How to Clean Stainless Steel in The Kitchen

In today’s kitchens, stainless steel appliances and even counter tops are very common and are easier to keep clean than many may think. Even with this being the case, the question remains, how to clean stainless steel.

Some will say to use nothing more than soap and water while others may suggest using vinegar. The truth of the matter is both will work to a degree depending on how much grease, grime, fingerprints and water spots are on the surface.

With seven years in the cleaning industry and after having tried several methods and products I have found what I feel is the best answer to, how to clean stainless steel.

Don’t be afraid of using commercial cleaning chemicals on your stainless appliances. As long as the one choose is designed to clean stainless steel, it should not harm the surface. Of course, as always, follow the manufacture’s directions.

The products I suggest using are first, a degreaser, preferably a citrus-based product in a ready-to-use formula. This reduces the chances of mixing a concentrate too strong. Then use an aerosol stainless steel cleaner, which will polish the surface. Using these two products will leave your appliances and stainless surfaces looking like new.

Automatic Air Freshener

Easy Fresh is the only automatic air freshener that uses the fragranced cover of the dispenser cover as the refill itself. This unique concept makes changing the refill much easier since there is no locking cover to deal with. Automatic air freshener is not a new concept but with Easy Fresh, your life just became easier.

Each automatic air freshener cover is composed of unique material containing twice as much fragrance as most other air fresheners which is released over a period of thirty days. Easy Fresh refills are composed of 100% recyclable material and they are VOC compliant.

One huge advantage of the Easy Fresh automatic air freshener refill is the fact that it will continuously freshen for thirty days eliminating the peaks and valleys that the traditional fresheners offer. One other advantage is there is no spray or fall out with these automatic air fresheners.

The statement “batteries not included” does not apply with these devices as each automatic air freshener refill does come with a battery. When it is time to change the fragrance refill, you have everything you need in one package, including the battery.

These devices come with a fan unit which you mount on the wall, the automatic air freshener fragranced cover and a battery. Each time the refill is changed, a new battery is installed as well. This insures the fragrance is continuously supplied. They also come in several different fragrances the most popular being, honeysuckle, mango and spice apple. One good tip is to change the fragrance each time one is needed to be refilled insuring the notice ability of the fragrance.

Everyone wants their space to always have a fresh smell or fragrance that will have visitors making positive comments. Using the Easy Fresh automatic air fresheners and refills is one sure way to do this.

Commercial Cleaning Products Are Not Just For Industrial Use

Just because a cleaning product is classified as commercial cleaning products does not mean that it has to be used only in a commercial cleaning application. They are produced in the same basic manner as household cleaners except they are in most cases more concentrated which means they have to be diluted with water before use.

There are some commercial chemicals however, which are stronger and are specific applications that should not be used in the home. These type products are manufactured for more of an industrial application.

Some examples of commercial cleaning products that are safe for home use are: hospital grade disinfectants, certain degreasers, aerosol disinfectants as well as germicidal cleaners. Products of this type are sold mainly by janitorial supply companies to schools, hospitals, and other commercial facilities and many of them will also sell to the general public for home consumption.

When looking for a good quality cleaner there are a few things to consider that will insure the product is one that will be the best value for the money spent. First, look at the dilution ratio to see how much is required to mix with water to give you the RTU (ready-to-use) product. If a product cost twenty dollars per gallon and the dilution ratio is one ounce per gallon that means that one gallon of RTU product costs only sixteen cents. Compare this cost of a commercial cleaning product with that of a RTU household product and it will be easy to see the commercial product is by far the more economic item to use.

Another factor to look for would be the kill claim which is an indication of the different types of germs and bacteria the chemical will kill according to the label directions. Most of the commercial cleaning products will have a kill claim of 99.7 or higher depending on the specific type chemicals and requirements to eliminate a specific amount of the germs and other organisms.

Even by these factors that indicate the household cleaning products are more costly and in some cases are not as effective as the commercial cleaning products; the everyday person has no idea that there is a better alternative. If clean and germ free along with saving money is the goal, then look to your local or online janitorial supplier for the best solution to your cleaning product needs.

Green Cleaning Eight Step Guideline for a Healthy Environment

By now just about everyone has not only heard of green cleaning or going green, but have been involved in one way or another. Green cleaning is definitely a way to help establish a healthy environment for everyone. In the janitorial and cleaning industry one way to make a difference is in choosing environmentally responsible products which can make a huge difference in your spending budget.

Develop + Plan + Execute = Green Cleaning Success

The caring and cleaning of a commercial or institutional facility is a huge task. Developing and implementing a green cleaning program that will effectively protect the occupant's health while minimizing the cleaning's impact on the environment is equally significant.

By following these eight guidelines you will find that implementing your green cleaning program will be much easier and much more successful.

1. Put health and the environment first: This should be the fundamental focus for any green cleaning program. Protect the health of workers and building occupants as well as the environment.

2. Review current products and practices: If your current cleaning products are not green, then consider changing. Using the right product in the correct manor is crucial to making your plan work.

3. Use green cleaning products: These products are designed to follow the first guideline; health and environment first.

4. Use green equipment and supplies: Equipment such as vacuum cleaners that use HEPA filters and are certified by the CRI are considered green. Supplies that are manufactured to reduce environmental impact are also green. Look for labels indicating such.

5. Decrease entry of dirt and pollutants: Dirt walks in your front door. Most all of the dirt that enters into a building comes in through the doors on the shoes of people. Using mats to keep it out will definitely make for a healthier environment.

6. Disinfect only in areas that require it: Do not over disinfect. There is no need to disinfect your entry way floors as an example. Using fewer chemicals helps keep a healthy environment.

7. Use green paper and plastic products: Using green paper such as toilet tissue and paper towels is a great way to help reduce the pollutants expelled into the atmosphere during manufacturing process. Plastics can be reused in many cases and then recycled.

8. Education, training and enforcement: This last tip will be the one that can have the biggest effect on a healthy environment. If all of the other tips and processes are not followed, then there is not a result of improvement and thus a healthy environment.