Cleaning can lead to a lot of questions and we’re here to help. Here are answers to some of the questions we’ve gotten. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Check out our stain guide, surface cleaning guide and other home cleaning resources. In addition, get the latest tips and advice from our Cleaning Is Caring blog! If you have an idea for a question you think we should add to this list, please submit it below.
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Ask ACI: 1,4-dioxane in Detergents
Find out what's going on with 1 4 dioxane in cleaning products in New York state.
Read MoreAsk ACI: Animal Testing
Testing methods that don’t rely on animals as used for demonstrating and predicting the toxicity of chemicals and product formulations are increasing being used in product development.
Read MoreAsk ACI: Berry Stains
Q: Pie is always a favorite dessert in our house. So when we found out that January 23rd is National Pie Day, we thought it was a great excuse for a dessert party!
Read MoreAsk ACI: Bicycle Grease Stains
Q. Several family members just took up biking. We love the health benefits, but not the bicycle grease on our clothes.
Read MoreAsk ACI: Bug Spray and Sunscreen on Clothes
Q: I’ve done a good job keeping my skin protected from the sun, and my kids protected from mosquitoes. But now I have bug spray and sunscreen on my clothes. What do I do?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Can using antibacterial products lead to superbugs?
In the real world following the use of antiseptic and biocide products there is no clear evidence that these activities give rise to the occurrence of resistant bacteria and associated disease.
Read MoreAsk ACI: Carpet and Rug Cleaning
Q. I have a really dirty carpet that I'm looking to get clean. What carpet cleaning can I try before calling in a professional?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Cigarette Smoke Smell
Q. My New Year’s resolution is to stop smoking. But how can I make my rugs, furniture and draperies stop smelling like cigarettes?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Cleaning Exercise Equipment
Q. American Heart Health Month has inspired me to use my treadmill (for exercise, not a clothes rack!) How do I clean it?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Cleaning Product Safety
Q. I’m motivated this year to do a massive spring cleaning but with little kids running around my home, I'm concerned about cleaning product safety.
Read MoreAsk ACI: Cleaning Safely with a Toddler at Home
Q. I try to keep my home clean while raising toddlers, but it’s not easy. They’re into everything! How can I keep my house clean and safe at the same time?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Cleaning Scarves
Q. The cold weather means I get to wear my favorite scarf. I noticed that it smells a little musty. What is the best way to clean it?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Cleanliness and Public Health
How has improved cleanliness standards impacted public health?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Clutter Control
Q. What can we do, as a family, to prepare for the fall season without adding to the clutter in our home?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Coffee Cup Cleaning
Q: I've given up buying coffee in the morning in favor of bringing my own in a travel mug. However, the cup sits in my car all day and doesn't get washed until late at night.
Read MoreAsk AcI: Cutting Board Cleaning
Q: We have a wood cutting board that we use for everything. What's the best way to clean it? Would it be better to get a plastic one?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Empty Cleaning Product Containers
Q. Is it safe to use empty containers of laundry detergent and other cleaning products for arts and crafts projects now that it’s too cold for my kids to play outside?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Food Coloring Stains
Q: My kids love the Cookie Monster, and he inspired them to help me make holiday cookies. But our cookie decorating sessions always end up with food coloring stains on their clothes.
Read MoreAsk ACI: Granite Counter Top Cleaning
Q: How do I remove greasy film from my granite counter tops?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Guest Prep
Q: This holiday season, I’ll be hosting several overnight guests from out of town. Do you have any tips for getting my home and guest room ready?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Hardwood Floors and Steam Mops
Q: Can you use steam mops to clean sealed engineered hardwood floors?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Home Organization Tips
Q: This year my resolution is to do a better job keeping my home clean and organized. Things always get so cluttered once the kids go back to school after the holidays.
Read MoreAsk ACI: How do I clean grout?
For cleaning grout, you’ll want something alkaline, since most grout is primarily cement and can be dissolved by acids.
Read MoreAsk ACI: How to Clean Metal Straws
Q. After seeing the effect of plastic straws on ocean life, I made a point to get a metal straw and have been keeping it in my purse. But how do I keep it clean?
Read MoreAsk ACI: I've been hoarding disinfectants for the last year. Should I worry about them expiring?
The shelf life of disinfectants is approximately 1 year.
Read MoreAsk ACI: Kitchen Counter Disinfecting
Q: I am worried about germs on my kitchen counters. Is it true that more bleach kills more germs?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Kitchen Towel and Bath Towel Mix Up
Q. Help! I've mixed my kitchen towels with my bathroom cleaning rags. What should I do?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Longer Lasting Bar of Soap
Q: Will a bar of soap last longer if you let it air out or if you keep it closed up in a soap dish with a lid?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Make Up Stains
Q: Because they can be uncomfortable and not always safe, last year I convinced my kids to forgo masks in favor of face paint and other makeup to create their Halloween "personas." It was a
Read MoreAsk ACI: Marker and Craft Glue Stains
Q: My kids are into making Valentine's Day cards and decorations. It's fun, but it creates a mess – especially the markers and the craft glue!
Read MoreAsk ACI: Odor Neutralization
How does odor neutralization work and how is it different from fragrance?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Poison Ivy Clothes Washing
Q: I suspect that our new backyard has some poison ivy.
Read MoreAsk ACI: Pumpkin Stains
Q. Our family really loves pumpkin – pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin soup have all been part of our Thanksgiving meal.
Read MoreAsk ACI: Sanitizing Your Sponge
Q. Can sponges be sanitized in the microwave?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Sneaker Cleaning in the Washing Machine or By Hand
Q: My son's sneakers always get so dirty in summer. Can I launder them in the washing machine?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Tent and Camping Equipment Cleaning
Q: I unpacked my tent to get ready for the camping season, and found there was mold growing in the folds.
Read MoreAsk ACI: Tree Sap Cleaning
Q: We had a real tree for Christmas but now I am finding tree sap everywhere! What is the best way to clean mittens, coats and my carpet?
Read MoreAsk ACI: Washing Disposable Dishes and Utensils
Q: Is it okay to wash and re-use disposable dishes and utensils? We do a lot of casual entertaining and it seems wasteful to keep buying new.
Read MoreAsk ACI: What is the difference between cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing?
Cleaning is removing unwanted contaminants, sanitizing is reducing the number of germs on a surface and disinfecting is inactivating pathogens.
Read MoreAsk ACI: When Clothes Are Really Dry Clean Only
Q: I have a blouse made of 95% cotton that I need to launder. However, the manufacturer’s care label says professional dry clean only. Does the dry clean only tag really mean it?
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