Comments on: Hidden gems at the market

Question: Hidden gems at the market

Balonious Assault — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:12:51 -0800

I discovered Crystal deodorant a few months ago. I had tried literally every other unscented deodorant on the market and could not find one that held up all day. It turns out that the damned rock you rub on your pits is the greatest deodorant ever, and it had been on the shelf the whole time. What other miracle products are sitting on the shelves at the market, unnoticed as I pass them by in favor of products that are more well known or have bigger advertising budgets?

By: Madamina

Madamina — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:21:31 -0800

For the ladeez, the Diva Cup literally changed my life. 35 bucks, and I haven't bought tampons since, oh, 2005. Much more comfortable, environmentally friendly, etc.

By: flex

flex — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:24:27 -0800

Lanolin (usually sold for breastfeeding) is super-healing and protective - it's great on chapped lips, scaly (winter!) feet, sore (from blowing snot) nostrils, hangnails, etc.; better than lotion or vaseline for those applications.

I picked up this stain remover stick at a store a couple months ago. It looked pretty amateur-hour on the shelf, but it WORKS - better than Shout or OxyClean.

I will second the Diva Cup.

By: roger ackroyd

roger ackroyd — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:24:43 -0800

White vinegar is the solution to all your cleaning problems.

By: maudlin

maudlin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:36:42 -0800

flex, where did you get that stick? I've been looking for a replacement for the old Spray n Wash stick, which you could just swipe on the stain and leave on for minutes or days in the laundry hamper. Does this stick allow you to leave it on as long as a few days, or do you apply, wait a few minutes, then toss the clothes in the washer?

By: Ghostride The Whip

Ghostride The Whip — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:36:57 -0800

If you're a guy, shave like your grandpa. If you don't want to chance it with an old throatcutter, grab a old-school safety razor and blades, brush, and shaving cream or soap (the kind in the tub or tube, not the can). You'll pay ridiculously low prices on a per-blade basis for an amazing shave beyond what you get with the latest 12-bladed Gillette monstrosity.

By: vytae

vytae — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:39:39 -0800

Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash is usually on the bottom shelf underneath all the expensive stuff. It doesn't stand out because Purpose only makes maybe 2 kinds of facewash, instead of the 27 varieties each from Olay and other major brands, so they don't take up 8 feet of shelving with their logo. But it's gentle and effective and very highly recommended by dermatologists.

By: Heretical

Heretical — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:46:03 -0800

The diva cup just squicks me out so much. Something about congealed blood, and ... yeah, ew. If it works for some innies, great, but no for me.

White vinegar is godly, as is baking soda. Baking soda + water = paste which is very good for covering bites.

Peppermint essential oil for cuts, scrapes, scratches, bites. Caution, it stings like a motherfucker. Bonus: you will smell amazing.

Tried tom's of maine cinnamon clove toothpaste and looove how it tastes.

For shaving, NOTHING WILL EVER beat an old fashioned mug and brush throatslitter. You can cheat and use the aforementioned '12 bladed gilette monstrosity' if you have to, especially if you're shaving other parts. (If anyone ever finds out how to prevent shaving bumps in Certain Body Parts, pleeease let me know because that shit itches.)

By: Sassyfras

Sassyfras — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:51:41 -0800

Washing soda and Borax - Some ideas

By: ottereroticist

ottereroticist — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:56:33 -0800

Green Queen Helene is the bomb for tightening and toning your skin. Be warned, though -- the Queen is tingly.

By: flex

flex — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:01:01 -0800

maudlin: I think I picked it up at Len's Mill. It's not quite as easy as the Spray 'n Wash stick - you have to wet it, and then rub it on the stain - but you can do it and leave it in the laundry hamper for a few days and it works just as well as doing right before you throw it in the washer. I got out stains that were already set in (as in already went through the dryer) with this thing. I have to go back and buy more - if you want I can bring you one at the meetup.

On topic - the "Magic Eraser" knockoffs from the dollar store are just as good as the branded product in my experience.

Also, the dollar store pregnancy tests are just as good as the $20 ones at the drugstore. (No, for serious - I know it seems sketchy, but it's true.)

By: Miko

Miko — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:05:29 -0800

I can think of a few past AskMe threads worth checking out for this question. One is frustrating me because I cannot find it. It might be seven or eight years old by now, and it was about "what products have a quality level that is much superior to similar products?" FOr that one, I remember that a popular answer was Saran Wrap, but I can't find the thread based on that.

The other group is about which generic brand products are as good or better than name brand. Here they are, one two three.

In answer to the question I'm going to offer Pomi (warning: link talks to you). They kick almost every other brand of pureed tomatoes' ass for ripeness and fresh tomato flavor. You can use part of a container and re-freeze it, and containers last unopened for ages upon ages so they are a great pantry staple. Outstandingly good.

By: elizardbits

elizardbits — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:08:06 -0800

bar shaving soap with clay is so vastly superior to alcohol-filled shave gel/foam/cream that it's almost offensive.

By: DisreputableDog

DisreputableDog — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:11:18 -0800

Also lauding the safety razor, especially if you're a woman and hate buying all those expensive razors for legs AND armpits AND anywhere else you feel the need to shave.

Lemon essential oil. Put a drop or two in the vacuum cleaner and you suddenly feel like you're in one of those commercials where they actually -like- vacuuming. A very tiny bottle has lasted me for more than a year.

By: yohko

yohko — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:28:14 -0800

Packaged rubbing alcohol wipes. A dollar or two for 100 of the things, and I can pitch them in to the toolbox, with the cleaning supplies, bandaids, camping stuff, camera case, etc. They hide them over near supplies for diabetics on the shelves.

By: jabes

jabes — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:32:05 -0800

The way you feel about your Crystal is the way I feel about my Certain Dri, which likes to live on the bottom shelf at Target. I CAN WEAR WHITE SHIRTS AGAIN!!! I'M WEARING ONE RIGHT NOW!! I wish I count insert that bouncing gmail smiley face here, that's how much I love my Certain Dri.

By: miscbuff

miscbuff — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:33:30 -0800

This question is similar.

By: jabes

jabes — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:36:53 -0800

Oh yeah and Blistex Medicated Ointment is awesome to put on at night if you have chronically dry lips. I used to wax poetic about Nivea Kiss of Relief but the Blistex is actually way better, cheaper, and you don't have to buy it online.

By: xmts

xmts — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:44:27 -0800

Not sure if you're female, but thirding the Diva Cup. I haven't bought tampons since 2006. Fantastic since now I live in a country that doesn't sell tampons.

I have a review on my blog. MeMail me if you're interested - again, if you're female.

By: trinity8-director

trinity8-director — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:45:33 -0800

Don't forget Aloe Vera for burns!

By: MsMolly

MsMolly — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:51:13 -0800

I was coming to post about Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque, but ottereroticist beat me to it, so I'll just second it.

Bump Stopper if you get ingrown hairs when shaving. Way cheaper than TendSkin.

By: cooker girl

cooker girl — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:57:35 -0800

Aquaphor is marketed for super dry skin but the stuff is MAGICAL on diaper rashes, burns (and I'm a former chef so I know burns!), and cuts & scratches. It's like Vaseline on steroids. The ingredients are simply enough but there's something in there that makes it amazing.

By: RolandOfEld

RolandOfEld — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:01:45 -0800

20 mule team borax is a great laundry booster that's also one of those simple ingredients, simple packaging, zero marketing budget items that people miss out on.

By: 2N2222

2N2222 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:12:24 -0800

For the male face, Shave Secret shaving oil beats any soap, tube or canned shaving cream. Very simple to use, soothing, lasts a long time.

By: cobaltnine

cobaltnine — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:20:09 -0800

Headache powders. I know it's a bit regional, but they're tricky (not impossible, just bottom shelf getting dusty, next to the unscented shaving soap discs) to find in the Northeast. I have never found a product to work so fast.

Also, sulphur soap. YMMV but for me it's a $3 miracle where $30 bottles of face and/or body wash did nothing for my crappy skin. No name brand, usually labelled mostly in Spanish.

By: elizeh

elizeh — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:21:18 -0800

For shaving legs, cheap conditioner works just as well as shaving gel, and lasts five or ten times longer (depending on the acreage of the area to be shaved, and how often you shave). Wouldn't recommend it for the face, just because it'll probably make you break out.

For exfoliating the face, a paste made from honey and kosher salt works better than most prepared scrubs because the honey is antiseptic and the salt is water soluble--meaning no grit to get stuck in a large pore and causing a zit.

Pear's soap has been around for, like, a century and smells amazing and not old-fashioned at all.

By: Corvid

Corvid — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:45:14 -0800

Cola syrup for nausea.

BonAmi cleansing powder for scrubbing sinks, pots, and such.

For products like these, it's useful to do as much of your shopping as possible from the bottom shelves.

By: Rad_Boy

Rad_Boy — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:07:51 -0800

cobaltnine, where can you get sulphur soap?

By: SisterHavana

SisterHavana — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:14:11 -0800

I don't know how hidden this is, but Lush's Lemony Flutter cuticle butter is absolutely amazing for my super dry elbows. It works better than anything else I've tried.

The Safeway grocery chain (Dominick's here in the Chicago area) has outstanding store brands. I actually prefer their frozen meals to many of the national brands.

By: AthenaPolias

AthenaPolias — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:23:54 -0800

Fantastic thread!

I started using vinegar for cleaning a few years ago and have been stunned at how many household uses it has. Similarly I have become a HUGE fan of baking soda - I use it primarily for exfoliating my face but it's great for chapped lips, polishing hands, cleaning the bathtub, etc etc. Also a ton of household and personal uses.

I also discovered Fels Naptha soap for stain removal a few years ago. A friend of mine grew up using it and thought it was just common throughout the US - not where I grew up! I found a bar on the bottom shelf of my local supermarket once and gave it a shot, and holy crap did it get EVERYTHING out with just a bit of scrubbing - talk about a miracle laundry product! Sadly, said supermarket shut down and I haven't seen it locally since, but my eyes are peeled. I've got some laundry to do....

By: Mchelly

Mchelly — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:24:25 -0800

Tibet Almond Stick completely masks scratches on wood furniture and floors instantly

Also, Titralac Plus is the only antacid I know of that works for both gas and nausea

By: jeremias

jeremias — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:26:26 -0800

Oh man, I swear by Champho-Phenique for cold sores, but also mosquito bites and other minor owies. It used to be one of those "cure-alls" that everyone had, i.e. my grandmother always had a little bottle of it in the medicine cabinet that came out whenever we little ones got hurt. It looks like now they actually market it directly for cold sores, but I don't think that was always the case.

By: Sassyfras

Sassyfras — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:37:00 -0800

I can't wait to go shopping again to search for hidden/unknown gems!

Oh, yes, Aloe Vera gel - great as hair gel as well as for burns.

And yes on Safeway brands. I love their root beer!

Fels Naptha - awesome. Use this, the washing soda and borax and you've got laundry detergent!

Desitin - have actually used this on severely chapped lips (at night when no one could see me with white stuff smeared all over)

Baking soda as toothpaste, shampoo, cleaner, pH balancer in the 1st laundry cycle

Vinegar as hair conditioner, cleaner (I use it almost exclusively to clean my house. Vinegar - the new smell of clean), laundry softener in the rinse cycle, rinse agent in the dishwasher

Cloth diapers - as really super absorbent cleaning rags

By: desjardins

desjardins — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:46:15 -0800

I got a bottle of no-name aloe vera gel at the dollar store and it's the best thing ever for sunburns.

By: wintersweet

wintersweet — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:48:32 -0800

I too discovered Crystal deodorant recently (more like gave in and tried it at a friend's urging and many unsuccessful experiments with other "natural" brands that made my skin break out worse than super-mainstream ones). What a revelation! It has none of the issues I worried about, and it seems to last forever. On the downside, the long-dreaded post-California-move hippie-transformation is basically complete.

Here are the the little-known (?) products that I've bought and just work:

- Gloves in a Bottle is a barrier lotion that ended my eczema. Period. Find it at fiber arts stores, medical supply stores, some beauty shops/spas, and some drug stores (and drugstore.com).

- Concentrated tomato paste in a tube lasts much longer than it says on the label and thickens and deepens chilis and pasta sauces and so on beautifully. AND ... the Whole Foods generic is way cheaper than the Italian brand name at Safeway etc. Outside of WF, it's often in the "imported foods"/Italian/European section rather than with the canned tomato paste. (The bulk oatmeal at WF is also cheaper and better than the oatmeal at Trader Joe's or Safeway.)

- Better than Bouillon is, actually, and much more convenient. I plan to try the Penzey's version soon.

- I got my super-deep bowls for microwaving my oatmeal at Daiso (they're udon bowls) and at Cost Plus World Market (chili bowls), two places I think people might not think to look for ceramics. Both places have good, sturdy ceramics if you use common sense when you look at items.

- Zuzu Luxe lipstick (at Whole Foods and probably other places) is a very nice, less chemically, longer-lasting lipstick. Took me ages to find one that lasted a while.

Sorry that most of these are US only and possibly regional.

By: fingersandtoes

fingersandtoes — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:17:32 -0800

Safeway brand diet sodas. Their knockoff of Coke Zero is perfect.

By: book 'em dano

book 'em dano — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:48:42 -0800

Dr. Bronner's does everything And it makes for entertaining reading in the shower.

By: essexjan

essexjan — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:02:17 -0800

A+D Ointment is truly the best lip balm ever, and is great in healing chafed or grazed skin.

By: Ms. Moonlight

Ms. Moonlight — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:09:14 -0800

Don't sleep on 20 mule borax, that stuff is fantastic. You can get borax in many countries.

I use a green tea and honey toner on my face. Place bag (or loose leaf) tea into mug. Add hot water (boiling is fine, you won't drink it). Add honey. Let cool and refrigerate.

Use cotton to apply on face after washing face and don't remove. Add moisturizer over it.

By: pimli

pimli — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:09:44 -0800

Swish around diluted hydrogen peroxide in your mouth for a few minutes instead of those more expensive teeth bleaching procedures or kits or gels.

I don't buy facial scrubs anymore since discovering microfiber cloths. I buy them from Daiso (my favorites are the ones that come in a pack with one light pink and one dark pink cloth. It's says it's for kitchen sinks). When I want a more heavy duty scrubbing I just use baking soda. When I want something to clear up my skin I use an aspirin tablet dissolved in a few drops of water. I haven't bought any other facial scrub for the past four years.

By: Cranberry

Cranberry — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:09:45 -0800

Aloe makes a handy little house plant, too. Handy to have in the kitchen. Just cut off a leaf? frond? arm? whatever, slit it open and apply to your burn. Hold it on until the pain stops - no scarring.

By: fraula

fraula — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:52:16 -0800

My great-grandmother did exactly what Cranberry just recommended with her aloe plant :) Works great and stops pain. Smells good, too.

In France we have savon de Marseille, which is a basic soap (apparently a lot like Dr. Bronner's) made with olive oil. Bars of it are a little expensive, but they last forever. As in, actually not much shorter than "forever". I bought three bars a year and a half ago, and the first bar is only halfway used up. I soap up with it every day to shower! (My skin is very happy, too, much better than when I used branded liquid or bar soaps.)

Jojoba oil as a facial moisturizer. It's expensive too, but a little goes a very long way. I have a tiny flask of it that's been going strong for a few months now. Naturally antiseptic and antifungal, plus it's the closest thing to natural sebum. My face is the clearest it's ever been since I started using it.

Recycle old towels as mops, if you have hard floors. (This is so common here in France that there's actually a company that sells brand-new mop towels that look like old ones.)

Nthing white vinegar for cleaning. Just don't mix it with bleach – vinegar is acidic, and acid + bleach = chlorine gas, not good. That said, as a mild acid, vinegar is also great for getting off, say, dried-out wet cat food that has glued itself to your tile floor. Instead of scrubbing with water, just put on some diluted vinegar! Comes off great. (You do also need to test if your floor will be okay with vinegar. I have a terracotta floor on which I only use vinegar to get off that sort of tough dirt, because the terracotta needs a protective coat of oil or wax, but the acid strips the oil/wax. The flip side is that this is why vinegar is great for cleaning oily kitchen counters.)

Instead of wasteful paper towels, get a big sponge to clean up wet messes. Cheap, you can rinse it out, it lasts for a long time, and it works better on big spills, since you can just squeeze out liquids in the sink and soak up more. For drying your hands in the kitchen, get 100% cotton, tightly-woven tea towels. They can be as decorative as you like, and they're washable! They'll last forever if they're made well.

By: zinful

zinful — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:37:56 -0800

I know someone mentioned it upthread, but oh my lord BON AMI really is my best friend. You can clean any hard surface with it and it's so cheap! Cute, too.

By: mskyle

mskyle — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:06:14 -0800

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand cream - if not for this stuff, my hands would be raw and crusty all winter. It's inexpensive and it lasts FOREVER because you only use a tiny bit.

Plus you can use it as lip balm and it is great for when you've got a runny nose and your nose and upper lip get all disgusting and snot-burnt.

By: Dragonness

Dragonness — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:07:37 -0800

Nivea Firming Moisturizer: my HG of body lotions. Smooths like no other, I get comments on my baby-soft skin. Ignore the firming claim, it's outstanding for smoothing and softening. Never found another lotion that effective.

Freeman Peppermint & Plum Foot Lotion: my HG of foot lotions. I have seriously dry feet when I don't use this and seriously soft feet when I do. Bad cases require several nightly treatments.

Salux Japanese Bath Wash Towel: superbly exfoliating, makes the tiniest amount of shower gel lather up like crazy. Get the real thing, it doesn't fray like the knockoffs, and exfoliates better. Readily available at Asian grocery stores.

Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment: had to give this another vote. I've been using it for over twenty years. Nothing heals my lips as quickly as this stuff.

Oregano Oil: magically heals a sore throat every time with a few drops under the tongue, washed down with a glass of water. Caution, it's strong stuff!

By: inertia

inertia — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:37:49 -0800

Nthing the DivaCup if you're female-bodied--it's the best thing ever.

Petroleum jelly is really good at taking off eye makeup. Close your eyes, smear some on your lids, and wipe off.

If you have long hair, dry your hair with a microfiber towel. Less frizz, hair will dry quicker. Also, if you have frizzy dry hair, mix a little olive oil (about a dime's worth) in with your hair gel.

Hydrogen peroxide will take out blood stains from laundry (before they are totally set) way better than stain remover.

I've always put toothpaste on my mosquito bites, it was something my grandma did and I found it to work. Oprah has now jumped on the toothpaste bandwagon...for whatever that is worth.

By: Freen

Freen — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:39:44 -0800

grapefruit seed oil for anything cuticle related. It is almost insta-magic.

By: cp311

cp311 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:19:54 -0800

Mchelly: Rubbing a walnut on wood furniture has the same effect.

Carmex original lip balm in the jar is wonderful.

By: Neely O'Hara

Neely O'Hara — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:50:06 -0800

For shaving legs, I love the Intuition razor, where the shaving cream is a solid surrounding the blades. No lathering, I can just zip, zip, zip and shave my legs in no time flat. It's perfect for lazy types like me who find the two steps of lathering and then shaving to be too onerous.

By: orange swan

orange swan — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:58:38 -0800

Vitamin E oil really helps things heal.

By: Lyn Never

Lyn Never — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:20:23 -0800

Ichthammol/drawing out salve (aka drawing salve, draw salve). Very hard to find on the shelves, though CVS sometimes has one and a lot of indie/compounding pharmacies will have it. It's a million times better than Boil-Eez, doesn't have any *caine in it, and doesn't need it. You just put a glob on some gauze, stick the gauze-glob to the boil, and let it marinate for some hours. The pain stops almost instantly, but it takes a while for it to do its magic, which is to make the boil open and drain with no poking or squeezing.

It is, however, the color and consistency of tar, smells like gasoline, and will stain. So your marination period is best spend catching up on DVDs or reading a book, not moving much, and wearing old clothes.

Old toothbrushes and mascara brushes go in a kitchen drawer for all that baking soda/borax/bon ami/etc cleaning.

By: SisterHavana

SisterHavana — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:29:40 -0800

Pill Pockets works like a charm to give dogs pills and liquid medication. I had a Welsh Terrier who was on several different medications the last several years of his life (at one point he had to take five different pills) and you never saw a dog so excited to take medicine. I don't know what I would have done without them.

By: cmoj

cmoj — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:44:44 -0800

Copper dish scrubby things. For years I wondered how people keep their pyrex cookware pristine before I discovered these. They don't scratch anything, so I use it any time I'm washing anything that has anything stuck on at all.

By: evening

evening — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:51:47 -0800

Tiger balm really does work on aches and pains. I tried it when my back was really hurting and was surprised at how effective it was. A little goes a long way. the unfortunate thing is that it smells.

By: talldean

talldean — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:19:54 -0800

Tom's of Maine toothpaste tastes better, but doesn't do nearly as good of a job keeping coffee stains off my teeth.

That aside, conditioner - any conditioner - makes a great shaving cream (for my face). I've never had issues with breaking out due to that, and it's one less bottle to pack while travelling.

Hydrogen peroxide is perhaps the best-ever way to get blood stains out of fabric. Aces.

By: dahliachewswell

dahliachewswell — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:49:38 -0800

Came in to say: Fels-Naptha, it is the best stain remover I've ever used (rub it in, scrub with a stiff bristle brush to loose, and wash normally.) I now find it at the hardware store.

Also, I recently discovered that the minerally, gross, stiff underarm stains on my shirts that I thought were permanent are MAGICALLY removed by rubbing in baking soda, saturating with white vinegar, leaving them overnight or all day and laundering as usual (maybe on a cooler wash cycle.)

Rosewater: great for spritzing on linens, on body after shower, a great facial toner, if you like the scent of roses. Can often be found for cheaper at middle eastern or indian markets.

Kinda random: Durkee's Famous Sauce is a mustardy-mayo blend condiment that is delicious with everything. It's been around forever but no one has ever heard of it.

By: chesty_a_arthur

chesty_a_arthur — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:23:53 -0800

Boroleum is a nasal analgesic ointment made specifically for those raw spots you sometimes get inside your nose. Hard to find on the shelves but can be ordered easily. Nose ointment of the gods!!!

By: thinkpiece

thinkpiece — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:55:16 -0800

Aquaphor for lips (and everywhere else)
Neosporin for any irritated bits including cuticles and zits ... especially in the winding-down phase to prevent scarring
Heeltastic for rough, dry heels
Kerasal mega moisture for feet (like fixes 'em overnight)
and my all-time favorite ...
Bio-oil, for glossing hair, moisturizing hands, taming eyebrows, softening scars, plumping lips, taking off make-up, illuminating skin anywhere, massage oil, etc etc. I LOVE BIO OIL.

By: Dolley

Dolley — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:26:30 -0800

My dermatologist recommended CeraVe cleanser and moisturizer, another brand stashed on the bottom shelves. I love, love, love this stuff.

By: ms.codex

ms.codex — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:01:45 -0800

I don't know how available this is in the US, but Gallseife (German for "gall soap") is the most amazingly effective stain remover. You get it as a bar and rub it on stains before doing the laundry. Readily available at German supermarkets and drugstores for a Euro a bar, and a single bar lasts forever. Better than any of the specialized stain removers I've used in the US.

By: jaksemas

jaksemas — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:15:48 -0800

Nthing Bon Ami- also so great for scrubbing walls. It's like a magic eraser and more for so so much cheaper.

By: ifjuly

ifjuly — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:56:30 -0800

This is a cheat that might not be applicable but: you know the netting lemons, limes, and onions come in from the produce department? If you save them in a stash, they make very good pan scrubbers for when stubborn burnt bits won't come off. They're gentler than steel wool, free, and once they're all nasty and full of dried food crud you can throw them in the dishwasher.

By: wintersweet

wintersweet — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 09:29:37 -0800

Oh, I read somewhere (the Mayo Clinic newsletter or something) that most throat lozenges have next to no actual healing benefits, so you're just looking for something that makes you feel better -- in which case pectin is a good bet. Once you're just looking for pectin instead of ridiculous claims, you can find much cheaper and, at least for me, ultimately more satisfying throat drops. The specific kind depends on what store you're in.

By: cnc

cnc — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:09:21 -0800

I don't know what it's made of, but the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is magic. It has saved me from having to spot paint the last two apartments I've lived in. Pulls big marks right off the wall, and you'd never know they were there. Amazing.

By: EmpressCallipygos

EmpressCallipygos — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:17:03 -0800

Seconding Fels-Naptha soap for stain removal, or if you can't find that try Octagon. It's particularly good for protein-based stains (I learned about this from my mother, who made a point of telling me to use it when I....er, was about twelve. I'll let you read the subtext there.)

By: EmpressCallipygos

EmpressCallipygos — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:18:31 -0800

Oh -- and plain old peppermint tea (just straight-up peppermint leaves, and nothing else) is really, really good for settling a queasy stomach or alleviating gas.

By: instamatic

instamatic — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:46:27 -0800

Car-washing microfiber towels from Costco instead of paper towels. I bought a couple of packages a few years ago, and now actually, uh, bring them with me when I visit my mom and surreptitiously leave them around her kitchen. Because they're so much better than paper towels that I can't go a weekend without them, apparently. Not to mention the vast amounts of money and storage space I'm saving not buying paper towel at Costco any more.

Also: be cautious with Mr. Clean Magic Erasers around kids (or around your own bare skin). They can leave a bright red, painful chemical burn.

Steel cut oatmeal cooked overnight in a crock pot on the warm setting. Seriously delicious, and so nice to wake up to breakfast already made.

This super-easy DIY deodorant blows away any commercial ones I've ever tried.

If you've got elementary school kids, this lice comb is well-worth the next-day-air-ship fee at Amazon. Blows away any combs you can buy at the drugstore. While you're at it, you might as well buy this magnifying visor so you can see what you're doing.

By: knile

knile — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 07:52:04 -0800

The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is "merely" melamine foam, and it is available from other sources, allegedly including Aldi Sued locations around the world.

By: The Toad

The Toad — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 06:35:57 -0800

Gallseife (magical german stain remover mentioned upthread by ms.codex) is not available in the US. I have traveling friends bring me some once a year or so. It really works! Makes for a good (if weird) travel souvenir.