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Q: My kids are into making Valentine's Day cards and decorations. It's fun, but it creates a mess – especially the markers and the craft glue! How do I get these stains out of their clothing?
For regular felt-tip markers (those that aren't labeled "permanent"), rinse the stain with cold water until no more color is being removed. Then place the stain face down on some clean paper towels and sponge with rubbing alcohol. Apply the alcohol first to the…
The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) launched a redesigned website for the Cold Water Saves initiative, a joint effort of ACI and The Sustainability Consortium (TSC) to promote the power of cold water washing.
Originally launched in 2016, Cold Water Saves aims at increasing the number of laundry loads that are done on cold as compared to hot, since 90% of the energy used to wash clothes goes to heating the water…
How to keep your favorite sweaters in tip-top shape
When it's time to put away sweaters for the season, say goodbye to losing a favorite sweater before its prime with these tips from the American Cleaning Institute:
Shop Talk
When choosing a sweater, price is just one consideration.
Construction. Harder, tighter yarns are more durable than soft, loose ones, which tend to stretch easily. That's why a fisherman's sweater is more…
Whatever type of flooring you have, here are some tips to keep those floors clean and in good shape.
Q: I have a blouse made of 95% cotton that I need to launder. However, the manufacturer’s care label says professional dry clean only. Does the dry clean only tag really mean it? Why can’t I hand wash or put it in the washing machine?
A: There are many reasons why your garment might have a "professional dry clean only" care label. Washing might harm the buttons or the trim. Or the dyes might run if the garment is washed. In addition, some fabrics, such as cotton, shrink when washed—…
Summer’s here, and with it, the increased awareness of, and need for, sunscreen. We need the protection, but our tile floors? Not so much. Fortunately, there are easy ways to clean up when we accidentally slather and spray SPF on surfaces other than our skin.
Clothes
While that’s definitely good news for you and your kids, it sounds like the family wardrobe didn’t make out as well. But don’t fear; most commercially available bug sprays and sunscreens do wash out relatively…
It may be possible to machine wash your flag; the fabric care label will tell you. If not, follow our tips for hand washing the flag, using cool water and a mild detergent.
However long it takes you, ACI has a few suggestions for addressing the ABCs of spring cleaning.
A is for Asthma and Allergy Triggers
During this challenging winter, many of us were snowed in with our pets whose dander is one of the most common triggers. Compound that with a few months of everyday dust and the tiniest unwelcome guests who seek shelter in our homes during cold weather, and it’s time to do away with the "A."
Have an allergen control plan. Clean one…
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 washing.
Remove…
The Cold Water Saves Initiative educates about the benefits of cold water washing, a sustainable action that greatly benefits the environment with little effort on the individual’s part.
What's in it for me?
Save energy.
Save your clothes.
Save the planet.
About 90% of the energy the washing machine uses goes towards heating the water. According to the Sierra Club, every household that…