October 22, 2010
So, call us a little lazy. We rinse our dishes so well that they often look fit to return to the cupboard. However, we do not usually rinse our tea glasses or coffee mugs as thoroughly. Months of staining liquids dripping into the dishwasher left the appliance looking filthy all the time. The door and basin of the dishwasher were simply not coming clean.
I began feeling embarrassed about the condition of my dishes and flatware as well. The clean dishes were coming out cloudy, chalky, and covered in a gritty film. I would never want a guest to feel like the dishes they were eating off of were dirty!
My mother-in-law was coming to town...what's a better incentive to get this taken care of?!
I began doing some light research online, and discovered many people talking about the wonders of cleaning your dishwasher with "tang" or "kool aid." I didn't have either of those powdered drinks on hand, but I had some powdered gatorade. What's the difference, right? So, I tried the powdered gatorade on the "pots and pans" cycle. It sounded like a freight train was wooshing through my house, woke the baby, and didn't remove the stains. Awesome.
On a quick trip to Target, I decided to try and find some Tang and give it a try. Apparently, Target doesn't carry Tang. Who knew? My last option was to try kool-aid. I had nothing to lose, so I purchased two packets - tropical punch and lemonade. The more I thought about it, the more nervous I became about the tropical punch variety - who wants a pink dishwasher?! Not me! So I went with the lemonade variety, again on the pots and pans cycle. Again, lots of noise and no stain removal.
Now I'm pissed. Don't MAKE ME get on my hands and knees with a toothbrush! I was talking with my mother-in-law about my dishwashing woes. She said that she happened to have the same problem and recommended a very inexpensive solution. Lemi Shine. This product is carried at Wal-Mart and other grocery stores for around $3.50. Lemi Shine is a dishwasher cleaner and can be used in every wash, or on a regular basis for the removal of hard water and other mineral build-up that make your dishwasher dirty looking, and nasty acting.
I tried Lemi Shine, using the "4-8 hour soak" they recommend, and my dishwasher looks like new! My dishes are coming clean and there is no film.
A few things you might want to know:
1. I was ready to toss the dishwasher and get new if this didn't work, so I spent around $10 on a more expensive POWDER detergent, the Lemi Shine and a bottle of Jet Dry. Less expensive than new, I figure!
2. I learned in my research that liquid dishwashing detergent contains bleach that can weaken the seals of your dishwasher, shortening it's life. It also contains a material that makes it congeal - this material tends to make your dishes filmier looking.
Give Lemi Shine a try - you would spend $3.50 on nearly anything else without batting an eye, right?!
Showing posts with label detergent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label detergent. Show all posts
Friday, October 22, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Lather, rinse, repeat.
Monday, September 13, 2010
So, I've officially converted.
While shopping at Wal-Mart several weeks back, a representative from WISK was in the laundry detergent aisle. She offered me a $3.00 off coupon on any Wisk laundry item. I usually spend very little on my laundry detergent because I go through the stuff like it is water. However, I was going to spend around $3 (after my coupon) for a bottle of 64-load Wisk detergent. Why not?!
I brought it home and put it away until I finished my giant jug from Big Lots. Don't get me wrong, my former laundry detergent was fine. It cleaned my clothing, had a mild smell, was very inexpensive and lasted for weeks.
However, after using my Wisk laundry detergent for several days, I immediately noticed why Wisk lovers LOVE their detergent. My laundry room, garage and hallway were all filled with a wonderfully clean smell. I put on a pair of yoga pants that were freshly laundered, and smelled the clean, perfumey smell ALL DAY! My closet smells great and even clothing that needs to be washed AGAIN smells good! I cannot get enough of it!
By carefully monitoring coupons and store advertisements, I'll be able to monitor my laundry expenses. However, because I spend carefully on every thing I purchase for our home, I will allow myself to spend a bit extra on an item that I truly love. My husband loves Heinz ketchup (and refuses to use any other brand!) and I love Wisk laundry detergent!
So, I've officially converted.
While shopping at Wal-Mart several weeks back, a representative from WISK was in the laundry detergent aisle. She offered me a $3.00 off coupon on any Wisk laundry item. I usually spend very little on my laundry detergent because I go through the stuff like it is water. However, I was going to spend around $3 (after my coupon) for a bottle of 64-load Wisk detergent. Why not?!
I brought it home and put it away until I finished my giant jug from Big Lots. Don't get me wrong, my former laundry detergent was fine. It cleaned my clothing, had a mild smell, was very inexpensive and lasted for weeks.
However, after using my Wisk laundry detergent for several days, I immediately noticed why Wisk lovers LOVE their detergent. My laundry room, garage and hallway were all filled with a wonderfully clean smell. I put on a pair of yoga pants that were freshly laundered, and smelled the clean, perfumey smell ALL DAY! My closet smells great and even clothing that needs to be washed AGAIN smells good! I cannot get enough of it!
By carefully monitoring coupons and store advertisements, I'll be able to monitor my laundry expenses. However, because I spend carefully on every thing I purchase for our home, I will allow myself to spend a bit extra on an item that I truly love. My husband loves Heinz ketchup (and refuses to use any other brand!) and I love Wisk laundry detergent!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tide Stain Release
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
When I got married, I noticed that the pile of clothes that needed stain treatment was WAY bigger than when it was just my laundry – IMAGINE THAT! Then, when I had our first baby 15 months ago, the pile was just totally out of control. I have found that OxiClean (or Sun Oxygen – its less expensive competitor – found at Big Lots) does a nice job on the laundry load as a whole, but does not eliminate the toughest of stains. Most of the toughest stains come from things like baby formula and spit-up. These stains are tough because they contain protein. Like blood, formula and spit-up have so much protein in them that the stains are here to stay. As Emily has gotten older, we don’t have to worry about formula stains or spitting up, but carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash are all brightly colored stains that she wears proudly on EACH AND EVERY item of clothing!
What to do about this?! A few months back, I received a coupon in the Sunday paper for Tide Stain Release. Tide Stain Release is an in-wash “booster” that comes in a capsule much like dishwashing soap packets. You simply add the capsule to your water and detergent and throw the clothes in. You DO NOT have to wait until the capsule melts. I have found that Tide Stain Release does an AWESOME job on tough stains without soaking or pre-treating. I think it smells a bit like Sweet Tarts, but that’s just me. I can find a candy or chocolate smell in just about anything so you’ll have to test it yourself. I have been really happy with how helpful the capsules are and how much less scrubbing and pre-soaking I have had to do.
Another part to this success story is hanging clothing up to dry. Unless I am washing play clothes, old t-shirts, or jeans and undershirts/underwear, I typically hang our clothing up to dry. I find that it maintains the colorfastness of our clothes and prevents “nubbies” from forming on our cotton fabrics. Beyond this, it gives you the opportunity to inspect clothing as you are hanging it up and notice stains that didn’t quite come out on the first try. The dryer is the kiss of death for stains. Once you dry a piece of clothing, the stain is set in. If you can catch the stain before it makes it to the dryer, you have a much better shot at working the stain out. Tide Stain Release has coupons in the Sunday paper nearly every week, and most stores carry a variety of sizes that you can buy the bag in. Purchase the small bag for the first try and see how great your laundry looks! You will love not having to spend hours treating yucky stains!
My next test is going to be the new Biz Stain Fighter. I will compare the price and the viability of the product to Tide Stain Release. I’ll keep you posted!
Side note: As always, if you or someone you know is interested in Piano or Voice Lessons in the North Texas area, please visit Lindsay Walker's Piano and Voice Studio.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
When I got married, I noticed that the pile of clothes that needed stain treatment was WAY bigger than when it was just my laundry – IMAGINE THAT! Then, when I had our first baby 15 months ago, the pile was just totally out of control. I have found that OxiClean (or Sun Oxygen – its less expensive competitor – found at Big Lots) does a nice job on the laundry load as a whole, but does not eliminate the toughest of stains. Most of the toughest stains come from things like baby formula and spit-up. These stains are tough because they contain protein. Like blood, formula and spit-up have so much protein in them that the stains are here to stay. As Emily has gotten older, we don’t have to worry about formula stains or spitting up, but carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash are all brightly colored stains that she wears proudly on EACH AND EVERY item of clothing!
What to do about this?! A few months back, I received a coupon in the Sunday paper for Tide Stain Release. Tide Stain Release is an in-wash “booster” that comes in a capsule much like dishwashing soap packets. You simply add the capsule to your water and detergent and throw the clothes in. You DO NOT have to wait until the capsule melts. I have found that Tide Stain Release does an AWESOME job on tough stains without soaking or pre-treating. I think it smells a bit like Sweet Tarts, but that’s just me. I can find a candy or chocolate smell in just about anything so you’ll have to test it yourself. I have been really happy with how helpful the capsules are and how much less scrubbing and pre-soaking I have had to do.
Another part to this success story is hanging clothing up to dry. Unless I am washing play clothes, old t-shirts, or jeans and undershirts/underwear, I typically hang our clothing up to dry. I find that it maintains the colorfastness of our clothes and prevents “nubbies” from forming on our cotton fabrics. Beyond this, it gives you the opportunity to inspect clothing as you are hanging it up and notice stains that didn’t quite come out on the first try. The dryer is the kiss of death for stains. Once you dry a piece of clothing, the stain is set in. If you can catch the stain before it makes it to the dryer, you have a much better shot at working the stain out. Tide Stain Release has coupons in the Sunday paper nearly every week, and most stores carry a variety of sizes that you can buy the bag in. Purchase the small bag for the first try and see how great your laundry looks! You will love not having to spend hours treating yucky stains!
My next test is going to be the new Biz Stain Fighter. I will compare the price and the viability of the product to Tide Stain Release. I’ll keep you posted!
Side note: As always, if you or someone you know is interested in Piano or Voice Lessons in the North Texas area, please visit Lindsay Walker's Piano and Voice Studio.
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