The American Cleaning Institute (ACI)

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Q. What is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), and is it safe for use in cleaning products?A. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a widely used surfactant that removes oily stains and residues used in cleaning products, cosmetics and personal care products that is safe when used properly. In cleaning products, SLS functions by wetting surfaces, emulsifying or solubilizing oils and suspending soil so that it can be rinsed away. This ingredient also contributes foaming properties to cleaning products.The use…
How does odor neutralization work and how is it different from fragrance? Great question! We asked Sammy Wang, MSE, a senior scientist at Procter & Gamble and here's what she told us: Odor neutralization works by essentially reducing bad scent, which typically involves modifying odor compounds so they no longer smell bad. This can be accomplished in different ways – for example, by trapping the odor, by changing the odor’s chemistry, or by breaking it down so it’s more…
Clean water is a critical element of cleaning.  The vast majority of water on Earth’s surface, over 96%, is saline water in the oceans (USGS). Which means, even though water is plentiful there are limited resources of fresh water to relay on. Beyond cleaning, we also need water to drink and to grow food. The average household may use 88,000 gallons of water per year (REU2016). Within your home, faucets and clothes washers make up a significant portion of water use. Source…
Free, Online Resources Prepare College Students Keeping Clean On and Off Campus Download the Toolkit: CleaningInstitute.org/ClassofClean Do college students know how to clean? The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) aims to answer yes to that question with its brand new Class of Clean: The College Student’s Guide to Cleaning toolkit, which provides concise, step-by-step information and guidance to help keep college kids clean and healthy. The Class of Clean toolkit was…
The warm summer months are here and with it come the small shifts we make with the change of seasons. Jackets may get packed away and lighter clothes get pulled out. If you’re ready to transition to summer, here are some tips to get you ready: Store Seasonal Clothing Summer in many parts of the country mean fewer layers. It’s time to put heavier clothes into storage and make room for some summer finery. But don't just put them out of sight and out of mind. If you do…
Q. How do I clean stainless steel appliances?A. Stainless steel has made the move from commercial kitchens to the favored finish in many of today's sleekest residential kitchens (and in the laundry room, too). But in a busy household, spots, streaks and sticky fingerprints can quickly mar its lustrous look.But aesthetics aren't the only reason to keep stainless steel clean. Although consumers think of stainless steel as a finish that will last a lifetime, that's not entirely true…
Here at ACI, we have challenged our members to align their corporate climate strategy and targets with the 1.5°C ambition, which strives to reach net-zero global emissions by 2050. Across the cleaning products industry, companies are taking bold action to limit the global average temperature rise to less than 1.5°C. Note: This case study was originally conducted in 2021. As of 2024, Novozymes is now Novonesis. Novozymes is combating climate change by cutting its own…
Grout is generally porous and white or light colored and can get dirty or discolored quickly. Get it clean with a little chemistry and a bit of elbow grease. First off, you'll want to use an alkaline cleaner. Grout is primarily cement and can be dissolved by acids. Over time, an acidic cleaner may require you to re-grout sooner than intended. How do you know if your cleaner will do the trick? Typically the product label will tell you the surfaces it works on. Or, if it's says it…
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. Do you have tips for how to start the year off on the right foot? The New Year is a great time to reset your cleaning routines and put some new organizational systems in place. Here are my top five cleaning resolutions: Make It a Family Project. Assign different family members specific areas that they’re in charge of tidying…