Product Review: Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Drain Opener

 

This is an excellent drain opener that can be used in toilets (which will get it into the main line), garbage disposals, or bathroom sinks. I had a very clogged sink in my upstairs bathroom that other drain openers couldn't unclog, but a couple of days after pouring this down the drain, it drained as quickly as the other sinks. Ultimately, while it is a bit pricier, it absolutely works. If you have one or more drains in your house that drain slowly, this is definitely worth trying before you call a plumber.

Product Review: CCidea DVD Storage Bags

 

This set of three storage bags is designed to hold physical media such as DVDs, Blu-rays, or video games. They are very sturdy and can hold around 40 individual disc packages, give or take. Unlike some storage bags, they do not have dividers throughout the interior (just a single open space), so you can fit more in them. Once they are closed, they prevent dust and protect against spills. They are not padded, however, so you do not want to bang them around or drop them. They are wide enough to hold most box sets; however, there are some longer boxes (such as the original Friends Blu-Ray release or the Star Trek Motion Picture special edition release) that are too wide for this to hold unless you turn them lengthwise, in which case you will not be able to get many discs in them. 

I have a huge physical media collection and got several of these to package them for a move this past summer. They work wonderfully and work much better than packing discs in boxes, which can get very heavy. I absolutely recommend them.

Product Review: Fresh Wave Orange Odor Removing Gel

 

This is a two-pack of odor-removing gel. It is perfect for use in spaces such as kitchens or bathrooms. The smaller, more enclosed space it's in, the stronger the scent it gives off and the longer it lasts. I have one in my kitchen, which is open to the living room and partially open to the dining room, and one in my workout room downstairs, which is basically a second living room. I have been using them for about 3 months (as of this writing). The one downstairs is about 2/3 full, and the one in the kitchen is about 3/4 empty.

These have a pleasant, non-overpowering citrus scent, at least if you have them in a relatively open space. They are a bit more expensive than some similar products, but they last much longer. Ultimately, they are worth the price and if you like citrus-scented air fresheners.

Product Review: Small Parts Organizer

 

This is a double-sided organizer that is perfect for holding small parts or accessories such as screws, nails, bolts, washers, or things like craft supplies (e.g., beads), or small electronic components such as resistors. Each side has 15 smaller compartments, separated by dividers, and two larger compartments that can hold things the size of socket heads, small wrenches, or Allen wrenches. Each side has clips that will hold its respective side shut. When you turn it over, the things in the compartments mostly stay in their respective compartments, but items such as small nails may fall out of their compartment (but not the case as a whole) because there is some space between the tops of the dividers and the lids. 

It would have been nice if one or two of the compartments had individual lids that could be closed to prevent small items from falling out of the compartments when the organizer is moved from place to place. That is what knocks it down a star for me. It is made from relatively sturdy material, but I would be careful not to drop it because if one of the sides popped, you would be picking things up for days. The clips do seem to keep each side pretty secure, however. Overall, it is a good value for the money and a good way to keep small accessories organized and in one place.

Product Review: Wool Ironing Mat

 

This is a relatively small ironing mat. It is 14" x 11" and is best suited for ironing small items such as t-shirts. I could be used to iron a dress shirt in a pinch, but it would be a bit hard to use it for items much larger than that (like a suit jacket). It is perfect for someone with limited space who cannot accommodate a full-size ironing board, or for those who only need to iron occasionally. It is thick enough to protect whatever surface you put it on, and it does not slide around. The one drawback is that it is not really big enough to set an iron on and reposition what you are ironing, which is why you want to stick with smaller items. Ultimately, it works, but if you iron a lot, you will definitely need something larger than this. 

Product Review: Amazon Basics Compact Plastic Trash Can

 

This compact trash can is ideal for use in small spaces, such as bathrooms, RVs, dorm rooms, or outdoors on a deck or porch. Personally, I use it on my front porch to put dog poop bags in, so I do not have to put them in the large can in my garage, and potentially stink up the garage (especially in the summer). The lid closes to keep animals out (to an extent), and a foot pedal allows you to open it without bending down. It also has an inner liner that can be pulled out, making it easier to replace a bag. Anyone considering it should note that it is very small (just six liters) and will not hold a lot. So, if you plan to use it in a bathroom, unless your bathroom is tiny and you need to conserve space, it would be better in a guest bathroom that is not frequently used; otherwise, it will fill up quickly.  

Product Review: 3-in-1 Bathroom Sink Drain Strainer

 

This is an excellent bathroom sink strainer that prevents debris from entering your drains and allows for easy plugging and unplugging of the sink as needed. It comes in a two-pack, which is convenient if you have multiple bathrooms or a bathroom with two sinks. The basket will catch anything large, and the bottom of the basket can be removed for easy cleaning.

One of the sinks in my master bath was horribly clogged and drained extremely slowly. After replacing the old plug with this and pouring a drain opener down the drain, water now drains very quickly, at the same rate as the other sink. And, these look much nicer than the old plugs. They will universally fit most bathroom drains and do not require any tools to install (unless you need a wrench or screwdriver to remove the old flange). This is a great value and absolutely worth the price.

Product Review: LED Stop Sign Parking Assistant for Garage with Flashing Signal

 

This is a parking assist stand for a garage. It is excellent for a garage setup with shelving on the back wall in front of where your car pulls in (especially if you have boxes or bins underneath the shelving). If, when you pull into the garage, it is hard to tell exactly how close you are to the edge of the shelf or the boxes, you can put this in front of what you don't want to bump with the car. It has a wide base and then two poles that connect to each other. Once the poles are connected, one end connects to the base, and the stop sign connects to the top of the other pole. The stop sign starts flashing when you bump the pole with your car. 

This works as intended but could be better in a couple of ways. First, the poles push together, and it is challenging to get them to stay together as you assemble them. It would be more secure and less flimsy if the poles screwed together. Second, although the base is wide, it is not heavy. I put a brick on top of the base behind the pole to keep it from sliding on the garage floor when I bump it. Ultimately, it is decent and works as it should, but a couple design changes would make it better.

Product Review: Outlaw 68 Inch Console

 

This is a TV stand/storage console that I purchased from Slumberland (which you can find at https://www.slumberland.com/products/outlaw-68-inch-console). It comes fully assembled and is packed well to keep it protected. It has a fantastic distressed look and three color options: saddle (shown in the picture), navy, and black. I bought it to store DVDs and Blu-Rays, which it is ideally suited for. There is a single shelf in each door and the middle, so you essentially get upper and lower shelves perfectly spaced apart for holding DVDs, Blu-Rays, or books. So, for you movie and TV series collectors, you can easily store over 150 discs on the console (if you have a mix of single discs and larger box sets). If you do not have many box sets, you can store closer to 200 discs. 

If you want to use it as a TV stand, it can easily hold a 65-inch TV, and slots are cut in the back to thread cords through to make cord management easy. It is reasonably priced at $350. It is made from solid (real) wood and is heavy (130 lbs). If you live alone, especially if you have to get it up and down stairs, you can pay extra for full-service delivery to have the delivery crew put it where you want it and take the packaging away. So, if you are looking for a well-made, reasonably priced console, this is well worth the price. 

Product Review: Graphique 2025 Marilyn Monroe Wall Calendar

 

This is a 2025 full-sized wall calendar with a nice collection of photographs from throughout Marilyn Monroe's life. It includes a mix of black-and-white and color photographs. Some pictures are from her pre-movie fame modeling career, but most appear to have been taken after she became famous. Most photos are from staged photoshoots, but a couple are more candid shots, such as one taken when she exited a vehicle at an event. Chances are, if you are a fan of Marilyn, all the pictures included here are ones you have seen. Although, there are a few pictures that are not as widely circulated or popular as some others of her are. Ultimately, it is a good option if you are looking for a 2025 calendar featuring Marilyn. 

Product Review: KOWOOD 6-Inch Metal/Wood Saw Blades for Reciprocating/Sawzall Saws

 

This is a good set of saw blades for reciprocating saws. They claim to be compatible with all major brands. I have a Black and Decker reciprocating saw (which only came with one blade), and these connect to that without a problem. I have only used one of the wood-cutting blades to cut branches off the stump of a mulberry tree and start a cut into the stump. I had to finish off the stump with a mini chainsaw since these blades are not long enough to get through something as thick as even a small tree stump. They are, however, great for cutting through smaller branches on trees and bushes. If you are looking for a good, inexpensive set of blades, these are worth picking up.

Product Review: The HomeFlow Co.’s Milk Frother

 

This is a pretty standard frother. It comes with a whisk/frothing attachment and a paddle attachment. I mostly use the paddle to mix hot chocolate. It is also good for whisking eggs when making scrambled eggs or lighter mixing jobs. I do not make coffee drinks so I cannot say how it does for that, but I imagine it works as well as any frother for those. It takes 2 AA batteries. The battery compartment is a bit of a pain to access, but otherwise, it works as it should. So, if you are looking for an inexpensive mixing tool this is a good option.

Product Review: VASAGLE EKHO Collection - Storage Ottoman Bench

 

This is a storage ottoman/bench. It is not really a great ottoman unless you are going to use it at the end of a bed because, with the legs on, it sits higher than most couches, so it would be uncomfortable to use it as a footrest. It is, however, perfect for a front entryway or mudroom. It is slim (just over 47 inches wide) and is not as deep as some storage benches (just under 16 inches deep). However, it has enough room to store off-season coats, hats, and gloves (for those who live in climates that necessitate different spring/fall/summer and winter outerwear). 

The only required assembly is putting the legs on, which is more difficult than it needs to be. Instead of putting a threaded end on the end of the legs so you can screw them directly into the base, three small screws attach the legs to the base. The screws can be a bit hard to line up with the screw holes unless two people are working together, one person holding the legs in place and another person turning the screws. Once the legs are on, the bench is high enough off the ground that you can vacuum under it, whether using a regular or robotic vacuum. It is also very sturdy as a bench. Two adults can easily sit on it without an issue. Ultimately, it is a good storage option, especially if you have limited storage in a mudroom or front entryway. 

Product Review: Pet Dog Safety Collar Clips

 

This is a pair of collar clips that can be used to attach a dog harness to a collar. There is a shorter one (6.8 inches) and a longer one (7.8 inches). My mom's dog can slip out of every harness she has tried to put on him, and this ensures that if he does, the collar is still attached to the leash so he cannot run free. The clips are well-made, very sturdy, and easy to attach to the collar and harness. I am not sure there is any safety aspect beyond that, but they work well for that purpose. 

Product Review: Ginsco 2 Pack Mini Car Trash Can

 

This is a two-pack of small trash cans for a vehicle. They are a perfect size for things like facial tissue or gum wrappers. They are not, however, big enough to hold larger items like cans or bottles (even small water bottles are way too big to fit in these) or fast food cups/containers. They come with 8 rolls of bags, which are about the size of dog poop bags, to line the cans. The lids flip open to allow you to insert and remove the bags. The top of the lid is spring-loaded loaded, so you just push it down to put garbage in it. 

Depending on the layout of your center console, one or both may fit in that. If not, they come with clips that you can use to mount them to the pockets on the doors or the back seats. The only frustrating thing about the clips is that you cannot open them wider to get them onto things more easily. If you are mounting them on a fabric pocket, they can be a bit of a pain, but they are easy to mount on a more rigid material, like plastic. They could be a little larger and come with better clips. Otherwise, they work as intended.

Product Review: Sole Support Rocky" V2 Winter Insulated Boots

 

This is a good pair of insulated, steel-toed boots from The Sole Support. I live in a region with cold winters and we just got a slight dusting of snow that left sidewalks and driveways a bit slick. The boots have good traction, and I was able to walk across the driveway without any issues. They are comfortable and warm, fit well, and have decent support around the foot and ankle.  They come with wire laces that can be tightened by turning the dial on the tongue of the shoe. You pull the dial out to loosen them and then push it back in when you want to "tie" them again. They also come with a pair of regular shoelaces if you would rather use them. The company claims they are waterproof, but I will probably not get a sense of how legitimate that claim is until closer to spring when there are puddles outside. But my initial impression is they are a good pair of winter boots for everyday use (meaning not trudging through extremely deep snow) and reasonably priced (at a little over $100). They are manufactured in and shipped from China, so it does take about a week or so to arrive (if you use standard shipping) once they are shipped. 

Product Review: RIOLAND Stair Treads Carpet Non-Slip Indoor Stair Runners

 

I had the stairs from my front entry to the main floor of my townhouse covered with vinyl plank flooring. When that happened, the dog thought that the stuff was hot lava and would almost jump down the stairs, hurting himself a couple of times. So, I got these to provide some better tread on the stairs. He can now go down the stairs to the front door much easier. 

They are very easy to install, but the sticky backing (which I describe more as tacky than sticky) does not secure them to vinyl plank flooring. After reading some reviews, I decided to cover my bases and get a roll of carpet tape when I purchased these in case I needed it. I used that to secure these at the ends and in the middle (because, as another reviewer noted, the middle pops up because they are folded in the box), which keeps them very secure on the stairs. They are not extremely thick, but they do the job well, making the stairs safer, especially if you walk up them with wet shoes. 

Product Review: Sonos One (1st Generation)

 

I do not consider myself to be an audiophile so I am not sure how this compares with any of the Bose speakers, but comparing it against a first-generation echo unit (the tall one with the better speakers and sound quality) this blows that out of the water. Even with the volume set relatively low, I can hear details in songs or commercials that I could never hear through the echo. And the bass is so good that I sometimes mistake it for my neighbors making noise next door (I am in a townhouse with walls that are pretty easy to hear through).

It does have Alexa functionality (you have to put in your Amazon details in the Sonos app, and set it up in the Alexa app). It is a bit time-consuming but fairly straightforward. As long as you are not technophobic anyway. It can do most (but not all) of the things that a "regular" echo device can. It does not have as many microphones as the regular Echo does, so I find it spotty in responding correctly to the commands I say. It cannot do the "drop-in" functionality that the regular echo units can that allows people to talk to each other through the devices, and it also, at least for now, does not have the ability to have the wake word changed from Alexa to Echo. I preferred to use the latter, but this will only respond to Alexa as the wake word. That is really only a minor detail though. You can also connect it to an iHeart Radio, Pandora, Spotify, etc. account without having to go through the Alexa app. So if you do not have Amazon Prime you can still listen to content on any of those services.

One thing I hope will be changed in the future is the ability to connect it to a smart TV. For the moment it can only connect to other Sonos speakers, but cannot connect wirelessly to a TV. Aside from those relatively small issues, at least for me, it is a great option for a higher-end speaker that is a bit more affordable than some of the other options.

Product Review: Firestick TV Stick

 

I cut the cord a few years ago, canceling my satellite TV and switching to all streaming. I purchased this to use on one of my non-smart televisions to stream movies, TV, etc. The installation is fairly straightforward, depending on the quality of your wi-fi connection and router. When I connected it, I was having problems mainly because of a slow internet connection and poor router, so it took a lot longer than normal (and a lot longer than it did to connect when I upgraded my internet with a new modem and router) to connect to wi-fi and get it set up. 

It was fairly easy to use once it was set up (after discovering it somehow caused my router to reset itself and set up a new ID name and Password). Since upgrading my internet, however, that has not happened again. The home screen has all the Amazon video material on it and any apps you download, such as CBS, Hulu, HBO-GO, etc. If you are a Prime member, anything you can watch for free in the Amazon material is denoted with the Prime banner. The remote is a bit dinky and could have more buttons on it, but once you get used to it, it is fairly easy to use. Because the fire stick is plugged in behind the TV, you sometimes have to press things on the remote a couple of times to get it to respond. 

The only thing that can be a bit irritating is any time you download an app, even a free one such as the Fox TV app or PBS, it will essentially place an order through Amazon (you are not charged anything, of course), and you get an order confirmation email for each one. That gets to be a bit of a pain if you download a bunch of apps at once, but is ultimately a pretty minor issue. All-in-all it works well to turn a non-smart TV (as long as the TV has HDMI ports, which anything relatively new will) into a smart TV. Mine eventually died when it would no longer load, even working with Amazon's customer service. I am unsure if that was an issue common to early generations of the Firestick, but it is something to be aware of.

Product Review: Dishwasher Magnet Clean Dirty Sign

 

This is a small rectangular magnetic sign that can go on the front of the dishwasher. It has a door that can slide left and right to show whether the dishes in the dishwasher are clean or dirty. It is small enough (about 6 inches long and 2 inches high) to fit above most dishwashers' handles. And the magnet is strong enough to keep it in place. It also has a couple of adhesive stickers that you can use if the front of your dishwasher is not magnetic (e.g., if you have a cabinet panel on the front of your dishwasher). It is handy, especially if you have multiple people in your household.