The American Cleaning Institute (ACI)

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What’s the science behind how cleaning products remove dirt and bacteria?Cleaning products work by leveraging chemistry and biology to break down, lift, and eliminate unwanted substances from surfaces. Most cleaning agents contain active ingredients—such as surfactants, enzymes, or disinfectants—that target specific types of dirt and microorganisms.Surfactants are molecules that reduce surface tension, allowing water to spread and penetrate…
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…
When the busy holiday season is on the horizon, get a head start by prepping your bakeware and serving items in advance. Follow these quick tips: Spiff Up Your "Old Standbys." Throughout the year, cooking certain types of food – like recipes with cheese, gravies, eggs or pie fillings – can leave baked-on residue or food stains on your favorite cooking/baking dishes. In addition to having "recipe residue," your non-stick cookware can also…
The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) launched a redesigned and updated CleaningInstitute.org website, offering its audiences a modern resource for easier access to information on the value cleaning products bring to all facets of life.  “The products and chemistries our industry creates are leading us to a clean and vibrant future,” said Melissa Hockstad, ACI President & CEO.  “Our revamped website helps showcase that path by being…
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…
Family life runs more smoothly when there is a shared responsibility for the housework. Whether it's a simple effort like putting dirty clothes in the hamper or a major job like washing the kitchen floor, almost every family member can contribute in some way that fits his/her age and other responsibilities. These guidelines help everyone in the family find a way to pitch in and make doing the housework easier and less of a one-person chore.Practice Prevention Keep clutter to a minimum.…
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…