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Hey C.L.A.M: What are your thoughts on eco-friendly cleaning products?

Hey C.L.A.M.,

Your book gives some alternatives to commercial, chemical-based cleaning products, but you mostly recommend products like Lysol, Lime Away, Pledge, etc. as the way to go because they're easier. What are your thoughts on eco-friendly cleaning products vs. chemical ones?
-Susan LeVine, Milwaukee

Hey Susan,
Every light bulb in my home is a compact fluorescent (CFL), every battery I own is rechargeable, I recycle like a banshee, I've always owned rescue dogs, and I save spiders in the house to put them outside. In other words, I'm pretty green and I've tried many eco-friendly cleaning products. They might be a bit more expensive and than chemical-based ones, but I recommend them because I believe each one of us has to be a steward of the environment. Common household products you can use to clean include baking soda and white vinegar - both are way cheap and very effective.
 

Hey C.L.A.M: Am I insane?

Hey C.L.A.M.,

My husband and I fought about mopping last night. He mopped the floor, and I felt we should do a quick rinse because our young children would be playing there. He said he thought I was absurd. The label on the bottle (Mr. Clean) said there is usually no need to rinse but I felt this was one situation where we should. Am I insane for thinking this way?
-Dawn, Cornwall, NY

Hey Dawn,
Good news: you're neither absurd nor insane! I looked at the label directions on Mr. Clean All-Purpose Cleaner, which said "When diluting for floor cleaning, usually no rinse needed." It also said "Keep out of reach of children." I believe that with chemical cleaners you should always play it safe and rinse to protect kids, pets and even yourself. On a different note: you have a husband who cleans???? Keep ahold of that guy!
 

Hey C.L.A.M: I have a problem with leftovers in the fridge


Hey C.L.A.M.,
I had a terrible problem with leftovers in the fridge, never knowing what was still good and what was long past prime. (No expiration date on that half-eaten hunk of meat!) Solution: the day before trash pick up is "leftovers day". Anything not eaten gets put in the trash, and it's gone the next morning. So there's no old food taking up space in the fridge or decomposing in the garbage!
-Doug Berne, Reading, PA

Hey Doug,
On behalf of freshness-date-challenged males everywhere...thanks, dude! My own pet peeve: covering the refrigerator exterior with taped-on junk...what an eyesore! Find another tip on "fridge management" a couple of letters down from here.
 

Hey C.L.A.M: How do I wash my shoes?

Hey C.L.A.M.,
How do I clean and deodorize athletic shoes? Is it OK to machine-wash them?
-Jim Specht, Rockford, IL

Hey Jim,

Machine-washing is fine, but you shouldn't wash leather shoes as often as you can nylon-mesh ones. Remove laces before washing, use cold or warm water, and air-dry only (never use hot water or place in the dryer -- heat will break down the adhesives used in shoe manufacture). Other odor-fighting tips: you can wash removable insoles as often as you want, especially when shoes start getting noticeably smelly. And put a dryer sheet like Bounce into each shoe between uses, or slip one under the insole, replacing it as needed.
 

Hey C.L.A.M: What's up with the 5-second rule?

Hey C.L.A.M., What's up with the 5-second rule? Is it real or an urban legend? Do you follow it?
-Russ Kurth, Clearwater, FL

Hey Russ,
The 5-second rule holds that food dropped on the floor is still OK to eat as long as you pick it up within that brief timespan. No scientific findings on this phenomenon are readily available, but I personally think it's just a "rule of thumb", a rough guideline that's completely situational. Whether or not you follow the 5-second rule depends on three factors: the type of food, the cleanliness of the floor, and your personal tolerance level.

A cookie that falls onto a clean floor is probably fine for several hours, if not days. Just don't step on it.

Pudding, on the other hand, you'll probably just want to wipe up with a paper towel and toss away unless you're extremely hungry AND the floor is relatively clean.

Tic Tacs can remain edible pretty much indefinitely, and the beautiful thing about them, especially the white Wintergreen ones, is that you can pick 'em up and see instantly if they're dirty or not, which makes your decision easier.

I don't have many opportunities to use the 5-second rule because I have a fast, food-motivated dog (the incorrigible Coco); she's always in position in the "drop zone" at my feet to scarf up tidbits that land there.
 

Hey C.L.A.M: I don't pay a lot of attention to what's inside my fridge!

Hey C.L.A.M.,
I don't pay a lot of attention to what's inside my refrigerator or how long it's been there. Sometimes the resulting aromas are pretty strong. Any solutions?
-James T., San Antonio

Hey James,
Here are a few inside-the-fridge suggestions…hope they help.

Food tips:
  • Toss out any foods and beverages that are gamey, post-peak (way beyond the freshness date), or growing any type of hair.
  • Keep all food in sealed bags, wrapped, or in covered containers.
  • If an item will decompose sooner or later, don't hide it in a drawer or behind other foods.
  • Line meat and veggie drawers with paper towels. This minimizes moisture and odors.


General tips

  • Place a container of coffee grounds (new or used) or a small box of baking soda on the top shelf. Change it every month or two.
  • Sponge down the inside walls and shelves with mild cleaner or water/vinegar solution every few months. Well, okay, make it twice a year if you think of it.
  • Keep the refrigerator's cooling coils dust-free so that they're working at peak efficiency. Brush the dust off them every few months.