A STAND-ALONE AIR-FILTERING APPLIANCE
should be considered for heavy-duty air cleaning. Such units filter air
in a variety of ways, but for all-round removal of airbone particles,
high-efficiency particulate air(HEPA) filters are a great choice,
particularly for people with allegies. They trap particulars in fine,
disposable filters and are rated at 60 to 95 percent efficiency.
Electrostatic precipitators also do a good job of trapping particles,
and their filters are reusable. A good room unit air filter coins from
$170 to $500. Whole-house air-filtering units are available for about
$500, plus installation.
BUY CHEMICAL AIR FRESHENERS at supermarkets, discount stores, drugstores, and home improvement stores. /Air-filtering systems are available at department stores, hardware stores, discount stores, allergy supply stores, drugstores, and medical supply companies.
Alcohol
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alcohol is an effective solvent for cleaning and eliminating stains, and it kills germs, too. Lysol disinfectant spray, for instance, is 79 percent ethyl alcohol.
ALCOHOL COMES IN SEVERAL FORMS. Alcohol is an organic compound consisting of hydrocarbons. It's a colorless liquid, has a mild odor, and is highly flammable. Common forms are isopropyl alcohol (often called rubbing alcohol, used for messages, as an antiseptic, and as a
cleaning solvent) and ethyl alcohol, or ethanol (the stuff in alcoholic drinks and a common ingredient in cleaning products, mouthwash, and hairsprays). Denatured alcohol is ethanol that contain a small amount of poisonous methanol, or wood alcohol, making it unfit for consumption. It's commonly used to thin or remove paint and varnish, and to remove greasy smudges from surfaces.
USE ALCOHOL-BASED CLEANERS
When you need a solvent that evaporates quickly. /They are especially suited to cleaning glass because they clean and quickly vanish without leaving streaks. They are also useful for cleaning
telephones and the keyboards of computers, calculators, and such. Apply alcohol to electronic items
with a cotton swab.
Alcohol is also a handy solvent for eliminating oil-based stains in carpeting and upholstery, for removing hair spray from mirrors, and for dissolving ink, lipstick, crayon, and other stains.
BE CAREFUL with alcohol on some finishes. Alcohol can soften plastic and paint, so don't let alcohol-based cleaners remain on such surfaces for too long.
A WORD OF WARNING:
Denatured alcohol is undrinkable. Rubbing alcohol is toxic too. Drinking even an ounce or two of these alcohol can blind you, put you in a coma, or even kill you. Keep this stuff out of the reach of children.
WHERE YOU BUY ALCOHOL CLEANING PRODUCTS depends on what type they are.
Alcohol-based are available in grocery stores, home improvement stores, discount stores, and drugstores. Isopropyl alcohol is available in drugstores. Denatured alcohol can be found on the
paint thinner shelf in hardware and home improvement stores.
Alkali Cleaners
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alkali cleaners are at the opposite end of the pH scale from acidic cleaners. (see previous) Any cleaner above pH 7 (neutral) is considered an alkali. Most multipurpose cleaners have an alkali base because alkali cleaners, neutralize acid, and most spills and stains are acidic.
COMMON USES FOR ALKALI CLEANERS include degreasing and removing heavy soil. They're also good for washing windows and dealing with coffee and tea stains. Alkali cleaners include dish-washing liquid, mild detergents such as Woolite, all-purpose cleaners such as Formula 409 and
Fantastik, and glass cleaners such as Windex. The more aggressive degreasers, oven cleaners, lye drain openers, and wax strippers are also alkali-based products.
Here's a rundown of various alkali cleaners. The higher the pH number, the more caustic the cleaner is:
THE MILDEST ALKALI CLEANERS
(pH 8 and PH 9) include dish-washing liquid and baking soda, the Swiss Army Knife of the cleaning
world. In a solution with water (2 tablespoons of baking soda per 1 quart of warm water), baking soda cleans hard surfaces such as glass, tile, porcelain, stainless steel, chrome, and fiberglass. For heavier soil, sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and rub.
MODERATE ALKALIS (pH 9 to pH 11) include all-purpose degreasers, such as Formula 409; borax (which boosts the cleaning power of laundry detergent); trisodium phosphate (for cleaning painted surfaces, porcelain, and tile); ammonia ( a general cleaner, grease cutter, and wax stripper); soaps; scouring powders; and window cleaners.
THE STRONGEST ALKALIS (pH 12 to pH 14) include lye (used in drain openers and oven cleaners), garage floor degreasers, carpet shampoos, and washing soda (for extra cleaning power in the laundry room).
SOME CAUTIONARY NOTES about alkali cleaners:
Strong alkalis can damage skin and fabrics. They also corrode and darken aluminum. Wear hand and
eye protection when handling the stronger alkalis.
Most alkalis, except baking soda, are toxic if swallowed.
To remove an alkali residue from a surface you have cleaned, rinse with a solution of 2 tablespoons
of vinegar in a quart of water. /Then wipe dry.
ALKALI CLEANERS CAN BE FOUND in grocery stores, janitorial supply stores, cleaning supply stores, home improvement stores, and drugstores.
ALL-Purpose Cleaners
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All-purpose cleaners are just what their name implies--they do a wide variety of cleaning jobs.
Most of them are moderately alkaline, meaning they're superb grease cutters.
THE BIG ADVANTAGE OF ALL-PURPOSE CLEANERS is that you don't have to keep a lot of specialty cleaners around the house. Don't assume, however, that your all-purpose cleaner disinfects.
Check the label if you're hoping to give some germs a hard time.
YOU CAN USE ALL-PURPOSE CLEANERS safely on most surfaces and fabrics--counters, cabinets, walls, floors, and patio furniture. They will even remove fingerprints. It's best to test an
all-purpose cleaner on an inconspicuous part of the item you're cleaning before you squirt it over the
entire object. Because many all-purpose cleaners have a relatively high pH, they may cause colors to run. They can also damage wood.
CITRUS-BASED CLEANERS, such as Fantastik Orange Action and Formula 409 Orange Power, are increasing in popularity. Use them on clothes, carpets, grout, shower curtains, trash cans, decks,
toilets, the kitchen, and stains. They will remove gum, tar, and grease. And they smell nice.
ALL-PURPOSE CLEANERS CAN BE BOUGHT almost anywhere--supermarkets, home improvement stores, janitorial supply stores, janitorial supply stores, drugstores, discount stores. They're more economical if you buy them in concentrate form, because you're not paying for the water.
Ammonia
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ammonia is made up of nitrogen and hydrogen--yup, it's a gas, one that's suspended in water. Ammonia is an alkali booster (by itself, it's not a cleaner) that helps detergents with degreasing,
stripping wax, and removing soil.
MANY COMMON CLEANERS use solutions that are 5 to 7 percent ammonia. If you have a container of household ammonia, it's actually mostly watet, and the ammonia content is 5 to 10 percent. Sudsy ammonia has a detergent added.
SUDSY AMMONIA works well on stove rings, boiler pans, floors, ceramic tiles, and stainless
steel. A bowl of ammonia left in the oven overnight will loosen burned-on-grease and grime--just wipe it off in the morning. Ammonia is also a star ingredient in commercial window cleaners.
TAKE EXTRA CARE when working with ammonia:
Ammonia can be bought at grocery stores, home improvement stores, janitorial supply stores, drugstores, and discount stores.
BUY CHEMICAL AIR FRESHENERS at supermarkets, discount stores, drugstores, and home improvement stores. /Air-filtering systems are available at department stores, hardware stores, discount stores, allergy supply stores, drugstores, and medical supply companies.
Alcohol
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alcohol is an effective solvent for cleaning and eliminating stains, and it kills germs, too. Lysol disinfectant spray, for instance, is 79 percent ethyl alcohol.
ALCOHOL COMES IN SEVERAL FORMS. Alcohol is an organic compound consisting of hydrocarbons. It's a colorless liquid, has a mild odor, and is highly flammable. Common forms are isopropyl alcohol (often called rubbing alcohol, used for messages, as an antiseptic, and as a
cleaning solvent) and ethyl alcohol, or ethanol (the stuff in alcoholic drinks and a common ingredient in cleaning products, mouthwash, and hairsprays). Denatured alcohol is ethanol that contain a small amount of poisonous methanol, or wood alcohol, making it unfit for consumption. It's commonly used to thin or remove paint and varnish, and to remove greasy smudges from surfaces.
USE ALCOHOL-BASED CLEANERS
When you need a solvent that evaporates quickly. /They are especially suited to cleaning glass because they clean and quickly vanish without leaving streaks. They are also useful for cleaning
telephones and the keyboards of computers, calculators, and such. Apply alcohol to electronic items
with a cotton swab.
Alcohol is also a handy solvent for eliminating oil-based stains in carpeting and upholstery, for removing hair spray from mirrors, and for dissolving ink, lipstick, crayon, and other stains.
BE CAREFUL with alcohol on some finishes. Alcohol can soften plastic and paint, so don't let alcohol-based cleaners remain on such surfaces for too long.
A WORD OF WARNING:
Denatured alcohol is undrinkable. Rubbing alcohol is toxic too. Drinking even an ounce or two of these alcohol can blind you, put you in a coma, or even kill you. Keep this stuff out of the reach of children.
WHERE YOU BUY ALCOHOL CLEANING PRODUCTS depends on what type they are.
Alcohol-based are available in grocery stores, home improvement stores, discount stores, and drugstores. Isopropyl alcohol is available in drugstores. Denatured alcohol can be found on the
paint thinner shelf in hardware and home improvement stores.
Alkali Cleaners
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alkali cleaners are at the opposite end of the pH scale from acidic cleaners. (see previous) Any cleaner above pH 7 (neutral) is considered an alkali. Most multipurpose cleaners have an alkali base because alkali cleaners, neutralize acid, and most spills and stains are acidic.
COMMON USES FOR ALKALI CLEANERS include degreasing and removing heavy soil. They're also good for washing windows and dealing with coffee and tea stains. Alkali cleaners include dish-washing liquid, mild detergents such as Woolite, all-purpose cleaners such as Formula 409 and
Fantastik, and glass cleaners such as Windex. The more aggressive degreasers, oven cleaners, lye drain openers, and wax strippers are also alkali-based products.
Here's a rundown of various alkali cleaners. The higher the pH number, the more caustic the cleaner is:
THE MILDEST ALKALI CLEANERS
(pH 8 and PH 9) include dish-washing liquid and baking soda, the Swiss Army Knife of the cleaning
world. In a solution with water (2 tablespoons of baking soda per 1 quart of warm water), baking soda cleans hard surfaces such as glass, tile, porcelain, stainless steel, chrome, and fiberglass. For heavier soil, sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and rub.
MODERATE ALKALIS (pH 9 to pH 11) include all-purpose degreasers, such as Formula 409; borax (which boosts the cleaning power of laundry detergent); trisodium phosphate (for cleaning painted surfaces, porcelain, and tile); ammonia ( a general cleaner, grease cutter, and wax stripper); soaps; scouring powders; and window cleaners.
THE STRONGEST ALKALIS (pH 12 to pH 14) include lye (used in drain openers and oven cleaners), garage floor degreasers, carpet shampoos, and washing soda (for extra cleaning power in the laundry room).
SOME CAUTIONARY NOTES about alkali cleaners:
Strong alkalis can damage skin and fabrics. They also corrode and darken aluminum. Wear hand and
eye protection when handling the stronger alkalis.
Most alkalis, except baking soda, are toxic if swallowed.
To remove an alkali residue from a surface you have cleaned, rinse with a solution of 2 tablespoons
of vinegar in a quart of water. /Then wipe dry.
ALKALI CLEANERS CAN BE FOUND in grocery stores, janitorial supply stores, cleaning supply stores, home improvement stores, and drugstores.
ALL-Purpose Cleaners
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All-purpose cleaners are just what their name implies--they do a wide variety of cleaning jobs.
Most of them are moderately alkaline, meaning they're superb grease cutters.
THE BIG ADVANTAGE OF ALL-PURPOSE CLEANERS is that you don't have to keep a lot of specialty cleaners around the house. Don't assume, however, that your all-purpose cleaner disinfects.
Check the label if you're hoping to give some germs a hard time.
YOU CAN USE ALL-PURPOSE CLEANERS safely on most surfaces and fabrics--counters, cabinets, walls, floors, and patio furniture. They will even remove fingerprints. It's best to test an
all-purpose cleaner on an inconspicuous part of the item you're cleaning before you squirt it over the
entire object. Because many all-purpose cleaners have a relatively high pH, they may cause colors to run. They can also damage wood.
CITRUS-BASED CLEANERS, such as Fantastik Orange Action and Formula 409 Orange Power, are increasing in popularity. Use them on clothes, carpets, grout, shower curtains, trash cans, decks,
toilets, the kitchen, and stains. They will remove gum, tar, and grease. And they smell nice.
ALL-PURPOSE CLEANERS CAN BE BOUGHT almost anywhere--supermarkets, home improvement stores, janitorial supply stores, janitorial supply stores, drugstores, discount stores. They're more economical if you buy them in concentrate form, because you're not paying for the water.
Ammonia
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ammonia is made up of nitrogen and hydrogen--yup, it's a gas, one that's suspended in water. Ammonia is an alkali booster (by itself, it's not a cleaner) that helps detergents with degreasing,
stripping wax, and removing soil.
MANY COMMON CLEANERS use solutions that are 5 to 7 percent ammonia. If you have a container of household ammonia, it's actually mostly watet, and the ammonia content is 5 to 10 percent. Sudsy ammonia has a detergent added.
SUDSY AMMONIA works well on stove rings, boiler pans, floors, ceramic tiles, and stainless
steel. A bowl of ammonia left in the oven overnight will loosen burned-on-grease and grime--just wipe it off in the morning. Ammonia is also a star ingredient in commercial window cleaners.
TAKE EXTRA CARE when working with ammonia:
- Keep the area well ventilated. Evaporating ammonia fumes will curl your toes--if it doesn't make you sick.
- Never mix ammonia with chlorine bleach, which creates poisonous chlorine gas.
- Ammonia can darken aluminum and discolor some fabrics, so proceed carefully.
Ammonia can be bought at grocery stores, home improvement stores, janitorial supply stores, drugstores, and discount stores.
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