Print Friendly and PDF

Cleaning Feed

How to reduce the transmission of diseases from pets to humans

On Saturday, I wrote about One Health Day. I hadn’t heard of it before, but it’s a global campaign that recognizes the close connection between the health of people, animals, and the environment and the role this connection plays in the spread of diseases. Several times, I’ve written that people shouldn’t allow pets to sleep in bed with them. Read more →


How to clean your yard waste, garbage, and recycling containers

After one of my yard work helpers scolded me for having dirty yard waste, garbage, and recycling containers, because there were ants on the lids of a couple of them, I decided I’d clean them. Here are my tips: Use the jet function on your hose nozzle to clean the inside and outside of the containers. Tip the containers over on the grass. Read more →


What to do on Earth Day and all year to make a difference

Earth Day is a good reminder of what to do every day and throughout the year for the health of the planet. I spend a lot of time on it. I know many people do, too. The theme for this year’s Earth Day is Invest in Our Planet. Three-quarters of Americans say that they’re particularly concerned with helping the environment as they go about their daily lives. Read more →


A suggestion on National Pet Day: Don’t let your pets sleep in your bed

As a researcher, I was surprised several years ago when I ran across a study on pets that are allowed to sleep in their owners’ beds. It found E.coli, a bacteria that can cause illness, on the pillows, sheets, and blankets. The CDC recommends taking precautions to help reduce the risk of getting sick from germs pet can carry. Read more →


Spring cleaning tip: Don’t use vinegar on some items

Since I avoid the use of harsh, toxic chemicals in cleaning, I often use vinegar in cleaning. However, Consumer Reports says it shouldn’t be used in nine cases: Clothes irons. Vinegar could damage the inside of the iron. Countertops: Vinegar is an acid, and it can etch and dull natural stone such as marble and limestone. For granite, it can break down sealers. Read more →


Check out these helpful tips from my newsletter this week

I’m approaching the 200th issue of my newsletter Helpful Money Tips for You. This week’s newsletter tips are especially valuable, so I’m posting a copy of the newsletter below. You can sign up for my newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/makeyourmoneywork. It’s free, so get it now and tell your friends about it, too. Read more →


More than 8 million laundry and cleaning products are being recalled due to possible bacterial contamination

The recall of about 8 million The Laundress laundry and household cleaning products is the largest recall announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission last week. Testing has identified bacteria in some of the recalled products, including those produced between January 2021 and September 2022. The recalled products can contain bacteria. Read more →


More than half a million Black+Decker garment steamers are being recalled after consumers are burned

Big product recalls from last week included an exploding aerosol air freshener for linens, an exercise bicycle with loose pedals, canvas shoes with toxic chemicals, and a garment cleaner that can cause burns. I’m sharing details about the largest one, the garment steamer that has burned 32 people. Read more →


Top 10 tips for Baby Safety Month

Babies are among the most precious things in the world. I was fortunate to have two wonderful daughters, and luckily, they survived childhood although not as much was known back then on child safety. Here are 10 top tips that parents, grandparents, and caregivers need to follow to keep babies safe: Read more →


Pressure washer is being recalled by Generac Power Systems due to carbon monoxide risk

Generac Power Systems is recalling about 53,000 electric start pressure washers in the United States and 1,750 in Canada. The electronic start/stop button on the pressure washer can malfunction and self-start, posing a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if the unit is in a confined space.  Read more →