I Tried To Make Something In America (The Smarter Scrubber Experiment)

It’s not as easy as waving a flag—this video breaks down what it really takes to make a product in the U.S
June 25, 2025

What happens when a solo creator tries to bring a simple consumer product to life—without offshoring it? YouTuber Destin Sandlin (Smarter Every Day) sets out to manufacture a grill-cleaning brush entirely in the U.S., navigating injection molding quotes, prototyping hurdles, and the hidden costs of "Made in America." It's a thoughtful, eye-opening look at the real-world challenges of reshoring—even for something as basic as a scrub brush.

About the Author

Laura Davis

Editor-in-Chief, New Equipment Digest

Laura Davis is the editor in chief of New Equipment Digest (NED), a brand part of the Manufacturing Group at EndeavorB2B. NED covers all products, equipment, solutions, and technology related to the broad scope of manufacturing, from mops and buckets to robots and automation. Laura has been a manufacturing product writer for eight years, knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the industry, along with what readers are looking for when wanting to learn about the latest products on the market.

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