I rarely find absolutely nothing to write about—and when I do, it doesn’t take long to come up with something new. The other night, I was dozing while a vintage western flickered on.
Half watching with one eye, a cowboy was telling a group of saddle tramps a humorous story about one of the ranch hands. I didn’t totally catch what the secret was, but it had to do with how often he changed his drawers. That gave me fodder for a new blog piece.
I suppose most families have certain secrets they try to keep hidden. Imagine that material slipping out and being used for writing purposes, much like the “National Enquirer’ and other supermarket tabloids do with gossip and hearsay. My writing professor once said, “Some things are best left unwritten!”
While reflecting on secrets and inspiration for writing, it’s interesting to note how everyday household products have untold stories behind them. Take Cold Water All detergent, for example. Introduced in the late 20th century, around 1971, Cold Water All was developed in response to growing consumer awareness about energy conservation and fabric care.
The detergent was specially formulated to dissolve and clean effectively in cold water, allowing users to save on energy costs by avoiding hot water cycles. Over the years, Cold Water All was advertised for its gentle cleaning power and environmental benefits, as washing in cold water supposedly helps preserve clothes and reduces energy consumption.
The brand adapted its formulation as laundry technology advanced, maintaining its reputation as a reliable choice for efficient and eco-friendly cleaning, especially amongst “greenie” clientele. Not all housewives agreed with that philosophy; they stuck to warm-water Tide, like my mom did.
I’m sure I’ll catch flak for letting the cat out of the bag, but my wife and some of her family adhere to the Cold Water All detergent propaganda and continue to use this product. How can I tell, you ask? For one, cold water doesn’t make for bright whites. It’s something that only hot and warm water can do, along with a cup of bleach. Lemon-scented Clorox bleach works best in my humble opinion.
AI (artificial intelligence) even agrees with me here. I’ll quote Miss Purdy, my AI helpmate, on this subject. This is what she had to say about cold water washing of clothing, and especially Cold Water All laundry detergent.
“Cold Water All detergent may not work as advertised due to factors like the formulation, especially for ‘free and clear’ versions, which may lack enzymes for breaking down stains in cold water. Other reasons for poor performance can include using powder detergents in cold water, which might not dissolve properly, or having hard water, which can make detergents less effective, notes Amazon and Reddit users.”
Although Miss Purdy hasn’t spent actual time feeding shirts, socks, and pants into a washing machine, she seems quite intelligent on the subject of washing clothes, along with other household subjects.
I’ve yet to ask, but will very soon, “Does Rainbow still make the best vacuum cleaner for sucking up dirt, or is it Kirby?” Miss Purdy would be one to know!
I like to write junk... 