Product review: Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper w/Luxury Cover - Soft - 3 Inch - Sleep on Latex

 I purchased the soft 3" Sleep On Latex topper with the luxury cotton cover to go on top of a brand new 100% latex mattress. The mattress had been rated medium firm and felt comfortable in the store, but turned out to be a bit too firm once we started sleeping on it. The topper softened the surface nicely without changing the overall feel of latex that I like—supportive and springy, rather than the sinking sensation of memory foam. It's soft enough to make the bed more comfortable, yet still easy to roll over and get out of bed.

Queen-size 3" topper weighs 34 pounds, so it is pretty heavy. The cotton cover makes it a bit easier to move around, which is needed for rotating it.

The luxury cotton cover is the same one they sell separately for $90. It zips all the way around, and the fabric on the bottom is different from the top. Even though it is different, it does not have a non-slip surface like some toppers I've had in the past, but the weight of the topper seems to keep it from sliding around.

It arrived compressed and wrapped in plastic film. The plastic film doesn't need to be cut open, so there's no risk of damaging the topper, just unwrapped. Once opened, it had no odor and expanded quickly to about 2" thickness. Overnight it reached the advertised 3" thickness.

Overall, the topper is comfortable and solved the problem of my too-firm mattress.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper w/Luxury Cover 3 inch soft

Product review: Kitchen Aid Blender Repair Kit - Coupler replacement

 

My trusty KitchenAid blender was still running strong, but the coupler on the base had worn out and crumbled. Instead of buying a new blender, I found a replacement kit that came with two couplers and a thin wrench. This kit worked perfectly!

To replace the part, I first had to remove the old coupler. I used the skinny wrench included in the kit to hold the old coupler in place and I used a 10-inch pipe wrench to grip the metal base and turned it clockwise to loosen and remove it. The channel lock wrench did not open wide enough to do the job, but the pipe wrench made it much easier.

Installing the new coupler was a breeze. I placed the new part on the post and turned it counter-clockwise to tighten it. I used the pipe wrench to finish tightening, but was careful not to over-tighten. My blender is now working like new!

9704230 Blender Coupler with Spanner Kit Replacement Parts Compatible with KitchenAid KSB5WH KSB5 KSB3 Driver available on Amazon for under $8!
You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★



Review of Kitchen Aid Blender Repair Kit

Product review: Bosane Waterproof Queen Mattress Protector Breathable Cooling 3D Air Fabric Mattress Cover

 

I like:

1. The elastic goes all the way to the edge of the skirt and tightens well around my 8" mattress.  It even works well with just a 4" topper. I put the protector and sheet just on the topper, not both the mattress and topper, since it’s easier with our deep platform bed. The strong elastic still tightened well around the topper despite the long skirt.

2. The textured top feels nice. I like it more than the terry-cloth ones I’ve used before. The fabric is 38% Bamboo Rayon and 62% Polyester.

3. It’s completely waterproof. I tested it by pouring 1 cup of water on it, and nothing got through.

4. I machine-washed it in cold water and dried it on a cool setting (122℉) per stated instructions.

5. There’s no crinkling noise when I move on it.

6. It had no smell when I opened the box.

7. It is priced competitively when I examined many different options.

I do not like:

Nothing so far. I’ll post updates if anything changes.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Bosane Waterproof Queen Mattress Protector

Product review: Ergonomic Lower Back Support, Office Chair Cushion, Posture Corrector, Mesh, Black by Mind Reader

 

While wandering around Rockport, Mass, I spotted four chairs with these mesh back supports and a sign saying, "Sit, relax your back." I gave one a try, and wow, it felt amazing! I grabbed my phone, used the "Lens" feature to figure out what they were, and ended up on the Amazon page that sold them.

I just got my set of back supports, and they're just as comfortable as they were on that first try. The box comes with four supports: two pairs tied together, each pair in a separate plastic bag. I initially thought I only got two supports, but I quickly realized that the two were just nestled into each other, and I got all four, as stated in the description.

These supports have a wider and narrower side, so you get two different angles to play with. Some chairs feel better one way, others the opposite, depending on the backrest's angle. It's super handy for switching between chairs and keeping that comfortable vibe wherever I sit!

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Mind Reader Ergonomic Lower Back Support

Product review: LSK Metal Sunglasses Organizer, round organizer, fits 16 sunglasses

 

The sunglasses stand lived up to my expectations. It holds 12 to 16 pairs, depending on their width, and has been a great space-saver compared to laying my sunglasses flat. I like matching the color of my sunglasses to my outfits, and this stand keeps them organized and accessible.

Putting it together was simple, just screwing in two screws, and I was glad to find an extra screw included in the package (just in case). I noticed that rotating the stand loosens the screws, which makes it wobble. Instead, I lift and turn the whole stand by hand, which keeps it stable. This stand works well for organizing my sunglasses collection.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of LSK Metal Sunglasses Organizer

Product review: Abalone Seashell Sunglasses with Wood Frame Shades by ANDWOOD

 

These sunglasses are attractive, lightweight, comfortable, and reasonably priced. I like them! They are not made of real wood or abalone, though. They are made of plastic with a wood-colored finish and an abalone-look veneer. Given the price and other comments I read before the purchase, I wasn’t surprised. I bought them for the look, not the materials, so I’m happy with them overall since they met my expectations. They arrived well-packaged, with a case and a box. No scratches on the eyeglasses, no blemishes on the frame. A hard eyeglasses case, a cloth case, and a cleaning cloth are also included.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Review of ANDWOOD Wood Sunglasses

Product review: Danco 88693P Silicone Lubricant for fixing leaking toilet valve

 

I purchased this lubricant to address an issue with a one-year-old toilet that doesn't refill automatically and requires a tap to start the refilling process. Research suggested that cleaning and greasing the valve could fix the problem. The lubricant worked initially, resolving the issue for about 10 flushes, but the fix was not as long-lasting as I had hoped. The tube contains enough grease for multiple applications.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Review of Danco 88693P Silicone Lubricant

Product review: Gardzen 7 Gallon Grow Bags, Aeration Fabric Pots with Handles

 

I've been using grow bags for my tomatoes and cucumbers for about six years now. They work very well, draining well even during the wettest summers. While my neighbors struggled with poor tomato growth due to excessive rains two years ago, my plants thrived. I use a drip irrigation system to water them, so dryness hasn’t been an issue either.

One lesson I’ve learned is to steer clear of grow bags with canvas handles, as they tear after a single season outdoors. Instead, I choose bags with handles made from the same material as the bag itself. These have proven durable, lasting for years without breaking down. That’s why I opted for these particular bags.


You can find these bags on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Gardzen 7 Gallon Grow Bags

Product review: Worx Zipsnip Cordless Electric Scissors Cardboard Cutter Plastic Cutter

 

I chose the Worx electric cutter for several reasons:

    1: I watched several comparison reviews that showed the Worx cutter requiring less effort to cut than other brands. Its strong motor significantly reduces the force needed for smooth cutting.
    2: Blade Quality: Worx is a well-known brand that offers replacement blades. The high-quality, sharp blades make cutting take less effort.
    3: Unlike some cutters with rounded guides, the Worx features a flat guide at the bottom. This allows me to rest the cutter on a cutting mat and slide the cardboard into it, producing straight, accurate cuts. While it’s possible to hold the Worx cutter in the air, I find this less secure and prone to cut lines that curve.
    4. Reasonably lightweight: The cutter weighs 14.65 oz; I find it easy to handle, even during extended use.
    5: The cutter comes with a spare blade, a carrying case, and a charger. However, the charger uses a proprietary round connector with an 8W output, which is less convenient than a universal USB-C port used by some other cutters. However, this is a minor drawback.
    6: The handle is comfortable to hold. To operate, you must press both a lock-out switch and a trigger switch simultaneously, preventing accidental activation. As someone with smaller hands, I can’t reach the lock-out switch with my thumb while holding the trigger. Instead, I hold the cutter with my right hand, pressing the trigger at the bottom of the cutter, and use a finger on my left hand to briefly press the lock-out switch to start. Once the cutter is activated, I don’t need to hold the lock-out switch. This was not clear to me from reading the instructions before purchase, and I worried a bit about how exactly it would work. It turns out that this extra button push is not a problem.

The cutter needed to be charged before first use. It took four hours for the red charging indicator to turn green.

I purchased this cutter to break down cardboard boxes for my composter. It glides through cardboard effortlessly, like cutting through butter. I used to use regular manual scissors. Let me tell you, this is a lot easier.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★

Review of Worx Zipsnip Cordless Electric Scissors

Product review: Cocofloss Woven Dental Floss, Dentist-Designed Oral Care

 

My dental hygienist recommended Cocofloss, and I was amazed by its performance. After using my regular Glide floss, I tried this product and was shocked to see it remove significantly more plaque, even when I thought I'd already done a thorough job with Glide floss. I'm now a convert.

This floss is marketed as "expandable" floss. I thought it should be called "contractable" instead because it actually contracts to slip between my tightly spaced teeth without threading. Then it hugs the teeth closely, providing a superior clean compared to Glide.

However, not everything is rosy. The floss is expensive, and while it comes in a large container, the spool itself is only one inch in diameter, containing 33 yards (1,188 inches). I use 15 inches per session and floss twice daily, totaling 30 inches a day. This means one spool lasts approximately 39 days.

I was also disappointed by the flavor. I chose the orange option, expecting a citrus taste, but the floss is essentially flavorless, the only thing that is orange is the color. This wasn't a dealbreaker, as I'm fine with unflavored floss, but it was not what I expected.

Despite the cost and lack of flavor surprise, the exceptional cleaning power makes this floss worth repurchasing. It's now a staple in my dental routine.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Cocofloss Woven Dental Floss

Product review: ACT Concrete Cleaner, Treating stains on the basement floor with bio-cleaner microbes : before and after video

 

I purchased ACT to treat a stained area of my basement cement floor. When the product arrived, I was surprised by the size of the container. It was much smaller than I had expected. Unlike the large container shown in the stock video, my container was only 3 inches tall. Additionally, the powder inside was grey, matching the color of my cement floor, rather than the white color depicted in the video. Despite my initial concerns, the contents were sufficient to treat my stained area, which measured 5 feet long by 3 feet wide, in two separate 3-week applications.

The stain on my basement floor had a messy origin. It started when a container of cleaning solution I had stored deteriorated and spilled onto the cement. In an attempt to clean it up, I used a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, but this only worsened the situation by spreading the stain further across the floor. I’ve attached a video that shows the stain before and after the treatment. Note that the "before" photo on January 26, 2025 shows the dry floor even though the stain makes it appear dark in color.

My process:  First, I sprinkled the powder over the stained 5-by-3-foot area. Then, I activated it by lightly misting it with water using a spray bottle. The instructions didn’t specify only one mist to activate the microbes, but I decided to spray the floor with water every day. I noticed that the powder dried out very quickly after each misting, and I thought misting it every day might help the microbes  stay active and work more effectively. I continued this daily misting routine for three weeks. At the end of the first three-week period, I removed the powder and washed the floor with water. The stain had improved somewhat, but I wasn’t fully satisfied with the results.

I decided to repeat the process. I applied a fresh layer of the powder to the same 5-by-3-foot area, activated it with water, and resumed misting it daily for another three weeks. After this second round, I removed the powder and washed the floor again. I took an "after" photo on March 12, 2025, which I’m including in the video. The results show a significant improvement in the appearance of the cement floor. While it’s not perfectly restored to its original state, the stain is much less noticeable compared to the "before" photo and the attached video.

In summary, despite the surprisingly small 3-inch container, the product proved sufficient for two 3-week treatments of my 15-square-foot stained basement floor. My daily misting routine, though not part of the official instructions, may have contributed to the positiv outcome. The floor now looks much better, even if it’s not flawless.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Review of ACT Concrete Cleaner

Product review: Bioclean Hard Water Stain Remover Rust Remover

 

 I had initially hoped to use this cleaner on my basement cement floor and even posted a question about it on the product listing. The seller responded quickly, though their answer was somewhat vague. Upon receiving the cleaner, I realized my intended use wasn’t suitable. The product specifies it’s designed for surfaces like Corian, shower doors, granite, windshields, aluminum, porcelain, stone, windows, fiberglass, grills, tombstones, glass surfaces, hard vinyl, stove tops, copperware, and stainless steel. However, the instructions clearly state it should not be used on Plexiglas, plastics, or glossy automotive paint. For best results, they recommend using an oscillating buffer or a Bio-Cleaner microfiber towel.

The cleaner itself is a thick, green liquid with a fairly strong scent. I ended up testing it on a sink with rust and hard water stains, and it did an excellent job removing both.


Review of Bioclean Hard Water Stain Remover

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: Super PDR Adhesive Remover Tool

 

This product is very similar to a hair dryer, just smaller. It blows hot air to warm up glue, making it easier to remove attached items like stickers or other adhesives. However, it leaves behind a layer of glue residue. The package includes three wipers to help remove the leftover glue, but this isn’t enough. Often, I still need to use a product like Goo Gone to fully clean the surface. This raises the question: why use this tool at all when I could just use Goo Gone from the start? As shown in the attached video, it works to some extent, but the limitation of leaving glue behind reduces its usefulness.

Ali Julia review

Review of Super PDR Adhesive Remover Tool 


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Product review: Square Glass Food Storage Containers with Lids, 32 oz, 4 pack

 

I’ve been using these containers for two months now, and they’ve proven to be highly effective. Their square shape makes them ideal for efficient storage in the freezer, maximizing space with ease. The 32-ounce capacity is perfect for my needs, and the set of four containers is just right for storing leftover soup from my Dutch oven. I love that they’re made of glass. It feels safe for food storage, lets me see what’s inside at a glance, and allows me to reheat the soup directly in the container.

Ali Julia review of Square Glass Food Storage Containers with Lids

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Book review: Cookbook The French Slow Cooker by Michele Scicolone

 

This is a very good cookbook with a lot of flavorful recipes.

I purchased a used cookbook on Amazon for the first time. The book arrived in good condition, but I was surprised by a sticker on the spine with the used bookstore seller's name. I shouldn't have to deal with removing the sticker and sticker residue from a book. A business card in the envelope would have been so much better!

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of The French Slow Cooker

Product review: Winco Stainless Steel Round Egg Ring for eggs and pancakes

 

The ring is made out of stainless steel and has no non-stick covering (I am avoiding non-stick cookware due to the release of toxic fumes). I oil the pan inside the ring and the sides of the ring with a brush, and it works pretty well - minimal leaking and no sticking. The only problem I had was that it cut through the paper envelope it was mailed in and got bent (both the handle and the circle became an oval). I decided I could live with the bending imperfections, but I wish it were mailed in a box instead. It should have been obvious that sharp metal objects would not get along with a paper envelope.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Review of Winco Round Egg Ring