The American Cleaning Institute (ACI)

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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? Why can’t I hand wash or put it in the washing machine? A: There are many reasons why your garment might have a "professional dry clean only" care label. Washing might harm the buttons or the trim. Or the dyes might run if the garment is washed. In addition…
March 11, 2019
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, warehousing, and use.  …
January 29, 2019
Q. My child plays little league baseball, and his socks and uniform get so dirty. What’s the best way to clean them? A. First, pretreat with a prewash stain remover. Look for a stain remover that contains enzymes to remove the grass stains. Then, launder in the hottest water that’s safe for the fabric, using a bleach that’s safe for the fabric. Repeat procedure if necessary. For dirt stains, brush off as much residue as possible. (If the dirt…
March 11, 2019
Spring cleaning is a time-honored American household tradition promoting a boosted mood, better focus, and overall relaxation. Go through our resources below and see how to best optimize your cleaning and organization! Spring Cleaning Planning Spring cleaning can be overwhelming unless you go in with a plan. Whether you want to clean a little at a time or all at once, get our…
March 16, 2019
Your home is your castle. We can help you make it sparkle! Get tips for a clean home and clean living, starting with the cleaning basics and moving on to cleaning solutions for surfaces, dishes, laundry and hands. Home Cleaning Basics What are the most important steps to keeping a home clean and healthy? This guide gets you what…
December 6, 2018
What is Coronavirus According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some of which already circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold. COVID-19 has symptoms associated with respiratory illnesses, including fever, cough and shortness of breath. It spreads like other respiratory illnesses as well, primarily through person-to-person contact. Cleaning for Coronavirus Handwashing: Proper…
February 28, 2020
Reusable bags are a sustainable alternative to plastic bags. However, they need proper care to prevent things like germs and mold from growing and cross-contaminating your food. Wash and store bags safely between each use. Here's how: Clean Wash bags after each use, following care instructions. See the fabric care label or the table below for more details. Wipe insulated bags with a…
December 6, 2018
A STEM classroom activity with an online resource. Have you ever thought about what soap is? This slippery, sudsy stuff we use every day does its job without us thinking much about it. We know it makes the world cleaner but do you know what makes soap soap? If you want to explore these questions, we invite you to check out "Exploration Clean". Exploration Clean is an Interactive Online Resource to help students (and adults)…
February 4, 2019
Clean homes. Clean workplaces. Clean schools. We’re all drawn to the clean we can "see." But we also know that just because something looks clean, doesn’t mean it really is clean. Learn about the role disinfecting and sanitizing in preventing the spread of illness-causing germs. You can’t see germs — like Salmonella, E. coli, or Influenza. But "pathogenic," or disease-…
December 6, 2018
Whether you're just getting started or are experienced at cleaning, we have advice for you. Get all the cleaning basics, room by room guides or get your laundry and dishwashing questions answered. Whether you are doing some spring cleaning or getting ready for the holidays, we can help. Here are some cleaning guides that may help: Renters College Students…
March 5, 2019