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: 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: Portable Travel Toilet Handheld Peri Water Bottle Manual Bidet foldable

 I have used manual bidets (Perl bottles) as part of my routine for many years. I have tried many models, and this review is based on a comparison of the materials and the construction of the ones I have tried:

1. Some bottles are made of plastic, while others are made out of silicone. I prefer silicone bottles because they are much easier to squeeze because silicone is softer and more pliable. When it is hard to squeeze, it is harder to generate a strong stream. This bottle is made out of silicone, so my first reaction was very positive. However, because this bottle is made to fold, it collapses in your hands as it empties; the air cannot re-enter the bottle, and thus, the bottle does not generate a good stream.

2. This bottle does not have an air valve on the bottom. The valve allows the air to enter as you squeeze, making generating a strong stream easier. The bottle without a valve makes very loud gurgling noises when the air goes in and out. If you are trying to be discreet in a public bathroom, it could be embarrassing. A bottle with a valve is silent. Because this silicone bottle folds as it empties due to its construction, the air has a hard time entering the bottle, and you need to straighten it out with your hands so the air can enter the bottle so you can continue to keep squeezing out the water. The result is a weak stream and getting your underwear wet as you don't have good control of the stream.

3. The package includes a waterproof pouch, which is very helpful when using the bottle away from home. The pouch is big enough to accommodate the bottle in its expanded form. This pouch is the best part of the entire package because it seals well. I am definitely going to use it with my other Perl bottles, where the bottle itself is unlikely to be used much.

4. It comes with a nozzle cover and a spray tip. The spray is stronger with the tip and nozzle removed.

5. The bottle folds. Its folding mechanism works very well. Unfortunately, the side effect of being foldable is poor spraying.

Overall, the folding is excellent, but the spraying functionality is poor. Perhaps adding an air valve to the bottom of the bottle could rescue the overall design.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link. 

  Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Review of wilieskata Foldable Portable Handheld Peri Bidet Water Bottle

Product review: Flexible Grabber Drain Snake Hair Drain Clog Remover Tool (does not work)

 

 After a plugged toilet that cost me a bundle, I decided to get this snake. Unfortunately, it is not very good, so I suspect I will have to call a plumber again if the situation repeats.

Here are the problems:
1. The snake is very stiff; it is quite hard to operate (squeeze)
2. The grasping fingers are very difficult to control; out of 10 tries, I could grab a cloth only twice. This was on the table where the conditions were ideal.
3. Once the fingers grasped the item, they barely held it. A slight pull disengaged the cloth from the fingers. Pulling it out of the toilet or drain would cause the fingers to lose grasp within a second.

This tool's head is too large to fit into drains, it does fit the toilet, but its grasping ability is very limited.

Overall, I would not recommend this tool.

Ali Julia review ★☆☆☆☆

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Review of Wanjotec Flexible Grabber Drain Snake

Product review: SprinJene Natural 4-Pack Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth and Gums

 

I like
~~~~~~~
1) Has fluoride
2) Is for sensitive teeth
3) Gritty texture that feels like it cleans well
4) Excellent cap that serves as a stand to store upside down

I dislike
~~~~~~~~~
1) The taste is bitter; it is a strong mint with a bitter undertone
2) The unpleasant taste lingers
3) I must use mouthwash to get the toothpaste taste out

I am forcing myself to use it; I hope I can get used to the taste. Right now, I am still fighting a gagging reflex.

Purchased April 2023, expired November 2024.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of SprinJene Natural 4-Pack Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth and Gums

Product review: Ionic Hair Dryer with Powerful AC Motor

 

 This is a powerful dryer with two attachments. It generates a strong warm flow. The dryer came with terrible instructions. It is a thick book, but only two or three pages in English. The instructions are minimal. My issue is that after I attached the curly hair attachment, I cannot take it off. There are no instructions on how to do it, and all my attempts have failed.

The hair dryer weighs 17.75 oz. The hair dryer is 5" wide (the barrel front to back) and 7.5" tall (the handle and the dryer barrel height).  I liked that it has a Ground Fault Interrupt (GFCI) protected plug.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆ You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Review of Ionic Hair Dryer with Powerful AC Motor

Product review: Saavy Naturals Gift Basket For Women Gift Set

 

The Savvy basket was a disappointment. It contains ten pieces, and I only liked four of them.
Below are the details of why the basket was a disappointment.
1) The packaging was messy, unattractive, and very wasteful. The cardboard tray had crumpled brown paper
covered with paper shreds. It did not look gift-suitable.  
2) The sugar scrub leaked, so the inside was sticky around that area. The scrub was not properly closed, and the seal was only attached to one small area, the rest was opened. The scrub package was either defective
or a returned product. Two body scrubs are included.
3) The soaps were 3.5" x 2" bars. They were discolored on one side. They looked unattractive, and the
I did not care for how they smelled. Two soaps included.
4) The bath bombs are large, 3" in diameter. They work fine, but their scent was not pleasing to me. Scents preferences are very personal; there is no defect in the bath bombs, and I just did not care for the scent. Two bath bombs included.
5) The package includes two body creams and two body washes. I liked the body washes best. Each tube is 7/14 inches long, not counting the cap.

Given the price, I expected better from the Saavy gift basket.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Review of Saavy Naturals Gift Basket For Women Gift Set
 

Product review: Healground Outdoor Tissue wet wipes - not priced competitively

 I do not like:

⭐ Super expensive. The current price for ten wipes is 16.99; similar products sell for four times less
⭐ All writing on the back, including ingredients, are not in English; I do not know what is included in the ingredients
⭐ Not unscented, the scent is not strong, but it smells like mint and fragrance, and the smell lingers on the body/hands

I like:

⭐ Reasonable size, each wipe is 7.75" x 5.75"
⭐ The wipes have a good thickness and are textured

We use wipes all the time (at home as wet wipes, on the road for picnics), but I am unlikely to buy these because of the negatives I listed.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★☆☆☆

Review of Healground Outdoor Tissue

Product review: SAIB On-the-Go Foaming Feminine Wash Packets. Warning: makes me itch

 

I liked the idea of packets to add to my manual bidet to replace the liquid product I have been using for a few years. However, the product makes me itch like crazy. I am not allergic to anything, but I must be allergic to this product. Itching "down-there" is very uncomfortable. After two attempts to use this product with the same results (and no itching when I stopped using it), I had to throw it out.  


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★☆☆☆

Review of SAIB On-the-Go Foaming Feminine Wash Packets

Product review: Therapeutic Organic Bath Powder for Dry Skin, bath water

 The powder comes in a large bottle, 9.5" tall, not counting the cap. The powder has a faint lemony scent when in the bottle, but once it dissolves, it has no scent at all. It generates no bubbles.

The bottle is hard to open; I had to use needle nose pliers to pull off the plastic ring to open the bottle. Be careful when you open the bottle; the content gets shaken during shipping, creating quite a mess as it explodes around the bottle when you open it for the first time.

The bath water with powder does seem to have a soothing effect, and I had no adverse reactions and no itching.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Review of Therapeutic Organic Bath Powder for Dry

Product review: Amazon Basics HydroClean Cordless Water Flosser

 

 I have used a few water flossers over the years, and this flosser has almost all the features that I like.

I like:
1. This flosser has a large reservoir. It holds enough water for me to do a complete flossing session.
2. The button that turns the flosser on and off is conveniently located. It is not overloaded with features, just on and off, so it is easy to operate.
3. The flosser water power is good. The water power can be controlled by the blue ring under the tip.
4. The flosser runs on two AA batteries. It is not rechargeable. AA batteries are easy to replace. Flossers with rechargeable batteries must be thrown out when the battery no longer holds a charge. This happened to my favorite flosser after a few years. A few flossers I bought since then have not been as good. The Amazon Basics flosser feels like it might be as good as my old favorite.

I don't like:
1. The flosser is re-filled from the opening at the bottom of the container, so it is not as easy to fill fully when the opening is at the top of the container.
2. The flosser comes with two tips. They come in a plastic bag without any markings. I had manually written that the extra tip belongs to the Amazon Basics flosser. I have a few flossers, and none of the tips fit other flossers, so it would have been better if Amazon marked the tip's packaging (or tips).

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★  

Review of Amazon Basics HydroClean Cordless Water Flosser

Product review: Rising Sun Premium Japanese Exfoliating Washcloth

 This product is one cloth sized 11" by 39", made out of prickly synthetic fibers.  The rough finish helps to remove dirt and dead skin cells.  The towel is long enough that I can wash my back with it.  Once covered with suds, it is very gentle. I prefer a more vigorous wash with a bristled brush.

The towel is missing a loop for hanging so it can dry.  I had to do some sewing to fix this problem.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Review of Rising Sun Premium Japanese Exfoliating Washcloth

Product review: Vickoneer Intimate Feminine Wash

 This cleanser is an effective wash. Even though Amazon's description stated that "Scent: unscented," it has a scent.  Unpleasant and strong rose scent.  It comes in a medium-size bottle with 8.5 fl oz of the cleanser.

The instructions say to pour some in your hand, lather into foam, and then cleanse. But this is NOT how I use it. I use the wash by adding a small amount into a manual bidet. One squirt for 12 oz bidet. Adding water to the bidet generates the foam and is ready to use. This way, it lasts long, provides an excellent wash, and keeps my hands dry.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Review of Vickoneer Intimate Feminine Wash

Product review: Poyday Microfiber Hair Towel Drying Wrap

 I have been using hair-drying wraps for a few years to preserve curls after washing my hair, so I have quite a bit of experience with these towels. These wraps are 80% polyester and 20% polyamide; they are not as absorbent as 100% cotton wraps. They are okay, but I don't like them as well as the cotton wraps.

I also prefer not to have a rubber band edge like these towels do, I can wrap it better with a straight edge.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Product review: Dr.NOAH Kids Natural Toothpaste, Fluoride Free

 I hate the mint flavor, so I am always looking for non-mint toothpaste. I like how this toothpaste tastes, slightly lemony and not too sweet. Unfortunately, it is fluoride-free. I want cavity protection, so this can't be my main toothpaste.

Why not offer this nice-tasting toothpaste in with and without fluoride. I know other adults who always look for a good tasting fluoride toothpaste that is not mint-flavored.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Product review: Showhihi electric portable razor, rechargeable small shaver

 

The electric shaver is 3 1/4" long and 1 7/8" wide. The Amazon description says it is the size of the egg but did not mention that it is a goose egg, not a chicken egg!

The motor is surprisingly strong for the shaver size, and it does a decent job.

It has a built-in battery and is rechargeable with a Type-C USB cable. It takes about an hour, which is pretty decent. The shaver has just one control: an on and off button. You need to press it down for a few seconds for the function to activate.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★
 

Product review: AZchose No Water Shampoo Caps

 

AZchose No Water Shampoo Caps are easy to use. You warm them up in a microwave or just hot water, put on the head with all hair inside the cap, rub your hair through the cap, remove the hat, and towel dry. The hair looks and feels surprisingly clean. They work fine on my shoulder-length hair. It is not as satisfying as taking a shower, but these caps are when a shower is not an option.

When I had surgeries, I was not allowed to take showers for some time to avoid scar infections. These hats allowed me to feel clean, which improved my overall mental state.

Now I always keep a package in storage in case someone in the family has surgery, and I have one less thing to worry about.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of AZchose No Water Shampoo Caps Disposable 12 pack Rinse-Free Shampoo Cap

Product review: Unaone Compressed Towels, 100PCS Portable Disposable Compressed Cotton Toilet Paper Tablets

 

These compressed towels are tiny when compressed. They are only 3/4" wide and 1/4" high. When they expand, they become 8.5" x 7", a very nice general size. They have a nice textured finish.
I like traveling with compressed cotton towels. I use them as wet wipes for the bathroom, but they take up less room than uncompressed wipes.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: GaxQuly Baby Wipes Dispenser Baby Wipe Case

 

 This dispenser box is 7.5" long, 4.75" wide, and 2.75" tall. It is more narrow than the standard Kleenex tissues, so it does not work well as a paper tissue dispenser.  However, it works very well for most wet wipes, as they are typically under 8" long. It is okay if the first tissue does not pull up the next tissue because the opening is big enough to pull tissues up with your fingers.

The box closes firmly, so it keeps wet tissues moist for at least a week.  I am a big fan of wet wipes in the bathroom but dislike the plastic packs with sticky flap covers they are often sold in as they become less and less sticky as I keep using the pack. Now, I immediately transfer the wet tissues into this box, and this dispenser works better for me than the plastic packs.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: DERMAXGEN INSTANT FACE LIFT CREAM - Peptide Complex Tightening

 

 
We've all seen TV commercials when in seconds, the bag under the actor's eyes disappears.  No, this does not work like this.  I see a slight improvement in about 5 minutes after the application.  The improvement is temporary, a few hours.

The cream is unscented (big plus), moisturizing (big plus), and did not irritate my skin (big plus), but nothing like the difference shown in stock photos - that's a miracle of Photoshop, not the cream.

I have tried two DERMAXGEN instant facelift creams ( ASIN B09C13W6WN and  ASIN B09B4KD8BQ)  and the results were the same.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆