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• Detergent

  A cleaning agent that, unlike traditional soap, works well in hard water.

• Surfactant

  It makes water wetter!

• Builders

  These additives build on the power of detergent in a number of ways.

• Chelating agent

  A "builder" that gets dissolved minerals out of the way of laundry detergent.

• Phosphates

  Once widely used to soften water for use in washing machines, some makers have reduced use of these chemicals.

• Rinse

  This step in the cleaning process has the biggest impact on final results.

• Enzyme

  These important stain fighters occur throughout nature.

• Green cleaning

  Safer product purchases and methods that may help spare the environment.

• Dilution

  Proper dilution is key to making cleaning concentrates work best, but how do you figure out those ratios?

• Non-stick cookware

  Easy does it. Leave the gritty cleansers and rough pads to more demanding jobs.

• Borax

  Cleaner and brighter, thanks to this booster.

• Emulsification

  The process that makes so many cleaning products effective.

• Soap

  The old standby is mild enough for personal use, but doesn’t work too well in hard water.

• Water

  This is the universal solvent for cleaning.

• Microbes

  The scientific name for what many people call germs or bugs. Microbes contribute to bad smelling bathrooms, but also function as nature's cleaning agents.

• Hard water

  Water chemistry has an important bearing on many cleaning tasks.

• Quilt

  This is another cleaning challenge with no one-answer-fits-all solution.

• Lint

  It’s unavoidable, just like death and taxes. Here’s how to make it bearable.

• Bathroom rug

  Just chuck them into the washing machine.

• Allergen slipcover

  These bedding accessories are a must for people with severe asthma or allergic sensitivity to dust mites.

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