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Cleaning Products Defined

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Household Cleaning Products Defined. Do you really need an all-purpose and a disinfectant product?

What's the best thing to use for scrubbing soap scum from your tub? This guide will help you choose the right products for the dirty jobs ahead.

1. All purpose.

These mild- to middle-strength products are effective on moderately soiled washable surfaces.

Appropriate surfaces to use these products on include cabinets, floors, stove tops, painted walls, counter tops, and woodwork.

2. Bathtub, tile and sink.

Cleaning products defined - what cleaners you really need.

These products remove soils commonly found on bathroom and kitchen surfaces, such as hard-water deposits, soap scum, rust stains, and mold and mildew growth.

3. Surface buffers.

These contain more abrasive, stronger chemicals than those found in most household products. They're designed for heavy duty jobs, like stubborn stains and dried-on messes.

Many contain chlorine bleach for disinfecting. (Use with care; they can scratch, fade or otherwise damage surfaces.)

4. Disinfectants.

These and chlorine bleach are the only household products that will kill surface bacteria and viruses.

In order for a product to have the word "disinfectant" on its label, it must meet U.S. government specifications for effectiveness in killing microorganisms.

For more information on killing viruses, check out effective strategies for obliterating flu viruses and household germs.

There are literally hundreds of products on your grocery store's shelves - but you don't need even a fraction of these products to get your home sparkling. Take the time to read the product's labels, and know what you need to tackle the dirty jobs ahead.

Why spend money on every site-specific product label, when you don't have to?

Suggested Reading

How to Remove Bathroom Mold and Mildew

How to Disinfect Combs and Brushes

Tips for Removing Smells from Your Fridge

11 Family Cleaning Rules

Divvying Up Chores for Kids

Caring for the Family Jewels

Kids' Chores Daily by Age

Kids' Chores Weekly by Age

Kids' Chores Monthly by Age

Kids' Chores Seasonally by Age

Kids' Chores Yearly by Age

10 Steps to a Cleaner Home

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About the Author

Tara Aronson is a native Californian. Having grown up in San Diego, she studied journalism and Spanish to pursue a career in newspaper writing. Tara, whose three children - Chris, Lyndsay, and Payne - are the light of her life, now lives and writes in Los Angeles. She also regularly appears on television news programs throughout the U.S.