Cynthia Kuhn

How Very Goldilocks

We have been focused on replacing our old kitchen things and bringing in more healthy options. Bye forever, nonstick pans and other culprits!

Once we cleaned out the cupboards, we turned our attention to the products we are using too, right down to the dishwasher detergent. We’ve used the same thing for decades—a brand that has been popular since we were young. It was okay but often left behind a film. Mostly, it was chock full of chemicals and we wanted to switch to something more natural. This spring, we searched for a new one.

The first one we tried was way too lemon-y. When the dishwasher ran, the whole first floor was transformed into lemon central. It was nice at first, but then it sort of got into your mouth, so that everything in your life smelled and tasted like lemons. Also, there was a film that made the glasses and silverware cloudy. Pass.

The second one smelled fresh but not oppressive. That was promising. However, it didn’t seem to have much cleaning power, which was unfortunate since that was, you know, its entire purpose. It left things covered in crusty stuff. Not even sure what that was. Why would someone create a detergent that adds crud to your plates? No thank you.

But the third one was just right! (Cue heavenly choir.) It is without a doubt the best dishwasher detergent that we have ever used. Not only is it free of all the chemicals in our old brand, but it also does not leave any residue whatsoever on the dishes or glasses. Everything is just clean. It’s fabulous. In case you’re wondering: it’s Seventh Generation Free and Clear.

I don’t usually feel compelled to talk about dishwasher detergent. Please forgive me and thank you for listening.

(You could say this is relevant for writing–or any activity, really–too, because sometimes when you start a new project, it can take a few tries to find the right angle…but it’s worth it to keep trying!)

Dear readers: have you discovered any new products lately about which you are particularly happy?  

26 thoughts on “How Very Goldilocks”

  1. I haven’t discovered any new products but you’ve inspired me to try. Thank you. As I read your post, I had the same thought you did about the similarities between searching for the perfect product and searching for the perfect start to a new manuscript. Sometimes the beginning writes itself and sometimes it takes a few attempts. LOL! Not so LOL!

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  2. Thanks for the recommendation! It reminds me of the recipes I’m adapting from old cookbooks for my next Vintage Cookbook Mystery. A lot of recipes from the past are bland and it will take three tries to get them right. Although, to be honest, sometimes I just go with telling readers to experiment with ramping up the flavor on their own!

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    1. Imagining all the bad-for-you ingredients in some of those vintage recipes that are still available, lol. When in doubt, add gelatin, food dye, and marshmallows! Oh, and lard.

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  3. Not doing exactly what you do, because most of my kitchen equipment was specifically analyzed before purchase.

    i had to get rid of some things in the kitchen last year, to adapt to the hubbs condition. This summer I’m going to go through the process again. Then I will start the library, the guest room (which he may inhabit in the future since I’ve been in the bed by myself for over a year), and my writing office, which needs a major overhaul.
    I’m hoping to be done by the end of the year.

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  4. We’re very much a “free and clear” family here. It’s because we’ve had to deal with eczema in the past (and present). I’ve also had skin sensitivity before, but I didn’t realize that I too could have a flare-up (😢) until now. I recently tried out a bunch of lotions, and I must say I was really impressed with La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+.

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  5. If we’re talking about shopping, can I just rant here a bit about the selection (or lack thereof) of products at brick-and-mortar stores these days? Twenty different brands of olive oil but not one bottle of sunflower oil on the shelf. Or at the restaurant: eight IPA beers to one measly lager. And now at my local Safeway I had to track down a store clerk to unlock the cabinet in order to buy a bar of soap!

    No wonder folks end up going online to do their shopping. SIgh….

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    2. So agree, Leslie! I’ve been noticing this more and more–just had to order my dog’s food, a Dove shower wash, and gummy multivitamins…

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  6. Congrats on finding one that worked. I can’t think of any new products in my life recently. Sticking with what (mostly) works around here.

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    1. Thank you! It’s a little ridiculous how happy we were to find it.

      But it’s great that everything is working well in your neck of the woods–that’s wonderful.

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    1. Yay! And ooooh I am so sorry about your moisturizer! I worked in retail cosmetics for a little while and remember that Origins was created by Estee Lauder, so maybe there is something over there (or in Clinique, its sister brand) that is comparable?

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  8. I’m a fan of Earth Breeze laundry sheets. The soap is concentrated and breaks down during the washing cycle. No more big plastic jugs of detergent. I also use Bite toothpaste bits. They come in paper packaging so no more plastic tubes that may or may not be recyclable.

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  9. Cynthia, thanks for this post–I think a lot of people are rethinking products these days. My well-known, easy-Glide dental floss disappeared off the shelves–and even online. Turns out they discontinued it due to carcinogenic materials. They came out with several replacement products that also say “easy glide,” but…they are not. In fact, the tape shreds and splits and tears. Grr! New to my product list: Arm & Hammer “Free” laundry detergent, sensitive skin edition. See ya, Mrs. Meyers. But I will stick with Dawn dish soap (from those oil-slick duck commercials) and Woolite.

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    1. Oh my gosh, I didn’t know that about Glide. They seriously put carcinogenic materials on dental floss? WOW.

      And I hope your new detergent is awesome (better than the shreddy floss, sigh)!

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