Absorbing First World Problems

Well, I've acquired yet another first world problem.

Mr. Ginley pulled out a brand new package of Ocelo sponges the other day. We've used this particular brand for many years, and it's served as our go-to for dishwashing. 

Before you ask, yes, we're Luddites who still do dishes by hand. Our dishwasher came with the house, and it's never worked. We talked about buying a new one, but other things have taken priority over the years. Now that it's just the two of us, I'm not sure it makes sense to invest in one.

Anyhow, as he was washing dishes, Mr. noticed bits of sponge floating in the dishwater. It looked like he'd used it to clean a cheese grater. But no, the sponge wasn't exposed to any surface that would cause it to shred like this. Normally, our dishwashing sponges are used for at least a week before they start to look fatigued.

Mr. accused me of buying an off-brand, but I pulled out the offending package and, nope, it still said Ocelo, although it also said "Scotch-Brite." A quick check on the Google confirmed that 3M (maker of Scotch-Brite) bought out Ocelo sponges.

It would appear that Ocelo is just the latest of many products that went down the tubes when it was bought out by a larger company that saw dollar signs in creating an inferior product that took advantage of what had been a reputable brand.

But, in the interest of giving my friends at 3M the benefit of the doubt, I sent them an email expressing my displeasure at the quality (or total lack thereof) of their product. They responded via email several days later with this statement:

"We appreciate your interest in our products and have forwarded your comments to the appropriate department(s) for review. Due to the high volume, only if the department is interested in more information will they be able to respond."

Here is how I read their email:

"We got your email. You're a lowly consumer and your petty concerns are of no interest to us. Go buy your sponges from someone else, see if we care. We can afford to lose your business."

So now I must find another brand of sponge. And also, I plan to avoid buying 3M products whenever possible.

I'm thinking the O-Cedar Multi-Use Scrunge Scrub Sponge may be a viable replacement. 

I'm open for suggestions – please feel free to chime in.

I don't know, maybe it really is time to buy a new dishwasher.

My current dishwasher would probably like that option best.