Product Review: Rejuvenate Click n Clean Multi-Surface Spray Mop System
This month we explored the always impressive Chicago International Home and Housewares Show. We've been covering it annually since 2012, checking out the new product releases, clever inventions, and must haves. Though not the most glamorous, one of my favorite brand new launches this year, for sheer ease and practicality, is the Rejuvenate Click n Clean Multi-Surface Spray Mop System, so I was elated when they reached out about partnering with ChiIL Mama on a sponsored post.
Rejuvenate's Click N Clean Multi-Surface Spray Mop System is one of ChiIL Mama's top picks because mud, sand and snow happen!
Nobody wants to buy and store 5 different cleaning implements for hardwood, carpet, vinyl, tile and grout. The Rejuvenate CLICK n CLEAN is a handy 5 in one tool, that's reasonably priced at $34.97, and will be available at Home Depot May 1st. I'm excited that this mop is easy enough for my teens to assemble and use, and it comes with multiple pad types, three bottle adapters, and a bottle of floor cleaner. So you're ready to clean right out of the package.
Check out the NEW Rejuvenate Click N Clean in action:
This clever invention even has a GROUT BRUSH! Try saying that one 5 times fast. It's undoubtedly more fun to say than do, but this mop makes a thankless task much quicker to finish, and easier to do.
We gave it a good workout on all 5 surfaces, and also discovered it's pretty fantastic on hard to reach ceiling fan blades and walls as well. We were quite impressed with the ease of assembly, ease of use, and versatility. Our family includes 2 big dogs that track in copious amounts of mud, and shed all over. We also have 4 shedding guinea pigs, and two teenagers, so the messes can add up. The Rejuvenate Click n Clean Multi-Surface Spray Mop did an impressive job with all our surfaces. Highly recommended.
ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List:
Firebuggz Fun Favorites at
International Home and Housewares Show
Firebuggz campfire cooking supplies turn your ordinary campfire into a gourmet glamping experience.
FireBuggz was one of our favorites at The International Home and Housewares Show at McCormick Place earlier this month. Here at ChiIL Mama, we're avid, lifelong campers and our children love the outdoors too. Since we live in Chi, IL we've made sure our city kids went to nature camp from toddlerhood through their teen years, and we make a point to spend time where the trees are taller than the buildings. We're all huge fans of campfires too. In fact, my last name Kenaz is a Nordic rune meaning fire, passion, and creativity, the creative spark, and hearth fire. Firebuggz combine that creative spark with useful tools for campfires, back yard fire pits and more. We're hoping to review some of this playfully clever line of products on our next family foray into the woods.
We also love to support family run businesses, and Firebuggz has a good backstory. Firebuggz is a family-run company with Bob, his wife Tara, his daughter Kinsley and a Micah, who runs the warehouse and is like family. Before opening Firebuggz, they had a landscaping company in Minnesota.
Bob has always been an inventor, and his family dreamed of having a company that had the four F’s … Food, Family, Fun and Fellowship.
The company started in 2011 with their first product, the Fire Fishing Pole, which lets you hang a marshmallow over the fire. “It’s too much fun,” said Firebuggs founder Bob Hurt. “It should be illegal. Once you pick it up, even the crabbiest people will smile.”
They started by assembling their products in the garage. They spent three weeks a month travelling around the country to craft shows and other direct to consumer shows. Driving their Ford Transit Connect van from New York to Wisconsin to Colorado, they camped at night, and the kids helped to assemble the products that they sold.
The best part about travelling the county and camping is that they were able to get lots of feedback and ideas about their products. “On the road we met so many super nice people who were in the same boat as we were, trying to break into retail with our products. And since we were also camping we got to really understand our customers and get feedback. They told us what they wanted and we made it.”
One of the most surprising things that they learned from other campers was the importance of offering a variety of colors. “When we first started we had only one color,” explained Hurt. “When we added more colors we tripled sales.
Scaling Up and Going Retail
Growing Firebuggz has been a smooth ride, and the biggest challenge has been getting the products on the shelves on time and ramping up production when they started to in higher volumes. Darren Schwagel is an engineer who did all the mock ups and cad drawings for the products. They found a factory that could assemble higher volumes of the products. They chose a smaller factory that has fewer people involved in assembling the products so there are fewer opportunities to make mistakes.
In 2012 and 2013 they started to attend retail trade shows. The first one was the Atlanta Gift Market.
At that point they needed packaging, because they started out binding their products with rubber bands. Dan Norquist, a designer from Minneapolis, created a lot of the packaging and retail displays that helped them grab the attention they needed in a retail environment.
“We spent a lot of time making the packaging just right, following the seven second rule (where you have seven seconds to get someone’s attention),” said Hurt. “Nothing looked cheap, and there were lots of pictures of families and kids.”
The first two big retail outlets that sold Firebuggz were Scheels and Crackerbarrel, who bought 8,000 units when they had a camping theme in their stores. Now they have them in 6,000 locations across the U.S. and also in Australia, Austria, Japan, Norway, Canada and Sweden.
In November they sold their one millionth unit, and they have expanded their product line to include campfire cookers of all types, a heavy duty cast iron pie iron, a fire grill, Smogglez (to keep the smoke out of your eyes), the Snacklebox (to transport all the treats from the car to the fire).
They are dedicated to making products that help families have more fun outdoors.
DynaTrap’s newest product uses proprietary tech to deliver superior protection against disease-carrying insects — all in an attractive, discreet sconce design.
Here at ChiIL Mama we adore spring through fall in Chi, IL, but not the influx of insects those seasons bring. We've had a plague of moths for years, that came in a bag of bird seed and return to their place of birth year after year. The city also has more than it's fair share of flies! In the past we've put up ugly fly paper in the yard and enclosed back porch as they come through the dog doors. Now we're thrilled to have a more effective, and much more attractive option, the DynaTrap®Flylight! Check back soon for my full review and a giveaway too. We're excited to partner up with Dynamic Solutions and will be sent a complimentary sample for review purposes and for our readers. Flylight is brand NEW and just debuted at the giant International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago this month. They have a plethora of products for indoors and out. We've tried a couple in past years and were quite impressed.
DynaTrap® is the creator of technology-driven, indoor/outdoor insect and mosquito traps that are chemical, pesticide, and hassle free.
Flylight delivers up to 600 square feet of superior protection against disease-carrying flies, mosquitoes, and other flying insects. It utilizes DynaTrap’s proprietary AtraktaGloTM Technology to produce a warm UV light at a specifically targeted wavelength, which is irresistibly attractive to insects. The non-toxic StickyTechTM Glue Card then traps the bugs and conceals them behind a sleek, decorative aluminum panel. “While nearly everyone looks forward to the warmer weather brought by spring each year, nobody likes dealing with the pesky and unhealthy presence of fruit flies, gnats, pantry moths, fleas, and other flying insects that often make their ways indoors. Flylight is the easiest and more effective way to stave off the bugs — just plug it in, let it run, and enjoy a bug-free home.” said Juan Rocha, President of DynaTrap. “In addition, the benefits of Flylight go well beyond its unparalleled ability to trap bugs. Unlike other indoor bug traps, you don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals or nasty odors; Flylight is completely pesticide-free and safe to use around your family, pets, and food. And while many other bug zappers and eliminators are noisy and obtrusive, Flylight is completely silent and packaged in a low-profile, tasteful, and easy-to-install aluminum unit.” Flylight comes in three different models, as well as two different color options — black and white. The deluxe model comes with two AC outlets and two USB ports to maximize outlet utility. Each Flylight comes with a replaceable UV Bulb (rated for approximately 3000 hours), three StickyTechTM Glue Card replacements (that last approximately 30 days each), and a one-year warranty on the device.
User Testimonials “I’m so impressed with the sleek and stylish design of this bug trap — we love the way it looks in our kitchen, and it even doubles as a night light. It’s especially great not to have to deal with any more ugly sticky paper with dead bugs! The extra built-in outlets mean we don’t have to sacrifice precious charging space. We’ll definitely be buying more for our cabin and camper!” -Dustyn C., Virginia
About Dynamic Solutions Worldwide, LLC Dynamic Solutions Worldwide, LLC creates technology-driven indoor/outdoor insect traps that protect against mosquitoes, biting flies, moths, wasps, and more. Unlike other bug prevention solutions, Dynamic Solutions Worldwide, LLC produce products that are uniquely chemical- and pesticide-free, affordable, easy to maintain, environmentally friendly and most importantly—effective. Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is excited to partner up with Dynamic Solutions and will be sent a complimentary sample for review purposes and for our readers. As always all opinions are my own.
It was our great pleasure to ChiIL out in Chi, IL with KitchenAid, at Chicago's Soho House, and check out their Artisan® Mini stand mixer in action. I own an urban home built in 1913, with a small kitchen, where counter space is slim. It also happens to have bright blue tiles on the bottom half of the walls that were installed somewhere around the 1950s. I adore the pop of color in the new Artisan Minis, and the Twilight Blue one would fit right in to my kitchen decor and lifestyle! There are 8 colors available. The Artisan® Mini stand mixer is offered in Contour Silver, Empire Red, Guava Glaze, Honeydew, Hot Sauce, Matte Black, Matte Grey, Matte White, Orange Sorbet and Twilight Blue.
KitchenAid has exciting news for Stand Mixer lovers everywhere. The power, iconic design, color choices and endless possibilities synonymous with this culinary workhorse are now available in a size ideally suited for limited counter space and “smaller batch” lifestyles.
The new Artisan® Mini Stand Mixer offers the same power and performance as the brand’s Classic™ Stand Mixer in an appealing smaller size. The Mini Artisan mixer features a 3.5-quart capacity and is 20% smaller and 25% lighter. It joins a collection that includes 4.5-, 5-, 6- 7-, and 8-quart models, and represents the first downsizing of the Stand Mixer since 1962. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $399.99.
“Particularly among millennials, urban dwellers and empty nesters we saw a desire for a smaller mixer that provides the same overall features of our larger models,” notes Derek Ernst, global marketing director for KitchenAid small appliances. “Most importantly, it offers the same wonderful user experience – and the moments and memories this experience creates – that we hear about so often from Stand Mixer fans.”
This new model can quickly and efficiently mix and knead ingredients for up to five dozen cookies or a loaf of bread. By comparison, the 5-, 6- and 7-quart mixers can accommodate from eight to 12 dozen cookies or two to four loaves of bread.
Like its larger siblings, the Artisan® Mini model includes a flat beater, wire whip and dough hook, and accommodates all optional hub-based attachments available for larger models. Available hub attachments include everything from a spiralizer, pasta maker and food grinder to a food processor and juicer.
“With the use of attachments, there’s very little this machine can’t do in the kitchen,” said Ernst. “Those new to cooking and baking, and those highly accomplished in the kitchen, will find so many ways to explore new culinary territory.”
Since the introduction of its legendary stand mixer in 1919 and first dishwasher in 1949, KitchenAid has built on the legacy of these icons to create a complete line of products designed for cooks. Today, the KitchenAid® brand offers virtually every essential for the well-equipped kitchen with a collection that includes everything from countertop appliances to cookware, ranges to refrigerators, and whisks to wine cellars.
Cook for the Cure®, the brand's partnership with Susan G. Komen®, is now in its 15th year and has raised over $10 million to help find a cure for breast cancer.
Disclosure: Thanks to KitchenAid for the invite to Soho House for a launch party and the fun, little goody bag pictured above. I was not compensated for this post. As always, all opinions and photos are my own.
ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama at The International Home and Housewares show right here in Chicago. We've been covering it extensively since 2012 and once again we'll be making the booth rounds to bring our readers a photo filled feature on the coolest upcoming product releases, home decor and more. We're always particularly on the lookout for eco friendly finds and innovative new inventions.
**It's time once again for IHHS, the incredibly huge, unbelievably cool world showcase for the home, right here in sweet home Chicago!**
IHHS is not open to the public, so once again ChiIL Mama will be your eyes and ears on the inside. Check back like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often. We'll have photo and video filled recaps, cool new product reviews all year long, news tips, and giveaways too! Follow the hashtag #IHHS2017 for our real time social media coverage.
Get Social:
If you don't already, be sure to FOLLOW ChiIL Mama on the following social media channels:
(We have flash giveaways, real time original content, photo & video filled event recaps, travel, product reviews, and family fun features in Chi, IL and beyond.)
It was our pleasure once again to cover the immense, cutting edge, world showcase for the home, The International Home and Housewares show right here in Chicago. We've been covering it extensively for years and this season was no exception. We made the booth rounds and we're here to share our top pick for the hottest useful gadgets and eco friendly finds. Many of these cool, new releases aren't even out yet! So get your wish lists ready.
IHHS is not open to the public, so once again ChiIL Mama is your eyes and ears on the inside.Check back like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often. We'll have photo and video filled recaps, cool new product reviews, news, tips, and giveaways all year long. Check Out The Slideshow Here For Our Full Photo Recap. More favorites and short product reviews appear below.
Get Social:
If you don't already, be sure to FOLLOW ChiIL Mama on the following social media channels:
(We have flash giveaways, real time original content, photo & video filled event recaps, travel, product reviews, and family fun features in Chi, IL and beyond.)
IHHS is a home + housewares haven of epic proportions, spanning 3 giant halls of Chicago's massive McCormick Place Convention Center. Here at ChiIL Mama, we tend to explore it and shoot photos for at least 2 or 3 days, and still don't make it around to the entire show floor.
We began with the New Exhibitor Preview, a great place to check out the newbies in one hall. We've documented many of them in our full slideshow and the two below we took home to review.
Lid Sid has become a welcome part of my cooking gear. I have several and they're a simple and effective way to keep spoons off the counter and keep lids ajar so pots don't boil over. Highly recommended!
I also gave Hydaway a spin. I'm always on the lookout for eco-friendly water bottles and reusable coffee mugs. Hydaway reminds me of a telescoping camping cup I adored as a child. It's a clever, compact design and it's great that it folds flat when you're done with your drink for easy storage or clipping to a carabiner. Highly recommended!
I was sent a Keurig Kold machine to review when they first hit the market, and many sample pods of Coke products, tea, and craft sodas. It was fun to use, easy to set up, and my teens enjoyed the ease of making cold drinks on demand. Still, with a $375 price point, a large footprint in my small, urban kitchen, all the packaging waste from the multipart pods, and the need to stay plugged in, I really can't wholeheartedly recommend this. I doubt this will be a big seller for Keurig unless they find a way to slim down the machine and the price tag.
I was sent an iCoffee Opus machine to review and adore it! With a $140 price point it's more reasonable than it's close competitors and takes any kind of podincluding an eco-friendly refillable one. Although I'm still more of a fan of their original SpinBrew machine that makes a full pot at a time, over any single serve brewing system, Remington iCoffee Opus is highly recommended. We're eagerly awaiting their next new release, iCafe, that will do fancy coffees like espresso, latte, cappuccino, Americano and more!Check out our video interview with CEO, Bruce Burrows HERE:
We were early adapters, doing a feature on Soda Stream way back in 2009 when they sent me two of their original machines to compare and contrast for ease of use with kids. Check it out HERE. **Look how young my kids and their friend were back then! Now they're 13 & 15 year old teen agers and our Sodastream machine is still in daily use. We've bought an additional, larger tank Sodastream machine and several more as gifts since then. Highly recommended!
Every year they pass out mini bottles with samples, so we make their booth an annual stop. Sadly, the rounded bottles don't work as well in the older model machines, overflowing easily and featuring a low water fill line. I've been asking them to send us a newer model, automatic machine to review every year since we first began covering IHHS in 2012, and they always say they're going to, but never follow through.
Contigo is a long time, local Chicago favorite of ours, despite a buyout this year. We've partnered up with them numerous times on giveaways for our readers including their iconic West Loop stainless travel mugs, adult water bottles, and kids' water bottles. Their eco-friendly, reusable, travel mugs and bottles are stellar, and they keep improving the designs every year. In 2016 I brought home a stainless water bottle and a new design coffee cup to review. The Newer lids are easier to clean. The water bottle has an angled, attached straw that's a big improvement. Their leak proof, locking qualities are excellent, as is their heat and cold retention. Highly recommended!
Fresh Wave is another local Chicago favorite of ours. They make natural, eco-friendly odor remover packets, sprays, and refillable jell air fresheners. My family uses them prolifically, in our bathroom, kitchen, shoes and more. They're releasing updated, eye catching packaging this year, with their tried and true, high quality products. Even the Blackhawks use their sport sprays! Highly recommended!
IHHS is a fun source for reusable bags and clever lunch packaging. We've been moving toward zero waste lunches for years now. It's a process, but every bit helps. This cute Peanuts line is great for snacking in style!
We're also lifelong fans of Aladdin's excellent products. We own many, and my first lunch box ever, at the age of 4, was their iconic red plaid, metal, in the early 70's. I loved it and adore that they've reissued it!
In 2016 we came home with a new sandwich carrier with a hinged, attached lid. My son is loving it and taking his PB & J in it daily. It's easy to clean and the lid doesn't go missing.
I also got the reusable travel mug below to review, in the gorgeous blues in their stock photo. It's made from recycled materials and has great heat retention, and it's microwave and dishwasher safe. My one beef with it is that it's too tall for my microwave unless I remove my glass, rotating plate from the machine, which is a pain. If they make this a bit shorter and wider, so it's still the same capacity, I'd more than recommend it.
Bodum is a best seller for a reason. We've bought many of their mugs, a glass tea maker, several Bodum coffee presses in various sizes and more, over the years. This is the 5th year in a row that we've swung by their impressive IHHS display space to see what's new. They give out French Press coffee samples in their travel mugs, so they're hugely popular and always have a line down the aisles. They also hire chefs and whip up tasty treats throughout the show. Their style, durability, and design are hard to beat. Highly recommended!
I was invited to an off site KitchenAid Mixer Release for their new Artisan Mini ($329). This line is pricy, but well worth it, with proven durability and quality. Their new mini mixer still has a high price point, but it's stellar for smaller kitchens, small batches, and baking with kids. Highly recommended!
Pantone's fab color displays are a highpoint of the IHHS Show!
I also enjoy the daily cooking demos at various booths like Nordic Ware.
We'll have photo and video filled recaps, cool new product reviews, news, tips, and giveaways all year long. So be sure to ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often!
