Newswise — Clean homes. Clean workplaces. Clean schools. We're all drawn to the clean we can "see." But we also know that just because something looks clean, doesn't mean it really is clean.

A new consumer fact sheet published by The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) describes the safe, beneficial, and proper use of surface cleaning products and disinfectants. SDA's "Product Fact Sheet: Hard Surface Hygiene" is available at no cost on SDA's website, at http://www.cleaning101.com/house.

"Our fact sheet gives expert advice on how, when and where consumers should use surface cleaners and disinfectants," said Nancy Bock, SDA Vice President of Education. "These products, when used as directed, play an important role in helping to ensure our homes and schools are clean and our families are healthy."

The Hard Surface Hygiene Fact Sheet talks about the many surfaces where germs can linger; describes the product types available for consumer and institutional use; gives brief summaries of many common ingredients that help make the product effective and beneficial; and provides tips on safe and proper use, storage and disposal of the product.

Nearly nine out of ten Americans believe cleaning products are safe when used as directed, according to a 2006 survey conducted for SDA (http://www.cleaning101.com/newsroom/03-13-06.cfm).

"SDA and its member companies are committed to sharing information on using cleaning products and disinfectants safely, properly and effectively," added SDA's Bock. "Our Hard Surface Hygiene Fact Sheet gives consumers, educators and public health professionals another information tool on products that help prevent the spread of germs that can make us sick."

The fact sheet also has a question-and-answer section and a list of weblinks where consumers can look for more information.

The Soap and Detergent Association (http://www.cleaning101.com), the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Product and Oleochemical Industries(SM), is the non-profit trade association representing manufacturers of household, industrial, and institutional cleaning products, their ingredients and finished packaging; oleochemical producers; and chemical distributors to the cleaning product industry. SDA members produce more than 90 percent of the cleaning products marketed in the U.S. The SDA is located at 1500 K Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005.

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