# let's have another round of " products that actually work," just in time for Christmas! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 17, 2011, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567 "2011-12-17T20:44:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/21 "2011-12-22T15:40:02Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > The ‘[Travelers Mug](http://www.westmarine.com/buy/products/17679-travelers-mug.html)’ by Westmarine. Its not the prettiest coffee mug, but it won’t spill & it absolutely will not break. Yes, you _can_ hammer nails with it (you might get some sloshing of coffee out of the top though). You can also engrave/personalize it (SEARS does that by me). > > If this mug springs a leak, hit the deck. You’re under fire. Is that mug dishwasher safe? Because if it is, I have several fumblefingered friends and family members who might like it. Heck, _I_ might have to get it for myself. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/22 "2011-12-22T16:01:41Z")
[Neutrogena Men® Skin Clearing Face Wash](http://www.neutrogena.com/product/neutrogena+men-+skin+clearing+face+wash.do). I shave my head and use this product as a pre-shave cleaner. Great product, a favorite on all the head-shaving boards. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/23 "2011-12-22T16:23:21Z")
> [@Prelude\_to\_Fascination](#): > > For a service that works, and it’s never a bad idea to give a gift like this, AAA auto club. A few weeks ago, I had a flat tire, and I had it on the jack, but I couldn’t get the wheel off. I don’t have jackstands, and didn’t like the idea of banging on the wheel hard enough for the car to fall off the jack. I called AAA, was told it’d be 45 minutes before the guy could get to me. About 25 minutes later, he shows up, bangs the wheel a few times, it comes off, and I changed my tire. I’ll stand by AAA til the day I die. We got that for Christmas one year and have renewed the membership ourselves since. Don’t forget it works as a discount card too - I got 30% off my glasses at LensCrafters, which is way more than my insurance would cover, and regularly get hotel discounts. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/24 "2011-12-22T22:42:47Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Heh. Round steak is cheap and flavorful, and it makes great chicken fried steak, once it’s pounded into submission. It does not do well in the GFG, though. _Sigh_ Someone needs her official “Single Guy’s Guide to Life, the Universe, and Everything”, doesn’t she? Single guys do not make chicken fried steak. This is a rare delicacy requiring strange and arcane magic to produce. As such, it is only obtainable at truck stops and/or greasy spoon-type diners. Northern brides, rightfully claimed as war prizes by stalwart Southern Gentlemen, may bravely attempt to produce Chicken Fried Steak. Their product is…edible. Sorta. But it ain’t proper Chicken Fried Steak. And please don’t tell The Druidess I said this. She tries hard, and cooks many other things well. Just not those things peculiar to realms South of Nashville. Bless her heart. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2011, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/25 "2011-12-23T00:45:05Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > Well, what _is_ it? Like a scrubbing paste? What do you clean with it? Oh - here, found a website: > **[Revive Power Paste Best Oven Cleaner Non Caustic UPVC Cleaner](http://www.revivepowerpaste.co.uk/)** > > Offical Revive Power Paste Website, Multipurpose Non Caustic Oven Cleaner UPVC Cleaner Burnt on Grease Remover. Non caustic cleaner with no fumes no smells ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2011, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/26 "2011-12-23T01:15:42Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > _Sigh_ > > Someone needs her official “Single Guy’s Guide to Life, the Universe, and Everything”, doesn’t she? > > Single guys do not make chicken fried steak. This is a rare delicacy requiring strange and arcane magic to produce. As such, it is only obtainable at truck stops and/or greasy spoon-type diners. Northern brides, rightfully claimed as war prizes by stalwart Southern Gentlemen, may bravely attempt to produce Chicken Fried Steak. Their product is…edible. Sorta. But it ain’t proper Chicken Fried Steak. > And please don’t tell The Druidess I said this. She tries hard, and cooks many other things well. Just not those things peculiar to realms South of Nashville. Bless her heart. Pffft. There’s no magic required. You just have to be willing to pound and pound and pound the steaks, and after frying them, you have to be willing to stir and stir and stir the gravy. Because it ain’t CFS without cream gravy and mashed potatoes. I realize that the Stereotypical Single Guy can just about manage to open a can of Spaghetti-Os and heat it up without cutting or burning himself, but I think that most men, even Single Guys, can learn how to make CFS…it’s just that it’s not practical to make just one serving of it. The GFG can do a dandy job on steaks that are more tender. But I wish everyone to learn from my mistake. ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2011, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/27 "2011-12-23T01:29:22Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > [Neutrogena Men® Skin Clearing Face Wash](http://www.neutrogena.com/product/neutrogena+men-+skin+clearing+face+wash.do). I shave my head and use this product as a pre-shave cleaner. Great product, a favorite on all the head-shaving boards. Thank you. My boyfriend started shaving his head a few months ago and we’ve been trying to find the perfect stuff for him. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2011, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/28 "2011-12-23T14:32:02Z")
> [@congodwarf](#): > > Thank you. My boyfriend started shaving his head a few months ago and we’ve been trying to find the perfect stuff for him. Best shave cream for the head, IMHO: [BaldGuyz Clear Gel](http://www.baldguyshopz.com/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=2&idproduct=9) Best head exfoliant: [HeadShed](http://www.headblade.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=HB&Product_Code=10300-6&Category_Code=) ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2011, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/29 "2011-12-23T16:12:20Z")
This pretty esoteric, but in the model building hobby, [Tamiya spray paints](http://www.tamiya.com/english/products/list/tamiya_spray/kit85001.htm) are the paints God would invent if He were in the paint business. Smooth spraying, good coverage, excellent self-levelling. The light grey primer, especially, is Da Bomb. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2011, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/30 "2011-12-23T16:21:49Z")
This travel mug is awesome [Thermos Leak-Proof Travel Mug](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002PY7AYS). Spill-proof and keeps my coffee warm all day long. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/31 "2011-12-23T17:03:52Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > . I have tried various ways of cleaning the windshield and nothing has fixed it, and I might consider having the windshield replaced. The first time I tried Rain-x it worked great, but later never achieved the results of the first application, and my windshield seemed to have this different surface that made things worse, almost requiring more rain-x to make it ok again just like heroins addict’s story. After several unsuccessful attempts to clean it, I made a further attempt using gasoline, yes I was that desperate to rid myself of that car drug. One cleaning seemed to help and a second one seemed to help more, then over time it seemed to get back to it’s pre-rain-x condition. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/32 "2011-12-23T17:05:19Z")
> [@Cryptic\_C62](#): > > [Snark clip-on tuners](http://www.snarktuners.com/clipongbv.html). Durable, reliable, decent price, good sensitivity level. I strongly advocate tuning by ear for newer musicians, but when you’re in a noisy area, this thing can be a total lifesaver. I just grabbed one of these and it works great. The best part is I found one for under $10, shipped! ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2011, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/33 "2011-12-23T17:37:01Z")
For the ladies, it’s time for my annual [DivaCup](http://www.divacup.com/) shill. It’s not for everyone, it has a learning curve, and it does take quite a bit of being comfortable with your body. But if it works for you, it is pretty much life-changing. In six years, I’ve not once had to rush out to buy period supplies. My bathroom garbage doesn’t fill up, and I don’t need to throw stuff away related to my period- zero waste. I’ve never had a leak. I never get caught without supplies. I never have to worry about getting my period while I’m travelling. If I stay out all night or sleep over somewhere, it’s not a problem. At this point, the thought of hanging out with smelly, blood soaked cotton anywhere near me squicks the hell out of me- the DivaCup is clean and oderless. Best off all, you only have to deal with it twice a day. Basically, my getting my period has gone from a fairly pain-in-the-butt thing where you are always kind of worried about leaks or running low on supplies, needing to deal with stuff in the bathroom every few hours, spending piles of cash on boxes of cotton, and just always being aware that it’s that special time to the point where I often forget I have my period at all. It takes less time to deal with it than it takes to brush my teeth. It’s turned my period into something I barely notice. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2011, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/34 "2011-12-23T21:41:34Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > Mister Clean Magic Erasers. > > Honest-to-GAWD, they clean damned near everything! > > The cheap knock-offs work just as well. > > Soap scum in showers. Unmentionable “taffy” at the bottom of the refrigerator. Grease. Smudges. Crayon. Unidentifiable crud. No kitchen, and no bathroom should be without a Magic Eraser. > > Mister Clean makes a Magic Eraser floor mop that doesn’t impress me that much. Probably because I’m enamored with the Swiffer Wet Jet mop concept. But I’m waiting for a Magic Eraser toothbrush, acne cleanser, and baby wipes. > > It really is MAGIC. > ~VOW The Magic Erasers really are all that. I’ve discovered the secret to cleaning my tub and shower (with glass shower doors) - any old cheap spray-on tub cleaner, then wipe it off with a wet Magic Eraser. Perfect, shining clean every time, with no elbow grease. ---
**Author:** ![UFC\_Is\_Sux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/46a35a/32.png) [@UFC\_Is\_Sux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UFC_Is_Sux)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/35 "2011-12-24T12:41:44Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Pffft. There’s no magic required. You just have to be willing to pound and pound and pound the steaks, and after frying them, you have to be willing to stir and stir and stir the gravy. Because it ain’t CFS without cream gravy and mashed potatoes. This is probably not the right forum for this response, but my CFS is the stuff of legend because I am a Southern man who intently watched his momma prepare them while growing up. And I have the clogged coronary arteries to prove it. 1. Round steak is fine, but remove as much gristle as you can. As you correctly note, you have to beat your CFS into submission on a cutting board with a toothed kitchen mallet, the heavier the better. Some of the holes should go all the way through the meat. 2. Moisten your CFS with milk, lightly salt and pepper both sides, then dredge it in flour. Remoisten the breaded meat with milk again then dredge it again until you have a nice thick coating. 3. Use a seasoned iron skillet and heat about 1/4 inch of lard (or vegetable oil for the timid) in the skillet. Heat the lard to the point that a drop of water quickly evaporates into non-existence, but not quite smoking hot. Add the meat to the skillet, cover the skillet, fry the meat for exactly 3 minutes, then turn over the meat and fry the other side for 3 minutes. Remove the meat then drain it on paper towels. 4. To prepare the gravy, drain all but about 4 TBSP of the hot lard from the skillet. Leave as many of the “flavor crystals” left behind from the frying process in the skillet as you can. Then turn up the heat to high. 5. Put enough of the leftover flour dredge into the skillet so that it soaks up some of the oil then stir, leaving the consistency slightly liquid. Add more oil or flour as necessary. Then shake about 1/4 TSP of salt and pepper into the skillet. 6. Fry the oil/flour for around 30 seconds until it turns brown (but not black - burned roux is awful), stirring constantly. Then add about 3/4 inch of cold milk to the skillet and stir. Make sure to scrape up all the roux from the bottom of the skillet as you stir. 7. Cook the gravy on high until it thickens and starts to boil, still stirring constantly. After it reaches the desired consistency, turn off the heat and spoon about 1/4 cup of the gravy onto your CFS. ---
**Author:** ![UFC\_Is\_Sux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/46a35a/32.png) [@UFC\_Is\_Sux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UFC_Is_Sux)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/36 "2011-12-24T12:48:37Z")
On Step 7, make that about 1/2 cup of gravy, not 1/4 cup. I got a curt little note saying I can’t edit my post when I try to. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/37 "2011-12-24T20:04:33Z")
See, the magic erasers seemed to do nothing for me. (Maybe we’re just too filthy, lol.) ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Stilettos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/fbc32d/32.png) [@Red\_Stilettos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Stilettos)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/38 "2011-12-24T20:43:48Z")
> [@Glory](#): > > [L’Oreal Paris Double Extend Beauty Tubes](http://www.amazon.com/LOreal-Paris-Mascara-Blackest-0-33-Fluid/dp/B001M7QLSA) mascara. I have wispy little eyelashes and this stuff is AMAZING. Easy to apply, no clumping, stays put until removed with warm water, no flaking and long long long pretty lashes. If they ever stop making it, I will be devastated! I love that stuff! You can sleep in it and it looks just as good the second day. Even tears don’t touch it. Of course, the flipside is that it can be a little tough to remove. It takes a lot of water, so I remove it in the shower. I’ll also second the DivaCup. My contribution is [these little egg poaching cups.](http://www.amazon.com/Fusionbrands-3-Inch-Silicone-Poach-Poaching/dp/B000P6FD3I) I was skeptical at first, but they work great. The whites don’t getting feathery and the process is much more forgiving with these. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/39 "2011-12-24T22:01:47Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > For the ladies, it’s time for my annual [DivaCup](http://www.divacup.com/) shill. My name is WhyNot, and I endorse this message. Except…I can’t think of a single person it would be appropriate for me to give a DivaCup to for Christmas. It’d be like giving someone anal lube or something! Too personal an item for Yuletide joy. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2011, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567/40 "2011-12-24T22:19:53Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > Not Rain-X! I read about how great it was in one of these threads, and tried it, and now whenever it rains my car sounds like I’m plucking a live turkey. The wiper blades do this groaning stick-slip thing so violently that people who know my car insist we will take their car instead. I have tried various ways of cleaning the windshield and nothing has fixed it, and I might consider having the windshield replaced. I don’t know how Rain-X got on anybody’s nice list, but I’d pay easily $50 or so to reverse that decision - maybe more… I loooove Rain-X but I’ll admit it does make the wipers chatter. But if you do a good job applying it you don’t really have to use your wipers that often anyways. When I use Rain-X the only time I really find myself using my wipers is when there’s a very light rain or when I’m driving slowly. But there’s been times where I’ve been on the freeway in rather heavy rain without even realizing it’s raining since I never bothered to turn my wipers on. The only downside is that it’s a PITA to wash your windows since all the wiper fluid just flies right off the top of the windshield. It also takes a bit of getting used to when the raid goes up instead of off to the side. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-another-round-of-products-that-actually-work-just-in-time-for-christmas/606567.md?page=3)