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• Scouring

  Abrasive (scouring) cleaners

  They're great aids in deep cleaning, but be careful — don't cause damage that can only complicate future cleaning.
• Absorbents

  Absorbents

  Granular substances that soak up stains and spills.
• Popcorn Ceiling

  Acoustic popcorn ceiling

  A ceiling finish that presents a cleaning challenge.
• Alcohol

  Alcohol

  A solvent, degreaser and adhesive remover with many uses.
• Antibacterial

  Antibacterial products

  The scientific debate continues over whether antibacterial soaps, sprays and wipes may end up doing more harm than good.
• ATP

  ATP

  ATP or Adenosine Triphosphate is the main energy transfer molecule present in all living (and once living) biological cells including animal, plant, bacterial, yeast, and mold cells.
• Bacteria

  Bacteria

  The bugs are everywhere — literally.
• Enzymes

  Bacteria digester

  A handy cleaner, particularly with pets or small children around.
• Green Cleaning

  Biodegradable

  A substance is biodegradable when natural biological decay processes can break it down into simple molecules.
• Biofilm

  Biofilm

  More than just gross, that slime is a bacterial fortress.
• Biocontaminants

  Biological contaminants

  Keeping these at bay is the main point in a lot of cleaning tasks.
• Carpet Terms

  Carpet Terms

  Help with carpet terminology from the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI).
• Builders

  Chelating agent

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

  Chlorine bleach

  This laundry aid is also an effective disinfectant, but be careful.
• Deck

  Deck

  They need a physical exam yearly, just like you do.
• Degreaser

  Degreaser

  A wide range of cleaning liquids, from mild to caustic.
• Diatomaceous Earth

  Diatomaceous earth

  Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms.
• Dilution

  Dilution

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

  Disinfectant

  Solutions that kill the bugs, but not necessarily any spores.
• Dust Mopping

  Dry mopping

  A cousin to dusting as it applies to hard flooring.

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