Bleach can Kill You!

Bleach has been used around for many years as a cleaning agent. People have been putting it in their laundry, using it to disinfect, and cleaning all sorts of surfaces. In more recent times the use of bleach has become even easier with chlorine (bleach) being used as part of toilet, tub, shower, all purpose, bathroom and kitchen cleaners. But in reality it is a dangerous product that shouldn't be used.

Bleach can cause various health issues such as respiratory problems, burned skin and damage to the nervous system. In many cases, the use of bleach and cleaners with chlorine irritate problems that people have including allergies and asthma. Chlorine gas is a respiratory irritant, it reacts with the moisture on the mucous membranes in the nose and throat and forms acids which burn the membranes. It can also burn the skin. In fact, a few deep breaths of pure chlorine gas can be fatal. That’s why people are told to always wear protection (e.g. gloves, goggles and mask) when using chlorine, and to make sure the area is well-ventilated and limit your exposure to the shortest time possible.

Chlorine bleach, in particular, is very reactive. For example, it should never be mixed with ammonia (or even urine), as the chemical reaction triggered can produce poisonous fumes that can cause a severe respiratory reaction.

You Can Clean with Salt To

Who would have thought we could use salt to clean and maintain things we use everyday? I've listed just a few things you can clean with salt. Here it goes:

Cleaning brass - Mix equal parts of salt, flour and vinegar to make a paste, rub the paste on the brass item, leave on for an hour or so, then clean with a soft cloth or brush and buff with a dry cloth.

Cleaning wicker - To prevent yellowing, scrub wicker furniture with a stiff brush moistened with warm saltwater and allow to dry in the sun.

Cleaning grease spots on rugs - Some grease spots can be removed with a solution of one part salt and four parts alcohol and rubbing hard but carefully to avoid damage to the nap.

Extending broom life - New brooms will wear longer if soaked in hot saltwater before they are first used.

Removing wine stains - If wine is spilled on a tablecloth or rug, blot up as much as possible and immediately cover the wine with salt, which will absorb the remaining wine. Later rinse the tablecloth with cold water; scrape up the salt from the rug and then vacuum the spot.

Removing rings from tables - White rings left on tables from wet or hot dishes or glasses can be removed by rubbing a thin paste of salad oil and salt on the spot with your fingers, letting it stand an hour or two, then wiping it off.

Restoring sponges - Give sponges new life by soaking them in cold saltwater after they are washed.

Settling Suds- If a washing machine bubbles over from too many suds, sprinkle salt on the suds to reduce them.

Brightening colors - Wash colored curtains or washable fiber rugs in a saltwater solution to brighten the colors.

Brighten faded rugs and carpets by rubbing them briskly with a cloth that has been dipped in a strong saltwater solution and wrung out.

Removing perspiration stains - Add four tablespoons of salt to one quart of hot water and sponge the fabric with the solution until stains disappear.

Brightening yellowed cottons or linens - Boil the yellowed items for one hour in a salt and baking soda solution

Removing blood stains - Soak the stained clothing or other cloth item in cold saltwater, then launder in warm, soapy water and boil after the wash. (Use only on cotton, linen or other natural fibers that can take high heat.)

Removing mildew or rust stains - Moisten stained spots with a mixture of lemon juice and salt, then spread the item in the sun for bleaching; and finally, rinse and dry.

Color-matching nylons - Good nylons that don't have a match can be made the same color by boiling them a few minutes in a pan of lightly salted water.

Fixing sticking iron - Sprinkle a little salt on a piece of paper and run the hot iron over it to remove rough, sticky spots

Clean with Lemons

Lemons are not just for making a pitcher of lemonade anymore. Besides its obvious uses for making lemonade and adding zing tea, lemons have many more uses around the house. Here are some of its uses when cleaning up:

Lemons are acidic and can provide some antibacterial and antiseptic properties for cleaning.

Countertop stains can be removed by allowing lemon juice to sit on the stain for a few minutes. Scrub the area with baking soda and watch the stains disappear. Don't leave the lemon juice sitting for too long. It can be powerful stuff.

Clean drains by grinding lemon grinds in the garbage disposal to freshen the drain. Hot water with a little lemon poured down a drain will also freshen the drain.

Lemon juice acts as a natural bleaching agent. Put lemon juice onto white linens and clothing and allow them to dry in the sun. Stains will be bleached away.

Clean copper-bottomed pots and pans. Cut a lemon in half. Dip it in some salt, and clean spots from your copper.

Leave a fresh lasting scent. Vinegar can be a great cleaning ingredient, but many people dislike the vinegar smell. Adding lemon juice to vinegar when cleaning can help neutralize the vinegar smell.

We Love Vinegar

There are so many uses for vinegar, it is one of the most underestimated and cost effective cleaning solutions out there. We implement it in just about all of our cleaning products. Here are a few things it can be used for:

To shine chrome sink fixtures that have a lime buildup, use a paste made of 2 tablespoons salt and 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar.

Make your own scouring cleanser by combining 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 tablespoon liquid detergent. Add just enough white distilled vinegar to give it a thick but creamy texture.

Clean counter tops and make them smell sweet again with a cloth soaked in undiluted white distilled vinegar.

Clean and deodorize a drain by pouring in 1 cup baking soda, then one cup hot white distilled vinegar. Let this sit for 5 minutes or so then run hot water down the drain.
Deodorize the garbage disposal by pouring in 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup hot white distilled vinegar. Let sit for 5 minutes then run hot water down the disposal.

Deodorize and clean the garbage disposal with white distilled vinegar ice cubes. Make them by freezing full-strength white distilled vinegar in an ice cube tray. Run several cubes down the disposal while flushing with cold water.

Clean the microwave by mixing 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil inside the microwave. Baked-on food will be loosened, and odors will disappear then wipe clean.

Clean the shelves and walls of the refrigerator with a half-and-half solution of water and white distilled vinegar.

Cut the grime on the top of the refrigerator with a paper towel or cloth and full-strength white distilled vinegar.

Avoid the bad smell when you heat up a newly cleaned oven by using a sponge soaked in diluted white distilled vinegar for the final rinse.

To clean a grease splattered oven door window, saturate it with full-strength white distilled vinegar. Keep the door open for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping with a sponge.

Remove soap buildup and odors from the dishwasher by pouring a cup of white distilled vinegar inside the empty machine and running it through a whole cycle. Do monthly.

To prevent good glassware from getting etched by minerals, wash then spray with full-strength white distilled vinegar. Give the glasses a hot water rinse before letting them dry or drying them with a towel.

How to Choose a Commercial Cleaning Company

Did you know that commercial cleaning companies will under bid when providing a quote just to earn your business? Many times cleaning companies get excited about there new client in the beginning and after awhile the quality of work declines. This happens for a number of reasons. Some realize after a receiving a few payments that they aren’t making enough money to pay their employees, purchase supplies and make a profit. Other cleaning companies get too comfortable and cut corners believing the client won’t notice.
There are a few things one should consider when selecting a company to maintain the cleanliness of there facility.

· Can the cleaning company grow with you?
If your business expands, you’ll need to make sure that your commercial cleaning company can accommodate to your ever-changing business needs.

· Is your cleaning company timely?
Sure, your cleaning company quoted you at a schedule that appears to fit your office needs, but are you really getting the most bang for your buck? Your commercial cleaning business needs to realize that when it comes to your business, time is always of the essence.

· Does your cleaning company cater to diverse clients?
A cleaning company that caters to clients of various sizes and backgrounds shows they are versatile, professional, and have the ability to please any client, no matter the type of business. If your cleaning company only works with smaller offices, try a company that has experience working with various environments.

· Does your cleaning company focus only on price?
Although it’s important it isn’t always about price, quality is very important. A clean facility should portray a first class image to everyone who enters in it. Paying a few dollars more for a peace of mind is well worth it. Know one wants to have to “babysit” there cleaning company.

Ultimately, the amount of time that you take to research your ideal cleaning company will be reflected in the kind of cleaners that you hire. If you’re looking for top-quality office cleaning services that will be able to grow with your company, please understand the importance of timeliness when cleaning your facility. Find a company that caters to clients from various backgrounds then make sure you choose from only the best office cleaning services available.