Gimmicks for Cleaning

When mail comes across your desk, touch it one time. It goes into a file, or the trash, the point being that you deal with it right then and there. Well, he’s a lawyer, so maybe this works for him. But I’m not so good at it. In fact, my husband refers to my projects around the house as “Your Piles.” (“Where is that letter?” “Have you looked in Your Piles?”)

I have a friend who’s big crutch is the Swiffer, or, as he refers to it, “the greatest invention since the self-adhesive stamp.” He likes to sing the praises of the Swiffer, but I don’t think they’re so great, and it bothers me that they’re not biodegradable. (This doesn’t stop me from handing him one when he comes over and letting him swiff the top edges of all of my artwork).

So, instead of trying to be a cleaner person, cleaning more, or arguing with your significant other (or roommate, or kids)—just find your crutch. For little kids, I’d recommend the robot. With roommates, pot smokers, and husbands—tell them to touch it once.