Soap, our first line of defense against harmful germs, actually hasn’t changed much in thousands of years. What may surprise you, though, is that a lot of what we call “soap” today isn’t soap at all. The basic ingredients for soap are a fat or oil; water; and a basic,...
Valentine’s Day Stain Guide
Valentine’s Day is a day of wine, chocolate, romantic dinners – and the stains that go along with them. Here’s some advice on how to remove stains from clothes from the American Cleaning Institute. First, deal with stains as early as possible. The less time a spot has to soak in,...
Cleaning Surfaces
It’s hard to believe that, in our homes, we have up to 15 different hard surface types! From paint and wood, to glass, porcelain and tile, there are ways to clean each surface to keep them looking beautiful all year long. For best results when using any cleaning product, read...
Want to Avoid Colds and Flu? Read This.
Most germs are spread through the air through coughing, sneezing and even breathing. And, of course we know that germs can be transferred from person to person through contact (think handshakes, kisses, and hugs). And as the holidays approach, we’ll be doing a lot of hugging and kissing. Keep the...
What exactly are antibacterial disinfectants, anyway?
In a nutshell, antibacterial disinfectants help kill germs on the surfaces in our homes. They’re pretty easy to recognize because their labels say they disinfect, kill bacteria or sanitize. Their active ingredients and formulations go beyond simple cleaning. They kill or control the growth of microorganisms, including food borne bacteria...
A Tribute to Soap
The history of soap dates back to Ancient Babylon. (A medical document from about 1500 BC describes combining animal and vegetable oils with alkaline salts to form a soap-like material used for treating skin diseases, as well as for washing!) For thousands of years, technologies have evolved to create the soaps...
The Easiest Energy-Saving Cleaning Tips for Your Household
Saving energy doesn’t have to be hard! In fact, when it comes to cleaning, it’s pretty easy, if not easier (and less time consuming). Check out these tips and share yours in the comments. Unless your laundry is very soiled or is stained with blood or other contaminants, wash in...
Cleaning Product Ingredient Info: Solvents
One of the many ingredients in cleaning products are solvents. Solvents are ingenious, actually. These amazing chemicals help give cleaning products the right thickness and help other ingredients stay mixed. They can also help prevent liquid products from freezing in cold climates. Want to learn more about solvents and the...