# What manufacturer's recommendation do you completely ignore? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 18, 2025, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818 "2025-06-18T21:05:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/1 "2025-06-18T21:05:04Z")
The battery alert on one of our Co2/smoke detectors went out last night (what law of the universe dictates that this only happens in the middle of the night? ;)) During the night, all I was able to accomplish was clawing the damned thing off of the ceiling and disconnecting it. But today, we decided to Google the instructions and they recommend that you manually test it WEEKLY! Show of hands, folk. How many of you EVER test your smoke detectors - let alone weekly? Wondered if you had any similar stories of NOT following manufacturers’ recommendations WRT any product you own? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/2 "2025-06-18T21:17:49Z")
I often place brand new dishes and utensils into service without washing them first. Does that count? ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/3 "2025-06-18T21:56:59Z")
I still stick Q tips in my ear canal. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/4 "2025-06-18T22:14:42Z")
How else are you going to [get the beans](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO8iZIVZmsU) _all_ the way in? ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/5 "2025-06-18T22:34:20Z")
Yes, OMG! I’m surprised you’re here to tell the tale. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/6 "2025-06-18T22:36:55Z")
Electronic devices usually have a couple or a few pages of safety instructions at the beginning of the user manual. I don’t read them. ---
**Author:** ![LouLou7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a87d85/32.png) [@LouLou7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouLou7)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/7 "2025-06-18T22:38:37Z")
I have been known to rip the tags off of pillows and mattresses under penalty of law🥴 ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/8 "2025-06-18T22:40:13Z")
I never did an allergy test before dying my hair. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/9 "2025-06-18T23:27:20Z")
When I eat a pack of ramen noodles I eat the whole thing despite the “serving size” being listed for 2 people. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/10 "2025-06-18T23:32:00Z")
I lather and rinse, but _ **never** _ repeat. Tripler I’m rebelling against the system, man. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/11 "2025-06-18T23:34:24Z")
I never flush flush-able wipes that the manufacturer says is OK to do. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/12 "2025-06-18T23:35:04Z")
Carpet spot cleaner says “Try in an inconspicuous location first”. Ain’t got time for that. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/13 "2025-06-18T23:50:24Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > But today, we decided to Google the instructions and they recommend that you manually test it WEEKLY! Show of hands, folk. How many of you EVER test your smoke detectors - let alone weekly? I have a strict and rigid schedule for testing my smoke/CO alarms. Without fail, I do it … never! (Of course, I definitely do it if there’s been an installation of a new unit in the system or a change in wiring or any other reason to run a test!) > [@Tripler](#): > > I lather and rinse, but _ **never** _ repeat. > > Tripler > I’m rebelling against the system, man. Me, too. They’re just trying to sell more shampoo! ============ My washing machine manufacturer believes that I should periodically run the machine (I don’t remember their exact recommendation) on a “clean” cycle using their proprietary “cleaning tabs”. My schedule for doing this is exactly the same as my schedule for testing my smoke/CO detectors. I figure, it’s a washing machine, it should be able to wash itself! ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2025, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/14 "2025-06-18T23:55:45Z")
I read a tip (probably here), that said you should do your white load last, and add a bit of bleach. Then you’ll never have to worry about that “cleaning your machine” foolishness. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/15 "2025-06-19T00:04:28Z")
I never change the oil in my lawn mower and they still last about 10 years. Change the oil in my cars religiously, a much bigger investment. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/16 "2025-06-19T00:07:22Z")
I very seldom lather, rinse, and repeat. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/17 "2025-06-19T00:10:55Z")
The label on a jug of motor oil will often say, “Protects for 10,000 miles!” or “Protects for 20,000 miles!” And the owner’s manual for the car will often recommend 7,500 between oil changes or higher. I ignore all of those and change the oil every 5,000 to 6,000 miles. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/18 "2025-06-19T00:15:49Z")
If I’m remembering correctly when I got my Bay Medical Alert system I was told that I should test it weekly to make sure that it would work properly if I ever actually had a medical emergency. Outside of a few times when I’ve accidentally activated it (or in one case when my cat stepped on my chest) I’ve never had to explain to the service operator that I am not actually having an emergency. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/19 "2025-06-19T00:21:55Z")
Well, don’t come crying to the Dope if you drop your plugged-in toaster into your bath. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818/20 "2025-06-19T11:13:48Z")
About 3 months ago, when many Chromecasts suddenly died, I bought myself a Google Streamer to replace mine. I took it home, plugged it in and installed it without reading anything. Last week I accidently discovered that I can use voice commands for functions and searches without the laborious tapping of buttons on the remote. I felt pretty stupid since one of the very few buttons on the remote clearly shows a microphone icon. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-manufacturers-recommendation-do-you-completely-ignore/1019818.md?page=2)