One-Shot Drain Cleaner

It does clean drains, at least to an extent.  It also cleans most other nearby surfaces. For 'cleans' I mean dissolves.  Its 91% sulfiric acid by weight, although I don't know what that works out to in laboratory terms.  Certainly follow the labels and use with caution, i.e. rubber gloves, not latex or nitrile, and something over your eyes as a minimum. It will discolour and later burn through clothing, skin, etc. As a shower cleaner, its fascinating.  That plus the baking soda I used to neutralise it (I wasn't the one who applied it, in case you wondered) made the shower whiter than it has ever been, at least since I've seen it. That said, I'm fairly certain it took some of the plastic with it. 

I can only imagine it has a similar impact on the drains, but I'm sure it does help dissolve organic matter. It didn't solve my problem, as it was too far along the pipes and they had to be taken apart outside.  It makes the drains frighteningly hot, and when the drains remain backing up it smells of sulphur. For ages... at least a day. You only need reasonable ventilation if it works, but have LOTS if it doesn't. This is the 'first' thing a lot of plumbers will try, so its worth a go (especially if you can't easily take your own pipes apart.)  They recommend regular use, so maybe it is mostly safe for your drains. I'm more ok with using it in rental properties, and there have been stories of it eating rubber casings on pipes.  Still, like any powerful chemical it can be used for good if you are careful!

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 4
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 6
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 7
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 6
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: YES
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Homeowners, Renters.

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Fairy Pomegranate & Honeysuckle

I seem to be thinking in themes lately, so I thought I would put a last bit of washing up review on.  Mostly because this is a <3.  Seriously, absolutely brings me the stupidest joy.  Mostly because it smells nice, I only *wish* they made fabric conditioner that smelled this nice.


So, if you live in the UK, you will tend to be aware that only Fairy really works well for washing up.  I can attest to that over and over, and sometimes *and over.*  It cuts through grease, actually, for real.  My hands feel better when I use it after grease or raw meat.  I've never tried the super special crazy platinum fairies (I know that's a dodgy plural!)  Insofar as I know, all of the normal ones work equally well, I've prolly tried about four of them, and never heard anyone else comment either.  So, its all about smell. 

I love this smell.  Honeysuckle on its own always seems too sickly for me, but the pomegranate just makes it perfect, I'm not sure I smell exactly pomegranate, but I smell a fruit modified honeysuckle that I adore.  Some people just don't smell it as much (tho don't find it offensive).  There are stronger smells available (like lemon, and apple).  Smell each of the bottles in the shop to make your own decision, but can I just recommend giving this one a chance if you're on the fence?

They even managed to make the red pretty (and I don't favour red).


Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 3
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 10
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10 (No other way to wash up, and washing up liquid can also be used to clean most other home surfaces)
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 7 (Seriously makes me smile at random lots, more than almost anything else so cheap or chore related at the least!)
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 2

*Do I think its the best in its field: YES
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Male, Female 

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Tesco Non Scratch Scourers

This is probably the first thoroughly neutral review I've posted.  I tend to pick things I like (or hate) regardless of how important they are in my life.  However, I'm playing the which scourer is best game right now, and it makes me want to log the options.  The absolute best are a rather odd random make that I can no longer find, even in the one shop they used to come from.  Alas.


So, these.  They appear to be entirely non-scratch, as labelled and expected.  They don't fall apart instantly (I do try to look at the type of sponge before buying).  They don't appear either as useful or as durable as several others, but they aren't at the bottom of either heap.  The yellow, let alone the white back, shows dirt a lot faster than many others, which is a concern if other people see them.  To be fair, it even makes me feel a bit more prone to binning them than I might be.  They aren't the cheapest of their type, but they are close enough.




Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 2
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 4
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 5 (Feel so neutral, but they aren't actually low)
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 6 (Other cleaning options are available, but these are one of the better ones for a variety of tasks, at least as a category)
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 2 (Sunny, right? Its not a droll)
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: YES
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Male, Female 

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Spontex Brilliant Scour

This is a new addition to my life, and I have mixed but positive opinions over its place. It often seems everyone has their own method of doing the washing up, and I'll admit one friend has anywhere from 3-6 sponges [scours] at a time adorning his sink. I'm not sure what six need to be there for, and with them all being the same colour, I'm not sure how he can tell them apart, either.

Previously, I've mostly been a one sponge [scour] and wire wool person. The wire wool is good for getting stuff off knives and tupperware, the sponge delicately deals with the non-stick and everything else. They can fall pray to grease, however, and especially the griddle pan seems to kill sponges at an alarming rate. Someone else introduced me to the silver spontex... things. They're like a wire wool (although require more elbow grease) in a more spongey like form, and they are safe for non-stick. Best of all, they don't react to badly to grease and carbon, so thus have a more extended life. I have trialled them as a grease beater (and for my friend to use when he's over, admittedly). I still use normal sponges for everyday washing up, but the more expensive spontex prolongs their lives considerably, and has in that way turned out to be economical and very useful. On the downside, I now have three things next to my sink to do the washing up. Is this one of the weird signs of getting old?

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 3
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 6 (Slightly depends how you use them)
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 6
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 7
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 3
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 2

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: YES
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Male, Female, Anyone who likes cooking regularly

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

A day late, but extra excited... Tesco cotton wool buds

I know, seriously, right? But I love cotton wool buds in every way. I may not be supposed to... but they really are handy with my generally otherwise sad ears, and they take nail polish off... and are generally good for cleaning small things. Tesco has a very sensible and useful approach, although they do have a weird beauty variant which has two different ends, is ok for certain types of cleaning, but otherwise very annoying! Still, the main ones... they work. And I have over the years found several brands that don't... in all sorts of countries!

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 1
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 10
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 4
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 7
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 7 (There really aren't any good replacements)
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 (Neutral)
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 (It really isn't...)

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: YES, BUT MY LIFE WOULDN'T BE AS GOOD
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Male, Female, Most ages, Babies

Tesco 'Naturally' Concentrated Fabric Conditioner

A really lovely fabric conditioner, I have to admit one of the things I love the most is the smell (cotton/almond). But it works well, clothes always coming out a good texture, which I haven't found true of all of them. It also seems not to set off allergies common to detergents/fabric softeners. If you leave wet clothes alone they are prone to moulding, but thats true in most cases...

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 2 (They do cheaper ones. By pennies).
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 10
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 8 (Doesn't seem to go off, not too easy to break bottle its stored in)
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 8 (Fabric conditioner is important, but not 100% paramount in all cases)
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 2 (Nice colour and packaging on a mundane product)
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 3 (Its not embarrassing at least!)

*Do I think its the best in its field: YES
*Could I live without it: MAYBE, BUT I'D BE UNHAPPY
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Male, Female, most ages

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.