Safety Information

When was the last time you disinfected your baby changing table?

Germs may be lurking in hidden places that Moms don’t clean. A recent survey by Playtex found that many mothers are aware of general cleaning habits, such as washing your hands after changing a diaper, but they fail to follow through on important disinfecting tasks.

The top 3 important places to disinfect once daily:

1) Changing table

2) Toys

3) Laundry hamper

Disinfecting these areas does not have to be a challenge! Simply use an EPA-registered disinfectant to clean, either a liquid cleaner of disinfectant spray. Allow the surface to remain wet for 5-10 minutes before wiping the cleaner off. This allows the cleaner to kill any harmful bacteria. After cleaning with a disinfectant, always wipe the surface down again & rinse it with water. That way no chemical residue will potentially irritate your baby’s sensitive skin!

We have disinfectant cleaners available at CleaningProductsWorld.com with fast delivery in 2-3 days. Buy a cleaner in bulk to save time & money while protecting your children from bacteria and unwanted illness.

Most people have a proper hurricane preparedness kit, but do you have the necessary safety items for the cleanup afterwards?  With most of the East coast recovering from hurricane Irene, the most damaging storm we’ve seen in about 25 years, it is important to use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) during clean-up and follow general safety guidelines. 

While cleaning debris, you’ll likely be using power tools – make sure you have the right PPE for your tasks.  Protective eyewear is important anytime you are using a powertool, each year 2.5 million eye injuries are reported in the U.S. that could have been prevented, and 50,000 of them result in permanent vision damage. 

A good pair of gloves and boots will make the task go faster, within reason you’ll be able to step wear you want and grab objects with less difficulty than using bare hands and regular shoes.  Lastly if you are cleaning up near the side of the road, reflective gear will be necessary so cars going by can see you clearly.  Below is a brief list of items you should have:

• - Safety glasses or face shields
• - Earplugs
• - Heavy-Duty Gloves
• - Safety Shoes, steel-toed boots
• - Hard Hats
• - Reflective Vests or Clothing

For general safety tips, the most striking aspect of the hurricane to me was the amount of downed power lines in my neighborhood.  First and foremost, never go near downed power lines, call the appropriate professional utility workers and allow them to do their jobs.  Second, though most trees come down during the actual storm, be wary of trees that were damaged and may topple any time in the days or weeks following the hurricane.

Take the necessary precautions during your hurricane cleanup, and wear the appropriate protective equipment to keep yourself safe from harm this season.

We’ve all had it, fever, chills, cough, body aches, fatigue.  It’s the flu and according to the CDC it affects between 5% and 20% of the population every year.  With flu season looming its ugly head, we should all take note there are several things we can do to lessen our chances of getting sick. 

Avoid touching your hands and face in public places or at the gym – Most people don’t really think about it, but on average we touch our faces up to 18 times an hour.  If you are touching objects or surfaces that are touched by others often, consciously avoid touching your face until you can wash your hands.

Know the difference between sanitizing and disinfecting – Sanitizing lowers the number of germs while disinfecting kills germs.  Many cleaners can do both, but they have different instructions.  Disinfecting usually requires the solution to sit for a longer period of time before washing it away. 

Clean surfaces that get touched often – As far as viruses go, the flu virus is somewhat fragile.  Cleaning surfaces that get touched often like doorknobs, counters, or elevator buttons will help keep the virus from spreading from surface to person.

Keep up with routine cleaning – Again because the flu virus is relatively fragile, routine cleaning of bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas that should be cleaned regularly will help prevent the spread of the virus.

Wash hands regularly - I personally don’t believe in excessive handwashing, but a good guideline for washing hands is after using the restroom, when the kids come back from playing, or if you’ve been touching a lot of surfaces that a lot of other people have touched using an antibacterial soap or no rinse hand sanitizer is a good practice.

While there is no guaranteed way to avoid the flu, following these tips can help reduce your chances of getting sick this flu season.

We all know gyms can be dirty places, I’ve walked into a few and it was quite evident by the floors and condition of the gym equipment that proper upkeep was not taking place.   Even gyms that appear clean often have areas that you wouldn’t think twice about that can make you sick.  On one hand, germs are unfortunately everywhere and a part of daily life, and they shouldn’t stop you from going somewhere and doing what you want.   On the other hand there are simple steps you can take to help you avoid getting sick.  So what are the germiest culprits in the gym and what precautions can you take?

 #1 As a frequent avoider of drinking fountains, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the germiest place reported in gyms is the drinking fountain.  Drinking fountains can often have more germs than the toilets!  Solution – Bring your own water bottle from home.

 #2 Child care centers – This one is pretty self-explanatory, unfortunately if you need to use this particular service at a gym there isn’t a lot you can personally do to avoid germs.  If you know the area isn’t being cleaned as well as it should, having a discussion with the gym management would be appropriate.

 #3 Free weights, Mats, and Machines – Lots of people come into contact with the various pieces of equipment in the gym.  Most gyms offer some type of cleaning product or GymWipes so you can wipe down the machine.  Wipe down your equipment before and after its use to help reduce germ exposure.  Most mats provided by the gym never get washed or cleaned by the staff, so be sure to wipe these down if you use them.  Also, while working out try to avoid touching your face or mouth, or rubbing your eyes – we all do it more than we realize, about 18 times an hour for the average person!

 #4 The Locker Room – I’ve always set up my schedule and routine so I would be going straight home from the gym.  If you are able to head straight home, you’re probably better off just washing your hands off after the workout and showering once you get home rather than in the locker room.  Never go barefoot in the gym showers, and bring your own towel and toiletries. 

 While it doesn’t do any good to live in a constant state of fear over germs, these are some simple precautions you can take to stay healthy at the gym.

It’s time to celebrate Independence Day this 4^th of July, and many Americans will be spending their day cooking out and enjoying firework displays.  Make sure your 4^th of July weekend is a safe one by observing these safety tips.

Firework Safety

-Obey the fireworks laws of your state.  Regulations vary from state to state on the type of fireworks that are legal or illegal, or if having fireworks at home are legal period.  The American Pyrotechnics Association has a great breakdown of firework laws by state.

-Only use fireworks outdoors, and always have a bucket of water or hose handy.

-Spectators should stay a safe distance away from the fireworks, and the launcher should wear safety glasses.

-Never use home-made fireworks, and don’t drink and handle fireworks; have a designated firework shooter.

For more firework safety tips visit the National Council of Firework Safety.

Cooking Out

-Do not leave a grill or stove unattended, and keep any flammable items (like pot holders and paper towels) off of the cooking area.

-Cooking appliances should be plugged directly into an outlet and not an extension cord.  With an extension cord the circuit can easily be overloaded causing a fire.

-Keep children and pets away from the grill, make it clear there is no playing near the grill area.

-Wear short, close-fitting clothing while cooking.  Dangling or loose fitting clothing can potentially touch the heat source and ignite.

For more tips on staying safe while cooking out visit the U.S. Fire Administration.

Need paper plates, napkins, or other supplies for your summer cookouts or camping?  Shop with us this weekend and save an additional 10% this on all items at CleaningProductsWorld!  Deal ends July 6^th, buy now and save!

As summer is starting up, the kids are home from school, and the weather is finally beginning to cooperate it is a great time to get outdoors.  Many families will be taking camping trips during the season, or kids might be going off to sleep away camps.  Whatever your outdoor plans are for the summer, follow these safety tips to have an enjoyable camping experience.

 Use sunscreen and sunglasses:  It’s not only at the beach that you can get a sunburn.  In very intense sunlight it’s possible to get burned in as little as 5 to 15 minutes.  Protect your skin and your eyes while outdoors by wearing the right clothing, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

 Hike with a friend, not alone:  There’s always the chance of encountering a dangerous animal while hiking, or twisting an ankle on some loose rock.  Always hike with someone, tell someone where you are going, and bring a cellphone/GPS with you.

 Be careful around water and while swimming:  Be especially careful in a body of water you haven’t been to before, there could be a sudden drop off or current you aren’t aware of.  Keep in mind that small islands in the water tend to look closer than they really are – don’t swim out further than you feel comfortable.

 Remember to bring bug spray:  All those bugs can be a real nuisance when you are trying to enjoy sitting out.  Remember to bring insect repellant, otherwise an enjoyable time could end up miserable.

 Fully extinguish your campfire:  If possible allow the campfire to burn all the way down to ashes and pour water on all of the embers not just the red ones.  Pour the water until the hissing stops, and then stir the ashes and ember with a shovel.  Stir and make sure everything is wet.   For more information view this great campfire safety resource.  

 Have a first aid kit handy:  A basic first aid kit should contain various bandages, a sling and pins, gauze, dressing pads, sterile eye packs and eye wash, burn cream, a cold compress, aspirin, first aid tape, tweezers, scissors, and disposable gloves. 

 Enjoy your summer and have fun camping!

Antibacterial soap has been controversial in public opinion, with the FDA and EPA wanting to take it off the market.I don’t think that antibacterial soap should be removed from stores, but there is a lot of conversation and whole websites dedicated to discussing the matter.

75% of moms with children in the household would be “angry” if the government took antibacterial soap off the market according to a 2011 survey released by American Cleaning Institute and the Personal Care Products Council. That’s a lot of angry moms! See the results of the survey in a slideshow here.

The American Cleaning Institute started a website called Fight Germs Now: The Official Source on Antibacterial Hygiene Products. This website’s purpose is to dispel myths about antibacterial soap and hand washing. There are critics of the site, saying that the website is presenting things as facts and science that may not be backed up.

Not only is antibacterial soap great for preventing flu and spreading disease, but some people use it regularly in industrial and food service operation. For example, using antibacterial soap after using the bathroom for employees in food preparation makes me feel much more confident about eating in restaurants or anyplace that I’m not responsible for cooking.

It might be a pet peeve, but I hate when I see people at home or at a friend’s start to prepare food without a proper hand washing! While there is no substitute for washing hands thoroughly, I think antibacterial soap allows for an added protection for neurotic minds like mine. While it shouldn’t be used for all hand washing purposes, I think that antibacterial soap has its place in the store. Consumers’ choice is an important element to consider when considering regulations on hygiene products.

In a recent survey of adults in the U.S., it was found that 84 percent of those surveyed prefer to do business with a company that uses green cleaning products and practices. The telephone poll was commissioned by Cintas Corporation and conducted by Harris Interactive® in March 2011 among more than 1,000 adults ages 18 and older.

“Today’s consumers are environmentally-conscious and expect the businesses they patronize to use green cleaning practices,” said Mike Thompson, Senior Vice President, Cintas Facility Services. “This research affirms that using environmentally-friendly cleaning products and practices has a positive impact on the environment and can help drive repeat business.”

Has your business switched to green cleaning practices? Here are some of the articles from our 30 Days of Green to help you get started:

Green Cleaning Terms & Definitions

Green Cleaning Benefits

Evolution of Green Cleaning

It’s cold season.

How do I know? There’s a growing pile of Kleenex in my trash can and every drug store I go into has signs screaming that they have flu shots available.

My boyfriend has spoiled me by buying Kleenex with lotion. The non-lotiony tissues at work that used to feel soft on my nose now feel like sandpaper. Especially when you’re using half a box daily, getting the more expensive facial tissues is worth it if you don’t want to look like Rudolph.

Tips for Cold and Flu Season

1. If you’re sick, make sure to stock up on Kleenex to prevent spreading your germs! Make sure to throw them away immediately after use.
2. Wash your hands using soap, for at least 20 seconds.
3. Use hand sanitizer to kill germs.

Hope that you all stay healthy and conquer those colds!

Do you know what's in your dishwashing detergent?

Last year, we wrote about how Procter & Gamble and Colgate-Palmolive was sued, along with two other firms. Environmental groups demanded that these companies reveal the ingredients of cleaning products.

Since, July 17 states have begun to outlaw phosphates in household dishwashing detergent. Thus, products like Cascade had to change formulas to be sold to the public, changing to phosphate-free. In New York, retailers had to stop selling stocked products containing phosphates as of October 13, 2010.

The NYTimes article summarizes the problem with switching to phosphate free items. Some claim that without phosphates, dishwashing detergents don’t work right and dishes stay dirty.

But the environment will benefit because freshwater sources will have a reduced amount of phosphate run off. Lakes will be cleaner, less oxygen-hogging algae produced, and the natural balance will be restored.

Only dishwashing detergent for automatic dishwashers are affected. Dishwashing liquid for hand washing already do not contain phosphates.

What do you think about the decision to remove phosphates from automatic dishwashing detergent products? Have you noticed a difference in your dishes?