The American Cleaning Institute (ACI)

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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…
March 17, 2021
Keep kids safe by storing laundry products carefully, paying attention during use and disposing of products properly. For a healthy and safe laundry routine, follow these guidelines each and every day. Store laundry products carefully for safety. Keep laundry products out of the reach of children and pets, especially liquid laundry packets. Remember to keep products in their original container with the original label intact and immediately put them away in a secure location…
February 8, 2019
Exterior cabinets (refrigerator/freezer, range, dishwasher) can be scratched. Avoid abrasive cleansers. Porcelain finishes on cooking surfaces can become discolored from acidic spills, such as tomato sauce. Wipe up spills immediately with a dry cloth. Never wipe a hot porcelain surface with a damp cloth as cracking and chipping can occur. Allow cooking surfaces to cool before cleaning. nonabrasive, all-purpose cleaner liquid kitchen wax to clean and protect the surface Interiors (refrigerator/…
December 5, 2018
Cleaning technology has come a long way from the ancient Babylonian way of soap-making. Today’s cleaning products are the result of thoughtful design, experimentation, and safety testing.  The machines we use to clean have also improved, becoming more sustainable and friendly for our environment. So far we have been able to make new cleaning products that allow us to wash in cold water (saving energy from water heating), wash with less water, and make…
December 5, 2018
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 not entirely true. Its hard, oxide coating protects the surface…
December 5, 2018
To be sustainable, we must meet our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. As an industry, we are striving to optimize use of our planet’s resources across all phases of a product’s lifecycle. In order to achieve this, we must pay particular attention to the water and energy we use and the waste we generate as a result of creating cleaning products. The product packaging is critical in allowing your cleaning product to be safely transported to you…
February 8, 2019
Q: We have a wood cutting board that we use for everything. What's the best way to clean it? Would it be better to get a plastic one?  A: Wash your cutting board with dish soap and hot water after each use. Rinse with clear water. Air-dry or pat dry with clean paper towels. Note that some nonporous cutting boards, including acrylic, plastic or glass, can also be washed in the dishwasher. If the cutting board was used for uncooked meat, fish or poultry, sanitize it after…
March 11, 2019
Q: My summer resolution was to make sure my kids get plenty of outdoor exercise. In addition to limiting their indoor activities, as a family, we've been doing lots of weekend picnicking and hiking. The downside is that our clothes are full of grass, dirt and sweat stains. How do I get rid of them?  A: For grass stains, pretreat the stains with a prewash stain remover or rub liquid laundry detergent into the stains. Launder, using the hottest water that's safe for…
March 11, 2019
Q: This holiday season, I’ll be hosting several overnight guests from out of town. Do you have any tips for getting my home and guest room ready? Having guests for the holidays is a great excuse to spruce up your home. Focus first on the bedrooms, bathrooms, and other shared spaces. Here are my top ten tips for preparing your home for guests. Put mats and throw rugs in all entryways. This will help prevent dirt from being tracked into your home. Keep a boot tray near the door for rain or…
December 5, 2018
If you have the Owner's Manual, follow the cleaning instructions. If you don't have the Manual, just follow these easy steps: INTERIOR (note: do this before going to the grocery store for your weekly shopping) Unplug the fridge and slide a coil brush under the unit’s kick plate to remove dust. Empty the contents of the entire fridge. Toss anything past its prime. Remove the drawers and scrub with a sponge, warm water and liquid dish soap. Spray the (now empty) interior with a…
February 8, 2019