# Products That Really Work **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 1, 2003, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619 "2003-04-01T02:54:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/141 "2003-04-09T04:29:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Melraidin \* > \*\* > Just a quick note: one of the reasons Bag Balm’s become quite popular is Shania Twain’s recommendations of it. \*\* :eek: You mean Walgreen’s started carrying **Bag Balm[sup]R[/sup]** because _Shania Twain_-fer-Og’s-sake hawked it?! 'Scuse me, the universe as I formerly knew it just spoinged into an unsettling new reality. Croggling, Veb ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/142 "2003-04-09T04:38:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tamex \* > Where did you buy your jar funnel? I was looking for one last year when making jam and I could not find one _anywhere_! I managed to find mine at Bed, Bath and Beyond. It caught my eye and when I returned, I managed to snag the last one they had. This thing is really cool and performs like a champ. Here is a [link](http://www.eshop.msn.com/eshopframe.aspx?merchId=2424&catId=433&u=http%3a%2f%2fwww.cooking.com%2fbin%2fadredir.asp%3fCCAID%3dMSNS7%26Redir%3dhttp%253A%2f%2fwww.cooking.com%2fproducts%2fshprodde.asp%253FSKU%253D117081). Happy shopping. Evidently, **Norpro** makes a big line of canning accessories. Let us know what other goodies you discover at their site. ---
**Author:** ![litost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@litost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/litost)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/143 "2003-04-09T05:46:10Z")
Amongst the syrups available at the supermarket, I have found **Jim Bean** to be the best. There is a strong taste to the sweetness that makes breakfast delectable. But, I have been unable to find any syrup as delicious as was served in one restaurant just outside the Smoky Mountains. Any brand suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/144 "2003-04-09T05:56:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by litost \* > Amongst the syrups available at the supermarket, I have found **Jim Bean** to be the best … Is that **Jim Bean** , or **Jim Beam**? Sour mash bourbon flavored syrup over my pancakes? Might take some getting used to. ---
**Author:** ![litost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@litost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/litost)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/145 "2003-04-09T07:09:04Z")
**Jim Beam** , sorry. Yes, Bourbon flavored syrup! I mostly have it with waffles. The first time, the strong taste shook me a bit but now I am hooked. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/146 "2003-04-09T07:20:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by litost \* > \*\ ***Jim Beam** , sorry. Yes, Bourbon flavored syrup! I mostly have it with waffles. The first time, the strong taste shook me a bit but now I am hooked. \*\* Careful … it could be alcoholism setting in 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Chanteuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de053/32.png) [@Chanteuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chanteuse)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/147 "2003-04-09T14:14:41Z")
One more vote for **Oxyclean** here. That stuff saved many of my son’s outfits when he was a baby and just _hated_ to wear a bib. I tried one of the new wipes recently and was favorably impressed as well. **Orange Clean** works really well on greasy or sticky messes and smells terrific! Also great for removing crayon from non-paper surfaces (did I mention that I have a young son?) and sticker residue from new dishes and walls (I _did_ say I have a young son, didn’t I?). At the risk of sounding like I am endorsing Billy Mays _shudder_ I just have to say that the newest product he hawks– **Kaboom!** is absolutely the best thing I have ever used to clean my shower and toilet! Soap scum that I just could NOT remove with any other cleaner without nearly killing myself simply WIPED AWAY–and with a paper towel. The rust stains in my toilet bowl did not respond to repeated treatments of CLR, but after a couple applications of **Kaboom!** , they are gone. (However, because I couldn’t keep it from sliding down from under the rim, those stains are still there–they need to make it thicker and in an angled bottle for that!) And the best part is that I got it at Walmart for a fraction of the TV price! ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/148 "2003-04-09T14:46:35Z")
**DIF** wallpaper remover makes an arduous task somewhat less arduous. While that isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement, **DIF** does work very well, better than anything else I’ve tried. Scraping wallpaper is a lousy job without it, and considerably less lousy (yet still a pain) with it. Allow me to add my votes for: **OxyClean Bag Balm Diet Dr. Pepper** and **Diet Rite** drinks – only soft drink I’ve found readily available without sodium. ---
**Author:** ![birdgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/51bf81/32.png) [@birdgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/birdgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/149 "2003-04-09T18:55:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shirley Ujest \* > \*\*Oh, and how could I resist: > > \*\*The Keeper \*\* - Menstrual Cup. > > Highly recommend it to anyone who will listen. Paid itself off the first year alone. \*\* What exactly is this??? ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/150 "2003-04-10T03:07:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by birdgirl \* > \*\*What exactly is this??? \*\* It is a manually inserted (and reusable) cervical cap, unless I am quite wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/151 "2003-04-10T04:05:26Z")
**FOOD** **Sushi** **Kappou Sashimi Shoyu** :[ul]This is quite simply the finest soy sauce to use with _sushi nigiri_ or _sashimi_. Its full product name is **Kikkoman Kappou Sashimi Soy Sauce**. I’m going to list its ingredients so that the more inventive and replete-Asian-food-store-deprived among you might replicate it. [li]Soy Sauce (Kikkoman, it is presumed)[/li][li]Dried bonito extract[/li][li]Mirin[/li][li]Alcohol (That rules out the Mormons)[/li][li]Dried kelp extract (Presumably, an extract of _kombu)_[/li] I’ve used this product several times before. Last night, I scarfed down a tray of _nigiri sushi_ (_sake, ika, maguro, hamachi, ebi, tako, tekka make, kappa make_) plus two small slabs of ultra-fine _hamachi sashimi_. Recently, I’d been using my Pearl River shoyu and thought it to be all right. Last night proved me wrong beyond a doubt. The addition of bonito extract, sweetened rice wine and kelp extract created such a well rounded flavor as to be downright amazing. All of this was used in combination with the best powdered _wasabi_ I have learned of. (See next item.) I shall now bring this prized _shoyu_ to my favorite sushi bar, just as I bring my treasured **House Rayu** hot sesame chili oil to every _dim sum_ brunch.[/ul] **HIME All Natural Powdered Sushi Wasabi** :[ul]While shopping for powdered _wasabi_ at my favorite Japanese food store (Mitsuwa Marketplace, nee Yaohan) I suggest a brand to another customer. To my pleasant surprise, he corrected me and directed my attention to this product, extolling its all-natural ingredients. Since I see no reason to needlessly consume chemical dyes, I took his word and am now a devoted customer of this product. The ingredients are as follows: [li]Horseradish[/li][li]Spirulina[/li][li]Tumeric[/li] This compares to: (Kaneku Wasabi) [li]Horseradish[/li][li]Red pepper[/li][li]Ascorbic acid (a preservative)[/li][li]Citric acid[/li][li]FD&C Blue #1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)[/li][li]FD&C Yellow N[sup]o[/sup]. 5 (Tartrazine)[/ul]The choice is yours. Mine is already made.[/li] **Bread** **Ak Mak** :[ul]These crisp, wheaten crackers are an all-time contender within the so-called 'Triscuit" or “Wheat Thin” class. They have been around forever and deservingly so. Their excellent flavor and texture, along with a liberal sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds makes them prime candidates when it comes to delightful snacking or fine appetizers.[/ul] **Thomas’ English Muffins** :[ul]Little introduction is needed for this particular product. In a class by themselves, their crumb, crust and authentic corn meal coating distinguish these muffins as streets ahead of the rest.[/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Shana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@Shana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shana)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/152 "2003-04-10T05:30:23Z")
Hmm ok…as long as frivolity is not frowned upon…lol…I have a few to add! **Origins - “Anti Puffery”** - You can stay up all night and still look fresh as a daisy. This stuff gets rid of puffy eyes better than anything. Supposedly super models use it… **L’Oreal - “Voluminous Mascara”** - Best mascara ever. People ask me if I have fake eyelashes on! **Neutrogena - “Norwegian Formula Hand Cream”** - I’m surprised no one has mentioned this yet. It’s great for chapped hands and it’s not greasy! Yipee! **Burt’s Bees** - Anything by this company is fabulous. Specifically the carrot night cream and the honey and almond hand cream…They smell delicious. Also, **Alleve** - This seems to be the only over the counter pain killer that works for me. **Dannon - “Le Creme Yogurt”** - The caramel flavor is the best! This is a whole milk yogurt…Not for the fat free set…sorry. I would almost choose this over ice cream…It’s that good. **Sun and Earth cleaning products** - They smell fantastic and they’re environmentally safe. I used to only see this brand in the health food store, but recently I’ve spotted it in the grocery store as well. Oh, and um…do people really put **Miracle Whip** on their face?? lol ---
**Author:** ![fizgig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f04885/32.png) [@fizgig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizgig)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/153 "2003-04-10T06:58:57Z")
I can’t get to page 3 of this thread, so apologies if these are repeats: **Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer** is the best concealer ever. Dab it on a zit, blend with a brush or foam tip, and zit is gone! Also for undereyes when the light stuff just won’t do. It also stays put all day. **Barkeeper’s Friend** cleaner takes stains of metal sinks better than Comet or any other scrubber. If not used judiciously, it can scratch up smooth surfaces, but is awesome for move-out cleanup and really gets the stains. It’s often sold in the bar supplies section rather than cleaning supplies section at the supermarket. **Nalgene** bottles. I have 4 32 ouncers for water. They are indestructable, easily cleanable, the caps are attached to the bottles via a sturdy loop, and now the wide-mouths are available in an array of attractive colors. Drinking at least 2 per day helps me keep track of my water consumption. **DocMarten** shoes last for yonks. I’ve had my mustard-colored boots since my freshman year of college, making them my oldest pair of shoes. **Leatherman Wave** multi-tool. None of the shortcomings listed by **Zenster**. It slices, dices, has rounded edges so you can really grip the pliers, and the blades flip out from the outside of the handle, so the tool doesn’t have to be open to get to them. All the blades also have effective locking mechanisms. **Biolage shampoo and conditioner** rocks. It’s spendy, but lasts a long time. The shampoo doesn’t build up, and doesn’t dry out my hair. The conditioner is light yet effective, and rinses out easily. **John Frieda’s Kelp Help** intensive conditioner. My hairdresser wanted to know what I used to get my hair so slick! **Samsung Yepp** MP3 player. Weighs next to nothing, about the size of a Zippo lighter, comes with a neck strap, arm band, and belt clip, and holds over 2 hours of music. A single AAA battery provides about 5 hours of skip-free play. **Max Studio** clothing. It’s outrageously priced, so I only buy the stuff at Marshall’s, but the cut and fabric is far superior. I recently picked up a black V-neck shell that makes me look like I’ve lost 10 pounds and gained a cup size when I put it on. In dissent on the **Oil of Olay** facecloths: if I use them more than two days in a row, I break out in tiny little blemishes that take a few days of washing with Neutrogena to go away. ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/154 "2003-04-10T08:17:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by fizgig \* > … **Nalgene** bottles … They are indestructable … This is one of the most gigantic understatements of all time. In order to decompose, Nalgene[sup]™[/sup] must be struck by alternate lightning bolts within five milliseconds of each other on the fifth Tuesday of a month containing _two_ solar eclipses. Nalgene[sup]™[/sup] is what they use to store hydrofluoric acid in. This is the stuff that _eats glass bottles for breakfast_. Nalgene[sup]™[/sup] will, quite possibly outlast Don Schula _and_ Astroturf combined! ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/155 "2003-04-10T08:20:48Z")
I’m sorry, I meant to say, “… _two total_ solar eclipses.” I apologize for any inaccuracies. ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/156 "2003-04-10T11:42:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mayflower \* > \*\*Orange Clean works really well on greasy or sticky messes and smells terrific! Also great for removing crayon from non-paper surfaces (did I mention that I have a young son?) and sticker residue from new dishes and walls (I _did_ say I have a young son, didn’t I?). \*\* Even better than Orange Clean is a spray called **Stain Slayer** , which seems to be pretty much neat orange oil terpene in a handy aerosol can. It gets grease spots out of clothes like nobody’s business, which is mighty handy if you’re a messy eater like me. It’s absolutely magic darts for tar spots. Note for UK folks - if you like OxyClean, Ecover laundry bleach is exactly the same thing, but cheaper. Hooray. For peeling fingernails, I’ve been using something called **Stop Peeling Nails** by Nailene. It works a treat. My index finger nails are no longer peeling. I’ve been able to grow them for the first time in, ooh, ages. ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Dreamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Simple\_Dreamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Dreamer)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/157 "2003-04-10T13:03:20Z")
\The Keeper\. ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Dreamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Simple\_Dreamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Dreamer)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/158 "2003-04-10T13:06:51Z")
Oops, guess I can’t use HTML… [The Keeper.](http://www.keeper.com/) While the Keeper is inserted and is in the same position as a cervical cap it cannot be used a birth control. ---
**Author:** ![Winnie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e480ec/32.png) [@Winnie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winnie)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/159 "2003-04-10T14:05:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Frankd6 \* > **DIF wallpaper remover makes an arduous task somewhat less arduous.** Definitely agree with this. We had to remove yards and yards of tacky wallpaper and borders when we bought our house (the previous owner had some kind of pink wallpaper fetish for nearly every room) and this stuff made our lives so much easier. One of the borders even came down in one whole piece when I soaked it with DIF! > [@](#): > > **OxyClean** Another vote here for OxyClean. We burned a glass saucepan last week and scrubbed and soaked it in hot water/vinegar/Mr. Clean you name it to try to get the crud out of it. Mr. Winnie put a little OxyClean in the pan with some water, boiled it on the stove for about 5 minutes and every bit of burnt crap was gone. It also was the only product that finally cleaned all previous-owner induced ground-in crud on our linoleum kitchen floor. We realized the floor was actually a lovely shade of ivory and not yellowish. My votes: **Neutrogena Original facial soap**. I’ll never use anything else. **Maybeillene Great Lash Mascara** **The "Swiffer"** **Charcoal Starters** for the grill like this one ensure that we never have to buy lighter fluid or taste it in our food ever again: [Weber Charcoal Starter](http://www.sears.com/sr/product/summary/productsummary.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1885677392.1049982649@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdgadchmmdildecehgcemgdffmdflg.0&vertical=SEARS&pid=07110139000&sid=I0004601750000100085) **Degree deodorant** **Clorox wipes** **Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce** **Jeans from Old Navy**.Nothing else fits me as good and they last forever. **[Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Pot](http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?%5Bproduct_id=1875278&sourceid=0100000030140612702498)** allows me to drink my required gallons of unsweetened iced tea each week without having to brew regular pots of tea and then chill them for hours. **Electrolux Vacuum Cleaners** ---
**Author:** ![Sylkyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@Sylkyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylkyn)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619/160 "2003-04-10T22:53:05Z")
I love this thread! But I have a dilemma. Everyone here has been raving about Oxyclean, as my brother-in-law does, and various friends. However, my girlfriend bought some to get wine out of her beige carpet and, well, it didn’t do _jack_. We followed the directions on the label scrupulously, but it more or less just sat there, and so did the wine stain after we had wiped up the cleaner. It was a new wine stain (about 10 hours old…she’d spilled it late the night before), so I am wondering are there any tricks to getting it to work like it (and everyone else) says it will. She loves it for getting stains out of laundry (I stick to Greased Lightning usually) and for other forms of cleaning, but gave it a huge thumbs down on carpet cleaning. Pointers or suggestions, anybody? [sub]Sorry for any hi-jack…and if anybody wishes to email me some tips, my email’s in my profile![/sub] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-that-really-work/165619.md?page=9)