CLEANING CAN MAKE YOUR HOUSE DIRTY (NAPSA)—When it comes to eliminating those uninvited guests called dirt and lingering germs, it may be a good idea to stop before you mop. Unbeknownst to many, some traditional cleaning methods are actually spreading germs rather than killing them. It’s important to assess if old approaches to cleaning are the most effective and even more importantly, the safest. Before bringing out the traditional mops, seemingly harmless sponges and die-hard dust rags, you may care to consider whether they'll make your housedirty. Unsuspected bacteria and germs can live and thrive in surprising places. Somestartling statistics to review before you start your cleaning include: Problem: The sponge with which you clean your dishes and countertops contains more germs than the toilet bowl. Solution: Replace old sponges at least once a week and add them to your daily load of laundry to ensure cleanliness. Problem: Your refrigerator, the place where you store the food you later eat, is riddled with hidden bacteria and germs. Solution: Get rid of old, spoiled food and wipe downall shelves, drawers and bins with sanitizing wipes. Problem: The kitchen sink is one of the most germ-ridden areas in the entire home. Solution: Steam clean the entire kitchen sink and counter including the tiny, scum-loving crevices around handles and Save time while spring cleaning by using a combined sweeper and steamer. The sweeper func- tion picks up large debris as well as fine dust and hair while the steamercleans and sanitizes. faucets with a HAAN HS8S-20 handheld, Deluxe Personal Sani- tizing Steam Cleaner with the concentrator nozzle. Problem: Clothes, drapes and linens stored in a damp attic or basement are breeding grounds for bacteria. Solution: Refresh and sanitize using the HAAN GS-60 Steam Station to kill up to 99.9 percent of household germs and leave linens smelling fresh. Problem: Bacteria and germs hiding in carpet fibers are not killed by vacuumingalone. Solution: Sanitize your carpets. You can do so using the new HAAN Duo with a dual-purpose sweeper and steamer, great for cleaning and sanitizing both carpets and hard surfaces. Learn More For a fresh look at cleaning tips visit www.haanusa.com.
