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Tag Archives: Hygiene

Scaloupe Scalp Camera

By Andrew Liszewski on 02/15/11 • Leave a comment!

Scaloupe Scalp Camera (Images courtesy DigInfo TV)
By Andrew Liszewski

It seems the people of Japan are far more conscientious about their scalps and haircare than I am, because the thought of holding a webcam against my head to see what’s really going on up there has never occurred to me. Also the fact that my only webcam is embedded above the display on my laptop makes for a few logistical issues when it comes to analyzing my follicles. Not any more though, because a company called Spec Computer has created the Scaloupe, which is a USB webcam with a macro lens and a miniature white LED-illuminated ‘softbox’ that lets you get up close and personal with whatever scalp conditions you’re looking for.

It lets you examine the top of your head via a live feed displayed on your PC, and if you’re particularly proud or worried about a certain spot up there, you can snap a photo for further analysis. However, since the Scaloupe is not a medical instrument it’s advised against using it for official self-diagnosis. Available now for ~$96 (¥7,980) presumably only in Japan.

[ DigInfo TV - USB camera for close-up photos of the scalp - Scaloupe ]

Sonic All Adapter Grants Sonic Cleaning Capabilities To Any Toothbrush

By Andrew Liszewski on 11/26/10 • Leave a comment!

Sonic All Toothbrush Adapter (Images courtesy Japan Trend Shop)
By Andrew Liszewski

So I like the idea behind this Sonic All device which lets you turn any manual toothbrush into a vibrating, super-cleaning machine. But in practice I’m finding it hard to figure out who this would really appeal to. At this point basic electric toothbrushes are almost as cheap as the non-powered variety, but in the long run the extra cost will add up if you’re replacing your brush every few months like you should. This could be a cheaper alternative since you only had to buy a basic manual brush each time, but with a price tag of $87 I think you’d be better off buying a more expensive electric model with replaceable heads.

[ Sonic All Ultrasonic Toothbrush ]

SteriShoe Ultraviolet Shoe Sanitizer

By Andrew Liszewski on 09/27/10 • 2 Comments

SteriShoe Ultraviolet Shoe Sanitizer (Image courtesy Shoe Care Innovations)
By Andrew Liszewski

There are UV sterilizers available for everything from toothbrushes to your iPhone, but the SteriShoe is the first designed for one of the most vile, unhygienic places people visit every single day, the inside of their shoes. Designed for people with athlete’s foot, fungus, chronic shoe odor, diabetes or those who are just grossed out by whatever might be lurking inside, the SteriShoe will kill 99.9% of “problematic microorganisms” after a 45 minute treatment, reducing health problems and probably improving their smell as well.

The SteriShoe uses UVC light which has been used in hospitals and water treatment plants for years, but it can actually be harmful if looked at for prolonged periods or when held close to your skin. So a built-in compression sensor ensures the light will only turn on when the device is safely inserted inside a shoe, and as an extra precaution a light sensor serves the same purpose, only activating the sanitizer in a dark environment. It will also work with open-toed shoes, though you’ll have to use an included shoe bag to create a dark environment so the SteriShoe knows it’s safe to operate. $129.95 available in four different sizes to match your shoes.

[ SteriShoe Ultraviolet Shoe Sanitizer ] VIA [ The Red Ferret Journal ]

Wallet-Friendly Pocket Mirror – You’re So Vain, You Probably Think This Post Is About You

By Andrew Liszewski on 07/21/10 • 5 Comments

Pocket Mirror (Images courtesy Pavel Sidorenko)
By Andrew Liszewski

Here’s the dilemma. You’re so concerned about your looks and your image that you need to check yourself out every 5 minutes when out in public, but you can’t be seen carrying a giant mirror around since people will think you’re incredibly vain. The solution? This Pocket Mirror, created by Pavel Sidorenko, that’s small enough to stash in a credit card slot in your wallet. And since it’s made from plastic, it’s not going to shatter the first time you sit down and put a little pressure on it. It’s also ideal if you find yourself marooned on a very tiny island and need to signal a very tiny rescue plane. Available here for about $5. (4 Euros)

[ Pocket Mirror ] VIA [ Better Living Through Design ]

Violight Launching A UV Sanitizer For Cellphones And Small Electronics

By Andrew Liszewski on 06/21/10 • 1 Comment

Violight UV Cellphone Sanitizer (Image courtesy Violight)
By Andrew Liszewski

Violight, the company best known for their bacteria and germ killing UV toothbrush sanitizers, have decided that people should be just as worried, if not moreso, about the microscopic stowaways on their personal electronics. So they’ve created a new sanitizer large enough to accommodate smartphones and MP3 players, though they also recommend it using it on your headphones and bluetooth earpieces. Like Violight’s other products, the cellphone sanitizer uses UV light to kill 99% of germs and bacteria in mere minutes, without harming your electronics with chemicals or liquid cleaners. It’s targeted for launch in October for $49.95, and I guess in the meantime we should just keep all of our toys hermetically sealed in plastic bags, just in case.

[ Gearlog - VIOlight Says It's Time to Clean Your Cell Phone ]

Clatronic Mini Washing Machine

By Andrew Liszewski on 04/29/10 • 8 Comments

Clatronic Mini Washing Machine (Image courtesy Furniture Fashion)
By Andrew Liszewski

With a capacity of just 13 liters you’ll be hard pressed to cram a day’s worth of clothes, let alone a week’s worth, into this miniature washing machine from Clatronic. But stick it under your desk at work and after a 15 minute wash cycle you won’t have to worry about the lunch stains on your shirt interfering with your big afternoon meeting. It does require a water and drainage hookup, as well as power, which makes me wonder how useful it really is for camping like their site suggests, outside of traveling in a well-equipped motor home. But at least it comes with a similarly miniaturized price tag of about $60. (€45)

[ Clatronic MWA 3101 Mini Washing Machine ] VIA [ Furniture Fashion ]

Groomair Electric Vacuum Brush

By Andrew Liszewski on 03/30/10 • 3 Comments

Groomair Electric Vacuum Brush (Image courtesy Pro-Idee)
By Andrew Liszewski

I don’t know too many dogs or cats who are fans of vacuum cleaners, but as we move into Spring with the joys of shedding, this vacuum equipped pet brush could be a good way to deal with all that discarded fur. Unless of course you don’t mind walking around with fur covered socks. The Groomair comes with two interchangeable brush attachments for dealing with pets with long or short coats, and in addition to collecting loose skin and fur, it also apparently provides a pleasant massage. $78 from Pro-Idee.

[ Groomair Electric Vacuum Brush ]

Secure Aluminum Toothbrush Case Doesn’t Over Do It

By Andrew Liszewski on 02/23/10 • 6 Comments

Secure Aluminum Toothbrush Case (Images courtesy Dominic Wilcox)
By Andrew Liszewski

When you’re traveling you don’t want anything happening to your toothbrush, since it’s one of the few items you stick in your mouth. So in my humble opinion, no amount of protection is too much. Not even this case, created by Dominic Wilcox, which is hewn from a solid piece of aluminum with brass hinges and a convenient carrying handle. Sure, it will probably push your luggage over the weight limit, but overage fees are totally worth the peace of mind knowing your toothbrush is safe and secure.

[ Secure Aluminum Toothbrush Case ] VIA [ Interior design room ]

Self-Standing Floor Mop Defies All We Know About Physics And Kitchen Hygiene

By Andrew Liszewski on 01/18/10 • 5 Comments

Magic Click Floor Mop (Image courtesy Pro-Idee)
By Andrew Liszewski

Anyone who’s had at least a couple of high school science classes is familiar with Newton’s laws of motion, but just in case you’ve forgotten, here’s a quick refresher.

First Law: “An object in motion will stay in motion and an object at rest will stay at rest unless acted upon by an external force” or “A body persists in a state of uniform motion or of rest unless acted upon by an external force.”
Second Law: “Force equals mass times acceleration” or “F = ma.”
Third Law: “To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.”
Fourth Law: “An unattended mop will always fall over.”

So now that you’re back up to speed you can understand my complete amazement and awe at this floor mop that seems to laugh in the face of Newton’s oft contended and regularly disputed fourth law of motion. According to the Pro-Idee website this mop will automatically lock when the handle is placed in the vertical position and is guaranteed to never fall over thanks to magnets or wormholes or something. Unfortunately innovation doesn’t come cheap, so those of you who like to live on the bleeding edge of technology are going to have to pay upwards of $60 (£35.50) for this modern marvel of science and spill management.

[ Pro-Idee - “Magic Click” Floor Mop ]

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