Chore: Everybody Cleans! 🧼

[nelsonic]

We've had a few friendly Workaway guests staying these past 2 months ... ⏳
In that time we (or at least I) have learned a lot and been reminded of even more
about living with "strangers" and no written rules... 💭

This is a photo I took of our Nespresso machine the other morning after 2 guest had used it.
I had previously cleaned the area, refilled the reservoir with water and removed the spent capsules that morning.

What's wrong with this picture? 💭

[nelsonic]

"Everybody Cleans" is a Universal Principal that applies to everyone^*
regardless of age, gender, socio-economic status, etc. You are not "above" it.

It's really simple:

1. Always clean your own mess. If you drop, spill or break something clean it up immediately.
   Don't "come back" to it later; that leads to chaos. Even if you are late for an important meeting,
   spend 20 seconds to get a cloth to clean up any mess.
2. Help others to follow rule 1. If you see someone else make a mess and not cleaning up or leaving implements/tools laying around not in their place, politely help them understand what they need to do:

"In this House, Everybody Cleans."

3. Promptly Tidy Things you have used when you no longer need them.
   This applies to all areas of home/work/life including:

• Kitchen: pots/pans, utensils, etc. either wash your own crockery/cutlery or put in dishwasher promptly.
• Dining room: wipe surfaces, remove crockery/cutlery and reset the room.
• Workshop: tools, scrap materials, dust/debris & trash.
• Garden: tools/implements, pots, garden toys, etc.
• Bedroom: dispose of trash immediately. leave shared surfaces clear so they can be cleaned easily.

To people who grew up cleaning our own mess, "Everybody Cleans" is obvious. Duh...! 🤔
If you are a naturally clean/tidy person you may wonder why we even need to write it down. 🤷‍♀️
Sadly, not everyone grew up in an environment where clean and tidy was the norm. 😢
So there are perfectly able-bodied people who do not clean up after themselves.
We need to fix that and help everyone get better at living in a beautifully clean and tidy society/world!
Not a trash-filled dystopian nightmare where everyone ignores the problem ...

ref: https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/11pnc2d/one_of_these_is_a_photo_of_a_landfill_taken_in/

Aside: It still boggles my mind to walk around certain cities and see trash on the streets! 🤯
People literally throw their garbage on the streets assuming it will be someone else's problem ... 😢
google.com/search?q=garbage+on+streets&udm=2
Reminds me of the movie Idiocracy where trash mountains are everywhere ... 🤦
If you've not seen the film or need a refresher, either watch this summary: youtu.be/OnXmmTbWICQ

Having worked in many organisations seeing people not clean up after themselves is a huge red flag! 🚩
Yes, there may be a cleaner in the building who will clean up your coffee spills and desk trash eventually,
but they are not your servant and they have many other tasks to do!
"Everybody Cleans" applies to everyone in an organisation from the intern to the CEO;
In Software Engineering not cleaning up your own mess is called Technical Debt;

^*The only exceptions to ""Everybody Cleans" are the people who are not able to clean.
a. babies who do not yet understand they have made a mess that has to be cleaned/tidied
b. reduced mobility/ability people (e.g. wheelchair bound or elderly) who cannot easily pick things up from the floor.
c. visually impaired people who cannot see.
So unless you are a baby, person with disabilities or elderly, you always clean up your own mess.

Q: Can/should we make a video to help people understand this?

Thinking of recording a short music video 🎶 📺 to help people remember the "Everybody Cleans" principal.

Tune ideas:
Everybody Hurts (cleans) - How to play Everybody Hurts by R.E.M: https://youtu.be/lMPobp_bvsM
I'm still standing (cleaning) - Elton John I'm Still Standing Guitar Lesson + Tutorial: https://youtu.be/ZuxoNp-vDW8

Next Principle to capture: "Reset The Room".

[nelsonic]

Just got home and walked into the downstairs bathroom to find this disgusting mess on the seat of the toilet:

This is beyond disgusting and totally unacceptable. 🤮😢

The person who did this may have been distracted… l
But really it’s a failure to have a system that everyone understands. 😢⏳

[nelsonic]

@iteles how do you propose we resolve this now and avoid it in future? 💭

[KrishaD20]

Hi!

I'm chiming in because seeing clutter or mess bothers me too. Perhaps we could print house rules, bathroom etiquette, and other signage to post in common areas like the bathroom and kitchen at eye level.

For example:

Bathroom Etiquette signage

While we should all know how to behave as decent human beings, unfortunately, not everyone does.

In my experience with co-living and co-working spaces like cafes and hostels, I've noticed that people tend to follow rules when they're clearly posted (e.g., CLAY Go signs).

CLean As You Go

Proper signage also enhances safety by clearly marking exits, fire safety equipment, and emergency procedures, reducing the likelihood of accidents and improving response times during emergencies. For more information, see Why Signage Can Improve Workplace Safety. In a communal setting where shared spaces and amenities are key, signage helps reinforce house rules and guidelines, ensuring a more organized, respectful, and cooperative living environment.

In the long term, implementing signage could be highly beneficial, especially once the business opens to the public.

People will likely rely on printed or written schedules, house rules, and shared app reminders for co-living etiquette. Signage plays a crucial role in co-living spaces by improving navigation, communication, and the overall community experience. Research shows that clear and effective signage can reduce confusion and stress in shared environments. For instance, a study published in PLOS ONE found that signage acts as a tool for behavioral change.

See this study for more information.

Some good signage examples are the following:

Microwave area signage

Kitchen Etiquette signage

Once implemented, signage could be an effective way to encourage good habits. What do you think? :)

[nelsonic]

@KrishaD20 want to help convert one of these pictures to a Sign we can print on the Laser? ⚡️

[KrishaD20]

@nelsonic Yes, I'd love to! ⚡️⚡️⚡️

[nelsonic]

Please pick one area of the cleaning that will have the highest impact
e.g: kitchen or bathroom and prepare to make a sign.
@iteles if you have time to help guide @KrishaD20 please do. 🙏