Working from home can be very convenient when you have time to be alone in your own home office. The key to getting work done is to keep your desk clean and organized, so it doesn’t give you any anxiety or stress during the work week. At the end of a long day, it can be easy to get up and leave work without cleaning up the space in front of you. It’s recommended to clean up your desk even after you work to eliminate germs, dust, and other particles.
Eating at Your Desk
We all eat at our desks on occasion, especially if we’re in work mode and don’t feel like stepping away to take a break from the work. If you’re done drinking that cup of coffee, rinse out the mug. If you’re done eating the food in that bowl, get rid of it. Make sure to get rid of your food or scraps after you are done. Clean up the space.
Purchase an eraser sponge, a good cleaning solution, clear your desk completely off, and wipe it down. This will help ensure that dust, grime, crumbs, and germs are eliminated.
Remove the Dust
You want to protect your technology from dust settling in. You can easily wipe down a computer or laptop with a microfiber towel. It won’t scratch the screen and it won’t leave behind small particles.
Reorganizing the Desk
After a successful day of working from home, it’s important to reorganize your workspace to get it ready for the next day. We tend to keep things “just in case” but if you haven’t used that memo pad in four years, you probably don’t have a purpose for it.
Sponge Outlet
Sponge Outlet provides cleaning products for all of your needs. If you’re in need of natural cleaning products to help clean your desk at home efficiently and accurately before the next day, contact Sponge Outletat 877-776-6430 today to get more information on our cleaning products!
A kitchen appliance that gets often overlooked when cleaning is your fridge. This is something you should be paying attention to on a regular basis, or else you’ll regret it later when it gets to be a mess. And when it gets to be a mess, no one wants to try and clean it. Attack the problem before there is a problem! Here are some tips:
Supplies You’ll Need:
Gloves
Garbage Can
Recycling Container
Toothbrush or Small Scrubbing
Eraser Sponge
Cloths
Baking Soda
Take out all the food in your fridge
While you’re checking all the food in your fridge, throw out the expired food and leftovers that aren’t needed anymore. Remove all the food and keep it away from all of your cleaning supplies.
Clean out all the extra crumbs and food items in the fridge
After removing crumbs, use your eraser sponge to wipe down everything in the fridge. Take out the drawers and shelves and wipe them down separately. Use the sponge on the walls of the fridge and the outside of the fridge too.
Putting food back into the fridge
When putting the foods back in their place, wipe down the containers. Jelly can get sticky awfully quick and make it hard to clean up later.
Consider putting down shelf liners on the shelves and drawers. These peel off easily and will help keep everything cleaner for longer.
On a weekly basis, go through your fridge and get rid of foods you haven’t eaten that are going stale. Do this on garbage night so you don’t get stuck with funky smells.
Sponge Outlet
Sponge Outletprovides cleaning products for all of your needs. If you’re in need of natural cleaning products to help clean out your fridge efficiently and accurately, contact Sponge Outletat 877-776-6430 today to get more information on our cleaning products!
Here’s how to deep clean your bathroom with the help of Instant Erase eraser sponges!
Fully Cleaning the Bathroom Shower
Take the shower head off the wall and place in a bag with white vinegar. Let that sit overnight, so that it soaks. Soaking it in vinegar will help to dissolve any mineral build-up and help unclog the shower head’s holes. Take down your shower curtains and wash them in your washer with a few towels. The towels will provide extra scrubbing power for the shower liner.
Finally, using an Instant Erase eraser sponge, clean all the areas of your shower including the corners and edges of the shower, the shower door and tiles. The melamine eraser sponge works great to clean tile grout. Since the sponges only use water and gentle scrubbing to clean, leave a sponge in the shower at all times for quick cleans in-between showers.
Use an Eraser Sponge on Bathroom Walls
Use the Eraser Sponge to remove all mildew spots from tiles and grout. If you come across very stubborn spots use a tooth brush with bleach to get it clean. The eraser sponge is a great product to use when you’re looking to get a spotless shower and bathroom.
Scrub the Toilet
Put a cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl and let it sit for a few minutes then scrub with a toilet brush. If there are any spots on the rim or edge, use a piece of an eraser sponge to remove them. Use the eraser sponge to scrub the toilet seat and the outside of the toilet. Dispose of the sponge when finished.
Now, you need to clean the toilet brush. Using the toilet seat to hold the brush between the bowl and the seat, pour a mixture of bleach and water over it. Let it air dry. Then, clean out the brush holder by letting it soak in soapy water.
Clean spots and grime on the sink
Use white vinegar to pour down the drain and flush with hot water. Flushing the drain with vinegar and water will help remove any clogs or buildup in your drain plus it will destroy smells. Use a new eraser sponge to clean the faucet and vanity top.
Here’s a hack from ApartmentTherapy.com, use a chop stick to get underneath faucets, around handles and into corners, in order to remove dirt and grime from hard-to-reach areas of your bathroom. Alternately, you can also use dental floss to pull out all of the grime from tiny cracks under the faucet handles. If you need more scrubbing power, try using a thin and flexible melamine eraser sheet.
With the use of the right products, your bathroom will be sparkling clean in no time. Sponge Outletsells top cleaning brands for less, helping you get the job done at a fraction of the cost.
Your dishwasher is one of the hardest working appliances in your kitchen, considering it cleans the grime and food off your dishware. It makes sure your dishes, glasses, silverware, and cooking accessories are sparkly clean. Keeping it clean and well-maintained will help get dishes as clean as possible and also extend the life of the appliance.
Clean the Gasket Seal Around the Dishwasher Tub
The plastic or rubber-like seal around a dishwasher tub helps to secure it and prevent any water leakage. Over time, the seal can become dirty and possibly smell. Use an eraser sponge to remove any dirt, grime or food particles from the seal. Check the racks and the silverware basket to make sure they are clean as well. Over time, dirt can build-up and food particles can become trapped, especially inside the basket. Some silverware baskets are removable and can be cleaned in the sink. An eraser sponge can also help remove dirt and grime from racks and the basket.
Remove and Clean the Dishwasher Filter
Check the bottom of the rack or consult your owner’s manual to see if there is a removable filter that should be cleaned. Many newer-models of dishwasher have a filter that can be removed and washed out in the sink. The filter traps food and other foreign objects from being sucked into the dishwasher pump and damaging or clogging it. To clean any filters, pull out the bottom rack and check for a removable filter. You may also have protective caging at the bottom of your dishwasher that is removable as well. Unsnap it and rinse it off in the sink with a sponge. Snap the caging or replace the filter back into place once it is clean.
Run a Cleaning Cycle
Many modern dishwashers have a cleaning cycle that can be run to clean the inside of the dishwasher. Use a commercial dishwasher cleaner, or else place a cup of plain white vinegar in the top rack of the dishwasher and run a normal cycle. Some blogs suggest using bleach to clean your dishwasher, however if the inside of your dishwasher is stainless steel this can lead to corrosion and damage. As ever, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to extend the life of your dishwasher and minimize maintenance.
Having a pet as a member of your family is truly a great experience, but there comes a price with it like everything else. Cleaning up after your pet can be annoying because it’s usually a common occurrence. Whether it’s cleaning up their eating area or cleaning up an accident they had in the house, an eraser sponge is the way to go.
Why the Eraser Sponge?
As parents of animals, we don’t always have the time to grab a bucket, fill it with water, and wet a mop, to wipe up floors; or time to get down on our knees with a bucket full of water and a sponge to clean up scuffed cabinet doors. The eraser sponge makes it easy to clean up spills, scuffs, and dirty paw prints in a snap. Also, it is simple to use for cleanup, so you can show your kids how to clean with it. The eraser sponges from Sponge Outlet are strong enough to use on almost any grit, grime or dirt without compromising your counter-tops, walls, floors or other surfaces.
Giving a small child a mop and bucket of water can create even more of a mess than the one you were attempting to clean.
Keep the eraser sponges handy, and have your kids watch you clean up scuffs and marks left by your pets; then engage them in the activity with you.
After using this technique, your kids will be able to always clean up after your pet makes some kind of a mess. An eraser sponge is your all-purpose cleaning tool for households with pets. You won’t need to switch up from a sponge to a mop.
You can clean all your pet’s messes with the eraser sponge; making the clean-up process easier and quicker. Now you can get back to the other tasks on your to-do-lists.
If you’re looking for an easier way to clean up after your pet’s mess, contact Sponge Outlet at 877-776-6430to find out more on our eraser sponges and how they can help with pet messes.
Cleaning out your microwave is never a fun job to do, but sometimes we forget to put that paper towel over the food we are re-heating and the result is some splatter on the walls of the microwave. We even sometimes put off cleaning it up because we say we’ll clean it the next day. But in reality, this usually gets put off for a week or two, and it becomes the dirtiest place in the kitchen. No one wants to heat up food in the microwave if it’s dirty.
A Dirty Microwave Can Cause Health Issues
We should be cleaning our microwave after each time we use it but most of us don’t. Sponge Outlet’seraser sponges are the perfect tool to use to clean out a dirty microwave. Using our eraser sponge, scrub out any food splatters from walls, rotating tray, and door. This will help get all of the tough spots cleared out first. Some food may be hard to remove but the eraser sponge can handle tough grit, grime, and dirt.
After, Steam Clean the Microwave
Using a microwave-safe bowl, vinegar, water, and a sponge, you can get your microwave looking brand new. Pour an equal amount of water and vinegar into a bowl, usually half a cup of each works well.
Put a toothpick into the solution before you start. You’ll notice that bubbles form on the toothpick allowing it to boil without exploding.
Leave the bowl in your microwave for about 5 to 10 minutes depending on how dirty it is. When the minutes are over, let the microwave stand with the door closed for several minutes allowing steam to penetrate the microwave.
Be sure to have oven mitts on hand in order to take the bowl out which will be extremely hot.
After you remove the bowl, stick the eraser sponge into the bowl when the solution is still hot and scrub the rest of your microwave.
Make sure you wipe down corners, windows, walls, and the outside of the microwave as well.
Our eraser sponges are also disposable so once it cools down, it can be thrown out. Visit Sponge Outlet or call 877-776-6430 to find out about more of our cleaning products!
Your bike is your loyal companion out on the road or trail. When you return from a long day of pedaling, chances are you’ll toss your favorite bike shorts and windbreaker in the washing machine—but when’s the last time you washed your bike?
If your bike is looking a little worse for wear these days, but you’re not sure where to get started to make it look like new again, you’re in luck: SpongeOutlet is here today with a step-by-step guide to cleaning your bike. Read on, pick up the supplies you need, get started, and then get back to the trails!
Plus, cleaning your bike regularly will maintain its paint job and keep it looking as good as the first day you rode it out of the bike shop. If you don’t clean your bike regularly, the dirt and grime build up can start to impact some of its mechanical integrity.
Gather Your Cleaning Supplies
You’ll need a few things to properly clean your bike, so the first thing you should do is gather your supplies. Grab two buckets, bottle brushes if you have them, a soft microfiber cloth, regular sponges, eraser sponges, a garden hose, degreaser for the chain, and dish soap.
Depending on the type of bike you have, there may be specific cleaning instructions, so make sure you check the internet before you dive in with your scrub brush. If your bike company or brand recommends a certain type of soap, it’s probably a good idea to pick up a bottle. Your bike is made to last through tough conditions, but it’s important to make sure you’re doing everything you can to maintain its paint.
Step One: Clean Your Bike Wheels
The first thing you want to do is fill your buckets with dish soap and water and remove the wheels from your bike. Use a soft, plastic brush to gently remove grease and grime from your wheels. Don’t forget the valve, spokes and hub, and flip the wheel over when you finish one side.
One of the buckets will be the grimy bucket, and the other will be the finishing bucket. Use the cloth or sponge in the grimy bucket to do your first round of washing—give everything a good wipe down.
Once you give everything a good scrub, hose down the wheels. Then, swap to the finishing bucket, and re-scrub everything. This will ensure you loosen all of the fine dirt that might be stuck in your wheels’ nooks and crannies.
Once you’re done with the wheels, check the tires for air and set them aside to dry.
Step Two: Clean Your Bike Chain
Use a degreaser, and apply it to each of the links: Bicycling.com says turning the cranks backwards can make it easier to reach each and every link. If your chain is still a greasy mess after you use your degreaser, you can apply a little dish soap and run your eraser sponge around the chain.
A little grease left over is OK, as long as you remove the major build up. Rinse the chain, repeat if necessary, and move on to step three.
Step Three: Clean Your Bike Frame
Next up is the frame: use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth and start at the top and work your way down. Start by wetting the frame with a garden hose, and then using your cloth to scrub it. Tough spots can be tackled with eraser sponges, just be careful not to damage the paint with too much harsh scrubbing.
Rinse, repeat, and then buff with a dry microfiber cloth to make sure all areas of the frame have dried to a sparkling finish. Buffing your bike after you clean it with a microfiber cloth can actually prevent dirt from sticking to it while you’re out on your next ride!
Step Four: Clean the Smaller Parts of Your Bike
Use a toothbrush to get the grime and grease out of any hard-to-reach areas on your bike, and don’t forget to dry and buff those areas really well when you finish up. And, remember to wash things like handlebars, cup holders, and pedals. Some of these pieces may be easy to remove, so if you’re going for a deep clean, snap off the pieces and clean them before reattaching them to the bike.
Just like any pastime, riding a bike can be fun, relaxing and rewarding, but it’s important to take care of your equipment. After all, you spent a good deal of money on it! So, remember to regularly wash your bike, and if you’re not up for a weekly deep clean, a wipe down with a microfiber cloth and some soapy water after a ride in between deep cleans will do the trick.
For more tips on cleaning items around your car, office and home, check out our blog. Contact SpongeOutlet today if you have any questions about our products or how you can use them to keep your life sparkling clean!
Finally, we’re able to enjoy some good weather! The sun is shining, it’s warm and comfortable, but your outdoor furniture is covered in pollen and dirt from last year…
Well, not to worry, SpongeOutlet is here today with some tips on how to clean your outdoor furniture this summer.
Whether you just broke your outdoor furniture out of the garage, or you’re finding that it needs a good wipe down after it’s been out on the back deck for a couple weeks, we have the info you need.
Dirt & Dust Build Up
Outdoor furniture is prone to dirt and dust build up, so it’s important that you properly store it when you’re putting it away for the winter. If you can, wrap it in an old sheet or cloths to keep the dirt at bay, and keep it in a dry spot in your garage or shed.
When you first take your furniture out of storage, even if it was covered, you’ll need to give it a good wipe down before it’s safe to sit on. The first thing you should do is attack the furniture pieces with a bucket of soapy water, and a microfiber cloth or paper towels. This will remove all the fine dirt and dust that built up on the chairs during the winter months.
Don’t skip this step, even if your chairs were stored in a clean space, dust is everywhere! And you don’t want it to transfer to your guests’ clothing once they sit on your furniture.
Make sure you choose the proper soap for your furniture. If your furniture is wicker or wood, you’ll need to use an oil-based soap to remove any dust and grime from the surface. Metal frames can be cleaned with mild dish soap.
Don’t forget to give everything a good rinse, and let it dry completely before you use the furniture.
And, if your furniture is hard wood, you may want to sand the surface and apply a fresh coat of paint each year before use.
For areas that have become rusty or stained from last summer’s use, that you can’t clean easily with a cloth and soapy water, take an eraser sponge to the area. Eraser sponges will remove any tough stains from the surface of your furniture but be careful in areas where the paint is chipping—you want to avoid causing further damage to the paint.
Cushions
If your outdoor furniture has cushions attached, you should follow the cleaning instructions on the pillow tags. If they are machine washable, toss the covers in the wash and make sure they are completely air or tumbled dry before you use them. If your cushions aren’t machine washable, you can probably still clean the surfaces of them with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or dust.
Maintenance
On a weekly basis, hose down your furniture to remove debris like leaves and bugs that could damage the integrity of the rust-resistant paint on the surface of the furniture. Make sure that you take the cushions inside whenever you can if it’s going to rain: prolonged exposure to rain without ever becoming fully dry will cause mold to grow inside and on your cushions.
About halfway through the summer, or once a month, give your furniture another wipe-down with a cloth and soapy water, to make sure that you’re removing any dust and dirt that’s stuck to the surfaces. And, if there are any stains, use an eraser sponge to get rid of them right away.
If you have a big party and your furniture is used heavily over the course of an evening, it’s a good idea to hose everything down to remove food and alcohol particles that could cause problems down the line.
And, if you know there’s going to be a big summer storm, bring your furniture inside or tie it to your deck to avoid it being thrown around in the wind and damaged, or damaging something else, like your house!
Proper Storage
At the end of the summer, repeat the deep clean that you performed at the beginning of the season to remove dirt and grime, and store your furniture in a place where it will stay dry and not too cold, if possible. Wrap your furniture with old sheets or cloths, and keep any fabric or pillows sealed in a storage bin.
If you follow these simple (and frequent) cleaning tips, your furniture will last you for many summers to come. In the meantime, get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather!
For more information on Sponge Outlet products, or for more cleaning tips for around the house, head to our blog often! Questions? Call us at 877-776-6430.
Finally moving into your new home is so exciting: you get to rearrange all of your furniture, buy some new pieces, and decorate the space exactly how you pictured it in your head. But before you can get to all of the fun parts of moving, there are a few things you need to take care of first, including cleaning your new house from top to bottom.
Whether your home is a new construction, or you’re moving in after the previous owners vacated, it’s a good idea to do a deep clean before you move in any of your belongings. That way, you won’t have to worry about certain difficult cleaning tasks, like shampooing the carpet, once your furniture is all moved in.
If you’re not sure where to start, not to worry: SpongeOutlet is here today with some tips for cleaning your new home.
Read on for our cleaning guide, and get that new home cleaned out before the move-in date.
Sanitize the Bathrooms
The bathrooms are a great place to start. Even if they appear to be clean enough, your bathrooms can benefit from another deep clean and disinfect. Start with the toilet: replace the seat and cover if the old one is looking a little worse for wear—it’s a super inexpensive way to freshen the bathroom.
Angie’s List says don’t forget areas like underneath the sink, in the cabinets and drawers, and behind the toilet. These hard-to-reach areas may go uncleaned for a while once you move in your toiletries, so take advantage of the empty storage areas, and clean them now.
As for the shower and tub, use a grout and tile cleaner, but keep in mind that replacing the grout is an easy job that you can probably do yourself with a bit of help from your local hardware store.
Disinfect the Kitchen
Sure, wipe down the countertops, but more importantly: clean the appliances. Remove all of the stove grates and knobs, take the shelving out of the refrigerator, and set the oven to “self-clean.” Kitchens are notorious for built-up grime, so take a look at the vent hood, and replace or clean the filter. Wipe down the walls around the stove, and make sure there’s no grease or grime stuck anywhere.
Don’t forget the dishwasher: you can search the model you have online to see the best ways to clean it, but many dishwashers will have a clean setting—just pop in some dishwasher cleaning soap.
The insides of the cabinets, including the back of the doors, will need a good wipe down. Don’t forget the knobs: they collect grease from our hands and may need some special attention.
Clean the Bedrooms
The bedrooms are a little simpler: if there are built in cabinets, give everything a dust and then a wipe down. Go over the baseboards with wood cleaner, and make sure that the shelving in the closet is clean and shiny.
As for the floor, mop if it’s hardwood or laminate, and hire a carpet cleaning service if it’s carpet. If it seems relatively clean to you, you could wash the carpet yourself; just remember that the previous owners probably didn’t shampoo before they moved out, so if they had pets or kids, it’s probably a good idea to bring in the professionals.
Check out the light fixtures next: remove the covers and dust the fixtures and the bulbs. If you have ceiling fans, make sure to give them a good dusting before you turn them on, or else they’ll scatter dust throughout the room!
Clean the Living Spaces
Living areas should be treated similarly to the bedrooms, with an emphasis on that carpet cleaning step, especially for high-traffic areas. Clean the walls, and make sure there are no fingerprints left over from toddlers, or marks on busy corners.
You can buff those out by using an eraser sponge, without damaging the paint. You may even want to dust the walls (but make sure to do this before shampooing the carpet!) with a microfiber cloth. If you have tile, Moving.com suggests renting a steam cleaner.
Don’t neglect areas like sheds and garages: truth is, if you don’t clean those out, you could be looking at an annoying pest problem down the line. Make sure to sweep the floors, de-clutter the rooms, and re-seal or caulk any holes that mice may be able to burrow into. Trust us, it’s much more annoying to deal with a squirrel living in your garage than to sweep and seal the space before moving in.
If there are washing sinks or laundry machines in these spaces, clean those two: search for your washing machine and dryer models online to find out the best way to clean them, and don’t forget to pull them out from the wall and dust behind!
Moving into a new home can be overwhelming at times, but if you get the heavy lifting cleaning out of the way before move-in day, you can focus on unpacking and getting settled in. For more tips on how to clean your home the best way, check out SpongeOutlet’s blog.
When you’re ready to deep clean, pick up all of the cleaning supplies you’ll need from SpongeOutlet!
There’s no doubt about it, preparing your home for a new baby is a huge feat. You need to stock up on supplies, baby-proof areas like sockets and sharp corners, paint the nursery and that’s not even counting the ways you’ll need to mentally prepare!
One thing that new-moms-to-be are liable to forget about in the stress and excitement of having a new baby is cleaning the home. Bringing a new baby into your house is a great reason to do a little spring cleaning, no matter what time of year it is. You don’t want built up dust and grime bothering your newborn; plus, you’ll probably have a ton of visitors in the next few months, and visitors usually bring their germs with them.
If you’re not sure where to start when it’s time to start cleaning your home in preparation for baby, here’s a list for you and your partner to tackle together.
Clean the Crib & Changing Table Before Baby Arrives
Even if you just purchased your baby’s bedroom furniture, it will need to be cleaned before the baby comes home. The warehouse or shop where the furniture was built or sold probably was not the most sanitary space, so make sure to disinfect all surfaces.
If your items are hand-me-downs, use an eraser sponge to remove stickers, crayon marks, and other general wear and tear that may show on the furniture.
Clean the Nursery Curtains Before Bringing Baby home
If your nursery has curtains hung on the windows, take them down and wash them before baby arrives. Curtains are notorious for holding dust build-up, so if you’re making some cosmetic updates to the room, go with blinds instead. They’re easier to clean, and won’t hold as much dust.
Clean the Car Before Taking Your Baby Home
Head to the garage for your next cleaning task: Give your car a good cleaning on the interior before you drive baby home from the hospital. Build up on the door handles and steering wheel can transfer from your hands onto your newborn, and since they hardly have an immune system yet, you don’t want to risk them getting sick!
Use our microfiber cloths and disinfectant spray on all parts of the car’s interior (and exterior, like door handles) that you touch on a regular drive. And, while you’re at it, make sure baby’s car seat handles are disinfected, and if you can remove the padding for baby’s seat, toss it in the wash.
Clean the Carpets Before Bringing Baby Home
Carpeting is another notorious item for storing dust and mildew. Check out a non-toxic cleaning service. It may not smell as lemon-y fresh, but it’ll clean your carpets without leaving behind chemicals that can be harmful to your baby.
Clean the Kitchen Before Bringing Your Baby Home
Baby food prep, whether you’re breastfeeding or not, will most likely happen in the kitchen—those bottles of breastmilk won’t warm themselves up, after all. Make sure you do a deep clean of your kitchen, including all surfaces, the sink, and the inside of your appliances, including the fridge and the microwave. Anything that you do in the kitchen (like marinating cubes of raw chicken) could come in contact with a baby food item or your formula. Take precautions once baby arrives, but a deep-clean prior to that day will make you worry less.
Clean all Linens Before Baby Arrives
Don’t just open a fresh set of sheets for the crib and throw them on: make sure to machine wash them with soap that’s safe for baby. You should do the same for your bedding, too, including your comforter and any throw pillows that you have hanging around. Chances are, you and baby will be spending quite a bit of time napping in your bed, so cleaning the crib is only half the battle.
Preparing to bring home baby doesn’t have to be a scary process. If you make a list of all the items you need to clean prior to leaving for the hospital, then you and your partner can cross everything off in a couple of days.
Once baby arrives, don’t forget to work these disinfecting practices into your regular cleaning routine: wiping down surfaces with disinfecting wipes will keep your baby from being exposed to potentially germs! And tools like microfiber clothes and eraser sponges can help make your cleaning routine easier to deal with.
For more information on how to stay clean after baby comes home, click here to read our post about how eraser sponges will make cleaning a breeze for any mom.
Step Two: Clean Your Bike Chain
For more tips on cleaning items around your car, office and home, 
Disinfect the Kitchen
Clean the Car Before Taking Your Baby Home
Clean all Linens Before Baby Arrives