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?

DBTFH: Placemats

Here is another question.  Why would someone buy non-washable placemats?

You know what I am talking about.  The bamboo placemats with all those little crevices just waiting for gunk.  Or fancy cloth placemats that can't be washed.  This is the penultimate example of form over function.  Isn't it?  I did a very brief search of placemat history and I can't figure out where they originated from.  I assume it was to protect the table from food and scratches, you know, when they used to build things to last so we took care of them.  So if my assumption is correct then the placemat is designed to catch food spills, so shouldn't it be washable? 

Down with non-washable placemats!!!

DBTFH: Halogen lights over your mirrors

Oh my goodness.  Never, never, never do this.  By "this" I mean put halogen lights over or pointing at your mirrors.  That is unless you like perpetually dirty looking mirrors.

Mirrors are not perfect.  They have imperfections, especially low-quality mirrors.  They are cloudy, sometimes scratched, marred.  You often can't tell unless you have a halogen light pointing directly at them.  The worst part is when you try to clean the halogen-lit mirror.  Every little fibre from your cloth shows up, every little smudge - spray as much cleaner as you want, nothing helps.

This again reinforces my point that many designers don't think about maintenance during the design phase.

Don't buy these for your home...

The Secret: Stand-up Showers

Stand-up showers are a bit annoying.  I find they have a tendency to build up mildew and mold like nobody's business, this is especially true of the glass variety.  While frequent scrubbing is one way to keep these suckers clean, I have a few extra tips to make it a little easier.

Science of Cleaning: Baking Soda

Besides being a clean freak, I am also a baking freak.  My love of baking and of learning about all things nerdy led to this posting.  It all started with an article talking about the chemistry of baking and how the different leaveners affect the finished product.  This reading occurred in my kitchen where I happened to look over at my stove top and think, "man, that needs a good cleaning."  I got out my trusty baking soda, it was sparkling in under five minutes and I thought, "why does that work so well?"

Here is what I can surmise.

Deep Clean: Textured Tile

There are three kinds of cleaning people: those who don't care, those who care a little and those who care A LOT.  This post is for those who care A LOT.  The average person is satisfied with running a mop over a floor to clean it.  Textured tile will be just fine if that is all you do to take care of it.  However, for those who really want a sparkling, eat-your-dinner-off-the-floor clean, this post is for you.

Product Review: Lootz Aprons

I was at a craft market a couple of weekends ago and I saw the most adorable and functional aprons ever!!!  I have a thing for style and function.  Style only = pointless, function only = uh? usually ugly, style + function = fantastic.  Lootz aprons definitely master this equation.