Filed under: Storage & Cleaning, Fun Stuff, Cleaning
Comedian Mike Birbiglia spent a week in the window of one of the largest department stores in the world. We joined him for 15 minutes to talk about living in public.I've never worn pajamas in public. But when Macy's gave ShelterPop the green light to interview comedian Mike Birbiglia in the window of their Herald Square store, I figured it was only polite to make Birbiglia feel at home. He has, after all, been wearing his own pajamas for the seven days he's living in the window to promote Downy's Clean Sheet Week. And I'd hate to make him feel underdressed in front of a crowd.
Of course, by now he's used to the attention. For the seven days that he ate, slept and entertained in the window, he's received his share of raps on the glass, bewildered looks and many, many facebook messages. But why the fishbowl treatment? Downy and Macy's recruited Birbiglia -- his sleep disorder inspired his book and one-man show, Sleepwalk With Me -- to prove that comfy Macy's sheets combined with freshness of Downy-washed sheets could soothe even the most notoriously bad sleeper...even in an chaotic environment.
Because Downy claims that their detergent keeps that clean-sheet-smell for seven days, the sheets in the public bed were never washed (unlike Birbiglia, who, for the record, took breaks from his display to shower).
Johnathan Fernandez
While I was there, I got a taste of the attention -- the curious faces, the camera flashes and the awkward feeling of being watched at all times. Because I know how it feels to move into a new, impersonal space, I brought him some presents from my own home to warm up his: A candy dish with my favorite mix (gummy bears and dark chocolate M&Ms) and a multi-photo frame with shots of his wife, his celebrity friends and brother. And because I can't resist a good sleepover game, we played a quick round of truth or dare (kindly excuse my singing).
Since he's been in the window, he's also hosted guests like chef Katie Lee, comedians Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter, filmmaker Lena Dunham and yes, his family. I'm proud to say I was the only one who wore pajamas -- granted, a stunning bed jacket lent from my friends at Zinke).
While I didn't actually get in the bed and smell the sheets to test the freshness -- I could only go so far in invadaing his space -- I did get a sample of Downy detergent while I was waiting outside. So maybe I'll do my own clean sheet challenge. But definitely in the privacy of my own home.
If this made you think about washing your own sheets, find out how to wash sheets the right way, get unusual uses for dryer sheets and see our newest favorite laundry product!