Archive for August 27th, 2009

Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer whenever soap & water is not available

A survey conducted by Bradley Corporation indicates the spread of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus isn’t changing the way most people wash their hands in public. Increased hand-washing, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ie Purell), and proper hand hygiene are recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency as an effective way to stop the spread of the virus.

The current H1N1 pandemic began in April 2009 in Mexico, but has spread rapidly throughout the world. Experts are warning of increased danger due to the back-to-school season in the U.S. – a presidential advisory panel warns that an expected resurgence of the illness could cause up to 90,000 deaths in the United States alone, with a projected infection rate of up to 50% of the population. An H1N1 vaccine is not expected to be widely available until October 2009.

Some tips to decrease your chances of contracting H1N1:

1. Avoid close contact with people who are ill
2. Avoid crowded public settings
3. Promote good airflow in personal spaces by opening windows, etc.
4. Clean hands with soap and water, especially after touching potentially contaminated surfaces
5. Always carry an alcohol based hand sanitizer, such as Purell, with you at all times.  Then, when soap & water are not available, you are still able to practice good hand hygiene.

For more information on H1N1 (swine flu) virus, visit the Flu Control section of CleaningProductsWorld.com for updates on the virus, what you can do to stay healthy, and a list of relevant products to help you remain safe & healthy.

Amy Adams and Emily Blunt star in "Sunshine Cleaning"; a quirky Indie film release on DVD this week

The quirky, Amy Adams-led indie dramedy Sunshine Cleaning hits DVD this week.  Since I’m always interested in anything that has to do with cleaning, I figured it was worth mentioning. The film stars Adams and Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) as sisters who go into business cleaning up crime scenes. The movie is loosely based on a true story of two Seattle women who started their own biohazard removal service.

The charming optimism and oddball family drama you’ll have to provide on your own, but a in honor of this DVD release, here are a few surefire tips for removing blood stains:

1.  Wash items affected immediately in cold water. Soak out the remaining stains in a solution of warm water (1 quart), laundry detergent (about a teaspoon), and ammonia (1 tablespoon). Tamp the fabric after soaking, and make sure to rinse well when finished, then launder again.

2.  For hard surfaces, wipe up with a sponge soaked in a warm water/soap solution, and then dry with a clean cloth.

3.  For non-washable fibers like burlap, fiberglass, wool, rope or silk, use a sponge in cold water and stroke out from the center of the stain. If that doesn’t work, spot clean with a stain remover pen, then cover with a moist absorbent pad and flush the area with cold water.

As with any other stain, the key to getting out those pesky blood stains is quick action. Act quickly before the stain sets and it will be much easier to get out.