The American Cleaning Institute (ACI)

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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,…
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 grime. They surround and loosen particles of grease,…
At ACI, we strive to stay at the forefront of sustainability leadership while doing everything we can to assist those companies just starting out on their sustainability journeys. What Sustainability Means to Us In support of ACI’s purpose to advance the health and quality of life of people and protect our planet, we believe it is necessary to strive for a vibrant and sustainable future…
Wash These Pieces by Hand While your "everyday" dishes and glassware are probably dishwasher-friendly, that may not be the case for the fine silver, china and crystal that grace your holiday table. Much as the harried hostess would love to throw everything in the dishwasher and get that cleanup over with, the truth is that some things are better suited to dishwashing by hand. This is because the force and heat of the water – and even the detergent – can damage…
  Make your own mini-book: The Art of Sciences & Bubbles is now available in a downloadable PDF format.       Combine water and detergent. Stir well, but do not shake. For stronger bubbles, add ½ cup corn syrup or glycerin, or more detergent. Experiment with different brands of dishwashing detergent until you find one that works best for you. HINT: Playing with bubbles can be messy and slippery! Try blowing bubbles outdoors, near…
Q How Does Cleaning Affect Your Health? A. Personal hygiene and regular housecleaning are essential to good health and cleaning products can help. Frequent handwashing is key to preventing the spread of microorganisms (also known as microbes or germs) that cause many common illnesses. And regular cleaning of surfaces in the home removes dirt and food particles on which germs can grow.In addition, cleaning and disinfecting products that contain an active antibacterial or antimicrobial…
American Cleaning Institute 2011 Parents’ & Kids’ Handwashing Attitudes & Behaviors Study Findings The following questions were asked of 521 parents of children 8-17 years old and 512 children 8-17 years old. Children were not those of parents surveyed. The online survey was conducted by Russell Research between September 7-13, 2011, on behalf of the American Cleaning Institute. Children’s Survey Highlights: Which of the following are reasons that you don’t wash your hands as…
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), keeping hands clean through improved hand hygiene is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.Because cleaning matters, handwashing in schools has been a priority since 1926 where we focus on behavior, cleaning supplies and education. In September 2011, ACI conducted an online survey of parents and children where we looked at…