Cleaning Safety
What is one area of your house where you should not use bleach?
The bathroom (there is a risk of toxic gas forming if the bleach mixes with ammonia from traces of urine)
What is one way to keep your house clean that is typically done in the Spring?
Decluttering/getting rid of things you don't use anymore
You don't have to clean a dishwasher
False! You should clean your dishwasher once a month by rinsing and cleaning the filter with soap and water and running a cycle with vinegar and then another cycle with hot water and baking soda.
How often should you change your bedsheets?
Once a week, or more often if you have a pet that sleeps in your bed, have allergies, or sweat a lot
What is a common powder used in the kitchen that is also great for reducing odours or polishing metal surfaces?
Baking soda
What is one safety measure you can take to reduce the chance of harmful fumes from cleaning products building up in a room?
What is one way to avoid leaving items you have just used on surfaces or the floor in your space?
Put items away as soon as you're done using them
"Don't put it down, put it away"
Oil stains on clothing/fabric are permanent
False! You can rub dish soap into a fresh oil stain before washing the fabric to reduce or get rid of an oil spot
How often should you take out your garbage and recycling?
As soon as it is full (not overflowing) or if it contains something very smelly
What smelly clear liquid is great for cleaning glass windows without leaving streaks?
Vinegar! You can also use large round coffee filters as a cloth for even better results.
Is it safe to mix cleaning products together?
No! This can create toxic and harmful substances that are dangerous to inhale or touch.
What should you do to avoid having items that always seem to end up on a chair or desk and look cluttered?
Microfibre cloths are the best type of cloth for dusting and cleaning glass
True!
How often should you clean your fridge (empty old food, clean shelves, etc)?
Once a week! shelves should be taken out and the walls of the fridge should be cleaned every month.
What items in your blue bin can be used as bins for organization?
Plastic or cardboard containers (yogurt tubs, plastic berry boxes, tissue boxes)
When should you wear Personal Protective Equipment such as gloves or safety glasses?
Any time you are using chemicals!
What bedroom furniture item can make a room look cleaner if it is neat and clean?
Your bed! Making your bed and changing your sheets can make your room look cleaner and also give you motivation to clean other areas of your house or room.
You should change your toothbrush after you're sick with a cold or flu
true! You should change it every 3 months if you are not sick.
How often should you wash your towels?
Bath towels should be changed after 3 uses and hand towels should be changed every 2-3 days.
What clothing item can be used to dust horizontal wood or metal blinds?
Socks! You can put a sock on your hand and spray it with a bit of water before sliding it along the blinds to dust them.
Why is it important to wash your hands after you use cleaning products?
There could be traces of cleaning chemicals on your hands that could enter your eyes, mouth, nose, or food and cause harm.
What's a common craft/office supply that you can use to label your cords or wires?
Tape! You can write the name of the electronic the cord is for on the tape.
The pink stains that are sometimes in showers/tubs/sinks are fine to leave there
False! This is a type of mould and should be cleaned with a strong bathroom cleaner.
How often should you empty your vacuum?
After 1-2 uses!
What two kitchen ingredients can be used to unclog a drain, similar to the chemical Draino?
Vinegar and Baking soda! This can erode any buildup in a drain and unclog minor obstructions.