Product Review: Scotch-Brite Grout Scrubber

I am like a kid in a candy shop with new cleaning tools and products.  Browsing in Home Depot the other day trying to hunt down what seems to be an elusive ice cream machine, I walked by a rack with a new cleaning tool from Scotch-Brite - a grout scrubber.  Now those who read my blog regularly will know that I am slightly obsessed with grout - keeping it clean, being frustrated by it, etc.  When I saw this new product, I thought to myself: Perhaps here is my solution.

Renovations: Textured Tile

I have mentioned textured tile in a few posts now and I have to admit something - my opinion of it has changed.  I had a run-in with some textured tile about a month ago now and it has been annoying me ever since.  Luckily I have also learned a valuable lesson.

The Basics: Washing versus sanitizing

What is the difference between washing and sanitizing?  I feel like I always see sanitizing products and I've wondered to myself, how is that different from just using soap?  Well I have finally found out!

I took a Foodsafe course a few weeks ago and the instructor explained that washing is to get rid of dirt and sanitizing is to get rid of microbes (disease-causing bacteria, viruses, parasites).  A person can wash the counter and not sanitize it but you shouldn't sanitize the counter before washing it.  Why not?

Behind the Label: "Dermatologist recommended..." part 1

So I was making my way around the grocery store cleaning aisle yesterday looking for some green seals to investigate (I know what an exciting life, skulking around grocery stores) and I noticed something that has intrigued me for a while.  "Dermatologist recommended."  What does this mean?  I have often wondered about this phrase in the context of skin care products from my aromatherapy background but it is also used on laundry detergents.  I found this especially interesting considering the products it was found on were also labelled "Toxic" and were heavily scented.  What is up?