Monthly Archives: November 2010

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes

We recently received some samples of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, and it got me thinking about ways to avoid getting sick this year. I’m a firm believer in flu shots, and when exposed to sick family or colleagues I’ll take a preemptive dose of vitamin C or E to build up my immunity. The wipes may be another line of defense to add to your arsenal.

The packaging states that the product:

  • kills cold and flu viruses
  • disinfects household kitchen and bathroom bacteria
  • kills 99.9% of bacteria in 30 seconds

Since disinfecting the sick person isn’t an option, you may want to wipe off community items they touch such as door knobs, cabinet handles, telephones, remote controls, toilets, faucets, and light switches. If you are the sick one, it would be a good idea to wipe off your own personal items too such as cell phones, iPods, iPads, and other portable devices to avoid reinfecting yourself.

I’ve noticed grocery stores offering disinfecting wipes at entrances to sanitize grocery carts, which is a nice gesture considering they are known to be some of the nastiest public items to touch. The wipes would be great to use in cars as well. Clorox sells portable versions too which they advertise as good to use in schools and on airplanes. They wouldn’t hurt to use at the gym either.

Keep in mind that disinfecting wipes are not a substitute for cleaning surfaces. In fact, the packaging recommends cleaning the surface first before disinfecting or sanitizing it. Indeed, I found out when cleaning off my keyboard and phones at the office that they tended to spread the dust around. One thing nice about the wipes is that they are safe on multiple surfaces including sinks, counters, and hardwood.

They are, however, yet another disposable product you may or may not wish to stock. For a more environmentally friendly alternative you could always spray a cleaning cloth with disinfectant cleaner and wash it in your washing machine.

To schedule a cleaning with Maid in Chicago or for a FREE quote, give us a call at (312) 829-9600. You can also visit our website maidinchicago.us and fill out our online form.

Quick Tip to Deodorize Dishwashers

Arm & Hammer has a good idea for deodorizing and cleaning dishwashers:

“Relax. There’s no need to run the dishwasher just yet! Sprinkle a handful of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda on the dishes or in the bottom of the dishwasher to absorb food odors just lingering in the dishwasher.  Double duty!  Use Arm & Hammer Baking Soda to deodorize before you run the dishwasher and then as a gentle cleanser in the wash cycle.”

Of course this is not a substitute for cleaning your dishwasher!

There are many other tips for using Arm & Hammer as a cleaner in the kitchen on their web site.

To schedule a cleaning with Maid in Chicago or for a FREE quote, give us a call at (312) 829-9600. You can also visit our website maidinchicago.us and fill out our online form.

How to Clean a Moldy Shower Curtain Liner

Here is an easy way to remove mold and mildew from a vinyl shower curtain liner. Simply throw it in the washing machine, and add a cup of chlorine bleach to your detergent. When it comes out,  hang it back up in the shower to dry. Do not put it in the dryer.

If that doesn’t work you’ll need to scrub it with a plastic brush. We recommend using a cleaning solution of 10 parts water to one part bleach.

To schedule a cleaning with Maid in Chicago or for a FREE quote, give us a call at (312) 829-9600. You can also visit our website maidinchicago.us and fill out our online form.