Newsletter: Kitchen Renos, The Book & Carpet Powder

No-Hassle Housecleaning for

January 17, 2011

5 Surprising Cleaners You Already Have at Home
I admit - two of them are vinegar and baking soda - but one in particular is one I don't think I've EVER suggested before except for here: 5 Surprising Cleaners You Already Have .

Reviews and Opinions: Cascade All-in-1 Dishwasher Detergent Pacs
Watching the commercials of a woman bent over her dishwasher, stashing in a lasagna pan that's baked on with gook (who DOES that anyway?), and then shortly thereafter removing the same pan - now beautifully clean - made me want to try Cascade All-in-1 dishwasher detergent pacs. They come in little science fiction-worthy gelatin capsules with swirls of bright yellow and green, and claim to wash your dishes that even have stuck on, baked on food. While I didn't leave any baked on food on the dishes (I'm a stickler for rinsing dishes off before loading), I was hoping that this detergent would work decently even with the hard water that we have.

The Grade: B
The Verdict: I'll probably buy these little cleaning pacs again.
Pros: So very easy to use! Just open your main detergent receptacle, and pop one of these in. I believe they work slightly better than regular Cascade powdered detergent, which was my favorite before. I tried the lemon scent, and really liked the fragrance. Overall, they cleaned well. Cons: I still wish my glassware would come out without a bit of residue. And, these do tend to be pricier - so convenience costs! (Try them out with a coupon to make it more affordable.)

Your Turn: Have you used this product? If so, please email me YOUR opinion - send emails to christina@happyslob.com. Big thanks in advance for your input!

The Dream Behind The Book
The whole reason I started http://www.happyslob.com/ was to sell my original ebook, The Happy Slob's Guide to Housecleaning. Since then, my dream has come true and my published book is available at About the Book . If you've never had a chance to, I'd appreciate it if you check it out - and tell a friend while you're at it! And, if you're curious about my story, read the original idea at: About Me - the Happy Slob

Reader Woes - Surviving Kitchen Renos
Reader Question: "How do you survive kitchen renovations? Do any of your readers have tips or hints to help??"
If you have ideas to share, please email me at christina@happyslob.com and I'll share them on the site or here on the blog. :) While never having experienced renovations of any sort, I've heard it's dreadfully stressful...

Homemade Cleaner du Jour: A wonderfully simple carpet powder that will naturally soak up lingering unpleasant scents. A particularly great idea for pet owners who want to freshen up the floors! Freshen Up the Carpets Naturally .