Back in the early ’80s, there was a popular commercial on the TV that featured Madge the Manicurist. In the commercial, Madge extols the virtues of Palmolive dishwashing detergent. In what would become the ad’s tagline, Madge informs an incredulous patron that she’s “soaking (her hands) in it (Palmolive).”

As the commercial ends, the grateful patron returns to the shop to let Madge know she’s now a believer in the power of Palmolive.

Although the ad stood out, it didn’t mean anything to me. After all, I grew up in a Dawn household. Once I started keeping apartment and then house for myself, I remained loyal to Dawn.

I’m something of a generic fanatic, so you might be surprised to learn that I possess loyalty to anything other than store brands such as Great Value and Equate. While that’s true, I’ve learned from experience that when it comes to cleaning supplies, shampoo, and garbage bags, the brand does matter.

Thus, I continued to buy Dawn. At least I did until I came into possession of a coupon for Gain. I had heard some good things about that brand of dishwashing detergent, so after much deliberation, I bought a bottle.

Gain served me well, so I said to myself, “Self, you can go back and forth between Gain and Dawn, depending on which one offers a more reasonable price.”

And that’s what I would have done, had I not come into possession of a 25 cent coupon for Palmolive. I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to save a quarter, so I bought a bottle of Palmolive.

What’s my opinion of the detergent that’s marketed as “Tough on grease. Soft on hands?”

Let’s just say I wish Madge was still living so I could go to her shop and let her know I’m a believer in the power of Palmolive.

After washing the dishes with Palmolive, my hands only looked moderately like the Crypt Keeper’s. In other words, the chore didn’t render my hands more shriveled than usual. What’s more, I think I could have washed every dish in the neighborhood using only a drop of the detergent. Ultra strength indeed.

And there was another benefit I didn’t see (or smell) coming – it smells like bubble gum.

The detergent is green, so I’m not sure how that’s possible. Nonetheless, I’m going to have to be on the lookout for additional Palmolive coupons, because I’m developing loyalty to another brand.

This post originally appeared in the Appalachian News-Express.

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