A few last minute gifts that are slyly clean-related and recommended by top designers in today’s new york times.

From Alexa Hampton (daughter of the late Mark)…

Monogrammed Lucite Tray, $120 at dabneyleeathome.com.

From Deborah Needleman, editor of Domino Magazine…

Blackboard Oilcloth.  $15/yard at bellocchio.com.

From Sheila Bridges, host of “Sheila Bridges: Designer Living” on Fine Living Channel…

Wood Tray printed with vintage French Photos.  $190 at nestinteriors.com.

Trophy Hangers–two wall hangers shaped like the front and rear ends of a moose (rear end shown). $50 at charlesandmarie.com.

There’s still time to check out the clean+istry gift guide 2008.

What is felt?  Felt is a mass of wool.  Rather than being woven, it is pressed and manipulated using hot water and steam to create a strong, smooth, light, extremely water-resistant natural fabric. The same basic technique has been employed for generations.

According to the Southeastern Felt Supply Co…”Wool becomes felt when it is subjected to moisture, heat, and pressure (sometimes called friction).  In fact, if domestic sheep were not shorn, over time their wool would felt or “cot.”   Hot soapy water makes the wool slippery, and causes tiny scales on the fiber to open up. The scales prevent the fibers from backing up again after they slide across each other; with agitation, the fibers get hopelessly tangled together.  When cooled, dried and compressed, the scales close and lock the wool into the tough, durable material we call felt.”

Understanding felt goes a long way in understanding why it is a great material for the home.  It is tough, durable and resists water and stain.  Most spills can be handled with a clean, damp sponge.  Or, according to filzfelt, with warm soapy water or dry cleaned.  But NEVER use the washer and dryer (hello, 100% wool).

filzfelt products are available at their etsy shop and at supermarket.

Pictured above, in felt, the Landscape chaise, from b&b italia.

Painting is a messy chore and that’s why people avoid doing it…even small jobs.  Have you ever attempted to clean the paint from a roller?  How about removing it from the handle?  We didn’t think so.

Enter Zibra, the maker of a series of tools that promises to mitigate painting mess.  From the Air Glide that allows you to pop the roller into the trash without touching the roller, to the spring-loaded paint tray that regulates dipping and will even allow you to store paint for a few hours or even overnight.  And then there’s the No Tape Edge-n-Roll that eliminates the need for edging tape.

Now, if someone will only invent the paint can with a resealable no-drip lip.

via Susan Fornoff at SFGate.

visit enjoyzibra.com

Made from corn, Osso & Co.’s Business Bags fully biodegrade in 45 days.

Woof! Woof!  $7 for 40 at Osso & Co.

The new AirMAX Öko vacuum from AEG-Electrolux lays claim to being the first green vacuum cleaner on the market.

Equipped with a new 1.25 kW motor, the AirMAX consumes 33% less energy than standard 2 kW vacuum cleaners. However, with redesigned fans, dust bag and floor brushes, the Öko insists that performance is not sacrificed.   AEG used 55% of recycled materials in the design of this machine, which alone should ease one’s conscience.  Price € 210. AEG-Electrolux.  Oh, and it’s as quiet as a church mouse, too.

via the appliancist

A desire for holiday trees that don’t shed is a fact that Clean+istry has been reluctant to embrace, given our aversion to the label “Debbie Downer”.

But for the flat-pak generation, this is a time to rejoice.  Standing three feet high, constructed of post-consumer cardboard brown and priced a recession-friendly $22.95 you can be cool and green and clean all at the same time.

With every tree sold a donation is made to the Arbor Day Reforestation Program, Trees for America.  Available at thecardboardtree.com.  via nytimes

At a recent party in front of an enraptured audience, Clean+istry was recounting the performance of lemon oil applied to stainless steel surfaces when someone (aka, a spoiler) asked a perfectly logical question.  What is lemon oil made of?  Lemon rinds?

Clean+istry considered the question for a moment and tossed about three options.  We could:  a) dodge the question by focusing attention on the host’s dust-free baseboards, b) employ a John McCain-style campaign tactic and call the questioner a ‘nasty little punk’, or c) cop to having no idea.  Tempted by  option “b”, Clean+istry wisely chose “c”.  Transparency, transparency, transparency.

Contrary to popular assumption, the lemon oil commonly used for treatment of wood, or in this case stainless steel, has no association with the lemon at all.  Rather it is the combination of mineral oil and a solvent, usually naphtha. That said, Weiman’s Lemon Oil below (along with Hope’s that seems to have been discontinued) claims to contain no solvents.  The name Lemon Oil comes from its tangy aroma and color.

We’re not sure how green lemon oil is.  Most brands shun waxes or silicones in their mix.  Still, it does a heck-of-a-job (to quote a certain someone) in cleaning stainless steel and leaving surfaces that resist fingerprints.  Simply apply with a white paper towel or cloth and then buff with a clean cotton cloth.

related posts:

1. cleaning stainless steel…again
2. product face-off: stainless steel cleaners

Results for the MUJI Award 3 were recently announced.  This year’s theme was MUJI Found.  Contestants were challenged with exploring products having a long tradition and adapting them for today.

Taking silver was Ken Sugimoto and Eri Sugimoto (USA) for Trash Pack for Outdoors.

“A trash bag that easily stands up by itself. By taking advantage of the triangular pack that originated in Sweden and has been used for years for serving milk for school lunches in Japan, we were able to achieve a sense of stability, while the tendency to worry about the actual contents of the bag has been lessened. Can be put to good use when camping, on a picnic, or with other outdoor activities.”

Awarded a bronze was Huang Yi Tang’s (Taiwan) Camelia Washing-Up Liquid.

“The camellia oleifera abel is a type of wild camellia that grows wild in the mountains of Taiwan. Since the seed includes a large amount of oil, it has been used from way back as cooking oil. After having removed all of this edible oil, the residue is ground into a powder; this is called “tea powder”. This “tea powder” not only has antibacterial and odor eliminating properties, it also breaks down oil, and is greatly suited to washing dishes. And since tea oil is included, it is mild on the user’s skin and has the added advantage of being gentle on the environment. Since it is something born from waste products, it is very economical.”

Congratulations to all the winners and thank you MUJI.

Finally, it’s the eagerly anticipated Clean+istry Gift Guide 2008.  For the tidy (or not so) in your life.

Who could resist the Normann Washing up Bowl?  It is multifunctional art with a million applications.  $75 at MoMAstore

The soap-brush by Menu of Denmark and designed by Jacob Munk is not only highly functional and earth-friendly, but it absolutely oozes counter-appeal.  $38 at unicahome

Of all the coasters the we have reviewed over the past year (and there have been plenty), modern-twist is our glass-down favorite.  The taste level is very high.  Set of 4 for $20 at greenergrassdesign

Believe us when we tell you that any meticulous interior auto maintenance freak on your list (and you know who they are) will LOVE the Miele CarClean Set Plus.  The power turbo head cleans carpet at 90 degree angles and the micro-brush will eliminate dust from air conditioning vents.  $145 at Sew Vac Direct or an authorized Miele dealer will usually have a couple on hand.

Yes, the VIPP Toilet Brush will prompt a certain conversation about the tree.  The VIPP toilet brush may be THE MOST EXPENSIVE toilet brush on the market.  But once you explain that its engineering rivals that of the BMW (which, by the way, your recipient can no longer afford) you may notice greater-than-normal foot traffic to the bathroom during the holidays.  And yes, there is such a thing called ‘toilet brush lust’.  $200 at unicahome

The Pig Cooking Lid is not really a cleaning tool, but it is very easy to clean.  Just pop it into the dishwasher. Undeniably cute and impossible to resist, it screams to be put into a stocking hung with care.  $18 at MoMAstore.

People LOVE gifts with their names on them (right, dad?).  The adult personalized apron from Williams-Sonoma in the new color pumpkin is seasonal, smart and clean.  $24 plain and $34 customized at Williams-Sonoma.

These days, Clean+istry believes it is all about elevating the ordinary to something special and that’s why we LOVE Murchison-Hume cleaning products.  The “Classic Six” boxed set includes everything you need to clean the house.  And of course, it’s glamorously green.  We’re not sure if you can receive this by the holiday, but give it a shot.  $74 at Murchison-Hume (refills are available).

happy shopping!

Earlier in the week, we offered a tip for saving corners when using the hose of a central vacuum, but we were unaware of the Soft Vacuum Hose Sock.  Now, thanks to a generous reader, we are.

There are a number on the market.  Some are quilted with zippers (seems hard).  Another comes in an unidentified nylon material that would appear to slide onto the hose.  Price points generally range from $45-60 in 30′-32′ feet versions.  A couple of sources:  thinkvacuums.com and MD Manufacturing and in the U.K., The Total Home.

If you have experience with a Soft Vacuum Hose Sock, please share.