# Do you know what Lestoil is? Are you aware that it is still around? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 5, 2020, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225 "2020-10-05T01:27:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [October 5, 2020, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/21 "2020-10-05T13:58:15Z")
It was in yesterday’s (10/5) puzzle. I’d never heard of it, either, and had to solve the clue through adjoining words. ---
**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:** [October 5, 2020, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/22 "2020-10-05T14:00:19Z")
Now I’m really confused. Yesterday was October 4, for one thing. Second, the link in the OP shows the puzzle of September 20, which contained the word (I checked my completed puzzle at home). Yesterday’s puzzle, that of October 4, 2020, did not. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/23 "2020-10-05T14:00:50Z")
I Googled old commercials and their motto was, “Less toil with Lestoil!” Apparently, it was an all purpose cleaner like Pine-Sol. ---
**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:** [October 5, 2020, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/24 "2020-10-05T14:27:07Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > In today’s Sunday New York Times crossword, one of the answers was “Lestoil”. I had no problem with that one. > [@Chefguy](#): > > It was in yesterday’s (10/5) puzzle. I’d never heard of it, either, and had to solve the clue through adjoining words. Wait, where are you seeing the New York Times crossword puzzle? Is it in another newspaper? Because perhaps that explains my confusion. Perhaps the syndicated puzzle is two weeks behind the one that appears in the Times itself? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/25 "2020-10-05T14:48:11Z")
Floor mopping? I didn’t know it was used for that. Mom uses it for stains in laundry. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/26 "2020-10-05T14:55:47Z")
Haven’t thought of–or looked for–it in years. I, too, avoid the cleanser aisle. I saw a TV show reference the other day to **Janitor In A Drum**. Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/27 "2020-10-05T14:57:21Z")
It’s got a pretty wide ranging set of uses. General cleaning, laundry stain removal, etc… [https://smartlabel.labelinsight.com/product/6115457/usage](https://smartlabel.labelinsight.com/product/6115457/usage) (aside- did you know that Goop/Gojo waterless hand cleaner is also fantastic for removing oily stains from laundry?) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/28 "2020-10-05T14:59:07Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Floor mopping? I didn’t know it was used for that. [And it’s a dessert topping too!](https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/shimmer-floor-wax/n8625) ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/29 "2020-10-05T15:01:24Z")
I was shocked when my mom bought some white vinegar at the supermarket to clean her washing machine and then used it on her salad later on. (I mildly dislike white vinegar, mildly enjoy balsamic, and will tolerate other types.) ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/30 "2020-10-05T15:07:55Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > I remember it. I still remember the commercial jingle: > > 🎶 It’s so easy when you use Lestoil… 🎶 Yeah, I heard the jingle in my head as soon as I read the thread title. ---
**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:** [October 5, 2020, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/31 "2020-10-05T15:16:09Z")
In our local paper, The Oregonian. It’s probably behind what’s in the NYT paper. ---
**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:** [October 5, 2020, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/32 "2020-10-05T15:17:07Z")
OK, thank you. Mystery solved. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/33 "2020-10-05T15:40:31Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > I was shocked when my mom bought some white vinegar at the supermarket to clean her washing machine and then used it on her salad later on. I use white vinegar occasionally for cooking, and less occasionally for cleaning. I sort my grocery list broadly by type (fresh/chilled, boxes & cans, frozen, non-food, etc.) to make shopping more efficient, and white vinegar always throws me. I have to actively recall that most people - and therefore most grocery stores - treat vinegar as a food item and not a cleanser. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/34 "2020-10-05T15:42:20Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > I saw a TV show reference the other day to **Janitor In A Drum**. Anyone? Poor guy is up on the shelf next to Prince Albert in a Can. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/35 "2020-10-05T16:23:34Z")
^ 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/36 "2020-10-05T16:27:35Z")
Never heard of it. I’ve had Malt-o-meal, and at least heard of Bosco. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/37 "2020-10-05T18:25:42Z")
Get on the Malt-O-Meal mobile! Get on the Malt-O-Meal mobile! Get up, get started get moving, see how good you feel! Definitely remember janitor in a drum, though I don’t recall their jingle offhand. ---
**Author:** ![mcgato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mcgato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgato)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/38 "2020-10-05T18:37:03Z")
The Philadelphia Inquirer has the NYT crossword one or two weeks after it originally appears in the NYT. It makes it weird for their calendar related puzzles, such as a Christmas tree theme in early January. I figured out the Lestoil clue, but wasn’t real sure about it. I may have vaguely remembered the product. Kind of reminds me of being at a bar about 20 years ago during a trivia contest. One question asked about the ad that included “you’re soaking in it” which is Palmolive dish detergent. A 20-something woman next to me was confused by it. I said it was from an ad from the 70s. She said that was before she was born. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/39 "2020-10-05T18:46:27Z")
> [@mcgato](#): > > Kind of reminds me of being at a bar about 20 years ago during a trivia contest. One question asked about the ad that included “you’re soaking in it” which is Palmolive dish detergent. A 20-something woman next to me was confused by it. I said it was from an ad from the 70s. She said that was before she was born. [![](https://live.staticflickr.com/37/82761504_0a1e2b25a2_c.jpg) ](https://live.staticflickr.com/37/82761504_0a1e2b25a2_c.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2020, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225/40 "2020-10-05T21:11:28Z")
On a similar note, Chiffon margarine’s [Mother Nature](https://www.google.com/search?ei=V4p7X6ydAY3e5gL0yoOYBw&q=chiffon+margarine+commercial+actress&oq=chiffon+commercial&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQARgBMgYIABAHEB4yBggAEAcQHjIGCAAQCBAeOgcIABBHELADOggIABAHEAoQHjoECAAQDToICAAQCBAHEB5QgbICWILHAmCm4AJoAnAAeACAAc4BiAHFBZIBBTUuMS4xmAEAoAEBqgEHZ3dzLXdpesgBCLgBAsABAQ&sclient=psy-ab) is still alive at 91YO and probably still pissed you fooled her re: butter. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-what-lestoil-is-are-you-aware-that-it-is-still-around/922225.md?page=3)