Latest news with #MarlaMock
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
6 Things You Should Never Clean With Bleach, According To Cleaning Pros
Using bleach, a powerful disinfectant, may be part of your cleaning routine. But there are some surfaces and places in the home where using this strong chemical may cause more harm than good. Getting rid of grime and making sure everything is germ-free is important but you'll also want to make sure it's the appropriate cleaner for the job. 'People should be cautious about using bleach on some surfaces or areas of the home because it can be corrosive, cause discoloration, damage surfaces, release toxic fumes or harm materials,' says Armeka Townsend. According to Marla Mock,'Most times, there are alternatives to bleach that are more natural and gentler to use around the house."Meet the Expert Armeka Townsend is a cleaning expert and senior consumer relations representative at Zep Cleaning, a trusted brand of cleaning supplies sold at grocery stores and mass retailers. Marla Mock is the president of Molly Maid, a franchise of independent cleaners nationwide. Tonya Harris is an award-winning toxin expert and author of The Slightly Greener Method. Carol Mehas is the founder of arbOUR Products, a line of natural cleaning Countertops and Surfaces Thinking about using bleach on your beautiful stone countertops? Think again. Otherwise, you risk ruining them. Stone surfaces, including marble, granite, and quartz, are porous and bleach can wreak havoc of these beautiful materials. 'Bleach can damage the sealant of [stone] surfaces, as well as dulling the surface or even change the color of the stone,' says Tonya Harris. And not only can it cause harm to your stone countertops or surfaces, bleach usually soaks in and stays, Mock explains that with a protective sealant gone, it 'exposes your countertops to deterioration and stains.' How to Clean 'Use a couple of small squirts of mild liquid dish soap mixed into warm water and rub gently, then rinse,' recommends Harris. But don't use too much dish soap thinking it's better! 'Too much soap can dull the surface," she explains. Also, choose a dish soap without a fragrance to ensure unexpected staining doesn't occur. According to Carol Mehas, natural cleaning products, 'Scent free is preferred because most scents are made up of oils and that will create a ring around the area you are cleaning!' Stainless Steel and Metals Want to get your stainless steel pots and pans or even forks and spoons disinfected and cleaned? Don't reach for bleach. This strong chemical will leave you with ruined cooking vessels and an unexpected trip to the store to buy new ones. 'Bleach can oxidize and corrode metals, causing surfaces to rust,' explains Harris. The rust causes discoloration. 'Bleach can corrode and damage stainless steel, leaving it discolored and potentially impacting its structural integrity,' adds Townsend. How to Clean 'Never use steel wool or a scouring pad on stainless steel to avoid scratching the surface,' says Mock. She suggests using microfiber cloths and dish soap. 'Mix warm water and a few drops of dish soap or mild cleaner in a small spray bottle,' she says. 'Mist the stainless-steel surface with a light coating of the spray and using a soft microfiber cloth, wipe off the dish soap mixture in the direction of the grain.' The way you clean is important to avoid damaging stainless steel. 'To prevent scratching and improve shine, always clean in the direction of the grain, she says. 'Stainless steel has faint lines that are called the grain.' Wood Bleach and wood don't go together so make sure to avoid this harsh chemical on any wood surface, whether it's cutting boards or wood floors. Once you use bleach on any type of wood, it's near impossible to remove. 'The porous nature of wood will only absorb the bleach, and you can't safely remove it or rinse it," says Mehas. "Not only will it continue to erode over time, it's also dangerous for hands, feet, or the furry paws of your lovable pet!' 'Do not use bleach on wooden surfaces,' says Townsend. 'Bleach can cause discoloration, weaken the wood fibers, and damage the finish of the wood.' How to Clean 'Use a gentle cleaner specifically designed for wood,' says Townsend. 'Be sure to wring out the cleaning cloth well to avoid water damage.' And if you're cleaning a wooden floor, how you clean will depend on if the wood floor is sealed or unsealed. 'To clean sealed wood floors, mop with a mix of ¼ cup of mild or pH-neutral soap with water in a bucket,' says Mock. 'With unsealed wood floors, you should only sweep, dust mop or vacuum regularly, being careful not to use water.' Grout Noticing moldy grout lines lining the shower or bathtub? Sure, you think, I'll just pour some bleach on the grout lines and problem solved. Stop right there. Bleach may make the grout lines look better but it won't get to the bottom of the problem. 'While bleach can brighten the area and kill the mold at the surface, it doesn't get to the roots of the mold,' says Harris. Wondering what an alternative to bleach is? Reach for a bottle of white vinegar to remove the mold. 'White vinegar can kill about 82% of mold and can penetrate porous surfaces to kill the 'roots' of the mold,' says Harris. 'If you have some mold in tiles or on shower walls, this is an easy way to get rid of it.' How to Clean 'Pour white vinegar into a spray bottle and thoroughly spray the surface and let it sit for an hour,' says Harris. 'Follow by rinsing the area with a damp cloth with warm water (do not soak the area with water).' Sometimes scrubbing may be necessary. She suggests combining baking soda and water in bowl to make a paste and then scrub the area with a sponge. However, if there is a lot of mold, contact a mold professional, she says. Colored Fabrics or Paint If you've ever accidentally used bleach on a printed tee or an entire load of colored clothing, you know that bleach permanently stains. Have a tough stain? Bleach is not the solution. 'Do not use bleach near or on colored fabrics, painted surfaces, or any surface susceptible to discoloration and damage,' says Townsend. Areas Where Children and Pets Play Bleach is a powerful chemical so it's important to use it in areas where kids and furry friends won't be exposed to it or touch it. Think about where your children or pets spend time or play and make sure not to use bleach in these areas of the home. 'Children and pets are more likely to accidentally ingest bleach from surfaces from touching toys or other areas where bleach has been used, or from pets licking paws on a bleached floor or area,' explains Harris. Having a clean home is important but it's equally important that it's healthy and safe. If you need another reason to think about how and where you use bleach in the home, Townsend explains, 'Bleach can release toxic fumes and cause respiratory issues, skin irritation, or even poisoning, if ingested.' Tips for Cleaning With Bleach When it's the right disinfectant for the job and it's safe to use bleach, it's important to dilute this strong chemical for everyone's safety. 'Bleach should only be used with caution and should always be watered down,' says Mehas. 'A safe ratio is 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water.' You don't ever want to handle bleach without protection. 'Wear gloves and even a mask to avoid any interaction with your skin or risk inhaling the caustic gas in the nose or mouth, which may cause burning of the mucous membranes along your respiratory tracts,' says Mehas. And equally important is airflow. 'Ensure proper ventilation in the area being cleaned,' adds Townsend. Read the original article on Southern Living
Forbes
07-04-2025
- Health
- Forbes
The 6 Best All-Purpose Cleaners To Conquer The Toughest Messes
A good all-purpose cleaner doesn't just get rid of crumbs and spills—it also makes cleaning feel faster and easier, whether you're wiping down the counters after dinner or scrubbing the bathroom sink on a Saturday morning. After researching and comparing dozens of formulas, we found Clorox Free & Clear Multi-Surface Spray Cleaner to be the best all-purpose cleaner overall. It's strong enough to handle everyday household messes but doesn't include dyes, added fragrance or other common irritants, making it safer to use around kids, pets and food prep areas. The best all-purpose cleaners make it easier to tackle everyday messes and keep your home feeling ... More fresh. Depending on what matters most to you, though, another option might be a better fit, whether that's a natural cleaner, something refillable or a formula that leaves a stronger scent behind. After all, different types of cleaners work better for different needs. 'Natural cleaners are effective for light cleaning, while conventional ones perform better for tough stains or grease," says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid. "Natural is best for daily use; conventional is needed for heavy-duty cleaning." With that in mind, we narrowed down the very best all-purpose cleaners to fit different cleaning routines and help keep your home fresh. Walmart Size: 32 ounces | Scent: Fragrance free | Safe for: Most sealed surfaces including countertops, bathroom fixtures, high chairs and pet areas Best for: Skip if: Ideal for everyday cleaning, Clorox Free & Clear is just as effective on a greasy kitchen counter as it is on a smudged bathroom faucet. It's also formulated without harsh ingredients found in a lot of conventional sprays, which can irritate the skin or throat, plus it's EPA Safer Choice–certified, meaning it meets strict standards for ingredient safety without losing effectiveness. This spray is easy to reach for on a daily basis: It goes on evenly and doesn't leave streaks or residue, no matter what you're cleaning. What's more, there's no overpowering scent that lingers in the air or on your hands, and it doesn't require rinsing. It also works well with different cleaning tools; paper towels, microfiber cloths and sponges all leave a streak-free finish. Amazon Size: 27.1 ounces | Scents: Citrus zest, unscented, grapefruit and lavender | Safe for: Most indoor and outdoor surfaces including counters, appliances and sealed floors Best for: Skip if: Attitude is one of the few natural cleaners that's been thoroughly vetted and actually backs up its claims. It's EWG Verified and EcoLogo certified, meaning it meets some of the strictest third-party standards for both health and environmental safety. Unlike many 'green' cleaners that only sound good on the label, this all-purpose cleaner has actually gone through independent testing and ingredient audits. The formula uses 94% naturally derived ingredients, including saponin, which is a plant-based cleansing agent that helps break down dirt without leaving streaks behind. It's available in multiple scents (including unscented), but even the fragranced options avoid harsh additives that can cause irritation. The bottle is recyclable, and Attitude offers concentrated refills if you want to cut down on plastic use. It also doesn't require rinsing, so you can spray and wipe without thinking twice. Walmart Size: 32 ounces | Scent: Unscented (has a light chemical scent) | Safe for: Tile, stainless steel, porcelain, fiberglass, countertops, painted surfaces Best for: Skip if: Zep's all-purpose cleaner is made for the messes that less powerful options would struggle with. It's a commercial-grade spray that works well on surfaces like tile, fiberglass and stainless steel—especially when you're dealing with heavy grease or stuck-on dirt. Spray it directly onto the surface, wait about a minute, then wipe it away with a damp cloth. Keep in mind that it's not designed for delicate materials. In particular, you want to avoid using Zep on natural stone, mirrors or glass; it should be tested in a small spot first if you're unsure. And while the scent isn't overpowering, it's not designed for sensitive noses either. If you're using it in a smaller space, cracking a window can help with ventilation. Amazon Size: 22 ounces | Scent: Sunrise Memories or Opulence Bloom | Safe for: Kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces, floors and tiles Best for: Skip if: Pinalen Luxury Scent Spray is made for people who actually want to smell their cleaner after they use it. Crafted by master perfumers, it smells more like a home fragrance or room spray than a typical cleaning product. It's available in two versions, both of which are intentionally strong and lingering, so your space smells freshly cleaned even hours later. Of course, this spray still functions as a proper all-purpose cleaner; it cuts through grease, lifts everyday grime and works across kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces and floors. But the scent is the reason to buy it. If you like the idea of your home smelling polished and scented after you clean, Pinalen leans into that. If you prefer something lighter or more neutral, it might be too much. Branch Basics Size: 33.8 ounces | Scent: Fragrance free | Safe for: Most sealed surfaces including countertops, bathrooms, glass and dishes Best for: Skip if: Branch Basics makes it easy to set up a refillable system without a lot of extra steps. You start with the Cleaning Essentials Kit, which includes the main concentrate and three reusable bottles for all-purpose cleaning, bathrooms and streak-free surfaces. Each bottle has simple fill lines to show exactly how much water and concentrate to add. Once you're set up, you only need to reorder the concentrate, which most customers say lasts for months, even with regular use. The formula itself is plant- and mineral-based, free from common irritants and gentle enough to use around kids and pets. While it's not designed to disinfect, it can handle grease, dirt and other messes across most surfaces. Branch Basics also offers a discounted subscribe-and-save option if you want to automate refills, which can make the upfront cost feel more worthwhile over time. Size: 32 ounces | Scent: Original | Safe for: Hard, nonporous bleach-safe surfaces including countertops, appliances, bathroom tile and outdoor furniture Best for: Skip if: Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach is what we grab when we need to clean and disinfect at the same time. It's a strong spray designed to clean and disinfect and deodorize in one step, which makes it especially useful for places like bathroom sinks and kitchen counters, plus any other high-touch surfaces where grime and germs build up. The built-in bleach helps cut through tough stains, mold, mildew and more, while also killing 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. That power comes with a few important caveats. It's meant only for hard, nonporous surfaces that are bleach-safe, like tile, porcelain, sealed countertops and outdoor furniture. It's not a good fit for natural stone, wood or anything prone to damage from harsh cleaners. You'll also want to use it in a well-ventilated space and follow the label directions closely, letting the surface stay visibly wet for at least 30 seconds before wiping and rinsing. If you're using it in a kitchen, make sure to rinse surfaces that come into direct contact with food. At Forbes Vetted, we've researched and recommended hundreds of home and cleaning products, from the best vacuum cleaners to a lifechanging dish spray, to help our readers find solutions that make everyday life easier. To find the best all-purpose cleaners, we looked at dozens of formulas across a range of types, strengths and cleaning styles. Some of the sprays on this list have been used firsthand by our editors, while others were selected based on strong expert recommendations and customer reviews. Every home needs at least one all-purpose cleaner to tackle stains, messes and more. Here's what to consider as you shop. A good all-purpose cleaner should match the type of cleaning you do most often. For everyday messes like spills or fingerprints, a lighter natural formula is usually enough. For bigger jobs, like scrubbing out a greasy kitchen sink or deep-cleaning the bathroom, you may want something stronger. As Mock explains, heavy-duty cleaners are especially useful for cutting through grease or removing germs in high-traffic areas, but they typically contain harsher chemicals. All-purpose cleaners come in a few different formats, including ready-to-use sprays and concentrated formulas. Concentrates offer the best value over time, since a single bottle can make multiple refills, but sprays are more convenient for grab-and-go use. Wipes are also handy for quick cleanups, though they can be less cost-effective if you're covering larger areas. Mock recommends concentrates because they last a long time and reduce waste, especially if you clean frequently. It's smart to check the label if you're cleaning around kids, pets or food prep areas. Mock advises avoiding cleaners with harsh ingredients like ammonia, bleach and phthalates, which can be irritating or harmful with frequent use. If you want a cleaner you can reach for every day, a plant- or mineral-based formula may be the better fit. For deeper cleaning or disinfecting, a conventional formula might make more sense; just be sure it's safe for the surfaces you're using it on.
Associated Press
20-03-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Spring Into a Cleaner Home with Molly Maid® for National Cleaning Week
The Nation's Leading Residential Cleaning Company Shares Practical Spring Cleaning Tips WACO, Texas, March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Molly Maid ®, a Neighborly ® company and the nation's leading residential and commercial cleaning franchise, is sharing helpful spring cleaning tips for all homeowners right in time for National Cleaning Week (March 23-29). Spring cleaning is known to be the time of year when you do a thorough cleaning of your home and clean away winter's mess. It can include any cleaning task from clearing out cabinets and scrubbing the floors to reorganizing each room. It's the perfect time to give your home that refresh it deserves and what better way to commemorate National Cleaning Week than with a fresh space? Having an entire season dedicated to cleaning can be overwhelming, but with the right approach, it can be simple and stress-free. Follow these expert tips from Molly Maid to refresh your home efficiently and effectively: Get Ready: Start by creating a checklist to keep your cleaning tasks organized and efficient. Gather essential supplies like microfiber cloths, all-purpose cleaners, vinegar, baking soda, and disinfectants to ensure you have everything you need before getting started. Declutter First: Before deep cleaning, go through each room and sort items into donate, keep, or trash piles. By decluttering first, it helps create a more manageable space and makes the cleaning process easier. Clean Room by Room: Focus on one area at a time, starting with the most frequently used spaces like bathrooms and the kitchen. Don't forget to clean forgotten areas, like dusting light fixtures and ceiling fans and wiping down windowsills and moldings. Dust first then move onto vacuuming rugs, carpets and floors to refresh each room. Disinfect Key Touchpoints: High-touch surfaces like cabinet handles, doorknobs, and light switches can harbor germs, so be sure to wipe them down with disinfectant to keep your home healthy and clean. 'National Cleaning Week is the perfect excuse to tackle all those messes you've been avoiding,' said Marla Mock, President of Molly Maid. 'To make your life easier when this time comes, we recommend making daily cleaning habits a part of your life. Including making the bed, loading the dishwasher promptly and wiping down counters and surfaces regularly. Doing all these things throughout the year, will make spring cleaning a less intimidating and daunting task.' We understand that sometimes life gets in the way. You may be too busy and/or too tired to do a deep clean or sometimes it is just too much for you to do on your own. Molly Maid is here to help always! We can create a personalized cleaning plan for you and your needs no matter the situation. Help is only a call away! About Molly Maid® Molly Maid® is a residential cleaning franchise with more than 450 franchise locations that collectively perform more than 1.7 million U.S. home cleanings annually. Franchising since 1984, and acquired in 2015, Molly Maid® is part of Neighborly®, a family of global brands focused on being remarkable with consumers and franchise owners with more than 30 brands and 5,500 franchise locations across North America and Europe serving millions of customers. Molly Maid® established the Ms. Molly Foundation in 1996 to raise awareness and support for victims of domestic violence. For more information about Molly Maid®, visit To learn about franchising opportunities with Neighborly®, click here.
