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The sniff test may tell you if you wore enough deodorant, but does not always work when deciding if you need to wash your clothes. What you do, the fabric type, the wear and the weather can play a deciding factor. The American Cleaning Institute offers these tips to help determine if it’s time to wash those bed sheets, jeans, shirts, socks and underwear.
Bed sheets should be washed at least every two weeks, more often if you sweat a lot at…
Washington, D.C. – March 12, 2019 – According to a recent survey by the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), more than 75 percent of American households participate in the annual ritual of spring cleaning.
While the primary reasons cited for spring cleaning are to reduce clutter, remove asthma or allergy triggers and prevent the spread of illness, the Packets Up! campaign urges parents and caregivers to consider one…
Q: My son's sneakers always get so dirty in summer. Can I launder them in the washing machine?
A: Most shoe manufacturers discourage machine washing sneakers. Some detergents and the machine's agitation may damage many leathers and adhesives. But, some shoes can be cleaned in your washing machine. Your best bet is to read and follow the care instructions inside the sneaker. If there are no instructions, here are some basic instructions for cleaning most…
Here at ACI, we have challenged our members to align their corporate climate strategy and targets with the 1.5°C ambition, which strives to reach net-zero global emissions by 2050. Across the cleaning products industry, companies are taking bold action to limit the global average temperature rise to less than 1.5°C.
Note: This case study was originally conducted in 2021. As of 2024, Novozymes is now Novonesis.
Novozymes is combating climate change by cutting its own…
Q: I suspect that our new backyard has some poison ivy. If I wear gloves, long sleeves and long pants to protect me, how do I clean these clothes when I'm finished gardening so I don't spread the poison ivy?
A: You are right to be concerned. Poison ivy produces a resin called urushiol. This resin is the culprit that triggers allergic rash reactions in most people. When it remains on unwashed clothing, it is still active. Avoid touching your clothes with…
Surfactants (yellow) cause water to lose surface tension, which is what keeps water separate from other materials
Have you ever seen a bead of water sitting on a surface? This is because water has a property called surface tension. This tension causes water to form a bead on the surface of things like glass or fabric. You can see surface tension at work by placing a drop of water onto a counter top. The drop will hold its shape and will not spread.
In order to clean the dirt on our clothes,…
How much laundry can you put in single load? You want to aim for full loads when you do your wash, which will save energy, water and your time. However, overloading your washer or dryer could damage these expensive appliances or keep your clothes from getting clean. So how full is too full?
Q: I unpacked my tent to get ready for the camping season, and found there was mold growing in the folds. How do I clean it without ruining the water-resistant properties?
A: If possible, start by contacting the tent manufacturer for specific directions. If this isn't possible, wait for a warm, sunny day and then set up your tent in a shady location. Shake or brush off dirt and any other debris that can be easily removed. Fill a bucket with warm water, add a few…
Q. I have a really dirty carpet that I'm looking to get clean. What carpet cleaning can I try before calling in a professional?
The easiest way to have a clean carpet is to keep it from getting dirty, by taking off shoes and limiting bringing food in carpeted areas. Once there is a stain, deal with it quickly, using a carpet cleaner, and always make sure to dab at the stain to lift it out instead of rubbing it further into the fibers.…
As a parent or caregiver, you play an essential role in the safety of your children. You have probably thought about car seat safety, cords on window coverings, and how to prevent drowning or burns. But what about laundry safety?
The American Cleaning Institute created an activity sheet to help you teach children that laundry packets are not toys.
Children act fast and accidents can happen in an instant…