Author Archive
Toilet Paper Debate Reveals a Great Underclass
Posted by: | CommentsProfessor Toilet tries to avoid controversy, but this must be said. There are two Americas.
The 60 to 75 percent who say that toilet paper should be over.
And the 25 to 40 percent who believe, who truly believe, that toilet paper should be under, a.k.a. The Underclass.
Tearing at the very two-ply of our nation, the toilet paper under vs. over debate even has its own Wikipedia entry, “Toilet paper orientation,” which fills more than 23 typed pages with more than 9,000 words, 129 notes and 119 references.
Toilet Paper Under Over: An Historical Perspective
There was a time in our history when people weren’t torn asunder by over/under. Toilet paper didn’t exist. So that was easy.
The founding fathers’ original intent was clearly for us to be a toilet-paper-over nation.
The first mention of toilet paper on broadcast television is said to be about the toilet paper under over issue. It’s credited to All in the Family’s Archie Bunker yelling at Meathead for…can you guess? Under, of course.
Another member of the underclass was Ann Landers, who came out and declared her toilet paper orientation to be under. She later said it generated more letters than anything else in the 31 years of her column.
It’s polarizing.
American Standard put the squeeze to the issue twice: first in 1993, with an advertisement and survey conducted at that year’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show. “Over” won. Our 2008 Bathroom Habits survey reaffirmed the overwhelming preference for “over” with 75 percent of respondents clearly standing up to the Underclass.
Soothing a Nation’s Rift with Quilted Softness
But being America, the Professor is proud to say that for every polarizing issue, there’s always something we can find that unites us. In the case of toilet paper, we can all agree on incredible resentment for the jerks who leave an empty roll.
Good.
Better.
The WORST.
JADO Stoic Collection: Elegant Bathroom Faucets that are Built to Last
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If you are looking to add a sophisticated touch to your bathroom, the Professor strongly recommends the JADO Stoic collection of luxury bathroom faucets. Inspired by the elegant look of modern jewelry styles, the collection is available in four distinctive handle options and three signature hand-buffed finishes. The Professor finds that the wide variety of styles allow the faucets to fit any number of different stylistic settings, easily complementing more minimal bathrooms or gracefully contrasting with more transitional ones.
Underneath the beautiful finishes and delicate-looking shapes lie solid brass construction for durability and ceramic disc valve cartridges, which ensure a lifetime of drip-free performance as well as noticeably smooth handle control. Stoic sink faucets are also WaterSense-certified and feature the exclusive JADO Luxury Speed Connect Drain, an innovation that radically simplifies drain installation, something that even certified experts like the Professor can appreciate.
Learn more about the new faucet collection, or view the complete JADO Stoic Collection.
Are Water Saving Toilets Stopping Up Sewers?
Posted by: | CommentsWhen the Professor talks water-saving toilets, the focus tends to be on whether or not it has the flushing power to effectively clean the bowl and avoid household clogs. But every now and then there is a reminder that all that waste has to GO somewhere. A toilet flush not only needs to clear the bowl, but also keep waste moving through the sewer system.
Older 3.5 gallon per flush (gpf) toilets used plenty of (you might even say too much) water to move waste through drainlines down to the sewer system, but as 1.6 and even 1.28 gpf toilets become the norm, some reports emerged questioning whether the reduced amount of water was enough to power waste effectively through the pipes underground.
Studies to date have found that the reduced water flow is not to blame. A drainline carry study performed in Australia at locations deemed to be of “above average” difficulty in terms of drainline length and slope (or lack there of) found that water saving toilets caused no blockages. Other studies have demonstrated that poor drainline installation is the main cause of sewer back-ups, including rough joints, debris from construction being left in the pipe, and even lengths of pipe that slope the wrong way.
A new study by the Plumbing Efficiency Research Coalition is scheduled to begin early this year, thanks in part to a generous donation of test apparatus by American Standard Brands. With water shortages critical in many parts of the world, and drought forecast for the entire southern tier of the US in 2012, any study that helps build end-user confidence in high-efficiency plumbing will enable this significant water savings to continue, rather than literally sending technical advances in flushing performance “down the drain.”
Bathroom Safety Month: Bathtubs and Beyond
Posted by: | CommentsJanuary is Bathroom Safety Month! This may not seem like the most exciting or important observance, especially compared to widely celebrated holidays like World Toilet Day. However, the Professor recently read some very sobering statistics that should make anyone reevaluate the importance of investing in home furnishings and fixtures designed to help keep seniors safe and steady, especially in the bathroom. A few examples:
- 70% of home accidents occur in the bathroom
- Every 2.3 seconds, an adult aged 65 or older suffers a fall
- 40% of those hospitalized from hip fractures do not return home
Whether you are making arrangements to have an aging parent move into your home or simply wish to plan ahead to grow older independently in your own home, incorporating universal design features into your home can be a wise idea. Fortunately, there are many ways to help prevent slips and falls, even while maintaining a stylish and luxurious bathroom.
One task that can be especially dangerous for older adults – and anyone with limited mobility, such as after an injury – is getting in and out of the bathtub. According to a recent report submitted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 370 Americans suffer bathtub or shower-related injuries every day.
An increasingly popular solution to this issue is to upgrade to a walk-in bath. Modern walk-in tubs are attractive and available with luxury options like air bath and whirlpool features. The Professor is also impressed by the special Quick Drain option available on American Standard’s line of walk-in baths that drains water from the tub in less than 2 minutes, so there’s no need for a long, cold wait before exiting the tub.
Ready to start making your bathroom a safer, more comfortable place to be? The Professor is pleased to offer the chance to win a single-control JADO Hatteras faucet to help you do just that. The stylish faucet meets the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines and is also WaterSense-certified. For your chance to win, just answer the following questions in the comments. The Professor will choose his favorite response on 2/3/12 as the winner.
1. What are some creative ways you gear up your bathroom to be a safe place for children and the elderly to use?
2. What creative remedies have you found to protect against falls on a slippery tub or floor?
3. What are some changes you have made to your home that will allow you to “age in place”?
4. Thinking of safety with the other end of the age spectrum, what are the best ways to baby-proof a bathroom? What are your favorite kid-friendly safety devices?
Saving Water: A Practically Green Webinar
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Practically Green‘s recent webinar that featured expert panelists from American Standard, the EPA’s WaterSense program, and a variety of other organizations was a treat to join.
Michele Hudec, vice president of product and business development at American Standard, was selected as a panelist because of the company’s water conservation activism, as well as its investment in developing such an impressive selection of stylish, high-performing, water-saving products. American Standard offers the most WaterSense-certified toilets that also achieved the highest MaP score for bulk removal than of any of its competitors. All of American Standard’s bathroom faucets are WaterSense approved, and the FloWise collection of low-flow shower heads are recommended by Consumer Reportsfor their performance and energizing spray. The company also offers a full line of water efficient commercial products including toilets, faucets, and urinals that require a pint of water or less.
Stephanie Thornton from the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program was also a great guest, as she was able to explain the many benefits of the program. The WaterSense label makes it easy to find water-efficient products and also provides a neutral, third-party verification of a product’s claims about water use and performance. The Professor was impressed to learn that approximately 4,000 products currently carry the WaterSense label. The WaterSense website also offers a “We’re for Water” Pledge, a calculator to help you determine how much water you can save by switching to WaterSense-approved products, and a fun quiz to test your knowledge about water conservation.
For more information about the webinar, watch Practically Green‘s website for a review!
World Toilet Day: Better Toilets and Better Toilet Flushes
Posted by: | CommentsYesterday the Professor was thrilled to tune in to NPR’s Science Friday to hear toilet experts discuss a favorite issue: building a better toilet. Participants included Jim McHale, vice president of engineering at American Standard; author Rose George; Frank Rijsberman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; and Daniel Yeh, engineering professor and toilet inventor.
The topic of the day was World Toilet Day, an event designed to raise awareness about the 2.6 billion people on earth – that’s 1/3 of the world population – who do not have access to proper sanitation. Lack of access to toilets lead to diarrhea, disease, and death, and represents a serious problem in the developing world.
This is why engineers are working on “reinventing the toilet” to create a commode that does not require access to a sewer system or clean drinking water for flushing. The Gates Foundation has also created a special program offering grants to engineers to create new toilet prototypes. Dr. Yeh is currently working on a model that uses anaerobic bacteria to digest waste, for example.
The Professor also appreciated the discussion
on the challenges faced by toilet designers in the U.S. McHale explained that the main concern at American Standard was to conserve water without sacrificing performance, and discussed the company’s participation in the EPA’s WaterSense program, which promotes water efficient products and encourages water-saving behaviors. The Professor particularly enjoyed McHale’s description of the H2Option siphonic dual flush toilet, an “engineering miracle” that uses smart science on the inside and an EverClean glaze on the outside to ensure that a wasteful “double flush” is never necessary to clean the bowl.
If you missed the original broadcast, you can listen in on the Science Friday podcast page.
Want to do more to support the fight for better sanitation around the world? Donate to the World Toilet Organization now!
World Toilet Day Broadcast on NPR
Posted by: | CommentsNovember 19th is World Toilet Day, which is naturally 
one of the Professor’s favorite holidays. Today NPR is helping to raise awareness about the lack of access to sanitation around the world by devoting a portion of this week’s Science Friday show to World Toilet Day. Guests will include Jim McHale, vice president of engineering at American Standard as well as several experts on global sanitation issues and civil engineering.
Catch the entire Science Friday episode from 2-4 pm. The World Toilet Day feature will start at 3 o’clock.
Follow the link above to find out what stations in your area will be broadcasting the show, or to listen online. In the meantime, check out the great toilet videos that are already posted on the website. And check back soon for the Professor’s recap on the show.
Reducing Stress: Hot Showers and Home Improvement
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Last week the Professor shared some thoughts on the many different kinds of stress that parents feel (and on the amazing ability of a hot shower with American Standard‘s Monoglide hand held shower head to melt those stresses away), but kids aren’t the only causes of stress – sometimes it’s your parents! A great post over at Autumn Blues Reviews explores the many ups and downs of having an aging parent move in with your family.
Even fun and fulfilling things in your life can be causes of stress. Traveling is fun, but, as the Family Focus Blogger points out, it can also be tough on your back and shoulders. Working your way through school is something to be proud of but is hardly an easy or relaxing thing to do, as both Amanda of Nutritionist Reviews and Holly of Home Style Tips could tell you. And while it goes without saying that top bloggers enjoy maintaining their websites and attending events related to their field of interest, a recent story from Xenia of Thanks, Mail Carrier illustrates that even these enjoyable things aren’t stress-free.
And then there’s the stress that the Professor knows a lot about: the stress of fixing things around the house and taking care of your home. Katie of MommyKatie.com noted that the stress can get even worse after she struggles to fix something only to have her husband step in and make it look easy. The Professor believes in tackling small projects first – installing a hand held shower head like the Monoglide is an extra easy task that just about anyone can do, for example!
The Professor also sends his warmest wishes to Rose of Networking Witches and to Bridget of It’s My Life who are both working through very tough years! Here’s hoping 2012 will be full of hot showers and roses for you both. And to Rachel of Second Time Around, the Professor hopes your little dog is OK! Sounds like you both could use some relaxing – and cleansing! – time in the shower.
How to De-Stress: Hot Shower Edition
Posted by: | CommentsWell into the school year and cruising towards the hectic holiday season, the Professor has noticed that stress levels are on the rise for kids and parents alike. At least that seems to be the case for many of the Professor’s favorite bloggers. Melissa of Fun Saving Moneyrecently shared a photo of her two “little balls of energy” and notes that while her life wouldn’t be complete without them, finding time for peace and quiet is also important.
A trip to the spa might be every mom’s ideal way to relax, but
for a family on a budget, a spa getaway must be a rare treat at best. A great affordable, easily accessible solution is a multi-function showerhead like the Monoglide hand held shower head from American Standard. The Monoglide offers four soothing spray patterns that you can easily change with a flick of the thumb on a non-slip sliding button. And as the hip mom at Retail Therapy Lounge notes, the Monoglide’s water-saving 1.5 gallon per minute flow rate means that you can indulge in an extra long shower without worrying about wasting water.
Another de-stressing benefit to a hand held shower head like the Monoglide is that difficult tasks like bathing the kids can become easier and less stressful. Laurie of EmilyReviews.com, for instance, told the Professor that she was interested in a hand shower because bath time was miserable with her daughters who, like most kids, hated getting water in their faces. Both of her girls have long hair, so Laurie needed something that could better rinse their hair and also help teach them how to properly wash. Laurie reported that the Monoglide hand shower did just that, and that there was even giggling instead of crying in the shower! And perhaps best of all, the girls did it themselves and felt very proud that they didn’t need any help.
Of course kids aren’t the only ones who can have a better shower with the Monoglide. The Professor also agrees with Libby of Libby’s Library that a soothing shower is a great healthy way to destress instead of turning to the cookie jar (or liquor cabinet!) at the end of a difficult day. The other great thing about using a shower as relaxation time is that – if you are surrounded by noisy children as Beth of Simply Budgeted is – the closed bathroom door combined with the white noise of the shower guarantees you at least a few minutes of peace, quiet, and solitude.
Jabbering Jessi
Lollipops and Pickles
Macaroni Kid Moms of Hillsborough and Hunterdon
Raising My 5 Sons
Woman of Hope and Prayer
How to Install a Hand Held Shower Head
Posted by: | CommentsHere is how to install a hand held shower head, one of the easiest home improvement tasks you can do yourself. To demonstrate, the Professor will use the Monoglide hand held shower head from American Standard.
The first step is to remove the existing shower head with an adjustable wrench.
Then, apply teflon tape to the threads of the shower arm.
Next you will use your adjustable wrench to install the shower bracket to the shower arm until the water outlet faces down toward the tub or shower. The bracket is where your Monoglide hand held shower head will hang.
Finally, hand tighten the larger end of the metal hose to the Monoglide hand held shower head and attach the other end to the water outlet on the bracket.
Last step: enjoy a soothing shower with your new multi-function Monoglide hand held shower head to celebrate a job well done!
