A Groomer's World

Grooming Product Review: Espree Cucumber Melon Shampoo

  

Dog Shampoo Review:

My opinion about Espree's Cucumber Melon Shampoo can be summed up in just one word:  Disappointing.

Smell:  I was expecting this dog shampoo to have that familiar Cucumber Melon smell that I'm accustomed to getting from Bath and Body Works products, I suppose.  On the contrary, this shampoo only smells "sweet."  It does smell good from the bottle, but not like cucumber or melon.   

Performance:  This product dilutes well, and creates a nice lather - not too much, not too little.  However, I have to give it a "dewclaw down" for its cleaning abilities.  I tried bathing twice, and even thrice.  I tried half dilution.  I tried almost everything to give this shampoo the chance to get the dogs clean.  It just doesn't do it for me!  The dirtiest dogs never really got acceptably clean, and even the dogs who came in clean still had a slight "doggy" smell after the bath.

Client Opinion:  Honestly, I didn't even ask.  I had to follow up with a different shampoo on the dirty dogs anyway, and the clean dogs still smelled doggy (and not at all like cucumbers or melons) after drying so I had to use cologne on them.

Other Uses:  Unfortunately I bought a whole gallon of the stuff, so I had to find some way to get use out of it.  However, I am getting some use out of it:  I use it to extend the life my other shampoos!  I add a bit to my other general-purpose shampoo concentrates before adding the water.  It actually enhances the scent of the other shampoos quite nicely by adding a certain sweetness to them.  That's only an aromatic benefit for myself, of course, as the sweet smell fades by the time the dog is dry, but I do enjoy it.

Pros:  It acts as a bulking agent for my other shampoos and adds a sweet element to them that's nice while I'm bathing the dogs.  Cons:  This shampoo just does not perform well.  It leaves behind a hint of the dirty and doggie scents that the dogs come in with, and we know our clients are not paying us the big bucks just to bring home a dog that smells like a dog!  Also, the smell is not what most people will expect from a Cucumber Melon Shampoo.

You can see more about this product here at Espree's website. 

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Grooming Product Review: Ulti-Mat Bath Mat

Some groomers use the fancy stainless steel tubs with grates and doors and lifts and bells and whistles galore.  The rest of us use the old-fashioned raised "human" bathtub  :)   Bathtub users:  I think I have finally found the perfect bath mat for groomers!  It's called the Ulti-Mat Bath Mat.  It covers the whole length of the tub!  It's 39.5" long and 16" wide.  It has TONS of large, very strong suction cups.  Also, it has lots of "drainage" holes that actually work.  I've tried mats in the past with drainage holes that basically just pooled water and suds so that the poor dogs' feet just soaked in the soap throughout the whole bath.  I was always afraid this would irritate their feet, and it was so hard to get those feet properly rinsed!  There's no "poolage" with this mat!  If you look at the picture at the top, you can see the big, raised-bubble texture.  It looks cool and really helps the dogs keep their footing.  I just love this mat!  They'd better keep producing this thing because I don't think I'll ever use a different grooming tub mat.  I'm spoiled, now  :)  In my opinion, this is definitely the best bath mat for pet groomers! 

I actually ordered my first Ulti-Mat from a "baby stuff" catalog.  However, I've looked around to find a better price and I did!  You'll get it about $5 cheaper than I did if you click on the link below.  I'm so jealous of you!  I'm such a miser that I'm mad I didn't find it at this place first...  Live and learn, right?

Pros:  This mat covers the whole tub, which is great for bathing larger dogs!  It drains well and does not pool water and suds.  It really is mildew resistant.  I've had it for months and it is still clean.  I just lift it and rinse at the end of the day.  If it does get dirty then it's machine washable!!!  It looks good - I love the geometric look of the big bubble pattern.  Cons:  Honestly, I have nothing to say here!

Have you used this mat?  Have an opinion?  Leave your own review in the widget below! 

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Grooming Product Review: Gimborn Kwik Stop Styptic Gel

Today I'm going to share my opinion about and experience with Gimborn Kwik Stop Styptic Gel.  I've been using this gel for a couple of months now and I really like it!  It's quick and easy.  If I accidentally quick a nail I just pop the cap off of the gel bottle, squeeze a dab on my finger, swipe/dab any excess blood off of the nail with another finger or a nearby absorbent something (paper towel, clean rag) and quickly apply the gel glob to the nail with light pressure for about 5 seconds.  Then I scrape a little of the extra gel off the side of the dog's nail and dab that glob onto the nail and leave it for good measure. 

I have never had a nail vein reopen in my shop after applying this gel, nor have I had any clients complain about the vein reopening at home.  With the old (Top Performance brand) powder, however, there have been reopening incidents.  You know how mean those sidewalks can be!  It should also be noted that I trim nails immediately before the bath, so this gel even holds up to assault by water and shampoo!

One more plus:  It's a thick gel!  Not a powder!  I am diligent about promptly replacing the cap on my styptic powders, but they always get those clumps.  For those who are not so prompt when replacing the cap *points to the groomer behind her ;)* if you knock the bottle off the table, it's not going to spill everywhere like the powders.  No wasted product to vacuum, no stained floors.

The only "con" that I can find with this stuff is that it IS messy.  If I get any on my table or tools, it's going to be there a while.  It dries to a powdery "concrete" state  :)  I guess that's why it's such a great vein sealer!  It's easy enough to scrape off of my tools, but my table top has a rough finish and it is SO HARD to get it off of that.  If anyone has any pointers on that one, please share!

Pros: This gel seals very well, does the job quickly, is not washed off in the bath, and will last a very long time if you remember to put the cap back on.     Cons:  It's a little tough to remove from places it's not supposed to be.

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