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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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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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meinespammailadresse1 avatar
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_sheridan14 avatar
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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#25

Why

Why

Cassiday Holt Report

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geoffrogers avatar
klynch4 avatar
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't let Count von Count from Sesame Street know that you turned his family into one of the most hideous "shag" rugs in existence.

deborahbrett avatar
Deborah B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Take it outside and shake it, same as any shag rug. But why? It doesn't look good. It's a trip hazard, it probrably feels weird on your feet, no furniture will stand level on it, and if you have a cat or dog, they're chewwing that to bits.

kathrynbaylis_1 avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone paid money for this piece of s**t? Yeah, having money doesn’t automatically make you smart or give you impeccable taste or class.

jules-fishtank avatar
Cadmar Orion
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only good thing about this is that it's recycled. And that's not even contributing much to the sheer horror of this

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

Spill red wine all over it or let the cat barf on it, and it'll look just the same! The perfect gift for someone with no sense of smell!

celeryg avatar
celery g
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

shredded tires? Take it back to design republic and punch the "designer" in the mouth! and yourself for being stupid!

sp1t0nu avatar
Johnny Døpe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There’s probably a colony of an unknown species already live there

jvdauterive avatar
Juliette Dauterive
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like someone just dumped a scrap cart of roofing shingles.

goodlifewriter avatar
Jenna Howe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Manager: "Well, you guys have made a lot of jackets, but you need to clean up your mess." Staff: "We've just been walking on 'em. BUSY shift here." Manager: "Hmm, I have an idea that'll save a ton on dump fees."

sj-dumond avatar
JD Lee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You earned the headache when you made the bad decision to buy it. It’s called consequences. Also tacky.

dcarroripalda avatar
David carro
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do you mean somebody actually did pay for that thing made of blown up tires?

numagirl66 avatar
Harley K
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it looks like they went to the scrapyard and put a bunch of shredded tires in the crusher

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

Our cat liked it. To use it as a toilet. We no longer have this carpet.

lowres520 avatar
Sharrow
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you're gonna literally shag on it, then maybe it is a little easier to clean than the regular kind? A damp sponge will do it.

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

Let's be real, the kind of person who wants a floor made from used leather jacket scraps doesn't plan on cleaning it.

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

That is just horrible. Looks like tiles made from dried lava.

glynisbuller avatar
Glynis Buller
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have never seen anything as ugly as that? NO WAY you could clean it

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

Play Little House on the Prairie and throw it over a line and beat it half to death with a stick

mish7765 avatar
Michelle Rudd
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Any rag rug will pick up dust and dirt. You have to throw it over a washing line and give it a good beating with a broom handle old style, then you can wipe any stains like mud off the leather with a damp cloth. Not to my taste though

nazdapokmov avatar
Nazda Pokmov
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shag rug?....Looks like it would definitely clog up a normal vacuum cleaner...better use a fire hose to clean it.

bcgrote avatar
Brandy Grote
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Easy, take it outside and beat it with a stick. Although you might eventually need to condition every... single... bit.

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

let's make it 500$ and i'll take it. give me 500$ and i'll take it

nowpete94131 avatar
BleeBloo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's nice that they're repurposing leather scraps and in the right setting this could work, the scent of the leather alone would be intoxicating. I love that scent.

nfrlprdpr avatar
Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pay the local arts and crafts teacher $350 to take it out of your life

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

Hah looks like my grandpas shop floor (he works with leather)

moniquereed avatar
Monique Reed
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I spent a long time yesterday picking scraps of black roofing felt and shingle out of my yard after a re-roofing job. This looks *just* like the trash I collected.

mjw0sysascend_com avatar
lara
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These used to be popular several years ago. I thought, "wow the dog would love this."

mcborge1 avatar
mcborge1
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks all crunchy and sharp like a load of broken roof slates.

raven_sheridan14 avatar
Raven Sheridan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I knew a hoarder who had one of these in her kitchen! F*****g disgusting! Made me want to vomit.

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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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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

facebook Report

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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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