Friday, July 18, 2008

There has to be a cheaper way


I was watching a TV commercial again last night, the one where a toilet bowl brush/cleaner is being offered that you can click and throw the brush away, never getting your hands dirty. Yeah, that one. I do use some disposable items but that one has not tempted me to purchase it, even when they have offered a very nice coupon to get the original kit. I have long had an aversion to those things that I must keep resupplying to use again.

(Although I do use and love my Swifter and I use the Swifter "thingies" for dusting. They serve a purpose other than just not getting my hands dirty, they really work to get up dust and uh... cat hair... lots of cat hair. I've even found store brands. But I digress...)

I was thinking of that commercial as I swished out the toilet in the bigger bathroom this morning. I don't even use the cleaner every time (even though commercials would make you think a squirt of dish washing detergent alone won't work). Now, I do use The Works on both toilets about once a month to give them a deep cleaning... and I don't get my hands dirty. However, I still remember the first time I just used dish washing liquid and my sturdy (non-disposable) toilet bowl brush and was quite surprised that the bowl... sparkled.

Hey, wait a minute! That is not what the commercials say. I'm suppose to buy something. There is always a new and improved product out there. Right... I've been trying to renew my mind about consumerism now for at least a decade. As I've mentioned before, I'm a recovering Yuppie. It took a decade but I've learned to look at the world through different lenses, those that were not made on Madison Avenue.

By the way, I added some pictures to the sidebar this morning. It was kind of interesting chatting with my daughter on the phone while working with Blogger but she has few opportunities to talk... at least with complete sentences. I found the CD that had our old church directory photo on it, which is what sparked a moment of creativity.

I'm 5'6" (used to be 5' 6-1/2" but I am shrinking it appears) and hubby is over 6'1. Christopher is now almost as tall as his dad. I take 99% of the pictures in the family and the other 1% aren't worth showing. Hmmm... hubby still looks a little like Harrison Ford here.

I'm using Blogger's "publish later" option for tomorrow's post, which has already been written (another Meme). So... that should give me some time to check my e-mails!

Photo: Make Yourself At Home; allposters.com

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dee from Tennessee

I appreciate your blog so much...with heartfelt thanks.

Anonymous said...

Did you know you can wash swiffer cloths? I toss them in the washer all the time, I don't remember the last time I bought a new box.

DebD said...

As always something new to learn - even on toilet bowls! LOL.

Love the photos and I'm glad you shared one with you in it. Very pretty.

Iva said...

You can use dish soap in your toilet? No way! You know I have to try that tomorrow as I clean my bathroom. Thanks so much for the tip.

I really enjoy reading your blog...it's so refreshing.

sherry said...

Dish liquid in a toilet bowl. You can DO that?! Really?! I'm so ignorant. Okay. Gonna try it. Incredible. Why didn't I think of that?

Thanks. :o)

Vee said...

I use the basics on the toilet bowl...simple soap and bleach, but the next time you get one of those wonderful coupons, Brenda, I encourage you to use it. The design of the contraption works so much better than anything else I've tried and the same scrubbie can be used multiple (umpteen) times. I love mine and will never go back to a regular toilet bowl brush.

Used the "publish later" feature a few times last week and liked it...all except for the formatting. I am such a stickler about that and it doesn't allow me to edit the way I'm used to.

Have a good day "off." 'D

Vee said...

Just perused the sidebar pics...fun! Loved seeing you and the family. Your dh really does look a lot like Harrison Ford.

Kelly said...

I love the idea of the dish soap for the toilet, hey why not right?
And how wonderful to see those pictures!!

Kelly

Sibyl said...

Brenda

I really love your blog. Even though I have been homemaking for decades it is nice that I can still learn things. I love the "pantry" posts. One thing I wanted to tell you about is with your swiffer. I started using a Libman dust type mop it has a microfiber cover. I use it for dusting and even use it for mopping. Here is a link to it
http://libman.com/index.aspx?src=PD
I&ct=39&pid=128

What is so good about this is you can get replacement covers. I keep a couple on hand so I can toss them in the wash. Then they are ready to go. It cost a bit to get started with it, but you won't have to purchase replacements for a long time. I think I have had mine for 5 or 6 years and still using the same covers. Some need replacing but I think I will just repair them by sewing them up.

Sibyl

Maggie Ann said...

I wouldn't want one of those toilet thing either. And I use a squirt of hand cleanser to swish in my toilet and it does work well. And once in a blue moon I put on a special pair of yellow rubber gloves and get in there and wipe under the rim...but good. Not my favorite job..but I feel very virtueous afterwards..grin. Your post made me think of the July's First Monday Contest over at http://blueyonder(dot)typepad(dot)com/my_weblog/ Maybe you already were there.. I really enjoyed reading about favorite cleaning & favorite anythings blogger use around the house. There were lots of 'recipes'. Better get to bed now. btw, I like my swiffer too...I dampen paper towels and use them on the bottom of it sometimes. Like when company is coming...grin.

Daffodil Hill said...

So glad you added the pictures! I love seeing your faces. Your blog is among my very favorites. It has been a pleasure getting to "know" you and your family. : )

Anonymous said...

I just love your blog! I've been reading here for quite some time and I do believe that this is the first comment I have left. Your so inspiring and thought provoking I just wanted to encourage you today with a hear felt thank you.

P.S. I use the disposable toilet cleaners. I have since I found my son about to use the toilet brush to comb his hair. Ewwww....