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The last time we wrote about the Facebook group 'Things designed by people who don't have to clean them', it had 40,000 members. But since then, this online community has more than doubled and is approaching the 100,000 mark, so it's about time we release an update on them.

"The design and maintenance of our spaces are deeply political," the group writes in its 'About' section. "The entire point of 'Things designed by people who don't have to clean them' is that those who design and those who maintain are not the same. Because we spend most of our time in designed spaces this disconnect has a huge impact, especially on those who traditionally don't have power in society."

So they're here, shaking things up, trying to remind everyone about the hidden tax attached to Swarovski-encrusted toilets and rock-covered sinks, and that is the amount of headache and time people will spend cleaning them.

More info: Facebook

#1

Just Stay In The 70s. Thanks

Just Stay In The 70s. Thanks

Barby Km Report

For our earlier article, we got in touch with the founder of the group, Will Feetham. He described the content you see on 'Things designed by people who don't have to clean them' as design-focused critical analysis.

Even though it has grown tremendously, the group remains private and you have to answer a few political questions to get in. Feetham has had pushback from the applicants about this as the group seems anything but political, however, he believes that the design and maintenance of our spaces are deeply political. "The entire point of 'Things designed by people who don't have to clean them' is that those who design and those who maintain are not the same," he told Bored Panda. "Because we spend most of our time in spaces [designed by others], this disconnect has a huge impact, especially on those who traditionally don't have power in society."

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"Looking at bad design helps highlight the importance of good design, and thinking about who will clean what we design makes us focus on the importance of inclusion in the design process. As a tag group, we can inject a bit of thought about these issues into a lot of different conversations which makes me so happy."

Feetham got the idea for the group from a picture of a topographical relief sink modeled after a lake, which he has been told is in the California state library. "It's beautiful, and the concept is both insightful and educational. In the execution, though, the designer didn't consider the people who would have to clean the installation. Clearly, a lot of thought went into the concept, but that thoughtfulness doesn't seem to have extended to maintenance. 'Things designed by people who don’t have to clean them' just popped into my head."

#6

This Is My Ceiling Light. It’s New, And I Loved It Til I Joined This Group And Realized I Have No Idea How To Clean It

This Is My Ceiling Light. It’s New, And I Loved It Til I Joined This Group And Realized I Have No Idea How To Clean It

Elana Kehoe Report

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#9

Saw This Sink In A Bathroom Showroom And Thought Of You My Friends. It Has Actual Fish In It

Saw This Sink In A Bathroom Showroom And Thought Of You My Friends. It Has Actual Fish In It

Maryum Farhan Report

As you could guess, Feetham himself doesn't like cleaning. "As a cisgender man in our patriarchal culture, I have been allowed to do less than my share of household chores at many points in my life," he said. "Equality is deeply important to me, and I have come to understand the many ways, large and small, that the caring and cleaning work that forms the foundation of our daily existence is minimized."

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According to him, our society tends to devalue the invisible service class, who are often women and people of color. So they are left to pick up the pieces, literally, and tend to the performative aesthetics of our consumer culture.

#10

Bride Decided This Was The Best Way To Display Her Dress After The Wedding

Bride Decided This Was The Best Way To Display Her Dress After The Wedding

Lindy Pearce Report

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keith-johnson avatar
KJ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine getting up for the loo in the middle of the night if you were a guest, wouldn't need to go all the way to the loo.

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#11

I Finally Have A Contribution!! Reminds Me Of The Fuzzy Skeleton Someone Shared The Other Day…maybe This One Could Be Thrown In The Washer?

I Finally Have A Contribution!! Reminds Me Of The Fuzzy Skeleton Someone Shared The Other Day…maybe This One Could Be Thrown In The Washer?

Melissa Smith Report

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f_h_ avatar
F. H.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's an art installation. How to clean it will be the concern of future conservators.

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#12

Omfg, This Is Giving Me The Shivers

Omfg, This Is Giving Me The Shivers

Miguel G. Bouças Report

#14

I Present To You My Desk Chair

I Present To You My Desk Chair

I hate it. It was here when I got here. The bumps are hard plastic and extremely uncomfortable also the back has no give whatsoever. I work in the office part of a warehouse and everything gets super dirty here. Not looking forward to cleaning it which I can imagine will be done with a toothbrush.

Patience Hawkins Report

#15

This Was A Sink In A Public Bathroom That I Used Yesterday

This Was A Sink In A Public Bathroom That I Used Yesterday

(it does have a drain, it’s just hard to see under the bubbles) it’s flat, theres ridges in it that go about an inch deep into the sink to resemble rock or something. It’s obviously covered in grime and soap residue. Might have been cool in someone’s house, but not in a public bathroom like this

Holly Hass Report

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May
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can practically see the germs that are living of all that residue

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#16

My Toes And Shins Hurt Just Looking At This. Hope You Like Cobwebs

My Toes And Shins Hurt Just Looking At This. Hope You Like Cobwebs

Scott Martin Report

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geoffrogers avatar
Ara
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are there candles in there? If so, cleaning may not be the issue it at first appears to be.

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#17

Indoor Beach. Oof

Indoor Beach. Oof

Cammie Burns Report

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A B C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol, I read the two signs on the floor as "sure, sand" as in "yeah sure, why not?" - famous last words.

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#18

Seletti: Monkey Chandelier By Marcantonio

Seletti: Monkey Chandelier By Marcantonio

I wish I had it but DAMN.
(also, it cost too much for me.)
(BUT ANYWAY DAMN!!!)

Andrea Ashton Caprifogli Report

#19

Found In The Wild. My Mom, Who Has No Knowledge Of Facebook Or This Group, Her First Words Were "Try Cleaning That."

Found In The Wild. My Mom, Who Has No Knowledge Of Facebook Or This Group, Her First Words Were "Try Cleaning That."

Becky Brinkman Report

#21

Just.... Why?! Even If The Bowl Is Smooth, The Outside Is Just...

Just.... Why?! Even If The Bowl Is Smooth, The Outside Is Just...

Jessica Helanne Report

#22

Yeah, It's An Art Installation. Very Ugly Art

Yeah, It's An Art Installation. Very Ugly Art

Eli Westerfield Report

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meinespammailadresse1 avatar
A B C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Couldn't fit the chairs any closer to the table because they'd crush some Swarovskis otherwise, huh? This is just stupid.

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#23

I'd Like To Personally Say F**k You To Whoever Invented This Damn Kitchen Gadget. You Don't Know How Many Nights It Would Be My Turn To Do The Dishes And This F**ker Always, Always, Ended Up Being Used. I Hate It So Much

I'd Like To Personally Say F**k You To Whoever Invented This Damn Kitchen Gadget. You Don't Know How Many Nights It Would Be My Turn To Do The Dishes And This F**ker Always, Always, Ended Up Being Used. I Hate It So Much

Cheyenne Lynn Report

#24

It's Cute Tho

It's Cute Tho

Tehreem Hassan Report

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Raven Sheridan
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this a mug for cat haters? Every time you have tea of coffee, you get to drown the kitty.

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#29

The Pieces That Are Overlapped Would Be A Nuisance To Polish! And As Someone Easily Distracted I Wouldn't Know What Piece Of Mirror To Look In When Using It But That's Just Me

The Pieces That Are Overlapped Would Be A Nuisance To Polish! And As Someone Easily Distracted I Wouldn't Know What Piece Of Mirror To Look In When Using It But That's Just Me

Shauna Cameron Report

#30

Just... Why

Just... Why

Eliška Anna Skurňová Report

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satu-portimojarvi avatar
Big Blue Cat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The idea is fun, but cleaning not so much. Also these thing break so easily I would constantly think I'm drinking glass shards.

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#31

This Chest...the Cuts Are Like 5cm Deep In Some Spots...

This Chest...the Cuts Are Like 5cm Deep In Some Spots...

Daniel Johansson Report

#33

This Mirror I Saw At A Bar In Charleston

This Mirror I Saw At A Bar In Charleston

Kara Maureen Porell Report

#34

“Giant Corn Stool” - There’s A Joke In There Somewhere

“Giant Corn Stool” - There’s A Joke In There Somewhere

Sarah Jane Tabone Report

#35

These Ceiling Mics In The Choir Room At My School

These Ceiling Mics In The Choir Room At My School

You can’t reach them without a ladder and I don’t think they have ever been cleaned.
(I’m not good at descriptions but I tried)
Description: A small black ceiling microphone with a large cobweb wrapped around it.
26

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#36

Things Designed By People Who Don't Have To Clean Them And Bought By The People Who Don't Care About Cleaning Them

Things Designed By People Who Don't Have To Clean Them And Bought By The People Who Don't Care About Cleaning Them

Võ Quốc Bảo Report

#37

I Want This. But I Don't Want The Drama Associated With Cleaning It

I Want This. But I Don't Want The Drama Associated With Cleaning It

Shaniah Moth Pheonixx Report

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F. H.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a hand-made pottery cup with a little molded crocodile on the bottom. It's no problem to clean as long as you don't let it dry in. This mug here is much less complicated. I think you could just put it in the dishwasher.

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#38

I Thought This Would Fit Here

I Thought This Would Fit Here

Tary Timót Report

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Becky Samuel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Copper ball bearings to clean the insides of glassware and decanters without scratching.

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#39

I Found One In The Wild!! About Eight Feet Long, Hanging From A Door Frame. Various Beautiful Sea Shells Tied To A Central Cord. The Angles, Textures, And How Tight They're Strung Together Would Never Allow A Duster Through Properly. The Central Cord Is Hemp So Can't Get It Wet! And The Small Crevasses Are Impossible To Reach, Especially In The Spiral And Hollow Shells. Beautiful Idea, But The Dust Magnet This Is Makes Me Want To Burn It With Fire

I Found One In The Wild!! About Eight Feet Long, Hanging From A Door Frame. Various Beautiful Sea Shells Tied To A Central Cord. The Angles, Textures, And How Tight They're Strung Together Would Never Allow A Duster Through Properly. The Central Cord Is Hemp So Can't Get It Wet! And The Small Crevasses Are Impossible To Reach, Especially In The Spiral And Hollow Shells. Beautiful Idea, But The Dust Magnet This Is Makes Me Want To Burn It With Fire

Kyle Timber Rose Report

#40

Artificial Grass In The Bathroom. I Wonder How Long Before It Ends Up In Yup, That's A Piss Corner Mushroom

Artificial Grass In The Bathroom. I Wonder How Long Before It Ends Up In Yup, That's A Piss Corner Mushroom

Joe Dunn Report

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Paul C.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an ex carpet fitter, I can't begin to tell you the number of times I've had to stick it to the side of bath panels. Not my choice, but you're paying.

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