There’s a seemingly endless variety of household cleaning solutions to choose from for your home. Whether it’s the carpet, furniture, tile, countertops, or pet urine cleaning, it’s often challenging to narrow down your options.
To make things easier, we’re letting you in on a little secret. The cleaner you choose to use on certain surfaces does matter, but it’s really pretty simple once you understand the basics.
The Proper Use Of Household Cleaners
Here are some of the most common types of cleaning solutions you’ll come across, where they work well, and where they should be avoided.
Homemade Cleaners
DIY cleaning solutions are often more natural and affordable. They typically consist of vinegar and an acidic component like lemon for cutting through grease, hard water stains, and soap scum. These cleaners should be avoided on natural stone surfaces like granite and marble. You should also avoid using these cleaners on metal, grout, and wood because they can dull or eat away at their finishes. Instead, use a damp cloth and warm water to clean these areas.
Disinfecting Cleaners
Germ breeding grounds like kitchen sinks, countertops, and bathtubs are great candidates for a disinfectant. Always be sure to read the label and follow the instructions carefully to make sure enough time is allotted for the cleaner to do its job. Also remember that soft surfaces can fill up with bacteria, too. That’s why professional carpet cleaning, furniture cleaning, and pet urine cleaning is necessary to remove germs from these more delicate surfaces.
Glass And Acrylic Cleaners
Dust glass surfaces first and then wipe them down with a damp cloth. A speciality glass cleaner or a mixture of 2 tbsp ammonia for every 1 quart of water should do the trick and prevent scratches.
All Purpose Cleaners
These come in either powder or liquid form and work well on countertops and tile or laminate floors. They can leave streaks on stainless steel, so use a specialty cleaner there instead. Also avoid using all purpose cleaners on hardwood floors.
Abrasive Cleaners
These have a gritty texture and come in the form of powder, liquid, or scrubbing pads. They work well on tile floors, bathtubs, and tile but can corrode metal surfaces, so be careful when using them.
Chlorine Bleach
Bleach works well to brighten and remove mildew on hard surfaces like toilet bowls. However, avoid bleach on carpet and furniture because it will discolor the fibers. Bleach can also corrode and rust metal surfaces.
Specialty Cleaners
In most cases, a specialty cleaner is the way to go. There are many products out there specifically designed for certain surfaces like glass, hardwood, stainless steel, and carpet. When using furniture cleaners, carpet cleaners, or pet urine cleaning, take caution not to use too much solution or moisture as this can leave behind sticky residue and lead to mold or mildew growth.
Instead, enlist the help of Chem-Dry and our green-certified cleaning solutions to take care of the surfaces around your home.
Carpet, Furniture, and Pet Urine Cleaning in Lees Summit, Missouri
Using the right cleaning solutions and methods in your home matters. And McGeorge Brothers Chem-Dry can help! Our goal is to help make your home bacteria and allergen free using non-toxic cleaning solutions that are safe for your home and your family. Schedule professional carpet cleaning in Lee’s Summit today!
Contact us for a price estimate and schedule an appointment with McGeorge Brothers Chem-Dry today!