You may have noticed that Clean+istry did not return from vacation as planned.

No, we did not fall  victim to illness.  We neither joined the circus nor did we flee the scrutiny of IRS agents.

We simply found ourselves circling the computer with little to say.  After 2 years and 673 posts we have determined it necessary to re-think the blog.  It may take some time.  In our daily journey to discover all things clean we have met some amazing people with amazing commitment to maintenance and respect for the home.  Lately, however, we have found ourselves posting rather indiscriminately just to post.  We have disappointed ourselves.

Standards should be elevated, not broken.

Do not believe that we have lost faith.  Indeed, just this morning we cleaned windows in the crisp, autumn air.  Last weekend, during relentless rain, we scrubbed our landing pads and organized personal files.  Painters are scheduled to refresh some of our rooms after which professional rug and upholstery cleaners will come to ease us into winter.  All is good.

We’ve also found a little extra time to study Japanese and our brain is eagerly attacking some writing that has far too long been pushed aside.

Thank you for your patience.  We will return in the not-too-distant future.  We hope that you will too.

clean+istry

Clean+istry is taking a well-earned (we think) vacation to celebrate the end of summer.  See you following labor day.  Be clean!

The bamboo charcoal deoderizer is an earth-friendly compact air freshener made from ultra-fine bamboo charcoal and clay mineral powder.

Odor-absorbing bamboo charcoal is made from mature bamboo plant pieces burned at high temperatures. This cube (a modest 2″) has a micro-honeycomb structure which amplifies its surface area a hundred-fold for maximum effectiveness. It works best in small enclosed spaces such as refrigerators, closets, and cars, and can be re-used for up to one year by exposing it to sunlight once a month for six hours to release the absorbed contents. Avoid using it in wet areas.

p.s. don’t tell Arm & Hammer.

$25 at MoMA store

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Breakfast in bed is a good idea.  But the flower vase inevitably falls into the toast creating a soggy start to an otherwise perfect morning.

Designer Peter White solves the problem with Le Petit Dej’, a high gloss acrylic tray with the vase built in.

Children impressing their mothers on birthdays may now applaud.

$92, available at A+R Global Design

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How often have you wondered what lurks beneath the fridge?

Design gurus are digging the concept fridge’s (for client Samsung) strong furniture reference, but the simple “off the floor” benefit tickles our fancy.

via core77

For weekend homes, we are big fans of bringing outdoor materials inside.  Take, for instance, the new Sag Harbor home that we featured yesterday.

As a money saver, stained mahogany flooring used for external decking was brought indoors.

nice.

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A new home in last week’s NYT’s Home Section featuring the material Skatelite caught out eye.

Skatelite is a material of pressed paper and resin used in the construction of ramp surfaces for skaters. It is smooth and durable enough to withstand the rigors of skating.  Heat resistant too, it is easy to clean and unaffected by the paint thinners required to remove graffiti by a group of rowdy skaters in a public park (aka, your kids).

The architect Paul Masi, an avid skater himself, used the material to clad exterior surfaces of the house as well as the kitchen floor, countertops and facings for appliances.

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espresso sets are nice.  espresso sets that are neat and orderly are BETTER.

Bamboo tray with six inset bamboo saucers, six porcelain cups, and six stainless-steel spoons that rest across the cups.  We can imagine them performing double duty as a pudding cups. Cups and spoons are dishwasher-safe. Cups are microwave-friendly.

$45 at MoMA Store.

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2. the answer to spillage?
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6. cleaning porcelain baking dishes

Yes it’s August, but use it as an opportunity to get a jump on planning the mudroom.

The mudroom shelving system is $98 at Williams-Sonoma.

And the boot tray is $49.95.  We like the boot tray.

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Clean+istry was recently contacted by the museum of useful things (mut) and, boy, are we glad.  Look at some of these really useful things.

Italian mop

Giant Door Stops

Two Bushel Hamper on Wheels

Galvanized Scoop

And a slighltly pornographic looking Humane Mouse Trap.

See it all here @ themut.com.

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