Category: Microfiber Towel Uses

What to Clean at Home After Getting Sick

Spring may have sprung in some parts of the country, but besides warm weather and longer days, that means one thing for sure: it’s the season of the common cold!

No matter what you do on a daily basis, you’re at-risk for the common cold when the weather changes from cold to warm; when you’re out and about, there’s not much you can do to avoid it except washing your hands frequently, and staying away from other people who are sick. If someone gets sick in your home, though, then you definitely need to take a few preventative steps to keep others in your household from getting sick.

Here are some tips on what to clean at home after getting sick, to prevent your loved ones and any visitors to your home from picking up the same virus!

Clean the Usual Places After Getting Sick

High-traffic areas should be your first stop after a virus runs its course through your home. Use disinfectant spray to tackle door knobs, light switches, bedside tables, kitchen appliances, TV remotes, cell phones, and drawer pulls that you may have touched while you were contagious. Don’t forget your garbage cans: if there were lots of tissues piled up in there, your garbage can could probably use a good wipe down.

Think about where you spent most of your sick day home from work, and make sure to disinfect those areas: you might want to add your coffee table, bedside table, entertainment center, gaming consoles and anything else you used to pass your sick time, to the list.

Clean Toys After Getting Sick

If you have kids and one of them was the virus carrier, make sure to disinfect their toys and stuffed animals. Stuffed animals may be able to be machine washed, but for most toys, you’ll need to disinfect and wipe dry. Some toys can be cleaned by going in the top shelf of the dishwasher.

This can prevent your kiddo from spreading the virus to his or her friends at school, and it’ll also make other parents feel more comfortable bringing their little one by for a play date after your child has recovered.

Cleaning at home after getting sick Wash Your Bedding After Getting Sick

If you wallowed in bed for a couple of days during your cold, chances are, your sheets could use a wash. When you’re sick, you sweat more than usual, especially if you had a fever. So, once you’re cured, strip the bedding and wash everything. While your bedding tumbles dry, leave your mattress uncovered for a while so that it can air out, too. Take your vacuum cleaner stick attachment to the mattress to rid it of dust and dandruff that can aggravate colds and allergies in the future.

Wash everything in hot water and use a bit of liquid bleach if your sheets can tolerate it!

Clean Bathrooms After Getting Sick

Clean your bathroom and not just the touchpoints like the faucet. Do a deep clean of the bathroom where the sick family member spent time; wash the shower curtains, scrub the tub and the toilet, and use a disinfectant spray on the sink. Tile floors should be mopped, and any rugs or mats tossed in the washing machine.

Don’t forget the towels! Hand towels should be washed every couple of days and more frequently when someone is sick to prevent spreading the illness. In fact, it’s a good idea to designate one specific hand towel per person while someone is fighting off a cold, to be extra sure that the virus won’t pass while you’re washing your hands in the bathroom.

Use a microfiber cloth for disinfecting the bathroom and other hard surfaces, like the countertop in the kitchen: you’ll get a cleaner clean than using items like paper towels, and you can wash and re-use microfiber cloths.

Clean Your Toothbrush After Getting Sick

If you use an electric toothbrush, follow the cleaning instructions that came with the product in order to give it a deep clean. Disposable tooth brushes should be swapped out for a fresh one.

Let Fresh Air In Your House After Getting Sick

An open window will help wash out that old, stale air from your home so that everything smells fresh and clean. If it’s chilly in your neighborhood, crack the windows at night while you’re snuggled in bed: a little bit of fresh air can do wonders, but you won’t recover fully if it’s too cold inside!

Clean Your Car After Getting Sick

Don’t forget to clean your car! Your steering wheel probably has some dirt and grime on it from your cold, so use a disinfectant spray that’s safe on leather (or whatever your wheel is made of) and disinfect, along with other frequently touched areas in your car like the radio dial, gear shift, and cup holders.

Watch our video for additional car cleaning tips:

If you’re careful to clean all of these areas in your home, and quit sharing water bottles and food while you’re feeling under the weather, there’s no reason to believe that anyone else will catch your cold!

For more cleaning tips, head over to the Sponge Outlet’s blog, and pick up a few of our essential cleaning supplies, like our eraser sponge, today.

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Know Your Cleaning Products

cleaning products microfibercloth scrub sponge and instant eraser eraser sponge

Let’s face it. Life is full of little messes and you need the proper tools for cleaning them up. But with so many cleaning products to choose from, how do you know which will work best for your particular situation?

We’ve highlighted a few of our best-selling products below to help you narrow it down.

Microfiber Cloths- Gentle and Versatile

Made from synthetic materials, microfiber cloths can be used for many different applications including cleaning smooth and delicate surfaces. They are tough enough to soak up dirt and oil yet they are soft enough that they can be used forcefully without creating scratches.

When you aren’t using them for dirty messes, microfiber cloths are great for dusting because they naturally attract dust with their electrostatic properties. They can also do great things for stainless steel surfaces, windows, antiques, and other sensitive surfaces. They are also great for polishing mirrored or reflective surface and can really make them shine.

To remove and capture dust, try slightly dampening them with water before dusting to make sure that dust is collected by the cloth and not just disturbed on the surface or moved into the air.

According to experts, microfiber towels should not be washed with other items of your laundry in order to avoid cross-contamination with dirt, dust and leftover cleaning agents.  Also, these cloths are highly sensitive and easily attract lint and stick to other cotton fabric items. Washing the towels only with other microfiber towels should prevent them from gathering lint and sticking to other laundry items.   Do not use bleach,  fabric softeners, detergents with added fabric softeners,  or highly-fragrant detergents to clean your microfiber towels because it will cause the cloths to be less effective at cleaning. Air dry or tumble dry on a low or no-heat setting to prevent the looped fabric from becoming damaged from heat. Do not use dryer sheets when drying your microfiber towels as the sheets can coat the fabric with fabric softener and make the towels less effective at cleaning.

Eraser Sponges – A Cleaning Product with So Many Uses

If you think that all sponges are the same, then you have never used the miraculous eraser sponge. This water-activated tool works on a variety of surfaces and can clean just about every form of filth. With just a bit of water, it can clean walls, floors, and other surfaces. Crayons, pencil marks, dirt, grime, and scuff marks are no match for the eraser sponge; it’s like magic!

The Instant Erase sponge is also available in an extra strength melamine eraser sponge which makes quick work of the harshest grease, grime and baked-on stains. The extra strength eraser sponge is compressed to give it lasting cleaning. It also has a textured surface to help it clean grout lines on tile or remove tough stains.

To clean an eraser sponge, just rinse the sponge under water to remove dirt. Sometimes you have small and very dirty jobs, like removing mud from the soles of a sneaker. For small dirty jobs like this, you can cut the sponge into a smaller piece, do your cleaning and then dispose of the dirty sponge afterwards. This also helps stretch your supply of sponges and the new shape might help it reach into corners and small areas.

 

Scrubby Sponges For Tough Jobs

Our scrubby sponges can do wonders for everyday general cleaning, from simple to tough. This sponge works great with typical spills including those on bathroom surfaces, countertops, and more. The coarse, hard scrub surface can also help clean tough dishes or grease soiled kitchen surfaces.

Some of our scrubby sponges have both a cellulose side and abrasive side so they can handle just about any cleaning needs.

If you are worried about cleaning delicate surfaces, look for our non-scratch scrub sponges, like the Instant Erase Super Star Scrubby Sponge.

After many cleanings, sponges can sometimes smell. To prevent this, make sure you rinse them after use and allow them to dry out. You can also toss your sponge into the top rack of your dishwasher for easy cleaning .

Cleaning Product Tips

Before using any cleaning product, it’s always wise to test the product on an inconspicuous spot on the surface you plan to clean. Do this first before using the cleaning product on the entire surface. Look for scratches or dulling of the surface before you continue to clean.

You do not always need to deeply clean your cleaning tools between uses, but a quick rinse and thorough dry will help extend their lifespan and keep them working effectively. For example, you do not always need to wash your microfiber towels in the washer after each use. In between washings shake out your microfiber towel over or inside a trash bag  to catch any loose dirt or dust and  rinse under water to remove any remaining dirt. Allow the towels to air dry and they are good for another round of cleaning.

If you store your cleaning supplies together, colors can sometimes help you remember which towels are used on what surfaces. You would not want to use the same sponge to clean your kitchen that you use to clean your bathroom, for example. By color-coding your cleaning supplies, this help prevent any cross contamination.

Spongeoutlet is the leading online distributor of bulk melamine eraser sponges, microfiber towels, dusters, mops, and other essential cleaning supplies.

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All About Microfiber Fabric

Microfiber Towel

Many people are unfamiliar with the amount of benefits that comes from microfiber fabric, and we are here to shed some light onto the underrated fabric.

Microfiber is great for cleaning in a variety of different ways, which is why Spongeoutlet is so proud to sell microfiber cloths.

Microfiber fabric is made up of synthetic fibers that vary in size.  Typically, microfiber fabric is made out of a synthetic material, such as polyester, but it is often made out of nylon or other polymers as well. Despite microfiber fabric being incredibly soft, they are extremely strong and durable.

Another major benefit to microfiber fabrics is that they are considered a “hygienic” cloth. Microfiber actually traps containments when cleaning such as bacteria or dust particles.  In fact, studies have shown that microfiber products trap 99 percent of surface bacteria versus conventional cleaning materials that only captured an average of 33 percent.

With microfiber being better at holding onto bacteria compared to many other fabrics, you actually need fewer chemicals when you are cleaning with that fabric. A simple solution of warm water and dish soap usually does the trick and can clean surfaces just as easily.

If you’re looking to clean your car, your home, or otherwise, microfiber should be your go-to product. Microfiber is soft, durable, light, and can be easily maintained. This fabric is ideal for cleaning a variety of surfaces such as wooden table tops, car dashboards, car exteriors, and so forth. Microfiber does not leave behind lint or dust, leaving any surface clean and clear of debris.

Spongeoutlet sells a variety of microfiber dying towels, ideal for using on smooth, delicate surfaces that are susceptible to scratches, dust, dirt or debris. When you need an impeccable polished clean, microfiber cloths are the optimal solution.

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Cleaning Up Illness at Home

portrait of a sick woman blowing her nose while sitting on the sofa

Getting sick is literally THE WORST, but getting sick twice or spreading your germs to other household members or loved ones is even worst. No matter if you’ve just kicked a cold or the flu to the curb, once relief is in sight, it’s key to spring into action, ensuring you get rid of the germs that caused yours and your loved one’s misery in the first place. Here are some easy tips to help you handle the icky business of cleaning up after being sick.

TOUR DE HOME: CLEANING EDITION

Make sure the cleaning supplies you are using is a disinfectant and kills whatever virus you are trying to evict from your home. The bathroom, kitchen, bedroom and living room are usually key areas to keep in mind during your cleaning session. Don’t forget to give extra attention to where you spent most of your time. Scrub down sinks, doorknobs, counters, light switches, and so forth with a scrubby sponge.

LOAD UP THE WASHER

After spending several days getting some quality time binge-watching your favorite TV shows while you were on bed rest, you came in contact with several items of clothes and linings that are in need of a good wash post-sickness. These items include clothing you wore, bedding, towels, face cloths, kitchen towels, etc. Wash in hot water, as long as the care instructions for those items allow.

TOUCHPOINTS & TECH

While you’re sick, it’s unavoidable to touch a lot of things. Even when practicing good hygiene and washing your hands often, you still run the risk of spreading germs. Be mindful of door knobs, faucets, handles and windows. Also, remember to give special attention to any technology you used to keep yourself occupied, like phones, remotes, computers and tablets. Clean items and wipe them dry with a microfiber drying towel, and throw the towel in the washer when you’re done.

THERE’S NOTHING LIKE FRESH AIR

Open your windows and get a good cross breeze going. The fresh air will help move some fresh air in your home, while pushing out any icky germs that may be lingering.
For more tips on keeping your home sparkling clean, visit Spongeoutlet.

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Washing Your Car in Winter Months

winter car wash - a man washes his car in winter

Washing your car in winter months is just as important as washing your car in summer months.

Most mechanics will tell you that as part of your car maintenance, regular washing is important, especially in winter months when salt and sand covers the roads.

Washing your car in the winter can help preserve your car long-term. Washing in the winter is critical because you are removing all of the debris that typically rusts and rots a vehicle quickly, like salt, snow, ice, and mud.

It might feel bizarre to wash your car in relatively cold temperatures, but as long as temperatures aren’t below freezing, it is a task that will do your vehicle a lot of good.

In fact, you should be washing your car once a week in winter months.

Road salt often can result in a car rusting out if the salt sits on the body of the car for too long.  Not only does rust look bad on a car, it also eats away at the body and the under carriage.

Simply rinsing your vehicle with water won’t do the trick of removing built up snow and salt and you’ll need to scrub your car with soap and water, and thoroughly dry it after doing so.

The supplies you use will have a big impact on how clean your vehicle gets.

Our microfiber towels are a great tool to use for drying your car off after washing, which is a vital step in washing your car in winter months.

Due to cold temperatures, you need to be sure your car is completely dried off so water doesn’t freeze onto your car.

Microfiber

The benefits of using a microfiber cloth to dry off your car include:

  1. Microfiber does not scratch.
  2. It does not leave behind any soap residue.
  3. There is no need for additional towels to be used.
  4. Microfiber locks in moisture, leaving your vehicle 100% dry.
  5. Microfiber also locks in dust and other debris that may not have been washed off.
  6. The finished product is shiny and looks polished.

If you are planning to wash the salt off of your car as a part of preventative car maintenance, take a look at Spongeoutlet’s microfiber towels to make the job easier.

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Cleaning Your Home During Winter Months

Winter Cleaning

If you live in a section of the United States where winter weather is nasty and the days are often dark, you understand that committing to household chores in winter can be difficult.

We are all guilty of crawling under the covers in the winter months when we should be cleaning our home.

It is important to clean our home throughout the winter months.

Below are some suggestions on what areas of your home deserve special attention as the season settles in.

Clean the Kitchen

We make more homemade meals as temperatures decline which means our kitchen is typically dirtier in winter months.

If you haven’t looked up at your kitchen ceiling lately, you are in for a surprise when you do.

magic erasers used in office kitchens

Our kitchen ceiling and our kitchen walls are soiled daily by moisture, fumes, and smoke.

Using your favorite Spongeoutlet’s eraser sponge along with some warm water mixed with dish soap, you should scrub the ceiling gently using very little water so it does not drip.

If you notice any streak marks as you clean, stop immediately.

Dust Regularly

Dusting can be a tedious chore but it can make a big difference when it comes to the overall appearance of our home and can help improve our home’s air quality.

Homes get especially dusty in the winter months because the air inside is much warmer and drier than usual from heaters and fireplaces. Dusting your home on a regular basis will make ensure that dust levels never get out of hand. Make sure you also dust hard to reach places including ceiling fans, moldings, and light fixtures.

You can use a Spongeoutlet’s microfiber cloth to clean off dust from any surface.

  • The cloths will not scratch surfaces and they will hold onto the dust as you go.

Vacuum Furniture

We tend to disregard our furniture when we are cleaning our homes and often clean around it. However, many of us do snack when sitting on our sofa.

We need to be periodically cleaning our furniture. You should make sure to vacuum under the cushions and get out any crumbs or other surprises.

  • You should also be flipping the furniture upside down, easily done with two people, in order to get under the furniture where a lot of crumbs reside.

Winterize Entrances

For many states, the winter means that snow, water, and mud are being constantly tracked into your home.

Designate a “winter doorway” where you can put down a thick mat outside where people can wipe their feet before entering. You should also have a chair or bench available for sitting allowing guests to take their boots off right away.

  • Place a rubber mat alongside it where boots can sit to dry.

By practicing some of these cleaning habits, your house will be better maintained throughout the winter months, making less work for you when spring finally arrives.

Visit Spongeoutlet for reliable sponges and microfiber cloths to get your home in shape for winter.

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Ways To Naturally Clean Windows

Today, there is no reason to clean you windows with harsh sprays and chemicals.

Your home can be filled with crystal-clear windows without also filling your house with the strong long-last odors that strong cleaners often leave behind.

 

Here are two great ways to clean the windows in your home:

       1. A Microfiber Cloth.

A lint-free damp microfiber cloth is chemical-free, easy to use, and very inexpensive. It is also reusable, and it’s easy to clean the microfiber cloth itself. All you have to do to clean the cloth is wet it and then wring it out.

Using a microfiber cloth instead of paper towels is also better for the environment and your wallet. Like a chamois cloth, a microfiber cloth cleans so well on its own, with the help of just a little water, no cleaners are necessary.

Microfiber cloths not only clean your windows, but they also dust and polish them, to help give them a brilliant shine, naturally.

Most microfiber and chamois cloths can be used for more than just cleaning your windows. Additional cleaning uses include: counters, stovetops, tubs, sinks and showers

       2. A Chamois Cloth

A chamois, which is pronounced sham-wa, is the perfect choice for dusty, but not dirty, windows. All you need to is dampen the chamois with just a little water and voila, your window will wipe the dust off effortlessly, without any harsh chemical left from sprays or cleaners.

A chamois is a synthetic cloth best known for its use of drying cars.

Many people do not realize that is also perfect for cleaning the windows in your house, office or car. After cleaning your windows with a chamois, soak the cloth for a few minutes in warm water and soap, then rinse it clean and hang it to dry in your home, away from sunlight.

It is not machine-washable.

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How to Properly Wash and Dry Microfiber Towels

Do you own a business where you are constantly using microfiber towels?

If so, you have probably learned these towels can be pretty tricky to wash and dry for extended use.

The last thing any business owner likes to do is make an investment in a product and not have it last as long as you hoped.

Once you get over the hurdle of learning which size, thickness and style towel is perfect for each duty, the maintenance part should be easier, right?

Sometimes it is not as easy as we thought.

With our insight knowledge we have manufacturing microfiber towels, we can give you the tips you need to easily wash and dry.

  • When you need to wash your microfiber towels, you should start by washing them in either cold or warm water, nothing exceeding 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • You should wash your towels with liquid detergent and never add fabric softener. Most importantly, microfiber towels should be washed separately from other towels, fabrics and materials.
    • The lint from other towels will clog the wedge shaped filaments and make it impossible to separate or get rid of, rendering your towel useless.
  • Once your towel is washed, it is important to take the same care in drying.
    • These towels should be air dried.
    • If this is not practical for your facility and you have to use a dryer to keep up with production, you should cool the drier completely before putting in a new load of towels.
  • If it is not cooled, the temperature could get too hot and cause the towels to melt.

If possible, do not dry the towels in the drier Microfiber Towelsall the way, pull them out when they are still just a tad damp; they are actually the most absorbent in this state.

Beyond just simple instructions for washing and drying, you should also try to avoid cross contamination of towels, try to keep towels that perform the same duties together.

Select color options to code jobs they will be used on. Then wash and dry accordingly.

If you need to order a new set of towels for your company click here to go to our microfiber towels page.

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Removing Tough Winter Salt Stains

removing salt stains from vehicle exterior

There is no doubt about it, the cold, snowy winter months can wreak havoc on your home.

Some of the biggest problems that we have to face throughout the winter are the salt stains that coat our cars and boots.

Whether you are out shoveling your driveway or on your way to work, it is inevitable that you will get snow – and salt – on your footwear and vehicle on a daily basis during the winter season.

Luckily, SpongeOutlet has a few cleaning tricks to help keep them looking fresh and new until the weather warms up!

Cleaning Vehicles of Salt

The salt stains that coat your vehicle aren’t just an unattractive nuisance; they can actually do a lot of damage to your paint job.

This half and half cleaning solution is gentle on your vehicle’s paint but tough on salt and the microfiber towel will keep any scratches from occurring as you wipe the car down.

Removing Salt from Footwear

While waterproofing your boots will keep them from getting wet throughout the winter months, it is hard to keep them salt free.

There are a few different techniques for de-salting footwear, but the Eraser Sponge is the easiest one.

These sponges are tough on dirt without leaving behind residue that will harm your shoes. They can be used on nearly any surface as well, making them perfect for cleaning up the salt stains that end up on your floors after the kids track snow in!

To keep your home, vehicle and winter gear clean all season long, visit SpongeOutlet to purchase your cleaning supplies.

Have a question?

Give us a call at 877-776-6430.

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Wax on, Wax off: Cleaning Your Car with Microfiber Towels

Wax On, Wax Off: Cleaning Your Car with Microfiber Towels

Few scenes are more memorable in modern film history than Mr. Miyagi’s “Wax On, Wax Off” scene from The Karate Kid. It’s a scene that teaches you proper towel wiping techniques! As such, we love the name of our “Wax On, Wax Off” microfiber towels, which are ideal for cleaning your car.

The Secret to a Scratch-Free ShineCleaning Your Car with microfiber cloth

In fact, microfiber towels are a game-changer when it comes to detailing your car. Unlike regular cotton or polyester towels, microfiber towels are designed with ultra-fine fibers that effortlessly trap dust, dirt, and debris. These tiny particles are the culprits behind those annoying scratches and swirl marks that can ruin your car’s paint job. With microfiber towels, you can clean your car without worrying about scratching the surface. They’re gentle on your car’s paint, making them ideal for both the exterior and interior.

Wax On, Wax Off Like a Pro

After washing your car, it’s time to apply that coat of wax to protect the finish and give it that showroom shine, and this is where microfiber towels can really help, as they evenly distribute wax and help leave a glossy finish.

MICROFIBER TOWELS - RED (30 PACK)

Our microfiber towels are designed for durability and performance, giving you a professional-grade clean every time. Whether you’re washing, waxing, or detailing, our towels are up to the task. Plus, they’re reusable and easy to clean, making them a cost-effective choice for all your automotive needs.

If you have any questions about cleaning your car with microfiber towels, contact us.

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