The American Cleaning Institute (ACI)

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How to wash dishes by hand: Prep - scrape off food Fill - get some clean, hot, soapy water Wash - scrub them, under the water Rinse - wash off all suds and residue Dry - air dry or towel dry There are two common ways to hand wash dishes: by "diluting" dish detergent in a sink or dishpan filled with water, or by squirting detergent directly onto a sponge or the dirty dish (called the "neat" method). Whichever dishwashing…
Clean-up doesn't have to be a chore! Fireplaces crackling, wine glasses tinkling, guests chuckling … don’t miss out on the sounds of the holidays because you’re stuck scrubbing the dishes in the kitchen. Here are some dishwashing tips so you can enjoy entertaining your guests without facing an enormous clean up job at the end of the night. Wash dishes as you use them during the preparation phase Get the kids to help Serve from the…
When the busy holiday season is on the horizon, get a head start by prepping your bakeware and serving items in advance. Follow these quick tips: Spiff Up Your "Old Standbys." Throughout the year, cooking certain types of food – like recipes with cheese, gravies, eggs or pie fillings – can leave baked-on residue or food stains on your favorite cooking/baking dishes. In addition to having "recipe residue," your non-stick cookware can also…
Image used with permission: Ramona Lynam These special-occasion items should be hand washed to preserve their finishes: Crystal Decorated glassware Hand-painted ceramics or stoneware Milk glass Pewter Silver Items with precious metal (such as gold or platinum trim) HOW When washing by hand, follow these easy instructions: 1. Use clean, hot water and liquid dish soap. 2. Start with lightly soiled items, followed by plates, serving dishes…
Kitchen Knives A rule of thumb in safe food preparation is to be sure you don’t cut raw meat, poultry or fish on the same surface without thoroughly cleaning it between uses. The same is true for your knife. Wash your knife with dish soap and hot water after each use. Rinse with clear water. Air-dry or pat dry with clean paper towels. Typically you should wash hollow-handled knives by hand Handle kitchen knives carefully by their handles; don’t pile them into the sink or…
In our "oh-so-busy" world, holiday entertaining is often a communal affair, with friends and relatives contributing to the feast. But bringing a dish to share can be an unintentional invitation to unwanted guests – bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses. To be sure these party crashers don't make it through the door, here are some tips for traveling safely with prepared foods. Prepare with Care Safe food travel starts with safe…
Dishwashers are great time savers. To keep you and your family safe the American Cleaning Institute offers a dozen tips for dishwasher safety: Place sharp items, like knives, with points down in the utensil basket. Carefully place glassware to prevent breaking/chipping. Make sure they can’t rattle against each other when the dishes and glasses are sprayed with the water or when you slide the rack in or out. Avoid overloading. Crowing…
You teach them to read. You teach them to look both ways before crossing the street … and to be kind to others, and to brush their teeth before bed. But have you taught your kids how to do the dishes? Cleaning up after oneself is an important life skill – something that every child should learn, not just to endear themselves to future roommates or spouses, but to feel like a contributing member of the family unit. Children may grumble at…
Are you a caregiver for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia? If you are caring for an individual who is diagnosed with or showing signs or symptoms of dementia, all cleaning products, including laundry packets, should be stored in a locked cabinet or a closet when not in use. Liquid laundry packets contain highly concentrated detergent. If not safely stored or handled properly, laundry packets can lead to injury from ingestion…
Automatic dishwashers represent a tremendous saving in time and effort; they minimize breakage through reduced handling of dishes; they help keep the kitchen neater and more clutter-free; and cleanup after entertaining is simplified. These are benefits that have much appeal to consumers. In order to ensure that public health standards are maintained, hospitals and many other food service institutions are required by law to clean dishes by automatic dishwashing…