It's not only gross and unsanitary, it's dangerous ... putting your hand down a garbage disposal. Think of all the items you place down there, not to mention the blades.

Lending a hand is the Alligetter — an ergonomic, trigger-activated grabber attached to a 12-inch handle with a directional LED light.

The combination of a flap spreader, serrated teeth and grabbing tip with the bright light allows for easy and quick removal of most anything. The teeth are uniquely designed to pinch any foreign object including rings, coins, large seeds, shards of glass, fish or meat bones, small washers or parts for juicer/blender/food prep gadgets, small decorative glass beads, dosage cups for medicine, silverware, keys and more.

The idea for the Alligetter was developed by Micah Bertin, who got tired of reaching into the disposal for his child's sippy cup valves; they kept slipping away while he cleaned them.

"I figured I wasn't the only person who didn't enjoy awkwardly feeling around in a sharply-bladed, germ-ridden hole," said Bertin. "Our closest competitor is the human hand, which is not really designed to rummage around the blades and filth."

The Alligetter is also helpful in other hard-to-reach places like under or next to the stove and refrigerator, behind furniture and beds, and between car seats and consoles. Then there are the "won't touch" places such as garbage cans or basement nooks, and picking up bugs that are dead or alive.

The Alligetter (batteries included) retails for $20 and is a product of Consafeco, LLC. For more information, call 215-337-4264 or visit www.alligetter.com.

SHINE ALL

This is a great way to not only save time and money, but water as well. Cajun Shine All cleans, waxes and polishes all at the same time.

You only need two specially designed microfiber cloths and one liquid. One cloth is used to clean and simultaneously apply the wax while the second cloth helps with buffing. Two ounces of Cajun Shine All allows you to clean, wax and polish a midsize car.

The product contains no harmful petroleum distillates, alcohols or ammonia; it does include micronized waxes, polymer, anti-static moisture and dirt repellents, and ultra-violet blockers.

Cajun Shine All reduces water usage. Because the process eliminates the need to wash and dry a vehicle before waxing, you save 50 to 80 gallons of water per cash wash. The wax also causes water to bead up for about six months after just one application. The finish repels dirt and dust, which means you can wash your vehicle less often.

Instead, between applications, a Cajun Clean All cloth dampened with water cleans a vehicle and brings back that shine. It is safe to put on leather, dashboards, glass and carpet.

Cajon Shine All can be used on cars, trucks, boats, campers, motorcycles and lawn tractors. You may move inside to clean items such as TVs, computers, stainless steel kitchen appliances, flattop stoves and ovens, countertops, windows, mirrors, furniture, jewelry and more.

The Cajun Shine All Detailing Kit with two cloths and a 12-ounce bottle of wax retails for $18.

For more information, call 800-853-2880 or visit www.cajunshineall.com.

Maggie Reed may be reached at trocar2000@hotmail.com. To find out more about Maggie Reed and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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