Precision Tactical Systems Universal Gun Cleaning Kit

 

One of the most important and often overlooked parts of gun ownership is proper maintenance. And while it can sometimes be a somewhat messy endeavor once in a while, it is absolutely essential to keeping your firearm operational.

Precision Tactical Systems knows this and have provided the beginner with quite a few tools to get you started down the road to proper firearm maintenance. Just in our home we have 5 different calibers of weapons, and buying a specific kit for each could run up a person’s bill quickly. Thankfully, 4 of the 5 can be partially serviced with this 27 piece kit. Unfortunately, the mops and adapters do not want to fit down the barrel of Hubby’s 5.56 rifle, and being how popular .223 and 5.56 caliber weapons are, this could pretty much disqualify this kit for a great many folks.  But, one brass brush and the thinner rods will easily fit, so it’s not like it doesn’t do some of the job. You’ll still need a way to mop the barrel, or apply CLP or oil (Hubby likes Hoppe’s #9) after. So I’d call it a “near universal” kit. The brushes are okay, and the mops drop fibers like crazy. The rods come in two sizes and can be extended to three lengths. The screw together true and shouldn’t bend or break like cheaper plastic versions would.

One other issue I ran in to was the “wooden” storage box. My first delivery the top was crushed. The thin balsa wood would have never withstood any real pressure. I notified the company and a replacement was shipped, but the replacement was crushed on top as well. This may (and probably is) Amazon’s fault, but the balsa wood it’s made from is so incredibly thin it wouldn’t take much to crush it anyways. I didn’t want to ding the company for a third, considering the likely result, but keep this in mind if you buy it as a gift or have it shipped directly to someone as a gift. The kit would make a fantastic gift for the person in your life just getting into firearms and needing a decent “jumping off” point when it comes to assembling what’s needed to be a responsible owner.

Connect with Precision Tactical Systems:

• On Amazon

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Precision Tactical Systems. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. I received no other compensation in exchange for my review. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

Advertisement

Smiley360: ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda Detergent Booster #Review

When it comes to doing my wash, I change products and have added more to my routine that I practically have “booster” products for everything from scents, to whitening and brighteners. Doing laundry is no longer just soap and softener in the house and while some may feel it’s over complicating a simple task, I see it as enhancers to make the task of doing laundry, come out right on the first try. I have used everything from borax, baking soda, and vinegar to try to get more out of my HE washer. I love the front loaders and that they save water, but saving water is nullified when I have to rewash items I am not happy and satisfied with how they cleaned. I also don’t like the idea of doing a task twice!  It sets my schedule back and makes me a little (just a little) moody.

In comes Arm & Hammer with their Super Washing Soda Detergent Booster, that helps give your clean a power boost! I was sent by Smiley360 a gift card to redeem for the product at Walmart, which is located right next to the Borax box. I picked up the box and used the product as directed. My first job was to see how well it worked, was using it on towels. I have white face towels and some I swear get stains from the hamper because I have zero recollection of what they got stained with in the first place. I noticed even lip glosses stained the towels and they would not come clean. If I bleach the cloth too long, the material will fray and come apart, so I do get rid of the stain but the towel along with it!

Retail Price Point: $3.97 at Walmart, but you can find the product on Amazon for $10.99 for two 55 ounce boxes.

Ingredients: Contains Sodium Carbonate

Instructions (as listed on the Box): For regular wash: 1. Add 1/2 cup of Super Washing Soda along with either liquid or powder laundry detergent at the beginning of the wash cycle. 2. Add clothes and let washer fill completely. For tough stains: Fill container with warm water. Add 2 tablespoons of Super Washing Soda per gallon of water or 1/2 cup in the washer. Pre-soak for at least 30 minutes before washing. For best results pre-soak overnight and then add 1/2 cup of Super Washing Soda along with detergent in wash cycle. Traps and drains: To help keep traps and drains open, dissolve 1/2 cup per gallon of warm water. Run hot water down drain, add Super Washing Soda solution, then flush with hot water. Do not use for blocked drains.  You can also get more cleaning tips here

Verdict:
My towel test with the ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda Detergent Booster was a success and the yellow-ish hue some had faded and most stains (80%) were released in the first wash. That is better than the 50/50 ratio I had going. I do not have issues with odor, unless a kitchen towel kicked it in the hamper too long but the wash when you use the booster is left smelling nice and clean. No perfumes, fragrances, dyes, and coloring to worry about with Arm & Hammer because the product contains none of that. Some fragrances not only irritate my allergies and asthma, but at times I have had hives/rashes if something contains strong scents, so this was a welcoming change for me. I give up nothing but the dirt on the clothes I wash and the price point makes it very affordable. I also use the booster to clean drains and it helps cut on the grease from foods to oils, waxes, and just anything you use that leaves a residue in your drain. The drain will flow better and also no odd smells to worry about. The ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda Detergent Booster also left my sink a nice shiny white and got rid of the soap scum build up that tends to collect around the drain! I am hoping more retailers in my area carry the booster because my Walmart is not close, so I’m looking at you Target 🙂

 

Connect with Arm & Hammer at:

• On-line
• Facebook
• YouTube

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Arm & Hammer and Smiley360.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

 

Dr. Bronner’s: Organic Baby Unscented Pure-Castle Liquid Soap, Bar of Soap and Sanitizer #Review #DrBronner

Going green or trying to simplify your beauty and hygiene routine is something we all should consider. Why? I never knew how many toxins and irritants were in beauty products until I experienced a negative reaction and unfortunately, it takes that for some us to take notice. I now adhere by the 80/20 ideology when it comes to my beauty routine. Eighty percent of products that are natural and nice to my skin and body, and twenty percent of the naughty stuff. So, my mascara and eyeliner fit in the latter category, but I have even cleaned up my nail polishes and face washes. My skin actually appreciates me being nicer to it!

I have used the Dr. Bronner’s soap collections before but not in this formulation. I was sent a nice array of products from Dr. Bronner’s:

• Unscented Pure-Castle Liquid Soap
• Lavender Organic Hand Sanitizer
• Lavender Pure-Castile Bar Soap

I love the smell of clean and this means just the freshness, minus the chemical storm I use to create. The parcel from Dr. Bronner’s had a glorious scent that was clean and just in an instant made me feel relaxed and tranquil…..and I’m high strong! I blame the lavender for trying to subdue me in the middle of the afternoon, but I enjoyed every second of emptying out that box!

Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 liquid soaps are hemp derived and I’m already on the hemp bandwagon when it comes to beauty products and solutions. I use a lip balm that saved my forever chapped lips and the miracle ingredient was simply hemp. The soaps are not only friendly to you but also the environment because they are 100% biodegradable. The Baby Unscented Pure-Castle soap is also Organic, Non-GMO certified and to add to the goodness list, Fair Trade Certified.

Ingredients (as listed on the website)-
Water, Organic Coconut Oil*, Potassium Hydroxide**, Organic Palm Kernel Oil*, Organic Olive Oil*, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Citric Acid, Tocopherol.  *CERTIFIED FAIR TRADE INGREDIENTS
** None remains after saponifying oils into soap & glycerin

Retail Price Point: $15.29 Special Price for the 32 ounce bottle on the website. $4.49 for for the 4 ounce bottle.  Via Amazon, the 32 ounce bottle is $16.89 and free shipping for Prime members.

Verdict:
Everything is great on the outside but does the Baby Unscented Pure Castle liquid soap deliver? Yes!!!! A little goes a long way and the soap cleans but does not strip away your skin’s moisture. It actually enhances it because the product contains Olive oil and Coconut oil……two of my favorite oils that are inexpensive but packed with nutrients. The soap is unscented but we all still pick up a smell from such products and this just smells nice and clean. Think of how freshness and a clean spring morning smells and this little bottle captured it. I have caught myself giving in to a few extra sniffs when using it. The liquid soap also has many applications beyond a face and body wash. I have used the soap for:

• Washing Fruit and Vegetables
• Giving the Dog a bath and especially after her surgery where she has an incision on her belly
• Washing bird baths and because it’s gentle and kind to the surrounding, don’t mistaken that for lack of cleaning power.
• Washing down the feeders where the squirrels and raccoon come to dine.
• To even treating my roses for aphids because there is no way I would spray 40 rose bushes if I did not trust the brand.

The uses are endless and I feel safe and comfortable using the soap, so that makes me a big fan of Dr. Bronner’s products. I saw the big bottle being sold at Costco and I definitely have already picked up two and you can easily find where you can purchase their wonderful products here.

Now, for the Lavender Sanitizer. Thank you for making a sanitizer that does not dehydrate my skin or nails. I have been experiencing dryness in excess from over use and because I try not to apply lotion to my hands when I’m out shopping (don’t want dirt and grime to have a welcoming surface), my hands have gone a dusty white in color from the over dryness. Yeah, the dryness that makes even closing your hands hurt but after using only Dr. Bronner’s Lavender Sanitizer spray, all that is gone. I finally found a formula of sanitizer that is kind to me but unkind to germs!

Ingredients (as listed on the website)-
Organic Fair Trade Ethyl Alcohol (62%)*, Water, Organic Glycerin, Organic Lavender Oil *CERTIFIED FAIR TRADE INGREDIENTS

Retail Price Point: $4.99 for a 2 ounce spay bottle.

Last but not least, the Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castle Bar of Soap in Lavender scent. Let me just rename this my make-up brush cleaner. I simply shave a piece off and added it to a candle votive holder made of glass. The holder allows for easy cleaning of my brushes because I can make little circles while the soap foams and the cosmetic residue, and whatever else stuck on there, just washes off. I simply then rinse the brushes and allow them to air dry before storing. My brushes both natural and synthetic have perfect bristles that are now clean and soft. This bar will also yield many washes because it is large and the lavender scent is calming…..something a girl desires when applying make-up!

Ingredients (as listed on the website)- Organic Coconut Oil*, Organic Palm Oil*, Sodium Hydroxide**, Water, Organic Olive Oil*, Lavandin Extract, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Lavender Extract, Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Tocopherol *CERTIFIED FAIR TRADE INGREDIENTS
** None remains after saponifying oils into soap & glycerin.

Retail Price Point: $4.69 for a 5 ounce bar.

I highly recommend trying anything from the Dr. Bronner’s line of products because I am confident you will be satisfied as I am with their products.  I actually plan to try one product in each line due to how well the items I received performed.  The products may be simple in what makes them but not simple when it comes to cleaning!

Connect with Dr. Bronner and their line of products at:

• On-line (free shipping when you spend $35 or more and check-out the 15% off Monthly Specials section)
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• Instagram
• YouTube
• #DrBronner #MomsMeet #AllOne

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Dr. Bronner.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

 

 

Cornucopia Brands: Pack of 2 Clear Glass Bottles, with Sprayers and Labels #Review #CBClearGlassBottles

I have always made my own mixtures when it comes to cleaning products, to stain removers, and even weed killers. The one thing that always fails me is not the mixes I create, but the bottles themselves. I have had bottles that constantly drip because the sprayers are cheap. They drip even when not in use to the point they empty and have even damaged a shelf in the garage.  This not only wastes product but also creates another mess I need to clean up. My last bottle had a sprayer that was so cheaply made, that if you filled the bottle to it’s highest level, the sprayer would pop off because the weight was too much. Infuriating!! I love also when companies label them “pro” as in professional and heavy-duty when they could not even spray simple water out successfully.  Most even clog or half-spray after a few uses.

In comes CB (Cornucopia Brands) with a duo pack of crystal clear glass bottles. They also include labels and each bottle comes with a sprayer advertised as heavy duty and with a stream or spray pattern option when used.

Retail Price Point: $13.89 for two bottles, two sprayers, plus labels.  Free shipping with Prime membership via Amazon.

Verdict:

I was already familiar with Cornucopia’s Brand of the cobalt blue bottle with sprayer, and I rank it as my number one favorite sprayer from anything I have tried in the past. I have purchased spray bottles from Industrial stores to hardware stores and none are as good in performance and long lasting as the Cornucopia Brands bottles. The clear glass makes it easy to identify what the bottles contain and if you have doubts, the easy stick on labels not only give the bottles an adorable look, but you can write what is in the sprayers, plus the label is large enough if you want to include contents of the mixes you made. These are great for anyone from people who just buy refill solutions, make their own, or just want to transfer contents from ready-made mixtures, but desire a better sprayer. I am 100% satisfied with everything from looks, spray and how they continuously spray without a hiccup. I used one bottle to make my own salt water spray to use for my hair and the other I mixed a weed killer solution of white vinegar, salt and a few squirts of soap. The bottles are clear, so it was easy to know when the mixture of salt had fully dissolved and I could begin spraying. I save money and at the same time get rid of those pesky weeds without harming the surroundings for the animals that visit us like the squirrels, raccoon and birds. It’s a win-win product in my book!

Connect with Cornucopia Brands at:

• Amazon
• Online
• Facebook
• Twitter
• #CBClearGlassBottles

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Cornucopia Brands.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Cornucopia Brands: Refillable Cobalt Glass 16oz Spray Bottle with Heavy Duty Sprayer #Review #CBCobaltSprayBottle

I have always made my own mixtures when it comes to cleaning products, to stain removers, and even weed killers. The one thing that always fails me is not the potions I create, but the bottles. I have had bottles that constantly drip because the sprayers are cheap (in material not price tag). This not only wastes product but also creates another mess I need to clean up. My last bottle had a sprayer that was so cheaply made, that if you filled the bottle to it’s highest level, the sprayer would pop off because the weight was too much. Infuriating!! I love also when companies label them “pro” as in professional and heavy-duty when they could not even spray simple water out successfully.

In comes CB (Cornucopia Brands) with not only a gorgeous cobalt blue colored bottle, but with a sprayer advertised as heavy duty and with a stream or spray pattern option when used.

Retail Price Point: $8.99 and free shipping with Prime membership via Amazon

Verdict:

I did not know where to land when it came to my expectations. The bottles in the past and my experience with them tended to make me well, not trust I could find a bottle that worked effectively. The bottles from Cornucopia Brands are made of a heavy glass material with a dye within the glass (not just a coloring that rubs off on the surface).  The glass is thick but not ultra heavy in weight. They are sturdy! Visually, they look stunning and I will admit I like using and looking at the pretty blue color (it matches some of the blue in our granite). Okay, but in the end how it works is all that matters to me! The glass is UV resistant, so any chemicals or solutions you make will not lose their effectiveness if they are light sensitive. I add simple window cleaner that has a vinegar base, and fill the bottle to the top. I flip the bottle upside-down, no leaks or dribbles. I then start cleaning because I know if this bottle accidentally tips on the carpet, it’s not going to create puddles. I spray and the spray is fine but controlled. It distributes a spray pattern that has a nice circumference, meaning you don’t have a wild spray where you target one area and a few squirts always make it outside where you wanted to spray. I also notice that the bottle has a decent weight at all times and no time does the bottle fall forward when it starts to empty and stays with an even distribution in weight (no tipping). No needing to catch the 1/4 empty bottle that wobbles or falls every time you but something back in the cabinet. I really appreciate that and I have been using the bottle for now 3 weeks in a row, every day and love the sprayer more with time. Why? Because it works. It’s that simple because in the end I need this sprayer to work without funny quirks and this glass bottle does every single time!

Connect with Cornucopia Brands at:

• Amazon
• Online
• Facebook
• Twitter
• #CBCobaltSprayBottle

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Cornucopia Brands.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Hudson Essentials Premium XL Stainless Steel Chainmail Scrubber

Nothing beats cooking with cast iron. The even heating, the high temps, the bullet-proof nature of the iron, the flavors the sear produces…I could go on and on. If I were forced to pick something about it that I didn’t absolutely love, it’s cleaning it up. Nothing beats a burger from a cast iron grill pan. Until it dribbles fat and cheese that sizzles to a faretheewell and good luck getting off without a blowtorch or some horribly caustic acid. And that’s where Hudson’s Premium Xl Cast Iron Cleaning Chainmail Scrubber comes in.

See, one thing about cast iron is it needs to be seasoned to be “bulletproof” cookware. Seasoning involves coating the pan, pot or dutch oven with a high-heat fat (I use lard), and baking in an over for about an hour. After that, the use of soaps or acids to clean tend to strip away the seasoning and flavors that build up on good cast iron. So, in order to clean it off completely you’re constantly starting over from square one. Unless you a have a good, large bit of chainmail around to scrub with. Think of it as a big, flat stainless steel sponge that never goes bad, falls apart, or gets covered in germs. And because it’s 316L food-grade stainless steel, it won’t rust. At 9″x 9″, it’s 40% larger than the standard 7″ x 7″, and covers the cook base of most standard 10″ pans perfectly.

The things I did not love about this was that I tend to use a grill pan more often than my cast iron skillet. A grill pan has a raised grill, with narrow channels to carry away fats as you cook. The narrow channels are just narrow enough that the small stainless rings that make up the chain mail don’t quite fit in the channels, which means the pan I’d need it for the most doesn’t play nice with the Hudson Premium XL Chainmail Scrubber. Bummer. That’s a problem exclusive to folks like me who have a Lodge brand 12″ grill pan. All my other cast iron pieces clean up like a dream. The other is the size. It’s not a true 9″ x 9″, more like 8″ x 7″ at best. And since I don’t have a lot of experience with chain mail cleaners, I don’t know how accurate their explanation for the short measurement is. The upside is, it’s a one time cost, so no chemicals to buy, no fancy cleaners, no sponges or brushes. And Hudson guarantees it for the life of the product. So you need to decide if this is for you, but I’m a fan.

Connect with Hudson Essentials:

• On Amazon
• Online
• On Facebook

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Hudson Essentials.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

Smiley360: Gorilla Glue Shipping and Storage (Packaging) Tape #Review #GorillaTape

I recall when Gorilla Glue first came out on the market, it changed how I made one thing stick to another! Nothing was like it and trust me when you tried to un-do what you stuck together, nothing bonded as stronger.

When Gorilla tape came out with a series of tapes to fit your needs, I was game! If the glue impressed me and I continued to purchase adhesives from their brand, there was no reason for me not to try their tapes. Then came the claim of needing just 1 strip. Okay, I can stuff a box like no one can……does that mean one strip of tape can hold well enough for an hour, a day, or if I touch the box does it pop open? I had questions, so when I was offered the mission to try out the tape, I was thrilled.

 

Retail Price Point: About $9 to $13 depending on where you purchase and I found the rolls on Amazon, Home Depot to Lowe’s, where Lowe’s had a nice $8.97 price tag.

Verdict:
Testing a tape is easy, it either works or it does not. There is no middle ground and that made my reviewing so much easier. I have been shipping products out and also cleaning out rooms. I’m simplifying my life I say, but I’m really cleaning out drawers that are filled with stuff I do not need. You know those drawers that you treat like the bottom shelf at the grocery store. You know where you rarely ever grab anything from and I have drawers that I can’t recall the last time I opened them and much less what exactly is in them. I had 3 boxes and two were super stuffed but the lips of the edges still touched and in my book, that means the box can close. Yes, I had to use force to make one close but that is besides the point. I start the tape and this stuff is thicker and it’s sticky part has serious power. Like I think it exfoliated my finger tips because I left some really good impressions of my finger prints where the tape started. I do the “just one strip” test and the box holds. I hear no cracklings of the box slowly opening and I then walk away. Hey, I’m not staying around for when this box spills it’s guts! I forget about it and two days later when I’m moving the boxes into the garage, one box opened and of course it was the lighter of the three. The one with 2 strips of normal packaging tape going one way and two more going the other on each outside edge, is also holding. Mr. Gorilla tape is holding with one strip that just seals the edges that met. No sign of weakness and I can move the box normally and not like it’s made out of porcelain, so it won’t pop. I say the Gorilla came through and did not lie!

Find your the Gorilla Power that fits your needs at:

• On-line
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• YouTube
• #GorillaGlueTape #GorillaTape

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Gorilla Glue Tape and Smiley360.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

Microfiber MultiPurpose Cleaning Cloth Review #MicrofiberTowels5pack

Everyone needs to clean things. Some of us clean more than others, and some of us are so nit-picky about our cleaning that it takes a lot longer than it (probably) should. I fall into that last category. Lint, streaks, smudges, schmutz…they drive me bonkers. I was offered a 5-pack of microfiber cleaning towels from Federico’s Care Care to try out and review. So you better believe I was ALL over that.

Microfiber towels are a godsend. Back when I was younger, it was Windex and paper towels. I could go through a roll of paper towels just cleaning one room. And despite my somewhat (some have said **cough** hubby **cough**) unhealthy attention to detail, there was always lint. Streaks. Smudges. I ran myself ragged trying to eliminate them all. The whole time, all I needed was some microfiber. These towels from Federico’s Car Care are 100% lint free, machine washable, reusable cotton. Streaks are a thing of the past in my mirrors. My TV screen is sharp and clean. My high-gloss electronics now laugh at smudges and fingerprints. These 16″ x 12″ towels are also perfect for car detailing, furniture polishing, and keeping your touch-screen devices as sparkly as the day you opened them.

The only negative I can see is that at $9.99 for a five-pack, it’s a little steep. Amazon is chock-a-block full of micofiber cleaning cloth packs at much less. I did get these for free to review, but I would have to imagine that if asked to pay for them, I might have looked elsewhere due to the cost. They are quality towels, and they don’t bleed in the wash, come clean after, and keep things clean and lint free, so in the end you have to decide if they’re worth the extra cost. To that end Federico’s Car Care offers a 30-day, Money-back 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so it’s a low risk proposition to give them a shot for yourself.

Connect with Federico’s Car Care:

• On the web
• On Amazon

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Federico’s Car Care.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Leather Nova Cleaners and Conditioners Review

 

I have quite a few leather goods in my home. From furniture, to purses and wallets, jackets and shoes, to even nick-nacks. Caring for leather goods properly isn’t always easy. Every knows someone, or has experienced it themselves…the sticky leather. The greasy leather, the cracked, stiff, dried leather. It can be heart-breaking. Enter Leather Nova and it’s trio of superb products. Never greasy, never sticky, and always on point.

I started with the Leather Nova Spray Cleaner. A pH balanced, no-rinse cleaner made of the highest grade, non-toxic polymers, and free from harsh detergents and chemicals. Made in the USA and even comes with a free microfiber towel to apply. It has a pleasant, leather-ey smell and isn’t harsh on my hands, either. I know this because I have a habit of applying these types of cleaners with my bare hands. It quickly brought up all the little bits of dirt and grime on hubby’s favorite chair, and wiped clean away with a towel. The surface felt smooth, clean and smelled fresh. So far, so good.

Retail Price Point: $17.96 via Amazon

Next up is Leather Nova’s Ultimate Leather Protector Conditioner. Also made in the USA for non-toxic, high grade polymers, and like the cleaner, free from harsh detergents and chemicals. It goes on thick (using the included microfiber applicator and, again, my hand) but spreads easily. It was very shiny and had me quite worried, but a careful reading of the directions says to leave it on for an hour and then buff the excess away. After a hour I buff with a soft cloth. Hubby’s chair didn’t look this snazzy when we brought it home from Krause’s! And the smell is almost showroom new. No little cloth fibers left behind from buffing, just a soft, smooth, supple leather chair that even I can now enjoy sitting in. It even lessened the appearance for the two surface scratches in the seat cushion. Two for two!

Retail Price Point: $19.77 via Amazon

Last up is the Leather Nova Cleaner & Conditioner. Made to the same standards of the stand alone cleaner and conditioner product, it was, sadly, my least favorite of the the three. I followed the directions to a tee, but felt that the two separate products did a far superior job of both cleaning and conditioning the leather. I could see this being used as a “touch up” or follow-up treatment after using the other two products first to deep clean and condition, but as a stand alone product it felt lacking. It worked well on Hubby’s wallet, and an old purse of mine that had seen better days (it may even work it’s way back into the rotation again!). But where it really shined was an old leather jacket I’d given hubby back when we were dating. He’s used and abused it, even one year where it was used to take our little dog out to do her business. In the rain. And then left in the garage to dry. After an all-over treatment from Leather Nova’s Cleaner & Conditioner, it felt better than the day I gave it to him. Many, many, many (like, a lot of) years ago. And now with many more years to come. So while it wasn’t my favorite of the three, it still did an outstanding job on it’s own.

Retail Price Point: $15.97 via Amazon

Leather Nova seems to have a passion for leather (not like that, dirty birds), and takes it’s products serious. It offers a 90 day, no questions asked guarantee, too. Use the product for up to 90 days and if you’re unsatisfied for any reason at all, contact them for a full and prompt refund. Environmentally friendly and manufactured in small batches to ensure quality, I am impressed with the dedication and devotion shown to their products.

Get in touch with Leather Nova via:

• Their website
• Facebook
• Google+
• Amazon.com

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Leather Nova.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

Smiley: Efferdent Fresh Guard Starter Kit #Review #Freshguard

I was very fortunate to have had braces. Although you’d be hard pressed to get me to admit it at the time. The last thing anyone wants when they’re starting high school is a mouth full of metal. But now, with the benefit of age and understanding I know that my parents did me a huge favor (and laid out no small amount of money) to ensure I had a straight, beautiful smile. Part of maintaining that for all these years has been wearing my retainer from time to time. Yes, I still wear my retainer, much to my husband’s amusement, all these years later.

And anyone who has one knows that keeping them clean is paramount. The absolute LAST thing you want in your mouth is a gunky, nasty retainer. Toothpaste isn’t the same animal from when we were kids, so I can appreciate Smiley360’s offer to try Fresh Guard by Efferdent. Gentle on the appliances we put in our mouths, but rough on germs. It’s also good for mouth guards and removable braces. Since I don’t have those, just my retainer, I’ll be sticking to that.

What I really like from jump street is that you can just drop it in a glass or bowl, pour the crystals and let the fizz carry the junk away. Which is exactly what I did. I notice right away that despite the emphasis on “fresh”, there’s instead a very distinct chemical smell. The instructions say to wait for the water to turn clear, and you’re good to go, but the smell makes me want to rinse it right away, which I do. And I’m glad I did, because there’s still a slight “off” taste. I can’t imagine what it would have been right from the glass to my mouth. It doesn’t seem any cleaner than when I use a toothbrush and toothpaste, so I’m hard pressed to see the benefit from this product.

My kit also comes with a Fresh Guard wipe, which I have to assume would be better suited to something without ridges or pointy edges like my retainer, because it kept getting caught. It didn’t do a very thorough job at all.

All things considered, I’m not a huge fan of this product, and don’t particularly see the need for the additional expense. If it did a better job than a toothbrush and toothpaste, I could see it but it doesn’t. It might also be seen as step backwards with the smell. Shame, really, because I wanted to like this product.

If you would like to try Fresh Guard by Efferdent, please visit:

• On-line: http://freshguardclean.com/
• Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/freshguard?source=feed_text&story_id=698866333486213
• Twitter- https://twitter.com/search?q=%23FreshGuard
• Coupon/Savings- http://smiley360.com/ct_653.php?utm_source=Facebook

I received the above product free of charge from Fresh Guard by Efferdent and Smiley360.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.