Fun Find-Vaska Detergent

I'm a proponent for green living.  Finding a laundry detergent that meets my needs on cleaning and being green is sometimes hard.  They either have a hefty price tag or just don't work well enough for my taste.  Vaska laundry detergent is a nice even-paced buy.  It's $9.99 for 48 ounces (about 32 loads) and it is available at Target and a few other stores nationwide.  Not tested on animals, hypoallergenic, safe for babies, color tested and biodegradable it is a good find. 

Does it clean well?  I think so.  I had a one time use sample so it is hard to gauge. It was scent-free and if you buy it straight from the Vaska website now you can get $1 OFF.  It is worth checking out and trying for yourself.


*Image from lovelypackage.com

The Ionic Bulb

What cleans and lights your rooms while saving you up to 75% of energy?  The Ionic Bulb ($19.95), of course!  The Ionic Bulb claims that in a 100 square foot area it can emit a healthier, more natural light full of negative ions. These ions then attach themselves to pollutants in the air and quickly neutralizes them. Dust, smoke, pet dander, allergens, odors and more it claims to help reduce them from the air. 

Does it really do that?

It's hard to say. I can say that it lights up a room nicely, though. At first it produces a low, slightly purple glow to it but it quickly changes to regular lighting.  When we received a pack of Ionic bulbs we actually needed to replace a few bulbs throughout our house.  They light up an area just like any other bulb but no other bulb has an air purifier built right into it.  That is pretty amazing.  However, I can't say I have noticed a difference and the $20 price tag for one bulb is a bit steep.  The household pack is $49.95 and is a better deal.  If you smoke and/or have pets this might be a good alternative to test out and use the household pack. 

MPR Rating:  Three Stars

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post.  Products received are for review and testing purposes only.  Opinions are MPR's only. 

Image from purifierfilterreviews.com

Diamond Brilliance Cutlery

"With the look and feel of real silver, Diamond® Brilliance™ Disposable Cutlery is the perfect complement for elegant weddings, festive holiday parties and landmark anniversaries."

While I am not in the entertaining mood these days I do love simplicity and items that are reusable or recyclable.  Diamond Brilliance Plastic cutlery falls in both these categories.  Safe for the dishwasher and elegant enough to use for special occasions this product could even be disposable. 
What I like about this product beyond being reusable if you wanted is that unlike other plastic ware the knives don't bend and break.  They are sturdy and actually help to make an event rather than cheapen it. I only received one set but is a 30 count ($3.97), which is fantastic it was fun using them and reusing them and seeing them stand up to the heat of my dishwasher.  I still have them after a few uses too.  I think that if you are having a party or event that you want to make more special but have a limited budget then Diamond Brilliance plastic cutlery is a good way to go.

Diamond Brilliance plastic flatware is available at Walmart. 

MPR Rating: Three Stars. 

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post.  Products reviewed are for testing and review purposes only. Opinions are MPR's only.

Oliver's Labels

It's back to school time and what better way to start off the school year than with a set of Oliver's Labels.  Designed by a woman whose nephew, Oliver, kept losing things these waterproof labels are great for both kids and adults.  Stick them on cups, backpacks, laptops, cell phones and more.  They stick to everything and don't come off!

You can choose your labels by design or by product (photo label, original set, etc).  Original Labels are big and bold.  They work on many items and are really durable. They are safe and stick to items that can go from fridge, to dishwasher, microwave and outdoors.  We received a 'nature' design set and it has been great in identifying which toy belongs to which kid over the summer.  We put them on our sand and pool toys and haven't lost one yet.  I plan on using more of them for school this year too. 

Iron-on labels, clothing labels and other varieties are also available at Oliver's Labels. It is certainly worth checking out whether you have one kid or many.  They don't wash off or fade and my kids love them.

MPR Rating: Four Stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post.  All items received are for testing and review purposes only.  Opinions are those of MPR only.

Urine Off Stain Remover

I'm not really sure you can classify this as a 'Fun Find' so to speak but it is quite the find.  Urine Off (UO) is a stain and odor remover that works well on you guessed it, urine.  Specifically pet stains but if you have kids you need this product as well.  Here's how it works- UO works in combination with a specially adapted microorganisms (bacteria) that actually "eats" the uric acid crystals (the culprit in those returning stains and odors), in addition to removing the other components of urine. Removing these crystals is what distinguishes Urine Off® from other products. 

Urine Off comes with a handy black light (you will see a dull yellow glow) to see older stains or ones you might have missed and has a citrus scent that evaporates after use.  You can use it on carpet, furniture, hardwood floors, cat litter pans, cars and so much more.  Just spray it on (without other cleaners) and allow it to air dry.  For larger stains I had to reapply the UO.  If the area I was spraying was really absorbent it needed more cleaner, but it wasn't a lot of product that needed to be applied.  I found UO to be particularly handy after we spent a weekend away.  Our pet sitter came in to take care of our dog but even with a dog door the dog frequently pees on a particular stairway landing.  I think its an act of rebellion and feeling left behind.  I find myself constantly cleaning the carpet in this one spot.  Urine Off and its trusty black light helped in finding old stains and really getting to the bottom of the cleaning job.  It wasn't hard to use the light or the product and now my stairs are clean again. 

Urine Off ($4.99 and up) comes in wipe, spray or gallon form. You can buy various quantities and for specific purposes like cats, dogs, small animals and more.  It contains no bleach, peroxide or alcohol.  You can buy it online at the webstore or at vet offices and other fine stores. 

MPR Rating: Four Stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post.  All product received were for review and testing purposes only.  Opinions are MPR's own.

Flings Bins- Pop-Up Trash & Recycling Bins

The time of outdoor parties is upon us and with it a messy trash bag or bin that inevitably sits off to the side of each party either toppling over and spilling its trashy contents or just being the area that every party goer wants to avoid.  Flings Bins ($3.99 each) aims to solve that with their 1-2-3 step pop-up bins.  These portable trash and recycling bins go up fast, are incredibly compact when not in use and can go everywhere with ease.  I have two just completely flat and folded in my basement right now.  They sit on a shelf when not in use and are simple to clean too.  When I'm not using them they take up only about a few inches of space.  It's amazing!

Flings Bins are decorative and everyone will know what they are the trash can or recycling bin at your next picnic, party or camping trip.  Each bin can hold up to 60 cans or bottles or 13 gallons too.  Even better you won't tear these bins like a trash bag can and they are leak proof.  Is it weird that I think Flings Bins would actually make a pretty cool gift to the hostess with the mostess or your Eco-minded pal?  Give them to the chronic tailgater in your life as well.

Flings Bins are available on Amazon* in one or two size quantities.  You can also buy them in four and ten packs on the companies website.

MPR Rating: Four Stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post.  Products received were for review or testing purposes only.  Opinions are my own.

Earth Friendly Products Safeguard Your Home

Made from replenishable sources, never tested on animals, non-toxic, phosphate and paraben-free Earth Friendly Products offer a variety of items for household and personal use.  You know you have seen the orange and lemon circular logo.  But did you know that all the products in the Earth Friendly Product line are formulated using the Freedom Code?  That means that in addition to the products being free from the nasty items listed above, Earth Friendly Products are also petroleum, bleach, ammonia, formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane free. 

I tried a few of the products in the Earth Friendly Products family including the Parsley All-Purpose Kleener, Duo-Dish soap and the Fruit & Vegetable wash. 

The Parsley All-Purpose Kleener ($4.49, 22 oz*) is a plant based cleaner that uses the essential oils from parsley.  The first thing I noticed was the scent. It is a clean, fresh scent that is all parsley.  I liked how it wiped clean, leaving no residue and even eliminated dried yogurt, sauces and more from my kitchen table and counters.  The scent, while strong and striking, disipates quickly and leaves a bright, clean surface.  My  husband however, did not like the scent.  He thought it was too strong.  It's great for bathrooms because it is streak free but my favorite use for it is my microwave.  It not only cleans with ease, cutting through grease and it takes away any lingering odor from past nuked meals and dishes.  Fabulous! 

The DuoDish detergent was named the best 'New Vegetarian Product of 2010'.  You can use it in both the sink and the dishwasher which is impressive.  You can save yourself a bit of cash buying just this product instead of a detergent for the sink dishes and the ones that are cleaned in the dishwasher which is always nice.  This product (25 oz, price not available) actually put me off a bit at first as it looks cloudy in the bottle and seemed to move in a chunky, goopy sort of way through the bottle. However, once it is actually used it works.  It doesn't lather like traditional foamy dish soap but that is because it is chemical free. It still cleans and has very little scent. It cuts through grease and cleans well too.  In the dishwasher it does exactly the same thing and I was quite surprised.  It's an innovative, money-saving product that I really enjoyed using and the texture was fine when in use. 

Tasteless and that's a good thing. That's the Fruit & Vegetable Wash ($4.99, 22 oz) from Earth Friendly Products.  All you need to do is spray and wipe and your fruit and veggies come clean.  No strange taste is left behind and all the chemicals and pesticides are gone too.  I like to use this product per serving and over the sink to catch any additional spray.  It's not something I would normally buy but as a review it was interesting to try out.  Since you can't taste the bad stuff on your food it is hard to say how well this product works. 

In addition to these products Earth Friendly has an entire pet care line, paper products, laundry care and bathroom items.  I hope that soon I will be able to find EcoBreeze in my area as well.  I have been searching for a natural fabric refresher for quite some time and this might be worth trying.  Earth Friendly Products are available online at Amazon, Drugstore.com and in discount stores, grocery stores and many other stores nationwide. 

*Prices based on Drugstore.com

MPR Rating: Four Stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post.  Items received were for testing and review purposes only.  Opinions are solely MPR's own.

Philips GoLite BLU Energy Light

This past winter has been rough. The DC Metro area has suffered record snowfalls and it is not just our part of the country. Many areas have been inundated with more winter weather than we know what to do with. Those gray skies, cold temperatures, piles of snow and slush can lead to the winter blues too. No one likes to suffer from this form of depression, whether it is in November or in January. Philips asked me if I wanted to test out their new GoLite BLU Energy Light ($149) and I was all for it.


The GoLite BLU is small (14"x 14") in size but mighty in light. The glowing blue light is bright and should be placed at arm’s reach. I did this for fifteen minutes a day for a few weeks and actually noticed a difference in my mood. Initially it took about three days but when I skipped a day I realized that, my mood dipped down a bit and I quickly got back into my easy, GoLite routine. I would place the box (2.5" thick) on my desk first thing in the morning and let it work its magic as I checked my morning emails. If I was too busy for work, I simply placed it on the kitchen counter while I made breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is so compact and portable that I could place it anywhere at any time. It even comes with a sleeve to place it in so you can travel with it too. There is an on/off switch, treatment reminder, built-in clock and pause button on the display. This is no bulky light box like the one you are used to seeing. It is user-friendly and I quickly got the hang of it.

I will definitely be using my Philips GoLite BLU next winter to fight my winter blues and I am so glad that I get to share it with a lucky reader too. I am giving away ONE Philips GoLite BLU. All you have to do to to enter is follow my blog, The Mummy Chronicles, then let me know in the comments here. If you are already a follower (thanks!) you can comment on post there and then let me know in the comments here.  I will choose a winner at random on Monday, March 22, 2010. Good luck!

MPR Rating: Five Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this posting. Products were received and kept for testing purposes. The opinions in this review are solely my own.

Double Whammy- Twin Draft Guard & Wonder Hanger

In theory I can see how the Twin Draft Guard is supposed to elmininate air leakage and help in reducing your heating or cooling costs.  Sticking the affordable ($9.99) and easy-to-use double-sided insulation device into a window or door does work, just not in my house.  I tried in vain to stick the Twin Draft Guard under doors (interior and exterior) only to have it rumple it up and make it impossible to either shut the door or keep the guard in place.  I stuck it in windows too and the same thing happened.  Maybe it is my house.  I would like to know if anyone else had this issue because the benefits of this guard would be great.

Benefits include:  Can fit windows and doors up to 36 inches.  Can be used on interior and exterior doors with little to no installation required.  It simply slides under doors and the cotton cover is removable and washable.   It is double sided for maximum protection and helps reduce noise, dust and odors from the outside. 

Creating an airtight seal of any kind can reduce your heating and cooling bills from 13-20%, which is great for your wallet and the environment. I really wanted this product to work as we have some real drafty spots in our home.  Unfortunately, it either didn't fit in our windows or it got stuck  or didn't fit under the doors. 

Try it out at Lowe's, Walmart, Target, Walgreens and Bed, Bath and Beyond.  Let me know what you find.

MPR Rating:  Two Stars.

The Wonder Hanger ($9.99) is another one of those products that are 'As Seen on TV'.  It is a great, affordable closet organizer that works well in any budget.  If your closet is overflowing, you have trouble finding items or your clothes are frequently wrinkled due to the over crowding then the Wonder Hanger can help you.  It creates closet space by stacking. Each Wonder Hanger can hold five wood, metal or plastic hangers. It is perfect for organizing your purses as it is also quite durable.  Because of it's open mouth design you don't have to tangle with the other clothes on the Wonder Hanger when you grab another item.  That is one of my favorite parts. I have loads of space-saving hangers in my closet but trying to grab a pair of pants off one and it gets tangled up in the other pants on the hanger.  It annoys me every time. 

The Wonder Hanger is perfect for organizing clothes by season, color or similar type.  I love to hang belts off of it and it really does keep stuff free from wrinkles.  It is avaible everywhere too.  You can purchase it at CVS, online,  at Walmart, Target and Bed, Bath and Beyond too. 

MPR Rating:  Four Stars.

Disclaimer:  I was not paid for this post.  Opinions are mine alone.  Product was received for testing purposes only. 

LowBoz the Chair Silencer

Made in the USA and guaranteed not to scratch your floors LowBoz eliminates the need for felt pads and easily snaps onto your chairs within seconds.  You can use it indoors or on outdoor furniture too.  LowBoz stops the noise that can be caused by chairs scraping across your floors, which is a nice relief.

I received a one-chair pack ($19.99) in brown and while I don't have any dark wood furniture I did place them on one dining room chair for a while to see if I could notice a difference.  Whoever sat in that chair was lucky.  Their chair glided easily across the floor and in and out from under the dining room table.  No noise was detected either.  It was a nice change.  LowBoz comes in a variety of packages, including one chair and up to 24 chairs.  Colors and styles vary too depending on if you need light or dark wood finishes or grey and black for metal chairs.  There are also a good number of colors to choose from, if needed. 

What I like best is that LowBoz solved a problem we have long wondered about regarding my grandmother's walker.  Those neon-yellow tennis balls that every walker has on its back two legs are just so ugly and annoying.  They wear out too.  LowBoz solves that problem I am happy to report.  They work well on chairs for the hearing impaired as well. 

LowBoz are available online at the company's website. 

MPR Rating:  Three Stars. 

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this posting. Products were received and kept for testing purposes. The opinions in this review are solely my own.

Sniffle Buddies this Cold/Flu Season!

It's cold and flu season and if you have kids then I'm quite sure you have seen them wiping their leaking noses across the sleeve of their shirt more than once.  I know I have.  Lucky that I review products and was sent two Sniffle Buddies. One for me in an adult size and one for my four year-old in a child's size.  Sniffle Buddies are are a more sanitary, eco-friendly solution to sleeves and tissues and they work wonders when you are outside.  Quite literally it is a "buddy to catch their sniffles". 

I stuck one on my child's wrist ($9.99) before she went out to play and she began using it right away. In fact, she loved it!  She kept asking to use it after that first time.  Made from bamboo and organic cotton the fabric cover is over a not-too-tight, not-too-loose elastic with a velcro closure.  It's anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, easy to remove for an adult and completely machine washable. Did I mention that the Sniffle Buddie is also super soft? It's like wiping your nose with cashmere.  It's absorbent too.  The Sniffle Buddie let my kid play to her hearts content and she didn't have to reach for a tissue.  No redness occurred under her nose from irritation either.  I know what you are thinking though- "Great!  My kid won't use a tissue and will use his/her sleeve now instead!"  Not so.  I simply told her that it was not a tissue replacement and her sleeve was never to be used when the Sniffle Buddie is in place.  She figured it out and still uses tissues and not her sleeve.  She puts it on herself now too when she needs it as well.

I used the adult-sized Sniffle Buddie ($10.99) this fall and winter when I went running outdoors. It was perfect!  I would run a mile or so and get a runny nose. Instead of fumbling for a tissue in my waist-pack or jacket pocket I simply swiped my nose across the Sniffle Buddie I had on my wrist.  It looks like a sweatband and no one was the wiser. 

Sniffle Buddies are available online at the company website and they come in a variety of colors too.  Sniffle Buddies was created by a mother of two and a runner so you know that the product does the job. 

MPR Rating: Five Stars. 

Disclaimer:  No payment was received for this post.  Opinions are solely my own. 

VueZone Personal Video Network

The Vue Personal Video Network ($299) is a handy, compact security device that works well in your home. It comes with two wireless battery operated cameras, a network gateway with its own AC power adapter, four camera mounts for mounting your cameras, and an Ethernet cable. The personal my.VueZone.com account with 2 GB storage and the first year of membership are also free.




First off, I was pleased that the system came with its own batteries. It looks like it would be the perfect nanny cam too. The set up is easy and takes mere minutes. Simply peel and stick the magnetic mounts and the cameras are ready to be hidden or adhered anywhere they are needed or even in plain sight. There is little configuration on the Vue network gateway too. All you need to do is plug it into your router and synchronize the cameras. Viewing is almost immediate. This is great for those of us with kids who are pressed for time.

I also liked that there is no software to install. From there all you have to do is view, record or even share what is happening with your content and you can do it all online. Your VueZone account is secure so you don't have to worry about unauthorized access or an invasion of privacy either. Pricing for the Vue is fair except when you want to add additional cameras.  You can add up to fifty which is amazing, but at $99 a pop that is steep.

I think this device is wonderful because it is so easy to set up and use. It is perfect for those of us who cannot be home with our kids all the time and want to see what is going on at home with them and the sitter or even our pets. You could be on vacation and see what is going on in your home right from your desktop or laptop computer. It really is peel, stick and  view just like Vue claims. The Vue Personal Video Network can add peace of mind in mere minutes. Even better is that you can share your images with friends and family via the internet and even upload videos or pictures to Flickr and YouTube. It is fun and useful all at the same time.

Available online at the VueZone website and Amazon as well.

MPR Rating:  Four Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this posting. Products were received and kept for testing purposes. The opinions in this review are solely my own.

Fun Find- The Ultimate Cloth

Eco-friendly and needing no harsh chemicals the Ultimate Cloth ($6) can clean any hard surface with just water.  It's a great time saving, money saving cleaning item that works wonderfully.  It's also been been lab tested to remove 96% of bacteria, without using chemicals and it can cut your cleaning time in half.  Even better is that if you don't like it there is a 100% money back guarantee as well as a five year warranty.  Though I think you will find that this MiraFiber cloth works amazingly well in your home. 

It works like this- "open spaces between fibers that act as millions of tiny 'scoops' that pull dust, dirt, oil & other contaminants into the cloth and hold them until washed away with mild soap or detergent. (Can also be bleached for disinfection.)"  It's streak-free cleaning too! 

I like how the Ultimate Cloth is committed to being green and that it saves money and time. We are all so busy these days and being able to dust my living room and clean the glass table tops in another room without using different cloths is refreshing.  Less waste from paper towels! It really works and it's easy to clean too.  The Ultimate Cloth company is a small company that relies on word of mouth for advertising.  They stand behind their product and want to know if you love it or think it needs improving.  It's been fun working with them. 

The Ultimate Cloth is not available in stores but online only at this time.  For purchasing please see here.  Value Packs are available as are bigger versions for larger hands and messes. 

MPR Rating:  Four Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this posting. Products were received and kept for testing purposes. The opinions in this review are solely my own.

Name Bubbles- Names that Stick!

Name Bubbles, the press-and-stick waterproof name labels are a great stocking stuffer this holiday season.  Designed to assist anyone, but especially families, keep track of clothing, school supplies, sports equipment, baby bottles and more.   

These handy labels come in three categories- laundry safe, dishwasher safe or water resistant fun stickies.  Name Bubbles also come in a large variety of packs for all your needs like day care, camp, college, nursing home and more.  The labels are great for kids especially if you let them pick out the design.  My daughter loves sticking her labels on her cups, just in case her sister tries to take the purple one.  It makes her feel special and helps her recognize and spell her name.  I wish I had these labels when she was in daycare.  All those bottles, jars of baby food, diapers, clothes and more that I had to label all the time.  It was so time consuming. I never found a solution that would last like Name Bubbles.

No matter what style (there are a variety) you choose you can be sure that these labels will stand the test of time, dishwashers, washing machines, your kids and your lifestyle. 

MPR Rating:  Five Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this posting. Products were received and kept for testing purposes. The opinions in this review are solely my own.

SmartMouth Mouthwash

Developed by Triumph Pharmaceuticals at the State University of New York, Stony Brook, SmartMouth mouthwash is a generation three mouthwash. The zinc ions in SmartMouth do not kill the germs in your mouth but with a patented; dual-technology system (kept separate until just before use) it effectively eliminates bad breath.

Skeptical, mouthwash hating me was not too into using this product, initially. I do not like the alcohol in conventional mouthwashes that tend to dry out your mouth. This only creates more bad breath. Natural mouthwashes do not burn but often rely on a very heavy anisette flavoring that turns many people right off. SmartMouth is none of these things. It comes in two flavors- mint or cinnamon and over a period of two weeks for me and two weeks of use by my spouse we both noticed a real difference.

SmartMouth has two solutions. They oxidize bad breath germs neutralizing them and preventing them from returning. That second part is exactly why SmartMouth really works. Using it in the morning and just before bed for two weeks kept bad breath away for both my husband and me. Call me impressed. Very impressed. In fact, I do not think we can live without this product. I love it. A friend of mine gave it to her husband as a not too subtle "gift" and they both love it too. What really made me a believer in Smart Mouth? It was my bi-annual trip to the dentist. Typically, when I visit for my dental cleaning there is plaque. a fair amount of scraping and annoyance on my part. I floss twice a day, brush at least that much. This past visit was just as I was using Smart Mouth mouthwash and I had almost no plaque! The hygienist was amazed. She kept telling me how clean my teeth were and how little cleaning she had to do. The only thing different I had done in the last six months was add Smart Mouth to my daily routine.

Smart Mouth is effective, long lasting, affordable and really does what it says it does.  Smart Mouth can be purchased at all of the major retail chains such as Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Target, CVS and online at drugstore.com

MPR Rating:  Five Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this posting. Products were received and kept for testing purposes. The opinions in this review are solely my own.

California Flowers & Hint Cards

How often do you receive flowers? Once a year, maybe? Would you like to receive flowers more often?

You might be in luck then because the California Cut Flower Commission (CCFC) has come up with a “Hint Card” to help deserving women, such as yourself, drop a hint to that certain someone that they would like to receive a beautiful bouquet of the world’s freshest flowers. I received a dozen roses from the CCFC* not too long ago and they were beautiful. These roses had fresh green leaves and stems with gorgeous peachy pink petals and some tiny bright pink roses too. It certainly brightened my week. They lasted for over a week too. Included with my bouquet was a set of Hint Cards.

These Hint Cards incorporate a little romance or humor and are perfect for tucking under pillows, inside lunch bags, stuck on mirrors, left on the inside dashboard of a car, inside a wallet, placed on plates or just delivered by your own hand. I think they are a great idea and funny too. They come in a neat little stack and in a variety of colors and sayings. Each one can be easily detached and hidden somewhere or given outright. I'm forward like that. Why beat around the CCFC bush?

Want some Hint Cards of your own plus a chance to win an opportunity to win a grand prize of one free California-grown bouquet every month for one year? 25 readers will win a set of Hint Cards just by letting me know (in the comments of course) how they would use the cards or who they would give them to. I'll choose 25 readers names on Friday, July 10. Good Luck!

MPR Rating: Four Stars.

*California Cut Flowers meet the strictest growing standards in the world. They are raised in a world-class, year-round environment perfect for growing hundreds of varieties. They were also most likely still in the field just 24 hours before you purchased them and therefore are much fresher and will last longer.

Twenty-five readers have been chosen to receive the Hint Cards. In turn they are now entered to win the grand prize of flowers for a year through California Flowers. Thank you for participating!

Hint Card image from Moms Take on Things.

Purex Complete 3-in-1

Purex Complete 3-in-1 is a one sheet wonder. One sheet and all your laundry needs are complete. It comes in three scents Pure & Clean, Tropical Escape, Spring Oasis. You can use the single sheet to wash, dry and remove static from each load of laundry. All you have to do is drop the sheet in first, then your dirty laundry. When the load is done simply remember to take it out with the wet clothes and add it into the dryer. Toss when you remove the clothes from the dryer and you are done!

I tried the Pure & Clean version of this new product from Purex for a few weeks and found that I liked not having to use two to three separate products. No measuring, no bulky bottles taking up space on the laundry room shelves, and no spills from sticky detergent or fabric softener to worry about and clean up. I also like the idea that Purex is trying to be sustainable with this new product. While it may not be an all around 'green' cleaner it is less waste. It is also 100% satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. My clothes were clean, it removed stains easily and with each load they were static free.

My only issue with the Purex Complete 3-in-1 is that it isn't a green clean alternative, which is what I use on a regular basis. I don't use fabric softener either but instead reusable laundry balls. However, the Purex Complete 3-in-1 has a great starter kit (1 dispenser + 20 laundry sheets) and a refill pouch (24 sheets). The product does what it claims to do and it has received rave reviews from many users. It is a good value for your money and conveniently available in a variety of grocery and discount stores nationwide.

MPR Rating: Three Stars.

Pillow[ology] by Select Comfort

Do you destroy pillows? Do you have a love/hate relationship with your pillow? I know I do. In our house there is a minimum of six pillows on our bed at any given time. Each of us has a favorite pillow for a while and then it ends up being tossed. Too often I buy pillows and really I have no clue what I am doing. When the Sleep Number Select Comfort people asked me if I wanted a lesson in pillow[ology] I jumped at the chance to learn more and try out a custom designed pillow all for myself.

In just three easy steps you can create a personalized pillow all your own. Seriously, it took me less than ten minutes. When I talked with the Sleep Number people they first asked me about what position I sleep in (stomach sleeper), what I don't like about my current pillow and what I do like about it. From there we did the three simple steps.

First, I chose my outer support - a Silver Outercore versus the memory foam or Eurogoose. The Silver Outercore ($79.99) comes with a 5-year limited warranty and can be machine washed. I liked the Silver option because not only is it shapeable and a down filler alternative (too soft for a stomach sleeper) but it is also Antimicrobial, which helps keep away odors and bacteria from occurring.

Next, I chose the heart of my pillow a.k.a. the Inner Support Core (six different options). I chose the Memory Foam Contour ($49.99) for its added neck support and pressure point relief. This also has a 5-year limited warranty and can be spot cleaned. When it arrived I found it easy to insert into the Outercore and it really makes a difference. While the Outercore has some squish to it the foam core holds strong and supports my head and neck very comfortably. Step three had me picking out a pillow protector. There are three options to choose from and again I went with the True Silver Pillow Protector ($29.99) that eliminates odor and static. It keeps your temperature comfy and helps the pillow stay fresh and fungi free. Who can say no to that?

When it was all said and done my 'perfect pillow' came to $159. Price points typically range from $80-170 according the the Select Comfort people but parts can be changed and replaced separately over time making the pillow last longer than your standard one. When the pillow finally arrived I put it together in less than thirty seconds and immediately noticed its fluffy firmness. Can this be possible? Would it actually be too firm? No. I can say without a doubt that this pillow is the best pillow I have ever used. It is the first time I have had a pillow that I want to travel with and miss when I am away from it. I don't wake up with neck aches anymore and each night when I lay my head down on it I feel a sigh of contentment escape me. It really is the perfect pillow. It's worth every penny!

MPR Rating: Five Stars.

Scotch Brite- Greener Clean

We are all looking for ways to save money these days and many of us are also trying to combine that with an effort to 'go green'. Now 3M brings you Scotch-Brite™ Greener Clean Non-Scratch Scrub Sponge and Scour Pads, Clean Soap Loaded Scrubbers, Absorbent Cloths and Natural Bamboo Cloths. Each of the new Scotch-Brite products are reusable and can outlast rolls of paper towels (often up to 30 rolls saving you about $50) and are made from natural materials too.

The Scotch-Brite Greener Clean Non-Scratch Scrub Sponge and Scour Pads are made from the natural fibers from the agave plant which is a renewable source. They are 100% natural and 23% of that comes from recycled paper. I tried them out and found that they scour my surfaces just as well as the old type of sponge and scour pads and don't scratch my surfaces. They are great for kitchens!

Honestly, I tried so many of the new Scotch-Brite Greener products that I can't even begin to do the whole line justice. I was quite pleased with all of them. I used the Clean Soap Loaded Scrubbers to clean my bath tub in a pinch one day and found that they are indeed reusable and the soap lasts such a long time. There is no overpowering chemical soap scent either. I felt good about using this scrubber in the tub my children would be bathing in later.

All the products in the Scotch-Brite Greener Clean line performed well in a variety of cleaning tasks. They last just as long as the non-green products from the Scotch-Brite company and they are affordable too. I particularly love how the items are made from recycled paper, plastic bottles or bamboo (a renewable source just like agave). Many times the packaging is recycled as well.

Scotch-Brite Greener Clean products can be found at your local grocery and discount stores nationwide.

MPR Rating: Five Stars.

My Kids and the Refrigerator Door

I am thankful that when an appliance breaks you don’t always have to buy a new appliance. I have an old Whirlpool refrigerator that has been keeping my family’s food and beverages cold and fresh for over ten years and I really don’t want to get rid of it. Luckily when it finally did break I was able to get Whirlpool parts from my friends over at www.AppliancePartsPros.com. Here’s my story.

I have three kids, all teenagers, and my refrigerator door gets a workout every single day. Between the trips in the morning while they’re scrambling to get out to school and the fly-bys in the afternoon, that door is probably opened and closed over a hundred times a day. I suppose it was inevitable that eventually something would break.

It was a warm sunny afternoon in May and the kids were out in the yard playing basketball. This type of activity is always particularly tough on our old Whirlpool refrigerator because our household population doubles with friends and the trips in and out are multiplied by the need for a constant supply of cold beverages. It was about halfway through a game that was being contested to twenty-one when my son came out of the house with the refrigerator handle in his hand.

“Dad,” he said, “It wasn’t my fault.” If I had a dime for every time I’ve heard those words I would be a millionaire. My first instinct was anger but the look on his face made me laugh. It really wasn’t his fault. That old Whirlpool refrigerator had given us its all for ten years and it was bound to break at some point. I was just happy it was only one of the two refrigerator handles and not the appliance that had broken.

After checking to make sure the door itself wasn’t damaged, I went on line to Appliance Parts Pros and found the handle I was looking for at a price of just $33.13. It was a Whirlpool part and could be shipped that day so I could have it in hand and on the door before the week was out. I ordered the appliance part and went back outside to watch the end of the game. The whole process, from the break to the confirmation of shipping, took me less than half an hour and I had an opportunity to look through the Appliance Parts Pros website while I was ordering. They have over 1,000,000 appliance parts from all different manufacturers. I’ll never go to the hardware store again.



By: Michael B.