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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 more suited to rugged, outdoor activity and a…
Shopping for clothes at secondhand stores also comes with some uncertainty, like questions surrounding the last time an item was laundered, the possibility of leftover germs and mystery stains. We’re sharing tips on cleaning thrifted and vintage clothing.
2019 ACI National Cleaning Survey Stats on Laundry:
77% of People Frequently Read Tag Instructions Before Washing Clothes
52% Tend to Wash Clothes in Cold Water
Laundry is America’s favorite cleaning task, according to the American Cleaning Institute’s (ACI) 2019 National Cleaning Survey.
Nearly a quarter of respondents to the survey, conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of ACI, picked laundry as the cleaning task they enjoyed doing most. Other items at the top of the list included…
If your plastic dish or container can’t hold its shape in hot water or the microwave, then you may need to recycle it. This is true of most containers that are meant for on-time use only, like takeout containers and those that you purchase food products in, such as yogurt containers.Plastic Food ContainersIf the container is a keeper, make sure it is clean for the next use.WashRemove any leftover food and rinse in hot waterWipe extra grease with a sponge or…
Cleaning products play an essential role in daily life. They can remove dirt and stains from our clothes, dried on food from our dishes, and even germs from our hands! Let’s learn more about the chemistry that makes this happen.
What Is Cleaning?
Cleaning is the process of taking something dirty—like your kitchen counter—and removing dirt, grease, and grime found on it. When we clean, we leave things better than they were when we found them. Cleaning helps remove dirt,…
No matter the type of product you are using (soap or detergent), good cleaning takes a lot of energy. Three different kinds to be exact:
Chemical energy, provided by the soap or detergent
Mechanical energy, provided by a machine or by hand
Thermal energy, provided by heating water Let’s look at how all these elements work together.
Assume we have a great, big, oily, greasy stain on one of our favorite shirts. Water alone is not enough to remove the stain…
Q. My daughter's teddy bear has seen better days. How can I get it clean?A. Teddy bears are objects of unconditional love. They snuggle into beds at night. They travel in backpacks, in car seats and on airplanes. They endure sticky fingers, dusty corners, and gooey kisses. They've even been known to stand in for pacifiers and chew toys. It's no wonder that this best buddy could use a bath!Start by vacuuming off any dust and loose grime. Then check for split seams; repair them…
Your teeth are clean. But is your mirror?Whether your children are learning how to brush their teeth or water splashed and left spots, how do you keep the mirror clean? It’s wonderful that you’ve convinced your children to brush their teeth. But unfortunately, good oral hygiene often comes with a mess – toothpaste globs and schmears on the counter and mirror. Not to worry. With a little bit of elbow grease and the right product, your bathroom can look as good as new. (Until the next brushing,…
Here's a few tips that will make sure you get the best flavors from your wines and keep your wine glasses sparkling clean.
Cleaning Wine Glasses
Yes, you can put most wine glasses in the dishwasher. Be sure to use a delicate wash cycle, skip the heated drying cycle and space glasses so they won't hit each other and possibly chip or break. The best long-term results, though, come from washing special glassware by hand. Follow these tips to avoid chips and spots:
Make sure your…