How do we know that the people who design spaces - tubs, faucets, sinks, cupboards, blinds, kitchens, toilets - have never been the same people who cleaned them?
We know because we've invested time and money over the years figuring out how to clean them, often using specialized tools called "gap" brushes or by ordering weed killer pumps so that we can clean showers more quickly. There are no industry standards that make it easy. Some of our clients think we charge a lot, and we would love an opportunity to educate the public on why cleaning requires so many labor hours. (it's not because we're slow - in fact we've spent several years thoroughly investigating trade secrets, cleaning hacks, and trying all the latest tools to make cleaning faster). Books have been written, tips have been tried, and here is why cleaning takes so long. Yes, part of the timing involves condition - how often a place is upkept and maintained; children, pets, and how people use the space impacts cleaning time.
But, the "real" reason cleaning takes so much time is because every surface we know is designed for cleaning to take a long time. Let's take a look at this shower graphic, which includes a stationary glass pane on the same side of the shower as the faucet and shower head. Notice that the shower head is also stationary, and that there is no physical way to turn the water on without being in the water...unless you're Obsessive Cleaning Disorder LLC, who has purchased extensive special supplies to make it easier.

Shower designs that cost more to clean
Problem 1. Tubs like this tend to be deep. It's difficult for a house cleaner to get inside this tub or reach the bottom of it, due to it's depth. Ideally, we'd like to clean the sides and bottom to an extent before getting inside, to keep our shoes clean (although some cleaners opt to remove their shoes, which are about to get very wet otherwise. And that's just not sanitary for them. Some cleaners have been known to take most of their clothes off to clean, in circumstances like these).
Problem 2. The shower head: Once we are inside the tub, now good and dirty - there's no way to turn on the water unless we stand directly under the shower head. (This is in-fact why we stopped issuing white t-shirts to our employees as uniforms).
Problem 3. The drain in the bottom of a modern tub has a push-pull plug. Because of this, even our "shower sticks" (a shower with a long handle, that prevents us from having to stand over by the faucet for awhile) will accidentally push shut the plug. And, as the tub fills up with water, we won't know it's plugged until it's too late. Then, because there's no way to reach the drain unless we are inside the tub, our shoes get drenched - and they squish and uncomfortably saturate every step we take with water for the rest of the day, while we stand in an inch full of dirty water trying to drain the tub.
Problem 4. Rinsing: Because the shower head is stationary and out of reach, it is not possible to rinse cleaner, suds, or chemicals off of the shower walls - or the floor, faucet, or any area of space that isn't directly underneath the shower head. We have cups we can use to splash water with...but why not just purchase additional tools that aren't designed for our industry to help us out? For us, it's Chapin Weed Killer Pumps to help us spray and rinse out showers. If you see us haul around these bad boys, now you know why.

Luckily, because Obsessive Cleaning Disorder also does lightweight yard work, this investment isn't a total waste of money - only a moderate waste.
We opened our "design" subsection of business tailored to easier cleaning, more functional spaces, and creating less waste through smart planning. It started with a solution for closet overflow (because we do organizing as well) where we help find the right clothes for your skin color and body type, so you can buy less and keep your place tidy. A tidy home recudes cleaning time significantly.
One of our experienced team members who you may have met - Amber - has a background a education in interior design, and she works with us as a company to advise our clients on how their spaces might be more functional for faster cleaning. By simple switches like mini-blinds to a more modern, wide-slat and stringless blinds design, opting for fiberglass instead of stone materials, faucets that feature space inbetween the fixture and the wall to actually fit a brush or sponge behind, creating space between toilets and walls and ridding of useless cabinets that can't be reached, she helps us plan for our own home makeovers. Why would we want to spend significant time and money trying to figure out how to clean a space, when the space could just be easy to clean from the start? We are looking forward to hearing opinions because we have yet to think of one. In the meantime, if you'd rather spend your time on other things - hire those of us who have already figured it out! We'll make the most efficient use of the cleaning time you budget us, all things considered.

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