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Q. After seeing the effect of plastic straws on ocean life, I made a point to get a metal straw and have been keeping it in my purse. But how do I keep it clean?
Metal straws, like utensils, can be a great way to reduce the need for single-use plastic. It should be washed after each use, even if you were just drinking water. If you're on the go, you can rinse it with hot water, towel it off, and tuck it back in your purse. Once home, clean with hot water and soap, using a…
The American Cleaning Institute knows that many families affected by Hurricane Harvey are suffering and families will continue to be impacted by the flooding. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the devastation.
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in your home after a flood 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…
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 towel or air dry…
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) understand the science and engineering…
How to keep your favorite sweaters in tip-top shapeWhen it's time to put away sweaters for the season, say goodbye to losing a favorite sweater before its prime with these tips from the American Cleaning Institute:Shop TalkWhen choosing a sweater, price is just one consideration.Construction. Harder, tighter yarns are more durable than soft, loose ones, which tend to stretch easily. That's why a fisherman's sweater is…
Download our Safety Poster: Laundry Packets Are for Cleaning Clothes, Not Playing
In response to the disturbing trend on the Internet that has been irresponsibly encouraging people to eat or bite into liquid laundry packets, ACI is reminding everyone that liquid laundry packets are only for use in washing machines to clean clothes.
Liquid laundry packets are not a toy and should not be used in pranks. Younger children could mimic…
Q. Our family really loves pumpkin – pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin soup have all been part of our Thanksgiving meal. Inevitably, we get pumpkin stains on our tablecloth and the cloth napkins we reserve for special dinners. How do I get these stains out?
Scrape off any excess pumpkin and then flush under cold water to loosen the stain. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover. Launder in the hottest water that's safe for the fabric, using chlorine bleach, if safe for…
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…
Q: We had a real tree for Christmas but now I am finding tree sap everywhere! What is the best way to clean mittens, coats and my carpet?
A: Rubbing alcohol can remove sap from washable clothing, knit gloves, and rugs, because it acts as a solvent.
For clothes, even a down coat, saturate the area with alcohol, let sit for a minute, then launder in warm water with regular detergent. Heat sets stains, so be sure all the sap is gone before using the dryer. Repeat the…