be stored on a single tile with the help of magnets.

UtiliTILED: Fruity is Clean+istry’s favorite.

Needless to say, we think these are handsome ways to kick clutter creatively (say it fast, three times) and to store things efficiently.  Great for small space living.  Great for large space living, too.  And while we worry about having to dust the flatware, we’re willing to get over it.

Thout Design products are available at Design Public.