Excellent article! We just got a camper and the steamer is just what I need. Pay no attention to those who poo poo a baby dishwasher. I'm getting one too. You rock, honey!
5
SInce there is no hose attached to the faucet, where does the dirty, soapy water drain?
2
Re: the dishwasher
OK, but where does the dirty soapy water go since there is no hose?
5
I had to laugh....a particularly good cleaning tool *can* change your life. I've felt that a few times too. But a dishwasher for two settings? Ridiculous.
8
I live in a normal sized townhouse but the Dyson cordless vacuum has changed my life too. Literally one of the greatest things I have ever purchased.
2
Fun! I live on a boat and have 230 sf of living space. My favorite appliance by far is a Splendide 2100xc machine which both washes and dries my laundry. No more laundromat!
7
What a great article and what a great little dishwasher. I wished they’d had those when I lived in Manhattan! And who cares about counter space? If you don’t have any to spare, why not put it on the floor? Thanks for a truly enjoyable read.
6
If you have a small apartment, who has that much counterspace for a two-setting dishwasher?
6
1. You can't wash a place setting or two? Wow. It's hardly maximizing space to have that useless thing taking up room on the counter.
2. Portable ironing blankets? LOL. Try a bath towel. Works great and you already have one.
3. Recycling. I use a paper grocery bag. When full, empty into recycling bins.
4. Not aware of the benefits of a drying rack. I've managed fine by putting clothes on hangers and hanging on the shower rod.
20
I loved this article. Written with humor about a simply mundane issue that none of us want to talk about. I'm a country girl, turned suburbanite, so tiny spaces haven't been an issue, but I know people that do! Great read, love your style!
14
Dyson DC44, Amazon sells for $ 498.98.
Do I really need that ?
I do have a Dyson vacuum for the last 9 years and all the parts seems to have walked away. The vacuum works well and is plenty for me.
4
I have been using a tiny 25 year old Oreck canister which I inherited when my parents died. When it stopped working recently, I took it to the local Oreck store, and they fixed it.... NO CHARGE. I will always be loyal to Oreck.
19
My hack for hang drying my hand washing is simple and unobtrusive. I installed another shower rod over my tub, and placed matching white plastic hangers on it.
14
We have those telescoping dryer wracks in Australia. Try online “Howard’s Storage World.”
8
Jolie, without looking at the byline, I knew this was YOU within one paragraph. Imagine my excitement upon scrolling back up to see your name! After many years of reading the Gawker media group, not only did I recognize your particular writing style, I also recognized your particular enthusiasm for cleaning products that actually wotk. So excited to see your writing in the Grey Lady - maybe you can give the editors some tips for dealing with the unsightly stain of newsprint!
16
Fun to read and I'm on board with Jolie's desire not to wash any dishes you don't have to. Dishwashing stinks and YOLO!
5
I have a Dyson stick vacuum and its good but I seldom use it (and I’d only use it for vacuuming the floor, it is too awkward for dusting). And I love the idea of the floor cleaner but have too much floor to clean. For me, running the Enjo floor cleaner, initially with a dusting cloth and then with a cleaning cloth is the fastest way to clean the floor. I can do the whole house in less than 30 minutes. The Dyson stick is good for the few rugs we have.
4
I have a compact dishwasher that was portable, but had the plumber fit it under the sink - I love it. It holds about breakfast for four. This pretty Tetra, looks like it holds about half as much, and is more work as it has to be filled with water and emptied.
2
It is probably easier to just wash the two dishes .
32
When I rehabbed my greenhouse into a 220 square foot tiny home, I installed an Ikea freestanding sink base and counter that allowed me to put in an Ikea 24-inch tall tub dishwasher, (I entertained often), and I like my dishes and glassware sterilized.
I loved my on-sale Dyson vacuum as it had a brush for dusting the windows and light fixtures to remove dead insects, dusting out cobwebs, and vaccuming hair and grit from the bathroom before scrubbing.
With 2 dogs, I found the quickest and most thorough floor washer was an OCedar Floor mop ($12) with a removable pad and Murphy's oil soap. I'd dampen and microwave the pad so it was steaming hot before use and launder it afterwards. My home smelled fresh and clean with very little effort.
14
my urban friend needed a vacuum with a bag to hold the dust and all because there are still a few bedbugs to remove after multiple treatments. no bagless vacuums in high risk bedbug urban settings.
5
The BEST wall mounted clothes drying rack is $25 on Amazon.. Leifheit 83201 Telefix... retractable... looks nice all slim and tidy and urban on the wall like a piece of art (ok sorta)... then telescopes outward and can handle heavy jeans, sweaters and a zillion socks. Also comes in a larger size, but we have a wee space.
love small home living...
9
For just 2 place settings that gadget takes way too much space; I don’t like to do dishes either, but for so few items? If you still have to clean pots and pans anyway, what’s a couple of plates?
Seems very impractical and wasteful, only for those who want the latest gadget
32
What's the carbon footprint on running that versus hand washing? Americans can be so lazy sometimes.
4
Disposable plates and utensils 50%, 75%, 90% of the time. You choose, and then wash your few dishes the remaining time.
Life is short. Washing dishes is dull.
1
You know, I hate to say it, but depending upon how they wash the 'carbon footprint' may be less with the machine!
1
petting my dust bunnies... don't need a dyson.
have two dish washers... one for clean dishes, the other for dirties...
more gadgets...
in a while you'll call "ok google" to do my reliable steaming...
someone at the times had a lot of fun thinking up stories like this.
of course i read every word of it, another ... rabbit hole.
5
Everyone seems down on the dishwasher. It appears wonderful to me. Their website says it uses less water than hand washing and you know hand washing, no matter how many pieces, uses a lot of water. I have a travel trailer and people are surprised when I tell them I have no plumbing. This is another example I did the right thing in my renovation. Cant wait. (But I still see hand washing, more than one load a meal and maybe the need for smaller plates.)
6
PLEASE make this a regular column. Quarterly? AT LEAST annually. Tks.
60
I bought a mini washer on Amazon.
It's a little bigger than my bread machine and it has the footprint of my toilet lid...which is where I place it so that the hose drains down into the tub.
you just pour hot water into it.
Then I line dry on my radiators in the winter., or on a rack in the tub.
It can't handle much, but it helps.
8
Name idea: Mama Cass-cade?
7
We have room for 24"w/d and 18" d/w in our 350ft2 apartment. Surprised one of these could not be embedded somewhere.
4
Dyson really ?Three hundred hundred dollar dishwasher , iRobot to mop ?
I think it’s time for me to cancel my subscription
I use my broom ,soap & water . Then mop.
With the money I save
I’m moving on up .
20
Unnecessary purchases for people who have too much money. But what's new.
6
I used to feel the same way, but my husband and I have had some serious health issues and are not as mobile as we used to be. I'm not going to be able to clean much longer and can't afford someone to come in every day ( have a service that comes every 2 weeks). These little floor robots are looking better and better!
7
That dishwasher looks harder to clean after use than cleaning a couple of dishes and a bowl. It also looks like the kind of dishwasher that need the plates to be pre-rinsed - even pre-washed - before loading into the dishwasher.
It looks more like an April Fools joke to me.
24
Lugged a big sack of laundry for years. Then I bought a large rolling duffle bag on Canal Street. Best $20 I ever spent.
17
I am very intrigued by your love for the Animal! I have the smaller, handhold Animal, and...I am not convinced. It's OK, but recently, while switching out attachments, I saw that one was filled, JAMMED with hair (ok, mine) that I had to basically cut out of it. This was disgusting, to be expected, but I was also surprised that it was as hard to clean out as it was. Wondering if same sort of thing happens with the bigger model, as this article is really compelling me to consider it, even after I decided Dyson might not be worth the hype.
6
I've seen it time and again. there is a truth universally unacknowledged: even friendly tolerant people are very judge-y about how and when your dishes get washed.True.
16
Which is how my mom came up with the corollary "There ate two times to do the dishes: either after you eat, or before you eat."
Judgy people can never agree that this is a valid rule.
4
I am one of those who do the dishes before they eat; my kitchen sink has everything - pots and pans to forks and knives. I know it stinks sometimes and it does look ugly but who cares for a little convenience?
1
While dishwashing is my LEAST favorite chore, even I would consider the Tetra a silly waste of money and space. It can 'wash' two place settings, and that's it? If someone is that concerned about 'saving space', buying this extra Tetra item to take up more space on one's countertop, and all to wash a few dishes at a time, seems utterly pointless.
I also went to their site to check out the promo video and it's not even clear 'how' this item works.
16
this sounds like a very kid friendly environment.
I downsized from a 2K square foot townhouse in Virginia to a tiny 400sq ft apartment in Chicago. And oddly, I find it more difficult to keep this place clean/neat than my old house!
No need to go for a hand crank washer - go on Amazon and search for "twin tub washer dryer." They are relatively light (25lbs), can fit in a tub, and wash extremely well. Apparently they are very common in Asia/Eastern Europe. I bought one, and paired it with a cheap-o drying rack from Ikea. Haven't gone to the laundromat in months.
26
It's much easier to clean a large space than a small one. In a small space there is no room to maneuver and there is always something in the way. The difference in wrestling with a vacuum cleaner in a space where there is room to maneuver and in a small space where you keep getting in your own way is significant.
9
Let me add that what I've always wanted is one of those vacs like maintenance workers use that strap on like back packs. Even with a cord trailing that would be so much easier than trying to drag the canister around the tight spaces in my apartment.
6
Re: your dyson animal vacuum cleaner. I feel the same way about my miele vaccum, which I affectionately call "snozzle." its neither small nor compact, but, OMG, it is amazing and i love it.
19
We have this vacuum too and both my husband and I think it was worth every penny.
11
I have been told more than once that Dyson Vacs are the most returned brand. Buyers either love or despise them.
My Miele is wonderful.
6
We have used a wooden drying rack for 11 years now to dry our clothes. When not in use it's under the bed. I takes about 8 hours to dry a load of clothes. If it didn't work we would have used it for 11 years. Not only does it save you time, as you don't have to wait for a free dryer downstairs it also save us money as the commercial drying machines are expensive and we have found our clothes last longer when hung up to dry.
44
I'm on board for that, Norberts. Not only do we save money on both dryers and that biggest of all wasteful rip-offs, "dryer sheets," but significantly reduce our carbon footprints.
10
We live in CA but even when we did not and when we travel, we'd just wash many of our clothes by hand and hang them out in the sun or just over the tub/ in the garage. I'm not sure why people have such a hard time with doing a little housework for a small household. (Obviously this is different if you're a family with, e.g., four small kids and messy pets.)
A key is know your fabrics and buy clothes that don't require a lot of fussy care. Handwashing and gentle drying also preserve clothes looking new for longer.
If using a drying machine, skip the sheets and put in some tennis/ wool type balls instead. They get rid of static, fluff the clothes, and get them to dry faster without chemicals and without waste.
6
And clothes last a lot longer!
Most big dishwashers use less water than washing the same amount of dishes by hand, which is the reason to use one...though they do use electricity, which hand washing doesn't use...though if handwashing uses more hot water than the dishwasher, what you save in electricity you might lose in heating fuel. Based on those kinds of calculations, along with the fuel and resources it takes to manufacture the thing versus a sponge, maybe the sinktop dishwasher is better, maybe it isn't. But that's really how we ought to be thinking about these things.
8
I don't think washing a service for two needs a machine under any circumstances, though.
16
Curious how many sponges land in the landfill vs this dishwasher and is dishwasher “recyclable” and if necessary fixable. If we had solar more readily that would cut electricity costs.
4
Two place settings is too much to wash by hand?
67
If you just had a $45 manicure and forgot to buy rubber gloves on the grocery run, yes.
10
I know. I was about to say, but you beat me to it.
1
Wow, how many of the same comment are they letting through?
It's not about laziness. It's about saving water - or at least it should be.
1
LAUNDRY: Buy a clean toilet plunger and wash your clothes in the bath tub. Works great.
You do have to wring by hand and hang up but there are great racks for hanging to drip dry and if you hang on hangers you save a lot of space. Use clip-style clothes pins to hang on hangers.
14
You mean I'm not the only one? Ha! I learned this from a Parisian friend who lived aboard a houseboat. Don't forget you can also roll up clothes in towels before hanging up to dry.
8
You can up the plunger game with a breathing mobile washer. Customize it with a full length broom handle to minimize stooping.
2
Yep. I do that with sweaters and tops I don't want stretching out on hangers. But don't forget to take them out in a timely fashion or they get mildewy!
2
Thank you! with all these, who needs marriage.
18
LOL!!!!
2
Pretty soon, you'll need a bigger space for all that stuff!
12
People who are interested in tiny living (while being eco-friendly) would do well to check the magazines, websites and blogs of live-aboard sailors and yachters. They know all the appliances, gadgets and shortcuts, and generously share their tips.
63
Can you name some?
3
Great piece - for content and for the names, as companions in small living spaces must be befriended. Now I have to name my Animal, which I DO use every day.
11
I'll go along with the floor cleaning gadgets, but I urge Jolie to reconsider as to the mini-dishwasher. Even if it cleans dishes just as well as soaking in hot water for 10 minutes, it doesn't look any easier. The space it will occupy tips the scale (as does the cost except for rich folks).
16
Nifty gadgets, but how long does it take to wash a place setting for two? I can only imagine finding this device useful if I REALLY hated doing dishes and always ordered take-out, i.e. no pots and pans to wash regardless of plates and bowls.
13
Back in 1990 I inherited an electric portable clothes washing machine from my grandmother. It was almost table height and about 24” x 24” Square and on wheels. There was a hose that you connected to the kitchen sink faucet. When finished push it back to its place in the corner, cover with a tablecloth, add flowers books, etc. and viola! It was fantastic, but in a youthful rush to move on to bigger and better I got rid of it. To this day I wish I still had that machine. I wonder where the dirty and rinse water went? No recollection of that little detail.
11
Maybe there was another exit hose that you hooked over the sink while doing the laundry? It does not strike me as very 'portable' (carry-able) given its size and that it was on wheels...
3
I have a harvest gold-era one that's still in great working order that another apartment dweller gifted me many years ago. Exit hose takes care of rinse water. I'll never use a laundromat again if I can help it.
7
Back in 1974, growing up, we had this kind of dishwasher. It wheeled out from below the counter in our tiny kitchen, and hooked up to the sink. The hookup had two hoses, one for the flow to the machine, and one for the outflow back to the kitchen sink. The waste water successfully cleaned any pots that required soaking etc. It was a great gadget. It was my job in high school to empty the dw. I hated it then, and I hate it now. SIGH
9
As the writer is an expert in cleaning, perhaps she could now write a piece on some nifty gadgets for cleaning that don't require any electricity or plastic bags.
12
dusting :)
3
"...nifty gadgets for cleaning that don't require any electricity or plastic bags."
Merry Maids.
6
Actually, a real feather duster is a remarkable cleaning tool.
1
Finally, appliances for apartment dwellers. I know emerging items in an established market takes a lot of financial risk and developing innovative products have costs too. I hope that soon, when it's found that there is a definite appetite in the market for smaller appliances, the cost will fit within an apartment dweller's budget. It's not just the choice of urban living that we live in apartments, it's that we can't afford bigger apartments or chose to put our money else where like education, travel, healthcare, etc.
Frankly, the environment is begging us to make the choice to live small and reduce our footprint on it. I hope these products do well to bring the price down so they may be enjoyed by real people in real apartments.
20
I can't be the only one who balks at unnecessary expenditures. Clever marketing makes us think we need things that we don't. Perhaps I should start selling my highly effective Apartment Cleaning Kit For the Thrifty: broom, dustpan, swiffer, rags, scrub brush, vinegar, baking soda.
4
Many people seem to be offended by the idea of a dishwasher for two people.
I live in a small apartment, and I don't have very much time to spend at home. Anything that makes cleaning easier/faster not only reduces my stress level, but also gives me more time to spend with my family.
47
I totally appreciate that perspective...I just don't see how the tiny dishwasher could actually save time, if a person is cooking and using additional dishes anyway. Maybe for breakfast?
11
I'm with you. I am in a two-person household where we cook three meals a day from scratch and have a dog on a special diet. The dishes pile up like crazy and yes a dishwasher is very good to have. Never mind all the judgments from commenters here.
24
Yes, but it literally takes less than five minutes to handwash the total amount of dishes you could fit in the machine featured in this article, plus you would still need to handwash the pots and pans anyway. Not to mention that the machine has to live someplace (taking up valuable countertop real estate). I've been small-space living for years (with three kids) and a dishwasher has always been low on our priority list. In fact, we have family time by reading books to each other while doing the dishes by hand.
31
Great reading, but for the price of that vacuum cleaner I could have in-home maid service for a year.
30
Really? Paying fair wages?
Where I live, I could not even afford once a month cleaning for the price of that vacuum cleaner, and ideally I should vacuum every few days. There was a well-reviewed version of the Dyson Animal cordless that costs $300, which I'm considering after reading this article.
10
she had her Dyson for 5 Years and so it paid for itself ;)
10
You really couldn't, unless you don't want a really clean place. I have Oriental rugs and 3 cats. This vacuum really works, takes up little space and turns into a hand vacuum. Well worth the price.
5
One thing remains to be invented: a tiny microwave oven—i.e., the flat-screen TV of microwaves. Intel then, I pass.
15
I have I have to laugh... I also live in a very small space... My god people just clean it.. and do your dishes it takes all of 20min. No need for all this "stuff" especially in a small space. I mean a dishwasher for 2 place settings? In the time it takes to place the place settings in the countertop dishwasher and wait for the dishes to get washed you could have done it yourself dried them and put them away.
153
Absolutely! I don't see the need for a dishwasher, if you live alone or even with one other person. Apparently, to use a dishwasher, you need to "pre-wash" it! Huh? So by the time I am done gently cleaning my dishes to remove the tough grime I can just as easily clean the entire set of dishes! And save a lot of time and water!
15
Trust me, Abhijit, as a person living alone I love my dishwasher. On normal use it fills up every two days; if I do lots of cooking or baking it's full in a day. Suppose the problem is that if you live in a tiny space, the DW AND the cutlery/crockery required to fill it also takes up a fair bit of space.
17
I agree with Peter. As someone who hates washing dishes, I am fortunate to have the space for a full size dishwasher. that I run anywhere from once every couple of days to twice a day. In fact, I would love to have two dishwashers. Modern dishwashers with good detergent do not require pre-rinsing of dishes. (Scraping yes if you have a lot left on the plate, but not rinsing). OTOH, I don't think I would buy a two-service DW.
4
Having lived in small spaces by choice most of my life, currently considering downsizing from 216 sq. Ft. To 184sq ft, I have a suggestion for those with tile or hardwood floors. Always buy only white towels, always use bleach in your whites, use the older set of towels first and after showering and drying yourself off take a spin around the apartment with the damp towel, do this once or twice a day and you will have a spotless floor with no necessity to buy extra “stuff”. Spend the $700.00 on a ticket to Paris.
77
Using bleach every day is a bad idea. If everyone did that the oceans would be dead in a month. Please realize that ALL detergent, bleach, polish, household chemicals, poison, antibacterial soap, “flushable” wipes etc. end up in the ocean.
9
Bleach is toxic to flora and fauna - that includes you!
4
Bleach is so terrible! Not only for the environment but to have in your fabrics that make contact with your skin! Suggestion: stop buying paper napkins and paper towels. I buy colorful bar cloths or washcloths in bulk. Use those for napkins/paper towels. When they get dingy, they go to the "rag pile" folded neatly under the sink with a jug of white vinegar - for cleaning, dusting, floors. For floors, I have a swiffer sweeper mop. Those old wash cloths attach nicely to it. Pour some white vinegar on the floor (for tile/laminate) with a few drops of essential oil and have at it. (For hardwood I would just use warm water and eucalyptus oil - known for killing dust mites.) Non toxic and extremely effective. I have been doing this for years now. I have not purchased napkins or paper towels since 1998.
40
You can get the hand crankable laundry machine and also the wall mounted telescoping drying rack. You need to visit the Container store. I have this laundry pod: https://www.amazon.com/The-Laundry-POD-LP001WHT-White/dp/B005FD7Z82
Here is a wall mounted drying rack:
https://www.containerstore.com/s/laundry/drying-racks-accessories/fold-a...
16
I'd like to see estimated prices in any listicle of stuff to buy. While my wife and I have a rather small apartment, part of that is because we're frugal.
53
Completely understand the love for cordless vacuums - with two kids and a dog, the daily vacuuming was a pain. Finally gave in and bought the expensive Dyson v6 and I'm a convert to cordless now. :) The limited time was a little annoying though, so just sold it and upgraded to the just launched Philips speedpro max (runtime 60mts).
26
so fun to see these new inventions. anything to make our tiny castles more livable!
14
May I suggest "hedron"?
You mean instead of Roger?
I hope you don't give up Roger. He sounds quite amusing.
1
I have the mopping robot, his name is Roger. He was so much cheaper than vacuums, and does an amazing job. Also he is terrific entertainment. When he butts his head against an immovable object, such as the fridge, he says "Eh. Eh. Eh" in apparent frustration until he turns to other greener pastures. Eventually I added the Deebot, which also does a perfect job. Originally, before starting Roger, I vacuumed and mopped, just in case there was something wrong and I would have to send him back -- I did not want too dirty an item to return. I think I am a good housekeeper, but Roger finished with quite a dirty microfiber pad. I also have the LG combination washer/dryer, which needs no dryer vent. As long as there is plumbing it can live anywhere. After six years I am still amazed -- this machine is so thorough, with less water consumption, I do not have to use detergent unless something is really dirty. Also, instead of buzzing at you it sings when the cycle is finished.
39
People who live in tiny apartments should go to RV sites to see all the stuff you can get to help organize a small space. Small apartments should also be designed like RV's which pack a lot of conveniences and built-ins into a small space. One is short cabinets all around the top of every wall, another a built in computer desk, another is putting the shower in the bedroom separate from the bathroom.
83
Rowenta Air Force is equivalent and much cheaper than the Dyson.
21
Love this. But her dream of a washing machine exists. She should search for camping washing machines. Some are quite good. The same for the drying rack.
19
perhaps the plumbing in the building would not support a Washer or dryer and would cause flooding to her downstairs neighbors
5
In NYC, many apartment buildings prohibit hooking up clothes washing machines in apartments, since the plumbing - especially in older buildings - can't handle the flow. Someone in my Brooklyn building secretly set up a washer in their kitchen and left for the day. It flooded and people for 4-5 floors below him had damage!
9
I can't believe the writer can't be bothered to hand-wash a two-piece place setting; how many dirty dishes can one person generate in a day??? This is just indulgence.
On the other hand, I'll take the Dyson recommendation!!
56
Agree, except ...
She must use it for pots and pans too, yes? And hard as I try, I can't get my stufff as clean as friends with dishwashers do.
12
Dishwashing liquid, cleaning vinegar, and baking soda - in various combinations and strengths - will conquer any culinary crud.
9
And may I add to your "chemical list" the amazing product called BioGreen Clean (no, I have no financial interest in the company). It is fabulous, safe, and terrific for soaking dishes, wiping surfaces, you name it, for the apartment dweller. I agree that one can often wash dishes by hand faster than waiting for a full DW cycle. Nonetheless, it is nice to have the DW. My pref for vacuum cleaner is a Shark model -- not battery powered either.
4
There are several hand cranked counter top clothes washers out there, and have been for years. Here is one:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002C8HR9A/ref=asc_df_B002C8HR9A5414849/?tag=h...
7
For all those considering the Dyson Animal, be mindful that micro-scratching on hardwood floors is a persistent problem. Despite the high price tag, I had to modify the bottom of the vacuum by adhering two felt strips to prevent further damage.
52
I also found it to be ergonomically uncomfortable. The motor is at the top of the cleaner, so theweight of the vacuum cleaner is up high, so it's awkward to use. It's a lot of zlotties to pay for something that feels so uncomfortable to use.
5
This was worth reading for the writing style, thank you Jolie. I don't live in NY but thought I'd add my 2 cents--inspired not by a space shortage but by my disdain for ironing. My tool of choice, which works for most wrinkles, is a small spray bottle that I keep filled with water. The mist is set for FINE. I hang the item on a hanger on a shower rod or doorway and I spray a water mist everywhere there are wrinkles and leave the item to dry. POOF. Works like a charm. And for travel, I carry a smaller spray bottle that fits in my cosmetics bag. I haven't needed to iron in years.
100
A suggestion for air drying damp or wet laundry/hand wash at home: There used to be in common use here in NYC a ceiling-mounted horizontal drying rack that one lowered and raised by means of a cord and pulley arrangement. The cord was suspended through a pulley attached to the ceiling such that it was equidistant from the four corners of the rectangular rack, and the cord was held in place by rapping around a wall-mounted projecting turnbuckle. Practical, out of the way when not in use, and the drying took place up high, and took advantage of the fact that warm air rises. Of course, in newer construction with its 8'2' ceilings identifying a practical mounting location is a challenge.
In the summer of 1962 I lived--with a roommate and occasional guest==in a late nineteenth/early twentieth century renovated tenement building studio apartment on East 76th Street, and that drying rack worked perfectly in the galley kitchen. I wonder if they're still made. I bet they are.
34
Yes they are. I fell in love with them on a trip to Scotland and will be purchasing one for my laundry room. Google "Victorian drying racks." A perfect spot would be over the bathtub.
30
I switched from an electric clothes dryer to a ceiling-mounted drying rack three months ago, for ecological purposes, and I will never go back! Shaking out the towels to soften them is good for my upper arms. Several sizes are available at Shiela Maid: https://sheilamaid.com/ This model is both discreet and decorative. I had it hung in my stairwell, where it absolutely does not show.
5
I catch shower water in a bucket before it warms up, then put in a few drops of liquid detergent to wash the clothes I wear that day. I put the clothes on hangers and hang them on an extendable bar above the shower. This extends my need to use the washing machine to once a month. The wash water is used to flush the toilet.
Washing clothes, or dishes immediately after use avoid clutter.
24
A dishwasher for two settings? Seriously - why? It's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.
168
unless you live in New York City.
11
New York City doesn’t let you have a sink?
7
I disagree. It's not about laziness. It's about saving water.
2
GAH. I love Jolie. She's so smart and funny. But real talk I NEED that mopping robot. I have a Deebot robot vacuum cleaner and it changed my life (and it was a present so I didn't have to shell out for it) and would recommend it over the other robot vacuum options. It's amazing and takes care of my tiny house all on its own.
17
I have the Robot mopping gadget and it is awesome and I purchased reusable pads and an extended battery :) mop my kitchen daily and it amazes me the dirt it collects - recommended my friend and she too got one - Does a nice job in the bathrooms as well , can get into small spaces ,like behind the toilet .
1
The Dyson Animal barely gets 25 minutes on a full charge on a low setting. On a high setting you might get 6 minutes and then have to charge it up for three hours. Ridiculous in this day and age and considering the cost of that product. They'd be better off making one with a removable power cord so you don't have to deal with such poor battery performance.
Count me in for a counter top dishwasher!
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These already exist, just not this brand.
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Rather than a Dyson, we just bought a Shark Duo something-or-another. We tested both vacs and they work well, but the Duo comes with 2 batteries (so you really don't run out of battery power) and you don't have to hang it on wall.
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It's hilarious that you spend $700 for a fraction of a vacuum cleaner. Only in America.
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Have you tried that Dyson vacuum yourself? Don’t knock it till you try it :)
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My heavy-duty (heavy being the operative word) Kenmore canister vac gathers dust in the basement now that I have the Dyson. Yes, expensive, so I bought it where I knew I could return it if it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. I've had it for two years and I'll never live without one. Instead of dreading and putting off vacuuming, I vacuum, almost on a daily basis, my much larger, half wood, half carpeted house. It gets everything a big vacuum gets and more because it is so easy to maneuver. I know I sound like a commercial, but this cleaning tool is worth the praise and the price.
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I agree, I just got the ne Dyson with one hour performance and I am amazed at the dirt it picks up . I have several MIeles and hardly use them any more . Because this is not cumbersome and easy to move about with .
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I love your writing Jolie, and I also live in about the same sized place right now. Kind of always have, but in Brooklyn, but before it was BROOKLYN, because it was always cool & home to all of us.
I think I need the mopping robot though because I'm so done with the Swiffer mop and other products. My little kitchen, entryway & large bathroom floors are worth having it for!
Always looking for helpful ways to make my small living space easier but stay lean. I don't ever really want to get into a bigger place because I like the access I have where I am and I love that smaller is easier and less cluttered.
Please write more about your small apartment living!
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I hate mopping, so my husband agreed to do it, but he never does! Honestly, a mopping robot would change my life and probably improve my marriage.
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325 sq ' - I can hardly imagine, but even with more room, compact can be good. I always wonders if the Animal was rally good or over hyped - so thanks.
A friend gave her apartment bound mother some counter dishwashing contraption years ago. It still took up too much room, and seemed more trouble than convenience.
For hang drying, take a look at the LOFTi -- available via the Grommet ( I am addicted to looking at their gadgets). It hangs on a pulley system from your ceiling, and takes a huge amount of wash, and you just lift it out of your way when not in use. It is however, 61" long - if that can fit above you tub or shower. but it's a really clever solution. And if you like a natural look, there's a wood version.
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I can hardly imagine 325 sq.ft. either. So much more room than I have.
But if I could afford the things that are being recommended, I could probably afford a larger apartment.
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I don’t live in a mega mansion, but 3k sq feet must sound huge! I can’t imagine 325 sq feet much less something even smaller! One has to really hone their living skills to prosper in such small spaces. I am way too lazy to do that! Lol!
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The LOFTi has round metal poles. The more decorative Shiela Made from the UK used rectangular wooden poles so things won't slip off them and can be easily adjusted to available space with a saw.
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