The American Cleaning Institute (ACI)

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The ingredients in your cleaning products fall into several different categories, added to provide different characteristics and cleaning functions. Each product formula is a careful balance of various ingredients that will work best for what you are trying to clean.For more information about the specific ingredients in a cleaning product, visit the manufacturer's website or look for the product in SmartLabel…
Understand the language of soaps and detergents. ALCOHOL: A class of organic compounds containing one or more hydroxyl groups. The alcohols used in light duty and liquid laundry detergents are isopropanol or ethanol (ethyl alcohol). These alcohols are used at low levels in liquid detergent formulations to control viscosity, to act as a solvent for other ingredients, and to provide resistance to low and freezing temperatures encountered in shipping,…
Always use the proper amount of detergent when washing. What's the right amount? Read the label and keep in mind that too much detergent or too little can leave your clothes less clean than using the optimal amount. Follow the fabric care instructions on your clothing. Also, be sure to keep all laundry products up and out of reach of children and adults with dementia. Detergents on the market today have been formulated and tested to be safe and effective…
Whether you work in food preparation or elsewhere, it’s important for everyone to practice proper hand hygiene at work. It keeps you, your colleagues and any clients or customers safer by reducing the spread of germs. It also helps keep the workplace more productive with fewer sick days needed. Do you know all the times you should be washing your hands at the office? Here’s a list: Each time you use the restroom Before and after staff meetings if food is…
No matter the type of product you are using (soap or detergent), good cleaning takes a lot of energy. Three different kinds to be exact: Chemical energy, provided by the soap or detergent Mechanical energy, provided by a machine or by hand Thermal energy, provided by heating water Let’s look at how all these elements work together. Assume we have a great, big, oily, greasy stain on one of our favorite shirts. Water alone is not enough to…
Life's messy. Have a stain you're not sure how to get out? How to remove stains from clothes:Deal with it as early as possible. The less time a stain has to soak in, the easier it will be to remove, although there are ways to remove old stains out of clothes as well.Pre-treat with a stain remover, then let it soak in.Launder according to the fabric care instructions. Regular stains should come…
To declutter, you need to set a clear timeline, identify priorities and goals, choose a decluttering method and make progress by going room by room.Clutter doesn’t just take up space in your home; it can weigh on your mind as well. As possessions accumulate, the task of cleaning and organizing may feel overwhelming. However, tackling clutter can be liberating, refreshing your living environment and benefiting others through donations and more sustainable living.Decluttering OverviewWhat is…
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in your home after flooding is a major undertaking. It is important that it be done right to prevent further damage to the property and help prevent illness. Choosing and using the right cleaning product for the job is critical. Keeping cleaning products in a secure location after a flood and during cleaning is crucial. From torrential downpours to broken pipes to leaky roofs, when water invades your home, the damage can be swift and brutal…
Do the Dishes Every Day Help kids think of "doing the dishes" as a daily routine. Cleaning up every night makes for a brighter morning … makes the work easier, as it prevents additional "stuck-on messes" to be scrubbed, and even helps reduce bugs and other pests in the kitchen! SAFETY TIP:  Be extra careful when handling kitchen knives! Don’t pile them in the sink; instead, wash them one by one and immediately place them…
To minimize your chances of getting the flu from sick co-workers, students or fellow commuters, make sure you practice proper handwashing habits. While you can't control every germ in your environment, there are actions you can take to help keep you and your family from getting sick. Be particularly vigilant during the fall and winter months, when colds and flu are at their peak. Here are some important steps: Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread…