Everyone appreciates clean spaces, but few want to do the cleaning. In much of the Western world, cleaning is kept out of sight: crews work early mornings or late nights, and cleaning tools are hidden because they are associated with dirt and menial work.

In many Asian cultures, the approach is different. In Japan, cleaning is seen as more than hygiene—it reflects respect and care. In China, where most of these photographs were taken, cleaning and cleaning tools are visible parts of everyday life.