Box adds style, function to outdoor fun
Those of us with a small balcony, deck or patio know staging a party — and stashing stuff when it’s over — is a challenge.
Brookbend Outdoor Furniture near Boston had us in mind for its red cedar storage buffet box. The three-part lid opens to create two serving areas and space for three plastic tubs to fill with ice for chilling food and drink. When the party ends, stow garden tools, lanterns or seat cushions inside until the next fete.
Company President Paul Marcus calls assembly “very, very easy.” On sale this month, the large $699 box measures about 30 inches high by 28 inches deep by 63 inches wide; a one-tub $299 model is about 30 inches high by 22 inches deep by 28 inches wide. Prices jump to $1,000 and $350, respectively, next month. Add $70 for staining, which, says Marcus, makes the cedar look like teak. (877) 204-6986 or www.brookbend.com.
Shower scrubber extends
Those hard-to-reach spots in the tub or shower just got a little easier to clean.
Scotch-Brite is selling a Shower & Bath Scrubber with an aluminum handle that extends to up to 25 inches. A swiveling head holds a detachable Scotch-Brite scrubbing pad, which removes soap scum and other buildup without scratching most surfaces. Also available is a brush refill that can be used instead of the scrubbing pad.
The scrubber has a suggested retail price of $5.99. Refill scrubbing pads or brushes sell for about $1.99.
The product is available at retailers nationwide.
Steam cleaner does it all
Hoover Co. has a new cleaning appliance that lets steam do the dirty work.
The Hoover Steamer produces a jet of steam that can be used for such jobs as cleaning floors, removing gunk from stove-top drip pans and even scrubbing sinks and toilets without the use of chemicals. The steamer can be hand-held or used with a telescoping handle for surfaces such as floors, and it comes with a variety of accessories designed for different cleaning jobs.
The flow of steam is adjustable, so it can be made more or less concentrated, depending on the task. The machine can also be used to steam wrinkles out of clothing and draperies.
The Hoover Steamer is available on www.hoover.com and at the Hoover sales and service centers, the company said. The suggested retail price is $69.95 to $99.95.