Reviews by Cole » bathroom

Why did I not know about this?

Cole — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:51:26 +0000

In JC Penney with Ginger, I saw this awesome UV light toothbrush sanitizer/holder by a company called Violight. As someone who has a healthy fear of germs, especially on things which go in my mouth and are supposed to make me clean, this idea is brilliant. Plus, storing toothbrushes upside down means my cats can’t add germs when they walk around the counters (I am a bad owner, I know!)

But, wait, there’s more!

No, really! The website has a crapload of different styles including a travel holder and cute little holders which would be great in a kid’s bathroom. I’ve no idea why I’ve never heard of this stuff before but I do know that I am so getting one.

Before you shop..

Cole — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:07:29 +0000

For starters, Happy Halloween. Scooby Doo 2 is playing behind me (it’s definitely the better of the two live action movies). I don’t think we’re doing much today, maybe seeing a movie and waiting around for our nonexistent trick or treaters (no one showed up last year!).

Anyway, last night I was organizing the bathroom cabinets because all our cosmetic stuff and cleaning stuff was super disorganized despite having more than ample room. I’ve been on a little organizing kick (I cleaned off the desk the other day, too; I actually have room for office supply). I had to forcefully remind Ryan not to buy anymore soap, body wash, mouthwash, hair gel or deodorant before looking in the cabinets because he has multiples of everything yet he still buys more. Ugh.

Black, white and chrome

Cole — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:04:00 +0000

I think a lot about home decor and such. My ideas aren’t always great and they don’t always get done (how long ago was it that I decided I want a canopy over our bed? And is there one? Nope.) but maybe I just need to start with smaller projects like adding an accent table in our bathroom. I used to have a pair of cheap, round tables that look nice with a glass top over the tablecloth and can even be used to hide our laundry basket. It’s the least I can do because renting doesn’t give me the opportunity to install Delta faucet or anything. My bathroom feels really themeless because of the fixtures so I want to hide/detract from them as much as possible.

A Pain In My.. Back

Cole — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:40:00 +0000

I have been a good girl when it comes to doing the dishes lately, partly because there’s fewer than if Ryan were here and partly because I cannot stand it when our freakishly shallow kitchen sink gets full. Some days, both sides can be full and, by the time I wash them all, it only fills like half of the dish rack. I kid you not. It would be nice to have a deep sink like the basin style farmhouse sinks at WholeSaleStone sinks but, of course, I can’t do that here. For now, I guess I can fantasize about having a functional (nevermind beautiful) sink as I slave over ours and hurt my back. Yay. Not.

As a side note, I remember watching some home improvement show where the crew came to help this couple who were trying to renovate their apartment so they could list upstairs. They finished the bedroom and added a beautiful bathroom complete with tile shower, clawfoot tub (the floor had to be reinforced) and a gorgeous basin sink that matched the fabric the wife had wanted to incorporate into the upstairs. I thought that was really neat!

Do you believe in magic?

Cole — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:31:00 +0000

If not, then you haven’t tried Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Find me a person who has used this little sponge-like tool and doesn’t love it and you have found a crazy person!

Basically, this little cleaning pad works well for just about everything as die-hard fans will surely attest. The box advertises a bunch of places you might try the Mr Clean Magic Eraser pads including “ranges, refrigerators, plastic patio furniture, floor tile grout, athletic shoe soles, scuff marks and dirt from walls, floors and doors” and you can even use it to break “up tough bathroom soap scum.”

It works well for scuffs and smudges on floors and walls. I used it around the plug ins and light switches where finger and hand prints show up. If you have furniture against a wall, this will work well to get rid of any smudges; I cleaned off the marks from our bedroom door handle on the wall.

If you have kids, crayons and the like on the wall will be a breeze to clean off. Your bathroom will sparkle like new if you use it on your tub, tile and porcelain surfaces.

There is a mop, too! If your messes are extra stubborn, you can try the Extra Power cleaning pads ; although the original will probably do the trick. You can also try the Magic Eraser Duo which has 2 sides, one to penetrate surface grooves and the other to wipe up everday messes.

And the best thing is, there’s no clean up. Wet the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Pad so that it’s damp and scrub away. The dampness creates a bit of a chalky conistancy and the pad is scrubbed away as you use it so you use it all the way (or most of the way) up and there’s nothing to throw away!

If you haven’t used Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Foaming Cleaner Cleaning Pads, you’re missing out!

All Aplologies

Cole — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:19:00 +0000

I did not mean to be gone for so long but moving was just hectic. Things have calmed down a bit now that we’re staying at the inn and have nothing to do. I figure I can post a bit. I had been wanting to post about of the few items I used when cleaning my house that made the job absolutely easier so I’ll get right on that.

Lysol Disinfecting Wipes 4in1 – Citrus Scent are simplay amazing. I like wipes because I don’t have to touch anything dirty and I can just throw them away. I’ve always hated using washcloths to do surface cleaning because I felt like the cloths became dirty and then I didn’t want to touch them anymore.

I’ve used a variety of wipes including Clorox and generic brands as well but really prefer the Lysol Disinfecting Wipes; they’re tough and thick without being a hassle (the new, thicker Clorox wipes are sort of quilted in a way that makes it easy to catch on sharp corners, fingernails et cetera).

Besides wiping up visible messes, the Lysol Disinfecting Wipes disinfect and kill the germs and bacteria the eye can’t see so they’re perfect for use in the kitchen (counter tops, refrigerator, freezer) and bathroom (counters, toilet, handles) where germs like to live.

I’d say the “4 in 1″ claim is a bit exaggerated because the “4″ things are that they kill germs, clean messes, are strong wipes and can be used in the kitchen and bathroom.

Silly advertising aside, these wipes are definitely handy to have around!

Swiffer Wet Jet All-In-One Power Mop

Cole — Tue, 13 May 2008 08:42:00 +0000

I bought a Swiffer Wet Jet right around the time when they first came out. I was familiar with the original Swiffer Sweeper and figured this would be a good investment. Even, then I was disappointed to learn you have to sweep or vacuum first. It seemed to me that the Swiffer Wet Jet should do this as well as function as a mop.

Still, it was quicker and less messy than a mop. I don’t like to be on contact with surfaces that seem dirty and the Swiffer Wet Jet All-In-One Power Mop Starter Kit provides me with the “barrier” I need to clean yet stay clean myself.

However, when I purchased a newSwiffer Wet Jet after moving, I was quite disappointed. Version 2.0, or whatever it is, requires batteries and they are not included! I’m not sure why this version needs batteries, but it’s just another thing to replace. If the original could do without, why not this one?

Also, this one was much more complicated to put together. The battery area requires extra pieces. With the original, it was easy to put it together but I actually had to follow directions with all the new pieces.

The revamped Swiffer Wet Jet tries to look classy but instead looks cheap and plasticy. Indeed, when there are spots I need to scrub, I sometimes wonder if I won’t break the shaft of this machine because it bends and feels weak.

As others have mentioned, the pads, solution and sponge all need to be changed fairly frequently. Although it depends how often you use your Swiffer, how much dirt you mop up and how large of an area you have to mop, refilling these articles may cost you next to nothing or an arm and a leg.

However, compared to the wet mopping pads on a regular swiffer, the Swiffer Wet Jet seems to be a vast improvement, especially when it comes to scrubbing with the provided attachments (in the case of the Wet Jet, a small, rough sponge attached via welcro the the side of the mop).

Overall, the Swiffer Wet Jet is an improvement over traditional mopping systems, but it could be more efficient and if the company continues to utilize such inefficient “upgrades,” I see myself parting with the Swiffer Wet Jet All-In-One Power Mop if something better comes along.