# Consumer items you would really hate/be screwed if they discontinued? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 13, 2026, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629 "2026-01-13T03:13:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/101 "2026-01-17T06:27:36Z")
You don’t get a slightly waxy feeling on your skin from it? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/102 "2026-01-17T06:33:22Z")
I hope you don’t leave those floss picks in the parking lot. I see them all the time, and have for many years. Just use the trash can, folks. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/103 "2026-01-18T02:28:56Z")
I was referring to Lipton’s bottled tea ---
**Author:** ![Cheetahkins](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheetahkins/32/20603_2.png) [@Cheetahkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheetahkins)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/104 "2026-01-18T03:04:20Z")
I think the whole ‘unscented’ product thing was kind of a fad - like when everything contained ‘baking soda’ - that unfortunately didn’t last long term. I say ‘unfortunately’ because it’s my preference as well, and I used to buy _everything_ unscented. But all the products are gone now except for laundry detergent and dryer sheets. I haven’t seen unscented deodorant, shampoo, lotions, etc. for at least 10 years now. And I’ve lived in several cities over the last 10 years on the East and West coasts so I think it’s a national thing. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/105 "2026-01-18T04:42:38Z")
Try this website if you’re looking for something you can’t find elsewhere. > **[The Vermont Country Store | Practical & Hard-to-Find Goods](https://www.vermontcountrystore.com/)** > > Discover The Vermont Country Store's collection of quality goods, hard-to-find merchandise, and nostalgic treasures. Shop clothing, home goods, and candy today! ---
**Author:** ![a6ka97](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/106 "2026-01-18T13:40:24Z")
> [@Cheetahkins](#): > > I say ‘unfortunately’ because it’s my preference as well, and I used to buy _everything_ unscented. But all the products are gone now except for laundry detergent and dryer sheets. I haven’t seen unscented deodorant, shampoo, lotions, etc. for at least 10 years now. I use Ban unscented anti-perspirant and Lubriderm Fragrance Free lotion, both available at my local Target store. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/107 "2026-01-18T13:44:00Z")
At one point Febreze brand odor eliminator was available in an unscented version but I can no longer find this anywhere. (What is the point of eliminating unpleasant odors only to replace them with artificial ones?) ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/108 "2026-01-18T13:54:36Z")
If it’s been a few hours, it may not be obvious anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/109 "2026-01-18T14:12:00Z")
> [@Nyvaak](#): > > Well, yeah ! > > Otherwise you have to open up the microwave and give the plate (or whatever) a quarter turn every 20 seconds or so to avoid heating one spot to boiling while another spot stays cold. > > If the item is fairly large, that means quite a length of time standing near the microwave, drumming my fingers on the counter. a cheap microwave is like 50 bucks where I live and have that built in… is your life-time not worth anything??? I mean, spending only 10 min standing there per day -opening/turning/closing-repeat (distributed over 2-3 heating sessions) - that is 61 hours of your lifetime per year - more than an extensive work week. 🧐 ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/110 "2026-01-18T14:12:43Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > I’m apparently sensitive to _something_ used in most artificial scents, because to me nearly all such products smell harshly “chemical”, like some kind of industrial cleaner. And outright give me a burning sensation if it’s too strong. > > But at this point the most I can do is put up with it. If one were to postulate a dystopian SF scenario in which a ubiquitous adulterant was secretly added to everything for nefarious purposes, you could hardly do better than “parfum”. That shit is everywhere, and you can’t even get information on just exactly what it is because it’s covered by trade secret. It could be Slurm® for all we know. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/111 "2026-01-18T14:18:51Z")
Plus, whenever you like one particular flavor or variety of a product, that sub-variety will be discontinued so that the shelves can be packed to overflowing with a different flavor or variety that you hate. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/112 "2026-01-18T14:31:26Z")
Waiting to see if the Committee finds out about Suave deodorant tropical paradise. They already removed Bath & Body Works daffodil fields. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/113 "2026-01-18T18:21:06Z")
If you have a Trader Joe’s nearby they have unscented lotion. I can only find one unscented hairspray (Tresemme) anymore and I can’t stand the smell of most others. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/114 "2026-01-18T18:47:08Z")
> [@Cheetahkins](#): > > I think the whole ‘unscented’ product thing was kind of a fad - like when everything contained ‘baking soda’ - that unfortunately didn’t last long term. I Disclosure: I worked at a personal-care product company for seven years. If “unscented” was a fad, it was a very long-lasting fad, as unscented deodorant, skin lotion, etc., have been around, to a greater or lesser degree for decades. (Though, the hip term now seems to be “fragrance-free.”) Even when I worked in the industry (late 1980s through mid 1990s), unscented products were pretty niche: they were nearly always the slowest-selling of our SKUs. But, there was clearly an audience for them (even if it was a relatively small audience), as we saw that people who bought unscented products tended to only buy those. I do believe that manufacturers understand that there’s still a niche audience who keenly wants unscented/fragrance-free products, especially anything that comes into contact with their skin. But, my educated guess is that the big, mass-market brands have largely moved away from unscented products, ceding that niche to the smaller (and, in many cases, more expensive) brands, many of which also lean into natural ingredients, etc. Also, for what it’s worth, even an “unscented” personal care product likely is not _truly_ unscented. As was explained to me by the chemists and product engineers with whom I worked, a personal care product with no fragrance at all still has an odor: the chemicals and ingredients in the products often _do_ have an odor, and it’s frequently unpleasant; the fragrances in products cover up those odors. So, even a product which is labeled “unscented” likely still has a light “masking fragrance,” for this reason. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/115 "2026-01-18T19:03:00Z")
This reminded me of the time my wife found out from the company that her favorite type of gel pen was being discountinued… she went on ebay and bought boxes of them. She had maybe gone through 10 in her whole life….and not she has more that she could use in 5 lifetimes. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/116 "2026-01-18T19:05:12Z")
If [these Hatch peppers](https://www.amazon.com/Original-Green-Chile-Zia-Company/dp/B074SZV77N/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=LOA684VB5G9W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.YxxxUIvserMfn5TgI8DN3sAJq3DgCQcm3rw7F3orv-Rq9AAB3XHwk2XBvrMHXTJ7nibtMmbS1yjlhuOq1kw6u2NsAe8VwbyssKc37IQzu-jQXbDygGeRspXeqb9JpxbNLYSQDL22093rn6i8TM31ftgBPOUs9-k2VfTR-qxJcTOC9JfiAGW39fHnwtsTn4Be-qCm4CiVYXW7iITPh-P1eHJLZGPwNirTSEFjGy8xt6rlBTi9NqyaCVnRJuA18OVnTRyrGC4Oft5SO9U7IxsaOqV1nhVBFUXGn2YtoqtAC8Q.zON5FB6Y7Q6rHoK3DodLiUEfjDiFZ2tyn6-Fxpd3oC8&dib_tag=se&keywords=hatch+peppers&qid=1768762996&sprefix=hatch+peppers%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1) ever disappear off my local store shelves, there’s gonna be hell to pay. I refuse to go back to roasting and peeling the damn things. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/117 "2026-01-18T19:06:39Z")
My father did that (bought up a lifetime supply) when his favored shaving soap was discontinued. He was using the little round cakes that fit in a shaving mug and which were used with a shaving brush. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/118 "2026-01-18T19:36:41Z")
> [@Dr.Girlfriend](#): > > I can only find one unscented hairspray (Tresemme) anymore and I can’t stand the smell of most others. Yes, and back when I wore hairspray decades ago, even the “unscented” ones had a scent. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/119 "2026-01-18T19:42:17Z")
I was moderately peeved when my local supermarket discontinued carrying [irish oatmeal](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VEKGOG?ref=nb_sb_ss_w_as-reorder_k0_1_13&=&crid=1OQS3KT7CWJKS&sprefix=irish%2Boatmeal&th=1), which has a nuttier flavor and better texture than standard oatmeal. For awhile there was only the long-cooking version available online, but more recently the quick preparation type reappeared and I laid in a supply. Aye, it’s the good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2026, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629/120 "2026-01-18T21:15:54Z")
Re: unscented, I was recently recommended a product for my son called Paul Mitchell Clear. You gotta pay for it, but it’s shampoo and conditioner with zero fragrance or additives. It almost doesn’t even feel like anything. It’s made for people with sensory sensitivities. I have a hell of a time with scents. I usually am not able to walk down the laundry aisle at the grocery store. I use unscented Sheets. For a long time I used Persil but it was really expensive to have shipped to my house. Sheets take up less space and no plastic waste. For shampoo and conditioner I use bars. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-items-you-would-really-hate-be-screwed-if-they-discontinued/1026629.md?page=7)