Category: Cleaning

Room-by-Room Fall Cleaning Checklist for Inside and Outside the House

Room-by-Room Fall Cleaning Checklist for Inside and Outside the House

Get your home prepared for the upcoming holiday season and beyond with this helpful Fall Cleaning Checklist for inside and outside the house. This list may seem overwhelming, so complete similar tasks together, or go room-by-room.

For the sake of simplicity, this list will assume that daily cleaning tasks like mopping or vacuuming floors, wiping counters and washing dishes gets done daily, so those items will not be included. Instead, we are including items that are not cleaned so frequently and that you may be overlooking.

If you plan on hiring a professional to deep clean your home, or clean your carpets, make sure you schedule them as early as possible. Cleaners cannot always fit you into their schedule on a last minute basis and are very in-demand leading up to the holiday season.

Kitchen Fall Cleaning Checklist

  • Clean the oven, then test it.
  • Empty the pantry and dispose or donate any unwanted items. Clean the shelves with a Non-scratch scrub sponge like our non-scratch Monster Scrub Sponge or Non-Scratch Cleaning Pad.
  • Clean or change-out any over the oven range hood filters. Greasy dirty filters cannot do their job properly and let cooking smells linger in the kitchen and home, so be sure to either clean them or change if your filter is disposable.
  • Clean out the refrigerator and freezer disposing of any expired foods. Remove and wash shelving. If your kitchen sink is not large enough, fill a bathtub with warm water and add a few drops of dish soap. Use a non-scratch scrub sponge to clean all shelving. Dry with a microfiber cloth and return shelving and food to the fridge.
  • Vacuum refrigerator’s condenser coils. Doing this will help allow your refrigerator to work efficiently and could extend the life of your appliance.
  • Clean garbage cans using an outside hose and scrub sponge.
  • Deep clean the dishwasher.
  • Degrease and clean cabinet doors and backsplashes. Use a flexible microfiber dusting wand to dust the top of cabinets and walls.
  • Use an eraser sponge to remove any dark scuff marks, dirt and grime from walls, doors or baseboards. Save your back and use our Eraser Sponge and Extension Handle Kit.
  • Make sure you’re stocked up with extra cleaning supplies for cleaning up from any holiday gatherings and meals.

Continue reading Room-by-Room Fall Cleaning Checklist for Inside and Outside the House

Posted on by

How to Cut Business Cleaning Supply Expenses

How to Cut Business Cleaning Supply Expenses

With the cost of everything rising it’s important to find ways to save money within your business. Whether you are a manager at a hotel, resort, facility party equipment rental business or own a commercial or residential cleaning company, here are some ways to save on your cleaning supplies.

Shop Around for Bulk Cleaning Supplies

See if other suppliers can sell it to you for less. Make sure you are still getting the same quality of product when comparing pricing and products. Some suppliers (like us!) will supply you with free samples before you buy, so you can check out the quality.

Shop Sales

Sign up for email marketing messages and use sales and promo codes to your advantage. We Continue reading How to Cut Business Cleaning Supply Expenses

Posted on by

Save on Paper Towels by Using Swedish Dishcloths

An Instant Erase Swedish Dishcloth wiping up a countertop spill.

Stop wasting money on costly disposable paper towels and instead purchase a 12 pack of SpongeOutlet’s Instant Erase Swedish Dishcloths.

One dishcloth can replace 15 rolls of disposable paper towels during its lifetime. Made from 70% cellulose wood pulp and 30% cotton, our Swedish Dishcloths are super absorbent and can be used in place of paper towels to wipe up spills around the house. After absorbing the Continue reading Save on Paper Towels by Using Swedish Dishcloths

Posted on by

Cleaning Your New Baby’s Room

Baby accessories on table in nursery room. Space for text

Here’s how to make sure your home and new room is ready for baby

Clean Hand-Me-Down Furniture

Since babies grow so fast, using used or donated furniture is a great way to save money. You may also have pieces from previous children which you can reuse. Prepare any cribs, changing tables, or rockers by giving them a thorough cleaning. Be careful using cleaners with heavy scents as these can irritate the eyes, skin, nose and throat of a young infant. Use a gentle soap and hot water to disinfect any surfaces.

When it comes to cleaning furniture or walls, an eraser sponge from SpongeOutlet.com contains no harsh chemicals and only uses water and the power of gentle scrubbing to remove dirt and grime. Eraser sponges can also remove adhesive from stickers and marks from crayons from walls and furniture.

Give the Room a Through Dusting – Including the Vents

Keep allergens low and away from your new baby by giving the room and contents a thorough dusting. A damp microfiber cloth or dusting wand will help remove dust. Don’t forget to also dust any vents. Dirty vents can distribute dust and allergens from other areas inside the home. Make sure they are clean and clean any in-room vents as well.

Keep a Cleaning Routine & Cleaning Tools on Hand

After baby comes home, it is important to keep cleaning every day. Keep eraser sponges around to safely clean up any dirt of marks on the crib or changing table. An eraser sponge with soap also has the added advantage of providing gentle disinfecting when used with hot water.

Babies are known for their ability to make a mess out of nothing, so it is important to make those messes easy to clean up. Using disinfecting wipes often combined with frequent use of eraser sponges can keep your baby’s room shining and clean, until they become a toddler. Then, you will need a larger box of sponge erasers for all the artwork they leave you!

Whatever cleaning tools or detergents you decide to use, be sure to keep them out of the reach of tiny hands. Lock them securely inside a cabinet with a baby proof lock, or store them high up in a cupboard and out of the reach of children.

As always, if you’re not entirely sure of using an eraser sponge on any surface, test a non-conspicuous area first. If you still have questions or concerns, feel free to contact us at customerservice@spongeoutlet.com.

 

Posted on by

SpongeOutlet.com Donates Cleaning Supplies to Second Harvest Food Bank of South Louisiana

SpongeOutlet.com Donates Cleaning Supplies to Second Harvest Food Bank of South Louisiana

SpongeOutlet.com is sending our Instant Erase Sponges to help out in the clean up and recovery efforts from Hurricane Ida in Louisiana. We have contacted the non-profit Second Harvest Food Bank of South Louisiana and have sent them our sponges this week. Second Harvest distributes food, water, and supplies (including cleaning supplies) to those in need. To find out how Second Harvest is helping people out, visit their Hurricane Ida Response page.

 

Posted on by

Tips For Cleaning Your Bathroom with Eraser Sponges

Woman cleaning bathroom with eraser products

Cleaning the bathroom can be quite the chore and one that might have to be done weekly, depending on how many people live in your home. With all the nooks and crannies, tile grout, and scuff marks, it can be a real pain to clean every area. Fortunately, many of the areas can be cleaned without chemicals using an eraser sponge.

Before you start cleaning

  • Wear latex or vinyl gloves. Wearing rubber gloves will protect your hands and keep the skin from becoming too dry, even if you are just cleaning with water and an eraser sponge. Plus, you will be less squeamish when it comes to tackling dirty and unpleasant areas.
  • De-clutter Counters and Tubs. Clear the bathroom of laundry, wet towels, toys, shampoo bottles and other items to expose all surfaces that require cleaning.

Begin with the tub and shower area.  If you have a separate shower stall, grab your eraser sponge and wet it with water.  Gently scrub tile walls to remove any soap scum, soap residue or water stains. Clean the shower floor last so that you are not walking over it as you clean the rest of the shower area. Run the shower at the very end to rinse away any remaining dirt or debris.

If you have a tub with a shower, clean the wall tiles first with the eraser sponge, then the tub basin and finish using the shower sprayer to rinse the area thoroughly.

Sink and counters. Work top to bottom, left to right, to remove any soap scum, dirt, water stains and leftover tooth paste from the sink and counters. Run the faucet to rinse clean.

Toilet. You may want to use a new eraser sponge on the toilet to prevent any cross contamination issues. Use a sponge on the porcelain part of the toilet, tank, handle, seat and lid. Don’t forget to get behind the seat as well. Dispose of the sponge after use.

Some blogs and social media posts wrongly suggest dropping an eraser sponge into the toilet and letting it sit. Since most eraser sponges do not contain additional cleaning agents, this will not accomplish anything other than having to fish out a wet sponge from the toilet bowl. The cleaning power is the gentle scrubbing used to remove,  dust, grime, soap scum, hard water stains, mold and scuff marks.

Clean the floors last

Use one of our eraser sponge mop heads  to clean dirty grout tile lines on floor tiles. The replacement mop head attach to the head of a mop handle (sold separately) via Velcro. Wet the sponge first or use a spray bottle to wet the floor area before using the sponge to scrub back and forth. Rinse your sponge in a bucket and squeeze out dirty water to get a clean, reusable mop head sponge. Let it air dry and reuse again and again.

You no longer need to stress over cleaning your bathroom. Bulk eraser sponges ordered from Sponge Outlet allow you to have enough sponges on hand to clean the different areas of your bathroom without going broke. Choose from the original Instant Erase eraser sponge sold in packs of 10, 50, 210, 300 and 510. Or try the compressed extra strong eraser sponges with soap. Place your order online, today!

Posted on by

How to Clean a Bike

cyclist riding bicycle - How to Clean a Bike

During the summer, your bike accumulates dirt and grime after long rides and many uses. Dirt, dust and grime can accumulate on your bike, affecting its performance and causing parts to wear out quicker. That’s why it’s important to keep your bicycle clean.

Don’t use a Hose to Clean Your Bike – Here’s Why

SpongeOutlet.com products recommended for cleaning a bike - a no-scratch scrub sponge to remove dirt and grease and a microfiber cleaning cloth to dry all parts.
SpongeOutlet.com products recommended for cleaning a bike – a no-scratch scrub sponge to remove dirt and grease and a microfiber cleaning cloth to dry all parts.
  • A good scrub will remove all the dirt and grime that accumulates on the bike frame. However, you do not want to blast your bike with a garden hose, which can push dirt and water into the bearings, making them age faster or possibly seize up. Instead, use a bucket of water, mild cleaning agent and a non-scratch sponge to clean your bike. A sponge like our Instant Erase Super Star Scrubby, Monster Scrubby- Scratch-Free Sponge, or Duo Cleaning Sponge, would be ideal for cleaning a bike frame.  The non-scratch sponges will not harm the paint, yet will be tough enough to remove caked on mud, scuff marks and other dirt.
  • Immerse the sponge in water and then squeeze the water out over the bike to wet it before using the sponge and soap to clean.
  • For cleaning the gears, use a specialty gears brush, which can reach between the cogs. You may need to remove the bike chain from the chain ring or chain wheel in order to get proper access to the gears.
  • Be sure to clean the bike chain as well. It’s recommended by specialty biking websites to use a degreaser on the bike chain to remove dirt build-up. A gadget called a chain scrubber can be purchased to make it easier to clean the bicycle chain without removing the chain from the bike.
  • Rinse your bike by squeezing clean water over the bike frame to remove the soap and dislodged dirt.
  • Dry your bike using a microfiber towel to prevent rusting. Re-lube the drive chain by manually back peddling the chain while you spray or apply the lube to the chain. Don’t forget the pivot points on the front and rear derailleurs.
  • You can also apply polish to the bike frame to repel dirt and to keep it cleaner longer.

It’s important to clean your bike whenever it’s dirty and especially before you store it away at the end of summer or fall. If you’re looking to keep your bike, motorcycle, or other vehicle clean this summer, shop Sponge Outlet today for all the cleaning supplies you need.

Posted on by

The Importance of Proper Cleaning for Hotels

Cleaning staff for hotels

Hotels need to be in good, clean condition in order for people to desire to stay at them. All hotels have cleaning staffs, but not all have the proper cleaning supplies to ensure quality and cleanliness year-round. At Sponge Outlet, we can provide your hotel staff with the proper cleaning supplies to ensure quality, cleanliness, and an environmentally friendly atmosphere for your guests.

How Can We Help?

Our cleaning products are non-toxic and only need water to get the work done. A hotel staff has a short amount of time and many rooms to clean. Our melamine eraser sponges are extremely efficient for hotel and motel cleaning crews. We can provide your staff with eraser sponges at wholesale, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing more cleaning sponges a week later. We also provide plenty of other cleaning products like dusting wands and monster scrubby sponges.

The Benefits of Proper Cleaning Supplies

When you invest in the proper cleaning supplies from Sponge Outlet, your hotel and motel cleaning staff will feel much better about the cleaning performance in the rooms. It will allow your staff to clean efficiently and properly.

  • Cost-Effective
  • Non-Toxic Cleaning supplies
  • Easier Cleaning Tasks
  • Higher-Quality Products w/o the brand names

Hotels need the best cleaning supplies for their staff. The world was hit with a bad pandemic in 2020, and it gave people a real scare. Everyone took a step back and looked at how hygiene, cleanliness, and sanitization habits were approached. Now, everyone is aware of the importance of cleanliness to curb all bacteria, diseases, and viruses that can affect people on a daily basis.

If you’re looking to take the next step in cleanliness at your hotel or motel, invest in the right cleaning supplies, sponges, and other products with us. Contact Sponge Outlet at 877-776-6430 today or visit us online for more information!

 

 

Posted on by

5 Things You Should Clean Regularly in Your Home

Cleaning your home with eraser sponge products

Our homes can get very dirty without us even realizing it. Over time, there are several areas that can gather bacteria and other germs rather quickly. Sinks, bathrooms, and kitchens are just scratching the surface. These areas of your home and more need to be cleaned regularly to ensure the bacteria does not spread to other surfaces in your home.

Here are 5 things you should clean regularly:

Kitchen Sink & Countertops

The kitchen is used frequently to prepare and cook food. Your stovetop, kitchen sink, countertops, oven, microwave, and other surfaces can easily gather leftover food, crumbs, and other debris. Bacteria and other germs can gather in these places. To combat these germs, Sponge Outlet’s eraser sponges will do the trick!

Bathrooms

Your bathrooms can also gather germs. Believe it or not, the bathroom sink can get just as dirty as the toilet bowl. Cleaning the bathroom is very important. You have to make sure you clean every area around and inside the toilet, bathtub, walls, sink, faucet, and much more. Our dual melamine eraser sponges and scouring pad can get to the bottom of the grime.

Doorknobs & Handles

We touch our doorknobs and door handles constantly at our homes. Coming in from a long day outside in the summer can bring in germs on our hands. These germs can stick to the handles. Bacteria can build up if we don’t clean them regularly. Besides our eraser sponges, we can provide you with microfiber towels and more to quickly clean off these areas!

Cabinets

Cabinets around your home can gather crumbs, dirt, grime, and dust at any point in the year. Cleaning your cabinets regularly with a microfiber towel will allow you to quickly dust off the debris for a cleaner home. For the hard-to-reach places, simply use our dusting wand!

Laundry Room

This is an important one to clean. The laundry room is consistently being filled with dirty laundry. Germs and bacteria can build up on the countertops and floors. Make sure when you’re washing your clothes in the washer to clean the areas around them.

At Sponge Outlet, we can provide you with high quality cleaning products clean every area of your home inside and out.

Posted on by

Dust-Off Your Patio Furniture Before the Warmer Months

Cleaning patio furniture

Yes, it’s a good idea to clean your patio furniture before you put it out on the patio for the warmer months. We know we’ve said it’s recommended to clean the furniture in the fall when you put it away for the winter season, but it’s also important in the spring too. Luckily, cleaning patio furniture is pretty easy when it has been sitting in storage.

However, it’s good to wipe off the dust and whatever has accumulated on it in storage. Here are some tips and benefits of cleaning the patio furniture before you put it out for the warmer months!

Use a Microfiber Towel to Dust Your Patio Furniture

At Sponge Outlet, we provide microfiber towels that work very well when it comes to dust. You never want to put out dusty patio furniture out on your patio, so it’s important to get rid of it to make your patio furniture look nicer. You also should get rid of those cobwebs that gather on your chairs and tables.

Our microfiber towel is easy and simple to use. You can run the towel under water for a few seconds, ring it out, and then wipe off the dust on the patio furniture. Use it on the whole surface area of each piece of furniture.

Eraser Sponges Work Well for the Tougher Spots

Our eraser sponges have the ability to knock out the dirt and grime that might be tougher to scrub off. There is no need to use any soap or cleaning solutions with these products. All you need is some water, and the eraser sponge will do the rest of the work. Our eraser sponges will get to the bottom of those tough scuff marks. Note: It may cause dulling of painted or glossy surfaces, so it’s important to test out on another item before your patio furniture.

The Benefits of Spring Cleaning the Patio Furniture

Patio furniture, when kept in storage can collect dust, scuff marks, and cobwebs. It will be beneficial to clean the furniture off before putting it out for the summer season. It will look cleaner and newer out on your patio!

Contact Sponge Outlet at 877-776-6430 today or visit us online for more information about our cleaning products!

 

 

Posted on by