|
Readers
"don't wanna live without 'em" Products
By Jennifer Slaugh, Senior Staff Writer
Think about all the different products you use day in and day
out. What household product won't you live without?
Okay
some of you are already saying this is way to easy - thanks
to modern technology and some amazing inventors over the last
100 years, some "won't live without them" products
are easy, those day to day conveniences our great-grandmothers
didn't have.
Putting
the obvious aside, think of the little products you use that
make a task SO much better, easier or the end result is just
so spectacular you will always purchase that exact product without
deviation. So here are the products our readers absolutely LOVE:
|
method
All Purpose Cleaner, Pink Grapefruit
Tiffany,
South Pointe Ward, Las Vegas Nevada Green Valley Stake
"My favorite product is the Method brand Grapefruit
All Purpose Cleaner..it works really well on everything
and the best part is no chemical smell as most Method
products use essential oils!!"
Briansmommy,
Mormonchic.com forum user
"method cleaners, smell great and I don't worry about
the kids dying or getting sick if they ingest it."
|
|
A
little about the product:
method is made with naturally-derived surfactants. It works
by absorbing dirt rather than chemically degrading it. And method
is biodegradable so you can clean your home without flushing
super-toxic chemicals down the drain into our rivers, lakes
and oceans. We're against that. Dirty doesn't have to roll downhill.
Where
to get it:
methodhome.com
-- $4.00 for a 28 fl. oz bottle
Drugstore.com
-- $4.49 for a 28 fl. oz. bottle
Amazon.com
-- $27.43 for a case - eight 28 fl. oz. bottles
Also available at Target, Linen's-n-Things, Office Depot and
some Walmart locations. Additional
locations.
|
Bar Keepers Friend
Melanie,
Moses Lake 5th Ward, Moses Lake Stake
"I
love Bar Keepers Friend. This is along the lines of a
comet like product, but better. It removes those nasty
marks in a white sink from pans and dishes with ease,
takes stains off of a white countertop and polishes things
too. It is in the cleaner isle at Walmart. It doesn't
have bleach to ruin your clothes and
|
|
on the gold
container it boasts many uses. My grandma hooked me on this stuff
and I have passed it on to lots of my friends and more family.
It has cleaned everywhere in my house. Oh yeah, he other plus
is that is it really cheap, less than $2 for a container bigger
than comet."
A little about the product:
Bar Keepers Friend® One can does it all! The best professional
powdered cleanser since 1882. The unique formula in Bar Keepers
Friend gently removes stains other cleansers can't. If you're
looking for a cleanser you can trust to clean your stainless steel,
porcelain, ceramic tile, plastic, copper, china, fiberglass, imitation
marble, tile, grout, chrome, and composition sinks--trust Bar
Keepers Friend. Bar Keepers Friend, the Can Do Cleanser! Our motto
is, "Once Tried, Always Used!"
Where
to get it:
barkeepersfriend.com
-- four 12oz. cans for $10
Also available at Walmart, Target, Linen's-n-Things, Williams
Sonoma, and other retailers.
BioBrite
SunRise Alarm Clock.
Jennifer,
Orem College 3rd Ward, Orem Utah College 2nd Stake
"I generally wake up at 4:30 a.m.,
and during the winter I have always had trouble getting
myself out of bed. I had heard about the simulated sunrise
alarm clocks and decided to try one out. One of the first
things I discovered when I started researching them is
that they are not cheap. I paid $115 for mine. Don't worry
though, because it has been worth every penny. The selling
point of the BioBrite SunRise Alarm Clock is that "the
gradual sunrise wakes you up gently and naturally. The
clock's light slowly begins to shine 30 minutes before
your wake-up time, gradually illuminating the room and
becoming brighter until it is time for you to awaken."
Starting with the very first morning that I used it, I
find that I wake up naturally just a few minutes before
the alarm sounds. The clock has the normal feature of
an alarm clock, like buzzer alarm and snooze, but it also
has the simulated sunrise and a simulated gradual sunset
that I have used a few times to coax myself to sleep.
This alarm clock has changed my mornings. I can't imaging
waking up without it."
|
A
little about the product:
The Digital SunRise Clock Advanced Model Clock is derived
from medical research on light and human behavior. In the early
morning, the biological clock is sensitive to low intensity
light. So waking to a slowly increasing light can result in
a smoother, more natural transition to wakefulness. It features
an audible back-up alarm, the ability to set dawn and dusk cycles
of 15, 30, 60 or 90 minutes, display brightness controls and
more.
Where
to get it:
biobrite.com
-- $119.95
sleepwellbaby.com
-- $115.95
amazon.com
-- $94.99
|
KitchenAid
Artisan Stand Mixer
Heather,
Alma 6th Ward, Alma Arizona Stake
"I
think EVERY home needs a KitchenAid; you can make practically
anything in it! It is so much sturdier and easier to use
than any hand held mixer. In addition to it being a great
mixer you can buy attachments for it that will make anything
from fresh pasta, to baby food, to ice-cream!" |
|
A
little about the product:
The Artisan Series model has a 325-watt motor, 5 quart bowl
with ergonomic handle, two-piece pouring shield and a tilt-back
mixer head design that provides easy access to bowl and beaters.
•
Stainless Steel Bowl with Handle, yields 9-Flour cups meaning
-
4-1/2 Loaves, 1-lb of white bread OR 9 dozen of chocolate chip
cookies OR 7 lbs of mash potatoes
•
10-Speed Solid-State Control
•
Includes
Flat Beater, Dough Hook and Wire Whip
•
Power Hub for Additional Attachments
•
Unique Mixing Actions
•
Dimensions: 13.9" H x 8.75" W x 14.1" D
Where
to get it:
shopkitchenaid.com
- $279.99
kitchen-universe.com
- $259.95
amazon.com
- $229.99 (after $20 mail-in rebate - purchase before 3/31/06)
everythingkitchens.com
- $219.99 (after $20 mail-in rebate - purchase before 3/31/06)
| Mr.
Clean Magic Eraser
Jennifer,
Orem College 3rd Ward,
Orem Utah College 2nd Stake
"I
have to admit that I was a little skeptical about the
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, but it only took one use to sell
me on the product. So, how does it work? The Mr. Clean
Magic Eraser cleaning pad
|
|
is made of
Melamine foam. Melamine Foam's micro-fibers allow it to penetrate
and scrub out stains without the need to use harsh chemicals--only
water is needed to do its job. I have used this product to clean
just about everything--from the kitchen floor, to the bathtub,
to the floorboards, to my walls. Especially on my linoleum kitchen
floors, which have looked dingy since I moved it, this sponge
worked like a charm. I have never seen my floor so clean. It truly
is like magic."
Fluffybluebird,
Mormonchic.com forum user
"This
thing is AMAZING. It gets EVERYTHING clean, from bathtubs to
the interior of my car to walls. I love it! It's inexpensive,
easy to use and it really does feel like magic, so that's an
added fun bonus. lol. LOVE IT."
Briansmommy,
Mormonchic.com forum user
"I second
the magic eraser, I'm glad they make generic ones for Target
MUCH cheaper!"
A
little about the product:
This innovative cleaning material gets into grooves
where dirt and grime are trapped. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser breaks
up tough dirt, lifting it away from surfaces, all with just
water alone. It's simple and easy to use—no fumes, gloves,
buckets, or chemicals required. Use it virtually all over the
house—from crayon marks on the walls to scuff marks on
the floors; you can even use it outside the house on patio furniture,
car interiors, car wheels, and much, much more.
Where
to get it:
Available at any discount department stores like Target, Walmart
and K-Mart, as well as supermarkets. Retails for $2-$2.50 for
a box of two erasers.
|
Mini
Measurer
Mary
Sue, Rockwood 2nd Ward, St. Louis Missouri Stake
"I
discovered this product while caring for a home bound,
bed bound sister in my ward. This little mini measurer
made measuring out her liquid medications so much easier!
At home I use it to measure my mouth wash." |
|
A
little about the product:
Glass mini
measurer similar to shot glass. Calibrated in four separate
scales: tablespoons, teaspoons, milliliters and ounces. One-ounce
capacity. Excellent for kitchen use.
Where
to get it:
kitchencrafts.com
-- $3.95
amazon.com
-- $3.95
Bed Bath and Beyond -- $3.95
|
Mechanical
Pastry Bag
Kathleen,
Wakarusa Valley Ward, Topeka Kansas Stake
"With
all the birthday treats, school snacks, Enrichment refreshments,
baby shower desserts, etc. I find myself making, this
little gadget I got for Christmas is a dream kitchen gadget!
My husband is an "closet"
|
|
cake decorator,
so we have all the tips and bags you can think of - after using
this tube, I'll do everything possible to never touch a traditional
pastry bag again! For a novice cake/cookie/cupcake decorator like
me, the bags are messy and my fingers eventually go numb. This
was a fabulous Christmas gift - I actually find myself looking
looking for chances to put stars, dots and swirls on things for
school and parties."
A
little about this product:
Much
easier to control than a conventional pastry bag, our pastry
decorating tool comes with the attachments you need to personalize
birthday cakes, decorate holiday cookies and embellish pastries
of all kinds with professional finesse. It features a stainless-steel
barrel, ten interchangeable stainless-steel tips (three large
and six small tips and one filling tip)... More and an easy-to-grip
press. The set is simple and fun to use. Instruction booklet
included. Dishwasher safe. 1-cup cap., 8 3/4" long
Where
to get it:
Williams-Sonoma
- $24.00
|
Hoover
FloorMate
Heather,
Alma 6th Ward, Alma Arizona Stake
"I
LOVE my floormate! Our house has lots of tile and wood,
so the hard surface cleaner is GREAT. I no longer have
to get the nasty mop, or bucket and make a huge deal out
of mopping the floor. I just fill up the hoover and mop
little spots as they occur, or the whole floor. It is
so easy, it makes my life much easier!"
A
little about this product:
The Hoover FloorMate Hard-Floor Cleaner is the first vac-wash-dry
cleaning system specially designed to clean most hard
floor surfaces.
- Patented SpinScrub™ Brushes
- Dual function dry/wet operation
- Beltless design
- 13-inch Cleaning Path
- Deluxe grip with solution trigger
- Brush control switch
- 27' Cord with quick release
- Lightweight
- Full One Year Warranty
|
|
Where
to get it:
overstock.com
- $129.99
walmart.com
- $134.88
amazon.com
- $159.99
Retail Range $169.99 - $179.99
This and/or models of Hover's Floor Mate Hard-Floor
Cleaners are available at Target, Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond
and other retailers.
|
Swiffer
Products!
Fluffybluebird,
Mormonchic.com forum user
"I
have an apartment, so filling up an entire bucket with
solution and getting a mop and all of that out just for
my tiny kitchenette and my itty bitty bathroom doesn't
make any sense. With my awesome Swiffers I can dust and
mop in about twenty minutes. I LOVE it. And the Wet Jet
has a little scrubby pad on the side for tougher scuffs
and stuff like that. I love it. And the solution smells
good too! The Swiffer Duster is fabulous too! You can
get a TON of uses out of each little fluffy attachment,
and with my dust allergies it's get that it HOLDS the
dust to the pads on it, and then, when it gets bad, I
can just throw it
|
|
away and replace
it with a new one! No more dusty duster or damp cloths lying around!"
A
little about this product:
Swiffer®
WetJet® is an all-in-one, ready-to-use mopping
system that thoroughly cleans the dirtiest floors quickly and
easily. The premixed cleaning solution cleans through even the
toughest dirt. Then, the disposable, super-absorbent pad absorbs
and traps the dirt.
Swiffer®
Sweeper System Start
cleaning your floors without all the hassles of the mop, bucket,
broom and dustpan. Give them a thorough clean with the complete
Swiffer® Sweeper System. You can alternate between both
dry and wet cloths for virtually any mess on your hard surface
floors. They’re even safe on wood*. (*Do not use on unfinished
oiled or waxed wooden boards.)
Swiffer
Dusters® have the trapping power of Swiffer®
in a fluffy, go-anywhere form. Swiffer Dusters use thousands
of soft, fluffy fibers that can change shape.
Where
to get it:
Available
at most discount department stores (Walmart, Target, K-Mart)
as well as supermarkets and mega stores.
Get
a $5 coupon for the Swiffer WetJet starter kits (retail
for $20) |
|
| Mr.
Clean Yellow Rubber Gloves
Prairiegirl14,
Mormonchic.com forum user
"Yellow
rubber Mr Clean gloves. No way am I touching any yucky
bathroom toilet without them. Also Clorox wipes make quick
easy clean ups very convenient."
A
little about this product:
Reusable
latex gloves, raised molded grippers on palm, cotton flock
lined, long cuff.
Where
to get it:
Available
at most retailers for about $2. |
|
Microfiber
Cleaning Towels
Briansmommy,
Mormonchic.com forum user
"I
don't have a brand name, but my greatest cleaning tool is Microfiber
towels. You can find these in the automotive section for about
$5. They are SO absorbent and you can clean with or without
water."
A
little about this product:
For everyday cleaning simply use Microfiber and water
to clean most hard surfaces. You'll find hundreds of uses -
clean mirrors, soak-up spills on hard floors and carpets, wipe
kitchen countertops and appliances and polish faucets. These
cloths are gentle enough so you can even wash your face and
remove make-up - with just Microfiber and water! You really
only need to use cleaning solutions with Microfiber to help
loosen dirt and stains on textured surfaces and in crevices
where dirt tries to hide.
Why
is Microfiber so amazing? Micro-thin wedge-shaped fibers - about
1/100th the width of a human hair fit into the tiniest spaces
and grab even micro-particles of dirt and grease. The wedge-shape
lifts the dirt and forms channels to work like straws to draw
liquid into the cloth, removing dirt and grime.And the best
part? Most of the time, you only need water to clean!
Where
to get it:
Automotive department of most retailers and also available
online - search for microfiber cleaning towels - lots of variety
and price points available.
|
Mini
Ice Cream/Cookie Scoop
Heather,
Alma 6th Ward, Alma Arizona Stake
"I
have been using my mini scoop for cookies for about a
year now, SO MUCH EASIER and cleaner! I love it! It works
great for putting the dough right onto the cookie sheet
and it's great for making cookie dough balls to freeze
for later baking." |
|
A
little about this product:
Make uniformly shaped and sized cookies quickly. Other
uses include serving sherbets and forming candy centers and
meatballs. Holds about a tablespoon of batter (~1-3/8 in diameter).
Where
to get it:
bakerscatalogue.com
- $19.95
kitchenkrafts.com
- $11.95
amazon.com
- range from $9.09 - $12.73
Also usually available at discount department stores (Target,
Walmart, K-Mart) as well as Kitchen Stores - available in plastic
or stainless steel.
|
Product
Reviews
Is this product all it's
cracked up to be?
Don't
you just love reading comments (reviews) people have left for
anyone who cares to read them on recipes, movies, books, strollers,
cars, cleaning products, computer gadgets, etc. People LOVE
to share their opinion on stuff they've tried. And reading those
opinions is a great way to learn the positive and negative features
of products or services your considering purchasing.
Consumer
Comments, or Professional Product Reviews, may not tell you
everything you need to know, nor do they always address all
of our specific concerns - our needs can be unique - but they
can help you compare the hundreds of options our free market
system has created.
Here
are some informal consumer and slightly more formal independent
reviews of as many of our readers products as we could find:
Method
Cleaning Products:
VegFamily.com
epinions.com
Bar
Keepers Friend:
dooyoo.com
ciao.co.uk
BioBrite
Sunrise Alarm Clock
amazon.com
pricegrabber.com
dreamessentials.com
KitchenAid
Artisan Stand Mixer
amazon.com
pricegrabber.com
consumerguide.com
Mr.
Clean Magic Eraser
housekeeipng.about.com
epinions.com
families.com
Hoover
FloorMate
amazon.com
epinions.com
Swiffer
WetJet
homeparents.about.com
epinions.com
housekeepingchannel.com
Swiffer
epinions.com
dooyoo.com
ciao.co.uk
Swiffer
Duster
reviewcentre.com
housecleaningchannel.com
dooyoo.com
Microfiber
Cloths
Top
10 Dusting Tools
Top
10 Cleaning Gadgets and Tools (lots of our readers favorites
got mentioned on this list)
|
