Wayne Couple's Invention Hits the Shelves

Some people say we live in a "throw away" society where we throw things away instead of fixing them. But Wayne couple Mark and Nicole Dressel believe there is at least one thing that should be thrown away, and it has to do with your toilet plunger.

The couple has just created a new product called The Toss Away, a holder for toilet plungers that eliminates odors and unsanitary toilet debris. The product, which hit the shelves of the Do It Best in Wayne a few weeks ago, contains a round base and scented pads that you sit a toilet plunger in. The pads absorb liquid and odor and are the part that gets "tossed away."

The Toss Away kit runs $14.99 and replacement pads sell for $8.99. The product is made in America, "something we're proud of," Nicole said.

The Dressels both have day jobs, but came up with this idea years ago after noticing a need for it in homes, restaurants and anywhere where plungers are. They have spent years eyeing filthy plungers in even the nicest bathrooms and found that there was nothing else like it.

Currently they are showcasing it in their local market at Do It Best. Mark credits owner Lou Muth with supporting local products. The patent is pending.

"Being an entrepreneur is so difficult these days—the giant people squash you," Mark said," on getting trademarks and getting into big retail stores."

The idea was the easy part, Nicole said. Getting it to market, on the other hand, was a challenge.

Mark said he read somewhere that there are 1.5 billion clogged toilets a year in the United States. That's a lot of excrement on bathroom floors. Nicole recoils at the thought.

"It makes you feel excited," Mark said. "We've made a product. It's kinda cool."