The American Cleaning Institute (ACI)

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Q. My child plays little league baseball, and his socks and uniform get so dirty. What’s the best way to clean them? A. First, pretreat with a prewash stain remover. Look for a stain remover that contains enzymes to remove the grass stains. Then, launder in the hottest water that’s safe for the fabric, using a bleach that’s safe for the fabric. Repeat procedure if necessary. For dirt stains, brush off as much residue as possible. (If the dirt is actually mud, let the mud dry…
Freshen Your Winter Wear! Depending on how winter clothes were stored, they can resurface with wrinkles or even a musty smell. Read on for tips on freshening up clothes so you can look your best this winter. Get Rid of That Musty Smell: After taking clothes out of storage, wash them in hot water or take them to the dry cleaner before wearing them. You can also tackle stubborn musty smells by adding white vinegar, borax, or baking soda while…
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…
Q: I've given up buying coffee in the morning in favor of bringing my own in a travel mug. However, the cup sits in my car all day and doesn't get washed until late at night. The inside is a little grungy. How do I get it really clean?  A: There are several ways to remove coffee stains. You may have to experiment to see which one works best on your particular travel mug. Since soaking is easier than scrubbing, try one of these methods first: using chlorine bleach, soak the…
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…
Spaghetti sauce splatter on your shirt, wax drips on the table cloth,and wine spots stain the rug, it can and will happen. And why does the bread always fall butter-side down? But, don’t let worrying about a few stains ruin your dinner. ACI has these cleanup tips for after your feast: Tomato Based Stains…
Whether for move out cleaning or just keeping your place, here are the tasks that should be on your list. Just because you don’t "own" your place doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a regular cleaning routine to keep your environment fresh and in good condition. Cleaning on a regular basis makes the job easier when you do tackle these tasks – and what’s more, keeping your rental in good shape helps ensure that you’ll get your deposit…
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 be susceptible to…
For spring cleaning, plan your work, then work your plan. You can tackle your spring cleaning checklist quickly, all at once or in smaller chunks of time. Each of the tasks on our list takes just a few minutes, so you can decide how to break it up. Prep for Spring Cleaning Day(s): Inventory your supplies and add what’s missing to your grocery list Make a to-do list for what you want to clean, then divide it up by task or room Window…
Are you a caregiver for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia? If you are caring for an individual who is diagnosed with or showing signs or symptoms of dementia, all cleaning products, including laundry packets, should be stored in a locked cabinet or a closet when not in use. Liquid laundry packets contain highly concentrated detergent. If not safely stored or handled properly, laundry packets can lead to injury from ingestion…