Cleaning up in style
It's often said that good design solves a problem (or removes some pain) people didn't even know they had until it's gone.
This would be true when you think about cleaning your house (let alone the big spring clean) and then see the cleaning and organizational products from Japanese retailer Muji — perfectly proportioned brush and shovel sets, cool laundry storage options and oversized Zen diffusers.
Suddenly cleaning up does not seem so bad.
Muji was founded in Japan in the 80s but is now worldwide.
“Muji is best known for its philosophy of functional, quality design with a Japanese minimalist esthetic. Each product is made to do away with any unnecessary decoration or ornamentation, and a commitment to “'less is more,” says Daisuke Suzuki, interior adviser at Muji's Robson Street store.
Its cleaning system includes squeegees, mops, brushes, and desk broom sets compact enough to fit desk drawers easily. The carpet cleaner (which looks a bit like a carpet roller) is one of the most popular cleaning items, says Suzuki.
“Its simple design can fit any room and is easily stored. The disposable sheets pick up all sorts of dirt and debris on any fabric, such as carpets, couches, beds, and clothing.”
At Muji, they take a holistic approach to cleaning, says Suzuki.
“While traditional cleaning and the annual spring clean always has its place, we like to practice organized living and having essential items that make cleaning and organizing easy and practical.”
Muji slippers are one of their most popular products, says Suzuki, and they reflect the Japanese practise of removing shoes in the household.
“Slippers were invented in Japan to keep the home comfortable and hygienic, so less time is spent cleaning, and our aroma diffuser helps to cleanse and freshen up the air of your living space. We believe spring cleaning is more than just chores but is about how you live,” he says.
Dyson lovers would tend to agree with this statement. The British technology company is known for its home appliances (vacuums in particular) that appeal just as much to design fans as they do the house proud.
Dyson's latest cordless vacuum — the V11 Outsize — is much bigger than its previous cordless vacuum, with a larger bin, bigger cleaning heads and longer running time, designed with bigger households in mind.
It's designed to be powerful enough to replace your everyday vacuum, say the engineers behind it, despite being a cordless stick vacuum. It runs for 60 minutes without needing a charge, removing “microscopic particles like pollen, dust and bacterial” from your home while looking pretty on a wall mount.
Dyson has just released a new air purifier — the hot+cool formaldehyde — which is designed to detect and remove formaldehyde (a common off-gas from furniture and indoor materials) while also having the functionality to heat or cool the room, depending on the time of year, says VP of environmental care at Dyson, Alex Knox.
It was inspired by people spending so much more time at home and indoors this past year, he says.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has raised global awareness about the air that we breathe. The off-gassing tendency of formaldehyde means that it can go undetected in a home for years,” says Knox.