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Cleaning Myths vs. Facts

Cleaning Myths vs. Facts

How Can You Refresh Your New Year’s Resolution for a Cleaner Home in 2024?

by Amy Sardone on Oct 11 2024
Remember that New Year’s resolution to keep your house cleaned? How’s that going? Are you still on top of tidying up the daily messes and maintaining a sparkling home? Don’t fret if you’ve slipped a little from your goal of being on top of the mess. We’re here to help you get back on track with a few suggestions and tools that will help you stay organized and clutter free. First off, if you haven’t tackled the de-cluttering of your home, now is the time. One of our favorite rules is “A place for everything and everything in its place.” You need to get serious about where things live in your home. You’ve got to put things back after using them, or they become clutter. Finished reading the newspaper? It goes into the recycling pile. Take your coat off once you come inside? Make a habit of hanging things up as soon as you walk in the door. Next up, we recommend that you streamline the number of cleaning products in your cleaning caddy or under your kitchen sink. Take a quick peek at the pile of things you have under there—if any of them look like they haven’t been touched in over a year, get rid of them. Your cleaning supplies should not overwhelm you, but should be pared down to the minimum that you need to get the job done. So what are those essential cleaning items? If you get down to the minimum number of things to use to clean your home, you’re going to feel a lot less weighted down by lugging around unnecessary tools. Here is our list of things that you might not have thought about but that we consider to be essential cleaning tools: DUSTER A high quality feather duster. This ostrich-down feather duster is our favorite. At 20 inches, it has long luxurious feathers and the perfect sized handle that makes it easy for you to slip the duster into your apron or back pocket while cleaning. A GOOD SCRAPER You would not believe how helpful having a heavy-duty scraper can be. The one that we sell is made of tough, durable polystyrene so it won’t scratch surfaces. This apron tool kit has our scraper plus a razor blade holder and a professional “toothbrush” great for getting into tight spots around faucets and in tile grout. APRON Speaking of aprons, you do have a cleaning apron, right? This is a huge help for being efficient when you’re cleaning your home. CLEANING CADDY Have a mess under your kitchen sink? Get a caddy to organize it all. Our tray saves time by keeping supplies free from chaos between cleanings. Just grab the cleaning tray and you’ve got everything you need for any room in the house at your disposal.

Cleaning Myths vs. Facts

The answer to the questions people are asking

by Amy Sardone on Oct 11 2024
Dust is everywhere, and it's the most obvious sign that your house needs a clean-up. Even though it might seem impossible to keep your home completely dust-free, dusting is essential. Think of it like detailing your car—it requires the right tools, patience, and consistency. Let's dive into the importance of dusting and how you can keep your home dust-free. What is Household Dust? Dust is an accumulation of tiny particles like dead skin cells, hair, dust mites, dirt, pollen, clothing fibers, and bacteria. It enters your home through the air, your clothes, shoes, and more. Dust can be airborne and can settle on nearly any surface in your home, making regular dusting a necessity. Benefits of Regular Dusting Regular dusting is not just about maintaining a clean home; it also offers numerous health benefits: Reduces Allergens: Dusting reduces allergens like pollen and pet dander, making the air cleaner and safer to breathe. Prevents Mold Growth: Regular dusting can prevent mold spores from settling and growing in your home. Keeps Pests Away: A clean home is less likely to attract pests such as dust mites and insects. Minimizes Germs: Dusting helps reduce the spread of germs, bacteria, and viruses, contributing to a healthier home environment. Mental Well-being: Knowing your home is clean can reduce stress and improve your mental well-being. How Often Should You Dust Your Home? The frequency of dusting depends on various factors, such as where you live and your lifestyle. According to Speed Cleaning™ author Jeff Campbell, "There is no set time for the number of days you wait between dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning. Each house and its occupants are different." General Dusting Guidelines: Common Areas: Dust at least once a month. Thorough Deep Clean: Every three to six months. High Dust Seasons: Dust more frequently during seasons when you keep doors and windows open or if you have pets. Best Dusting Methods To dust effectively, always work from top to bottom. Start in one spot and move around the room systematically (either clockwise or counter-clockwise) to ensure you don’t miss any areas. Let gravity assist you and finish dusting by vacuuming the room thoroughly. Essential Dusting Tools For efficient dusting, you need the right tools: Microfiber Cloths: These are excellent for trapping dust. Dusting Wand or Feather Duster: Perfect for hard-to-reach places. High-Quality Vacuum with HEPA Filter: Helps to remove dust from floors and carpets. Furniture Polish: Use this on wood furniture to reduce dust build-up and preserve its lifespan. We recommend the Speed Cleaning™ Microfiber Dusting Wand and the Speed Cleaning™ VersaPole, which can reach almost any spot in your home, both high and low. Conclusion: A Dust-Free Home is a Happy Home Dusting is one of the quickest and easiest ways to maintain a clean and healthy home. By incorporating regular dusting into your cleaning routine, you'll enjoy a fresher, healthier living environment. Plus, you’ll sleep better knowing your home is clean and safe. Don't forget to check out the Speed Cleaning™ products designed to help you dust like a pro. Dust is inevitable, but keeping it under control is entirely doable. Make dusting a regular habit, and enjoy the numerous benefits it brings. Your home will not only look better but also be a healthier place for you and your family. Grab your dusting tools today and make a dust-free home your new normal. Your future self will thank you!

Cleaning Myths vs. Facts

Your Uber Ride may be Dirtier than a Toilet Seat!

by Amy Sardone on Oct 11 2024
A recent study shows that rideshare cars like Uber and Lyft have more germs than taxis or rental cars and your Uber ride could actually be dirtier than a toilet seat. The study swabbed surfaces in the cars and analyzed samples from seat belts, door handles, and window buttons. The Ubers and Lyfts had 3x the number of bacteria than the taxis or rental cars! Window buttons had the most bacteria, and rideshare vehicles had the highest proportion of the type of germs that cause infections and food poisoning. Yikes! Just because the ride you’re in smells fresh and clean doesn’t mean that it actually is clean. The next time you plan to hop in an Uber be sure you’ve packed your sanitizing wipes so you can prevent possible contamination after you touch things in the car and then touch your mouth or eyes. It’s a great reminder for anyone with a compromised immune system—someone battling cancer or dealing with another ailment—that it’s necessary to be cautious about touching things in rideshare cars. Seat belts, window buttons, and handles are not being sanitized between use and these cars have a lot of people cycling in and out, riding all day long in the vehicles. It’s almost as bad as when someone shows up to work sick, sneezing and coughing before they handle the coffee pot or touch the microwave buttons—those are also areas that rarely get wiped down. These types of germs lurk in plain sight, just like when someone comes out of the bathroom and hands you their cellphone to show you pictures of their family, or when ladies put their purses on the floor of the restroom and then end up setting it down on the kitchen table after they get home. Ick! While it would be nice if Uber provided sanitizing wipes or gel during the ride, you can’t count on the environment you’re in to be sanitized on a regular basis. What can you do? Bring your own wipes. At the very least, be sure to wash your hands with warm soapy water after you get to your destination. Stay safe and healthy out there! Don’t forget that we have an entire line of eco-friendly cleaning products that will sanitize your surfaces and help you get rid of the germs in your home.

Cleaning Myths vs. Facts

8 Tips for the College Student Away from Home

by Amy Sardone on Oct 11 2024
If you’ve got a first-time college student heading off to live on their own in a dorm or apartment, share these tips for keeping their living space neat as well as guarding their own health. Dear super-excited first-time dorm dweller: 1. Towels should always be hung up to dry thoroughly between uses and washed after 3 – 5 uses. If the towel has blood, sweat, food, etc. on it, it should go right in the laundry as soon as it’s dry. Even storing damp towels leads to smelly mold and mildew. If you’ve got the space for it, buy a foldable drying rack.  2. Sheets should be washed at least every two weeks, or more often if you sweat a lot. Here’s a short video from Home-Ec101.com to explain why and gross you out: 3. Socks and underwear should be washed after each wearing. (History tells us this must be stated in writing.) And let’s not argue the vagueness of what is considered “wearing.” Bras can be worn a few times unless the wearer was perspiring a lot.    4. "Wash other clothing as needed, using common sense." Look, just wash the rest of your clothes often enough so you don’t stink. Period.     5. A large laundry net bag is great when you want to wash a couple of items with a friend’s load of laundry. The bag keeps your stuff separate and easier to keep track of.  6. Keep a container of disinfecting wipes handy at all times. They can be used on most surfaces and can pick up crumbs and wipe away sticky messes as well as prevent bacteria from spreading. This is important!   7. Eating and drinking in your room are inevitable which means so are spills. Clean them up really well or you’ll attract bugs. A roll of paper towels tucked in a closet or corner is essential.   8. A very small bottle of dishwashing liquid will come in handy because you will eventually have a cup, plate, or utensil to wash. You can use a paper towel as a dish cloth.  These are just a few tips to keep in mind. In short, don’t stray too far from how things were done at home – chances are, they were done that way for a good reason. You’ll do great!

Cleaning Myths vs. Facts

How To Help Your Kids Control Their Clutter

by Amy Sardone on Oct 11 2024
Do your children have trouble keeping their rooms clean? Although kids are great at coming up with excuses for not keeping their rooms clean, one excuse is perfectly valid — they don’t have a system that works for them. Well, here are some ideas you can use to help your kids keep their rooms somewhat more civilized: Many kids don’t hang up their clothes because they literally can’t reach the closet rods or hooks. Lower them or install them in more accessible places. And make sure they have enough hangers.  Set up an organization system. Label drawers, shelves, and baskets with pictures or words… “Shoes,” “Sweaters,” “Socks,” “Games,” “Books,” etc. This provides a designated place for everything and is usually easy. Use inexpensive plastic baskets, tackle boxes, and tool boxes to contain and organize smaller items such as art supplies, toy cars, blocks, action figures, and trading cards.  What you view as junk may be your child’s treasure. Go through the current collection of trinkets (e.g. Happy Meal toys) with your child to whittle it down to the “must keep” stuff, and put the rest in a container of its own. Let your child know that when the container is full, it’s time to purge. Keep a waste basket in your child’s room, and a laundry basket as well. This makes it easier for your child to be tidy and for you when it comes time to clean and gather laundry.  You can take it one step further and give them a simple cleaning kit of their very own. For young children, a duster and small whisk broom with a dust pan would be a good choice. By providing your children with the means of keeping organized now, the better the chances are that they will be organized later in life.

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