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Handwashing is one of the most effective things you can do to protect your health and the health of those around you. All soap helps — but in some situations, antibacterial soap can go a step further. Understand its benefits, how it works, and when to use it.
What is Antibacterial Soap?Antibacterial soap is a hand soap that…
There's lots to teach about cleaning! The origins of personal cleanliness date back to prehistoric times. Since water is essential for life, the earliest people lived near water and knew something about its cleansing properties - at least that it rinsed mud off their hands. And clean hands keep you from sharing germs. Browse ACI's publications for teacher resources.
STEM Education
The…
Q. What is the history of spring cleaning?A. Spring cleaning has been around since ancient times. Cleansing the home, particularly the kitchen, is part of the Jewish celebration of Passover involving removing any traces of leavened bread products. Many cultures have long celebrated this season with tidying up, including Catholics cleaning the church altar and their homes as part of Holy Week. It has traditionally been a time of renewal, when the home as well as the mind can be…
Keeping clean and healthy when you are not at home is important. Get school cleaning resources, including tips for students and custodians.
Clean Hands at School
Kids get dirty, it's true... but cleaning your hands before eating and after using the restroom can help you stay healthy. Learn when, why and how you should clean your hands.
Hand…
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?
A: It's preferable to let it air out. If you keep your bar soap in a closed container, the soap will stay wet. As a result, it can become mushy and dissolve quicker.
Q. Can you safely dilute hand soap?A. No. For optimal safety, you should not dilute hand soap, unless it is a concentrated product intended to have water added for use. We’ve all been there: you go to wash your hands and realize you’re down to the last dregs of your liquid hand soap. You may be tempted to add water to the soap dispenser. But there’s a good reason not to.Liquid soap is made up of a…
Q. Does using antibacterial products lead to superbugs?A. No. The body of scientific evidence currently available does not indicate that the use of antibacterial products gives rise to superbugs. Superbugs are bacteria types that have become resistant to the antiseptics and antibiotic agents which were designed to eliminate them. Consequently, superbugs are known to cause infections which are difficult to control. It is generally accepted that the overuse and misuse of…
Whether you have an infant, toddler or preschooler at home, it’s important to understand cleaning priorities and practices as kids crawl, toddle and run. Focus cleaning efforts on key places for health and wellbeing and stay ahead of cleaning safety precautions.
Cleaning for Health
Parents with infants do, on average, a load of laundry a day. Parents with toddlers know anything within reach will be put in their mouths eventually. And as children get older, there are different…
Wash Your Hands the Right WayWet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.Dry your hands using a clean…
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 great success and we're doing it again this year. The only problem is the makeup stains on their outfits. Some stain-removal help, please!
A: Stains from face paint, makeup, hair gel and lipstick can all be treated with a prewash stain remover, and then laundered in the hottest water that…