03 December 2018

Get Biz and get cleaner laundry than you ever thought possible



A couple of months ago, I received what amounted to a care package from CR Brands due no doubt to my involvement with Mean Green and Roto-Rooter. In that package, among other goodies, were a box of Biz Powder and a bag of Biz Liquid Boosters.


I’d heard of Biz but I never really gave it a whole lot of thought. I’m a Tide user after all and my thinking was always that if Tide can’t getting my laundry clean then nothing can. As a good Proctor and Gamble customer I’d learned to trust and never question the wisdom of my laundry overlords. Quite honestly, I want my laundry to be clean and I don’t want to give it a whole lot more thought than that.


But the freebies piqued my interest and so the next time I did a load of whites I threw a Biz Liquid Booster pod into the machine as a test. As soon as I did it I moved onto other things and promptly forgot I’d added Biz to my laundry.


As I was folding that load of whites a couple of hours later I couldn’t help but notice my whites were indeed whiter. I’m a big fan of Clorox for whites and I thought the Clorox and Tide combo was the ne plus ultra of laundering whites but I was mistaken. Clorox, Tide and Biz make socks and towels radioactively white. It’s insane how white my kitchen towels in particular were.

I cook a lot and I mean a lot as you may have surmised and I am particularly brutal on my kitchen towels. I use the flour sack towels and I usually replace them every six months or so because eventually, they get so stained that nothing will get them clean.

But I’m telling you, those Biz Liquid Booster pods tore through really difficult stains like cocoa and dried milk.

So I kept using them and each time I used them on both colors and whites, my laundry came out looking better and better.

As I tore through my bag of pods I started using the box of powder I’d received and frankly the result was the same. I sound like a shill but I had cleaner laundry than I ever thought I could have. The samples I received have turned me into a lifetime customer and my laundry doesn’t feel like it’s been done properly without it. Biz Powder, Biz Liquid and Biz Liquid Boosters really work as promised and I say that as a typically skeptical shopper and consumer.

Biz is a product that’s been around a while, since 1968 in fact. It was invented by a Proctor and Gamble chemist and consists of a proprietary blend of enzymes, peroxide and detergent and those things work in concert with the laundry detergent you already have. The enzymes power through protein based stains, the peroxides make dye-type stains disappear and the detergents scrub through mud and dirt. It’s a winning combination that actually works.

You can buy Biz powder in most grocery stores and big boxes and it’s easy to use, even with front loading, HE machines like mine. The instructions are written clearly on the box so be sure to follow them if you have a front loader. Follow this link for  $1 off coupon that ought to help your buying decision. Many of the stores that carry the powder also carry the liquid and it works the same way as the powder does.

The Biz Liquid Booster pods are a bit harder to find but start requesting them from your grocery store. If enough people make enough noise about it, they’ll start carrying the pods as well.

Just remember that Biz is a laundry additive, not a detergent in its own right. It helps your laundry detergent do its job better. Biz powder and liquid have uses other than the laundry too. Biz powder dissolved in hot water made short work of my kitchen floors and cabinet doors when I put it through the test a couple of weeks ago. The package label has instructions for more of those other uses if you’re so inclined.


My involvement with CR Brands this year has been an eye opener for a host of reasons and the products I’ve tried out with their help really do work and in the case of Biz, those samples have turned me from a tester into a customer. So go get Biz-y and excuse my bad pun.

26 November 2018

Great Ideas for Designing a Smaller Bathroom

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Making tight small spaces look good can be a real challenge especially if you have little to no knowledge of design. But thanks to the internet, decorating your personal space can be less of a headache. These clever hacks will help you get your bath in order and on a budget!

When you’re dealing with a limited square footage, it’s normal to make function your first priority. However, it’s also easy to compromise aesthetics when you’re worried about where to put what. It gets even more challenging when you have plenty of design options but have no idea which best to adapt.

This guide helps you get the anxiety out of the way so you can take charge and make your space work for you.

Use Light Colors

Using soft, lighter shades helps disperse and reflect light producing the effect of a bigger, more open space. If you want to have a brighter bath interior, this hack is a quick fix. It’s especially useful if your bathroom has a lot of mounted and built-in features.

White is a common choice, but you can experiment with monochromes or muted tones of your favorite shades.

Use the Same Materials for Your Floors and Walls

Often, the secret to efficient bath design is to trick the eye. Aside from using lighter tones as your bathroom theme, opting for a unified wall and floor design makes it harder to differentiate where one ends and the other begins, making your space look larger than it is.

Marble works best for the purpose although tiles are a good choice as well.

Use Open Shelves

Instead of using closed-up cabinets to store your bath items, you can instead opt for open shelves. Closed cabinets add bulk to the space and usually leave no room for aesthetic play.

By using tiered, open shelves, on the other hand, you can display not only your lovely bathroom items but also some design pieces that can add character to your overall setup. Not to mention, open shelves can be placed anywhere from the back of your bathroom door to that little space between your toilet and the bathroom wall.

You may also try using ladder shelves. This is a great open-shelf idea that plays with how the mind perceives depth by using tapered lines that only accumulate bulk near the floor.

Use Mirrors

Mirrors are fantastic reflectors, and incorporating them into your design can help make the space appear roomier and open. If you’re going to use a flat mirror, go for a large one, and install it behind your sink.

Opt for the mirror to drop down the floor instead of cutting at the chest or waist. You can also strategically put a vanity opposite a window to maximize the amount of natural light that is dispersed throughout the room.

Use Space-Saving Bathroom Fixtures

This is good advice if you’re starting from scratch or doing a full remodel. With limited surface space and functionality in mind, purchase ergonomically designed bathroom fixtures that are not only functionally efficient but also space-saving.

For example, instead of buying a standard toilet model, you can opt for a macerating toilet, which is not only compact in design but also easy to install and fit into small spaces. You may also fix a towel shelf that straddles the height and length of the toilet tank. You can use this to store small bathroom items. Additionally, if you have a small space available above the tank, you can consider squeezing in a medicine cabinet.

Light Up Your Ceiling

Extend the reach of light to your ceiling to create the illusion of a larger space. You can put up sconces beside your vanities or line a LED strip around the area of the wall just immediately below the ceiling. If you prefer to use traditional bulbs, make sure you choose one with maximum luminescence so it adequately covers the whole area.

Use Plants

Plants have a way of charming up any space, no matter how small. They also work well with windowless rooms and can help tune out the claustrophobic appeal. If you want to instantly freshen up a small bathroom, integrate a small touch of green, and see your space transform.

Make it your statement piece by using a gorgeous metallic vase to add edge and character. Instead of using leafy indoor species, you may also opt for creative terrarium setups.

Although the bathroom environment can be harsh for plants, especially with its constantly changing temperature and humidity level, there are plants that can thrive its rough conditions, regardless of whether or not you have a green thumb.

Here’s a great list from Natural Living Ideas.

Final Word

Making a small bathroom look stylish and expensive is not impossible, even when you’re on a budget. Feel free to follow these tips, but don’t be afraid to experiment with your own style. The sky is the limit.