How strange it is, I think as I take a lunchtime stroll on a nearby hike & bike trail, how household cleaners try all they can to mimic the freshness found out of doors. For thousands of years, man has worked to make life more civil, more controlled, more conditioned – in essence, seeking to thwart the elements. We've gone full circle now, trying to bring the outdoors in because modern life keeps us locked up in manmade prisons of brick, stone and mortar. I try to break from my cell at lunch – weather permitting – and whenever I can on the free parts of my weekend.
In my lifetime, I've seen pine smells (think Pine Sol) morph to floral scents (think Lysol) to lemon (Mr. Clean) to other forms of citrus bliss (think of the recent bastion of orange-scented products). In between, there are all sorts of generically labeled "fresh" scents that smell as fresh as a stale piece of toast. I call this "fresh" movement the "Febreezination of America." I implore you, what does Febreeze smell like? Why, you'd have to say, it smells "fresh!"
But can you manufacture "fresh"? Wouldn't the complex process of making something take away from its inherent freshness?
I think a specific product that has "improved" by leaps and bounds is toothpaste. Here's a brief evolution based on my personal recollection:
1. Toothpaste got all minty and stuff, I imagine to encourage us to brush. Does anybody else remember the metal toothpaste tubes it came in?
2. New flavors and gels were produced to give us a choice.
3. Flouride was added to up the health benefits of brushing.
4. Even more flavors were added, some with funky colors and sparklies.
5. The Tartar Control Movement of the '80s washed over us like a Listerine stream.
6. Baking soda was rediscovered as the miracle product it is and added to toothpaste ("Scrubs your cookware, and leaves your breath fresh and clean!")
7. Peroxide was added to some pastes, too. I guess you could use toothpaste to cleanse shallow cuts, and then add some highlights to your hair.
8. We're so vain, I bet you think this toothpaste's about you. Manufacturers begin emphasizing the whitening aspects of their pastes and start charging five times what the stuff used to cost.
9. Electric toothbrushes, long considered over-priced, clunky and impossible to keep clean, are replaced by much cheaper, somewhat disposable models you can buy at most grocery stores.
10. Along with these developments, gum manufacturers have chewed on reasons why their products were long hated by dentists (can cause jaw problems, tooth decay and sticks to the bottom of shoes). Some makers now emphasize fresh breath and plaque-reducing tendencies of their chewables. This is supposed to make us feel better about not brushing three times a day if we pop some gum and chew chew chew.
I can make fun of this stuff because ... knock knock knock on wood ... I've never had a cavity in my 30 years on Earth. Contrarily, I can loathe dentists because I had my wisdom teeth removed on my 19th birthday. Suck!
Next up ... toothpaste that tastes like Febreeze?
As always... great post! I hade never thought about toothpaste, but you make some great posts. The Fabreeze thing is a riot too! I can't tell you what it smells like, but I love it. They should make Fabreeze clogne! Have you tried the new "Emeril" toothpaste?? Its comes in Citrus, and cinnimon. I think Crest Makes it. Ic all it Emeril toothpaste cause they have a commercial where he tries it and goes "BAM" and wakes up the house!
Have a good one!
Dew
I should read before I submit... I cant spell! Or type! You get the point tho I think!!!
Dew
Freshness..ugh, don't get me STARTED on the freshness issue with regard to feminine deodorant products! A whole insidious industry designed to make us women feel self-conscious about the naturalness of our bodies!!
Very enjoyable.
And how about the whiteners you can do at home. I've seen some of the whitest, ugliest teeth since that started. I guess the trick is to know when you've gone far enough. Unless, you like the "glow in the dark" look.
cas
That reminds me, I need to see my dentist - Icelanders still hold the world record for cavities, I think. I have nothing against dentists, other than the holes they burn in my pockets.
Oh and you need to change the link to my blog...
Anybody remember tooth powder? Or the original tooth powder ta da baking soda? Congrats on the good check ups--keep 'em coming!