Cleaning Tips
1) When cleaning with a cellulose sponge never use bleach as it will deteriorate and fall apart.
Test Your Knowledge Do you think you know how to keep your home clean, while also keeping yourself, your family,
and the environment safe while doing it? Let's put your knowledge to the test...
The following is a series of questions posed from Prevention Magazine towards a number of microbiologists, immunologists,
and cleaning experts who discussed what was the healthiest ways to clean.
Some of the answers were quite obvious,
while others were a little more surprising.
Which is healthiest and most effective?
1. Room spray, scented candle, or opening a window?
a) Room spray
b) Scented candle
c) Opening a window
2. Rag mop or sponge mop?
a) Rag mop
b) Sponge mop
c) Both are equally healthy
3. Using a self cleaning oven or cleaning an oven by hand?
a) Self-cleaning oven
b) Clean by hand
c) Both are equally healthy
4. Using a humidifier to moisten dry air, or leave the air dry?
a) Humidifier
b) No humidifier
c) Using humidifier and cleaning it at least once a week
5. Using bleach or using ammonia when cleaning?
a) Bleach
b) Ammonia
c) The combined power of both bleach and ammonia
Answers:
1. c- Most experts agree that opening a window is not only more healthy,
but a much more effective means for reducing odor. Scented candles and room sprays merely attempt to cover over odors.
In addition, the chemicals in the spray and the soot particles in burning the candle, make neither particularly green or
healthy compared to the simple circulation of fresh air.
2. b- The sponge mop wins out due to its superior cleaning
(flat surface area) and its potential for harboring far less bacteria than the many strands found on the rag mop. The keep the
bacteria count down, always remember to dry the head thoroughly between each cleaning.
3. b- Cleaning an oven by hand is the
hands down winner. Not only does it use far less electricity, but the carbon monoxide and fumes created from the self cleaning
function can also get quite potent at 700 degrees Fahrenheit and above. The ideal cleaner is baking soda spritzed with water and
allowed to sit overnight. Most stubborn, burned-on food will wipe right off after this mixture is allowed to sit for a couple of hours.
4. b- Having no humidifier and suffering is better as far as most experts are concerned, even if the dry air is making you more
vulnerable to catching a virus. The problem with humidifiers is high humidity encourages mold growth, which opens a whole new set of
complications. The best solution is to sit several bowls of water throughout the house and allow to evaporate naturally.
5. a- Never
combine bleach and ammonia, it creates a very deadly gas. Ammonia itself creates fumes that are quite irritating to the skin,
mucus membranes, and eyes. The best overall cleaner according the the experts is the bleach. It actually takes very little bleach
to clean and disinfect an area in comparison to ammonia (only one ounce per quart of water). Source: Prevention 2008 Speed Clean the
Healthy Way HOMEMAID® Cleaning Products offers a wide variety mop heads to satisfy any application.
The following guide is intended to help our customers select the mops that best suit their needs.
Yarn - Because certain yarns are better suited to certain tasks than others, HOMEMAID® Cleaning Products offers a wide variety of mops
made from a wide variety of yarns. It is important to understand that selecting the proper yarn will enable you to achieve maximum
mopping efficiency.
Cut-End - More economical than other mop types, Cut-End mop heads tend to fray, lint and unravel with steady use.
Non-launderable, these mops need to be replaced more often than other types.
Loop-End - Loop-End mops resist tangles, lint and fraying for more efficient and longer lasting use.
Tough enough to stand up to heavy use, these mops have a sewn-in tail band that provides wide surface coverage without gaps.
Some Loop-End Mops may be laundered with care.
Yarn Advantages Disadvantages Applications COTTON Good absorption and retention.
Low initial cost. Needs to be broken in. Lints and is slow drying. General Use BLENDS Ideal choice for performance, durability and price.
Synthetic fibers add color. May shrink over time.
Professionals who require a better, more durable mop. SYNTHETIC Synthetic yarn fights
bacteria, mold and mildew while providing superior strength. Higher cost. Not as absorbent. Clean rooms & rough surfaces. RAYON Quick
absorption & release. Dries fast, is mildew resistant and lints less. Less liquid retention. Applying liquids for finishes and
disinfectants.
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