Author: spongeoutlet

Keep Cool with Sponges this Summer

With summer on the horizon, before you know it temperatures will be rising to a sizzle. Being in the scorching sun without any relief can be taxing. However, what better way to have some fun in the sun than keeping cool with your own do-it-yourself project.

Sponge water bombs are not only reusable and environmentally friendly, but also easy-to-make and a fun alternative to water balloons.

You can get started today on this fun addition to incorporate into your summer routine.

We’ll walk you through what you’ll need, and how to make these DIY water bombs.

Supplies:

Note: These instructions make 19-22 DIY sponge water bombs. Feel free to alter instructions based on your needs.

Tools:

  • Pliers
  • Scissors
  • Dremel Tool

Instructions:

  1. Cut each sponge into 7-8 pieces along the shorter side of the sponge. Try to keep the width of each piece the same for each piece to maintain uniformity.
  2. Stack three pieces of sponge on top of each other. Add two more rows of 3-stacked pieces. You should now have nine pieces, stacked three by three.
  3. Pinch the center. Then, wrap the center of the 9 pieces with a zip tie, making sure the grooved end is facing the sponge pieces.
  4. Using pliers in your other hand, pull the zip tie to make it as tight as possible. The tighter, the better.
  5. Cut and remove excess plastic from the zip tie. Sand down any sharp points using a dremel tool.
  6. Now, it’s time to shape your sponge water bombs to be more round. Fluff and twist the sponges accordingly.
  7. Dip in water and have some fun!

Cleaning Instructions:

One huge perk of these sponge water bombs is that they are reusable, so the fun doesn’t have to stop after just one use. The bombs are dishwasher-safe. Another option is to dilute ¾ cups of bleach to each gallon of water in a bucket and soak the bombs in there.

This DIY craft originally appeared on Muslin & Merlot.

For more information on other uses of sponges, visit the Spongeoutlet.

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Cleaning Walls can Preserve Home

When you’re working through your to-do list for cleaning your home, you probably have countertops, bathrooms, and floors towards the top of the list.

However, cleaning your walls is an important part of home maintenance that you should be doing at least once a year.

A simple swipe of a vacuum likely isn’t enough especially if you’re cleaning a high-traffic room.

Take a look at the walls in your living room or kitchen, especially near doorframes and light switches.

  • If you haven’t cleaned these walls in some time, you’ll probably notice a significant amount of dust and dirt building up.

Whether you are planning to spot clean latex-painted walls or do a floor-to-ceiling wipe down, the first step is to mix a few drops of dish detergent in with some warm water. Use an eraser sponge to clean, lightly scrubbing the area.

  • Make sure to watch for dripping: if you don’t evenly apply water to the paint, it could cause discoloration.

For oil-based paints, you can add a mild de-greaser into to the detergent and water mixture. Follow the same steps, and use a gentle microfiber cloth to wash.

If you have stubborn spots that need a little extra attention, our eraser sponges should be able to eliminate them. Remember that if you rub too vigorously, you could remove some of the paint. Be careful to scrub in gentle circular motions to remove stains.

Even though washing your walls isn’t something you may think to do often, taking care of the paint on your walls will prevent long-term, hard-to-get-out stains and help maintain your home and paint.

Looking to purchase eraser sponges, or other products, for your next cleaning job? Visit Spongeoutlet.

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Tips on Cleaning Out Your Oven

Spring is in the air and many of us are working through our spring cleaning to-do list. If you are starting to tidy up around your home, don’t forget to add your oven to the list.

Many people don’t clean their ovens as frequently as they should, so make sure you don’t neglect it this spring. Here are some tips for cleaning your oven do you can start the spring season with a clean oven and some peace of mind.

Skip Harsh Chemicals

All you need to get your oven clean is white vinegar and baking soda. This simple mixture, which you can make at home, will save you hundreds on cleaning solutions, and works wonders to get rid of grease and grime, according to Daily Mail. Mixing vinegar with baking soda creates a foamy mixture; let it sit on greasy spots for 30 minutes, and then use our scrubby sponge to scrub it clean.

Don’t Skip the Shelves

You can’t just clean the walls of your oven to make it sparkle again: you need to clean the shelves, too. One easy way to do this is to remove the shelves from your oven, place them in a sealable plastic bag, and spray them with oven cleaner or your baking soda mixture. Let them soak for 30 minutes, and rinse, using one of our gentle microfiber towels.

Get Rid of Smells

If you use your oven often, you probably notice that it develops some strange smells between cleanings. To get rid of smells, use an oven-safe bowl filled with water and a few drops of vanilla or citrus extract. Place the bowl in the oven, and slowly heat the oven for about an hour.

For more cleaning tips, check out our blog and visit Spongeoutlet for the products you need to get your oven clean this spring.

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Items that Rarely Make Spring Cleanings Lists

If you’re committed to spring cleaning, you probably have your “to-do list” made up. Many of us focus on scrubbing the floors we often neglect, clean hard to reach windows, and clean out that forgotten fridge shelf.

Regardless, there are some common household items that are often neglected during spring cleaning to keep in mind as you start to spruce up your home for the new season.

Wash Your Washing Machine

Your washing machine cleans your dirty clothes which means that your washing machine gets dirty often. When cleaning this spring, give some attention to the appliance that is constantly cleaning everything else. Both the inside and the outside of the washing machine can grow soiled which results in mildew, strange scents, and otherwise. Use minimal water when scrubbing the outside of your washing machine to get grime off.

Décor in Dark Places

You probably have made the bathroom a focus of your spring cleaning. It’s important to scrub out the tub, wipe out the sinks, and disinfect the toilets, among many bathroom chores. However, the details often get neglected when it comes to bathroom cleaning. If you have home décor in your bathroom, it’s important to wipe down and disinfect your décor as well. Items such as decorative soap dishes, jars, and containers need to be wiped down and scrubbed to avoid bacteria from settling in.

Careful with Cleaning Supplies

It might be easy to assume that your cleaning supplies are, well, clean. However, most of them are probably quite filthy especially if you’ve had them for quite some time. From old brooms to outdated toilet brushes, many of your cleaning supplies are probably holding onto bacteria. Before you start your spring cleaning, make sure all of your supplies are clean themselves.

Are you in need of some reliable sponges for your spring cleaning tasks? Visit Spongeoutlet, home of the eraser sponge.

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Best Places to Spring Clean

The days are getting longer, and the weather is getting warmer. Yes, it’s that time of year again. Spring is upon us, and that means so is spring cleaning.

However, don’t fear. Cleaning may not come top of mind for fun things to do, but a good spring cleaning session can actually reinvigorate you and your home. It’s a great opportunity to give your home an annual deep clean and address those problem areas that you keep putting off month after month.

As you approach this year’s spring cleaning, make sure to add these areas to your cleaning to-do list, and you’ll be sure to keep your home sparkling all year round.

GENERAL CLEANING

Carpets & Area Rugs: Spring cleaning is an opportune time to shampoo your carpets and area rugs. For spot cleaning, use a carpet-safe cleaning solution and a sponge.

Windows: Add a sparkle to your home by washing your windows. Window cleaner and a sponge should do the trick. Don’t forget to wash both the interior and exterior of the window.

Walls: Spot clean your walls using a sponge and a paint-friendly cleaning solution

Bedding: Wash all your bedding, including comforters, sheets and pillow cases.

Ceiling Fans: It’s natural for a dust to accumulate on your ceiling fans. Spring cleaning is a perfect time to bust out your latter and get your ceiling fans looking like new again.

Bathroom: Give the shower tiles and bath tub a deep cleaning. A bathroom cleaning solution and a sponge will help you address tougher spots.

GIVE YOUR KITCHEN SOME LOVE

Kitchen Cabinets: Use a sponge and a kitchen cleaner to wipe down kitchen cabinets.

Refrigerator: Wipe down the exterior and interior of the refrigerator. Take out shelves and wash in the sink.

Oven & Microwave: Give your microwave and oven a deep clean. This type of routine maintenance will help keep your appliances looking and working like their brand new.

THE ART OF DECLUTTERING

Closets: Go through closets and identify old clothes and items that you can donate.

Book Shelves: Look through shelves to see if you can part with any old books, DVDs or CDs.

Garage: Spring cleaning is a good time to declutter your garage by identifying anything that you can donate as well as organizing this space.

For more information on cleaning supplies and sponges, visit Spongeoutlet.

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Sponges Successful in the World of Makeup

According to InStyle, women were typically spending $15,000 in a lifetime on beauty products as of 2013. The cost of products such as foundation, mascara, blush, and many other products, adds up. Understandably, women are always looking for creative ways to save money on beauty products, and household sponges are now playing a role in that.

A vlogger (a video blogger) named Lauren Blake Lucia, recently released a video on Instagram where she used a standard household scrubby sponge to apply her makeup.

A sponge, typically used to scrub a soiled countertop or tiled flooring, was used successfully as a makeup applicator. (We’re as surprised as you are!)

Many women purchase a product called a “beauty blender” to apply their liquid makeup. This product is essentially an egg-shaped sponge that women typically pay about $20.00 for. Lucia decided to see if a household sponge might work to apply liquid makeup how this beloved product does, and the sponge did a better job than expected.

Using a Sharpie, Lucia drew out an egg shape on the sponge and cut it out with scissors. Afterwards she dipped the sponge into water to expand and soften it, and started applying her makeup.

Lucia used the soft side of the sponge, not the scrubby side, to blend on liquid foundation and concealer. The results were surprising: the makeup went on just as it should and looked as if she used a designated makeup sponge or makeup brush when she was finished.

Maybe you’re thinking that this is a good way to waste a perfectly good sponge. However, if you are someone that spends a decent amount of money on beauty products, purchasing standard household sponges is actually a more affordable option, and it would be fun to try!

Plus, Lucia also revealed that you can use the scrubby side of the sponge as a lip exfoliator which can help prepare your lips for near perfect lipstick application.

We appreciate creativity and were genuinely impressed with Lucia’s results.

If you’re looking for a new “beauty product” or a reliable cleaning sponge visit Spongeoutlet.

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All About Microfiber Fabric

Many people are unfamiliar with the amount of benefits that comes from microfiber fabric, and we are here to shed some light onto the underrated fabric.

Microfiber is great for cleaning in a variety of different ways, which is why Spongeoutlet is so proud to sell microfiber cloths.

Microfiber fabric is made up of synthetic fibers that vary in size.  Typically, microfiber fabric is made out of a synthetic material, such as polyester, but it is often made out of nylon or other polymers as well. Despite microfiber fabric being incredibly soft, they are extremely strong and durable.

Another major benefit to microfiber fabrics is that they are considered a “hygienic” cloth. Microfiber actually traps containments when cleaning such as bacteria or dust particles.  In fact, studies have shown that microfiber products trap 99 percent of surface bacteria versus conventional cleaning materials that only captured an average of 33 percent.

With microfiber being better at holding onto bacteria compared to many other fabrics, you actually need fewer chemicals when you are cleaning with that fabric. A simple solution of warm water and dish soap usually does the trick and can clean surfaces just as easily.

If you’re looking to clean your car, your home, or otherwise, microfiber should be your go-to product. Microfiber is soft, durable, light, and can be easily maintained. This fabric is ideal for cleaning a variety of surfaces such as wooden table tops, car dashboards, car exteriors, and so forth. Microfiber does not leave behind lint or dust, leaving any surface clean and clear of debris.

Spongeoutlet sells a variety of microfiber dying towels, ideal for using on smooth, delicate surfaces that are susceptible to scratches, dust, dirt or debris. When you need an impeccable polished clean, microfiber cloths are the optimal solution.

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Committing to a Clean Desk

If you work in your own office, or even at your own desk space, you’re probably surrounded by office supplies such as pens, files, paper clips, and so forth.

Most of these items are covered in germs, and we often neglect them.

At the end of a long day, it can be easy to get up and leave work without cleaning up the space in front of you.

However, the common office items on your desk are probably dirtier than you think and deserve a little bit of attention.

 

Don’t have Forbidden Foods around.

We all eat at our desks on occasion, but it is important food of our desk as soon as we are done.

If you’re done drinking that cup of coffee, rinse out the mug. If you’re done eating the food in that bowl, get rid of it.

  • Food can not only stain desks and make for a messy work space, but it can also cause your desk to smell which will not sit well with your coworkers.

Use a little Elbow Grease

You might not want to wipe down your desk and disinfect it after an eight hour day of e-mails, meetings, phone calls, and otherwise, but wiping down your desk is the most effective way to keep it clean.

A damp paper towel is not enough.

  • Purchase a reliable eraser sponge, a good cleaning solution, clear your desk completely off, and wipe it down. This will help ensure that dust, grime, crumbs, and germs are eliminated.

Get rid of the Dreaded Dust

You’ve probably noticed that your desk, your keyboard, your computer, all get extremely dusty.

You want to protect your technology from dust settling in. You can easily wipe down a computer or laptop with a microfiber cloth. It won’t scratch the screen and it won’t leave behind small particles.

  • You also just dust the surface of your desk with a microfiber cloth as well to clear it of dust.

Clear the Clutter

If you want to clean up your desk space, consider “purging” a bit.

  • If you have 10 pens that don’t work, throw them out.
  • If you have pictures that have seen too many coffee stains, discard them.

We tend to keep things “just in case” but if you haven’t used that memo pad in four years, you probably don’t have a purpose for it.

Instead, consider giving it to someone else in the office that might need it.

Looking for sponges, microfiber clothes, floor cleaning pads, and otherwise to clean your office space? Visit Spongeoutlet.

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Keeping Your Bachelor Pad Clean

We get it: you work hard and play hard, and you don’t get to spend much quality time with your cleaning products.

However, following these simple hints can help you keep your bachelor pad clean.

Trust us: you’ll feel more comfortable, misplace things less frequently (where did you put that watch?) and guests will always be impressed be a well-kept apartment or home.

Less Is Often More

It would be easier to keep your place clean if you had less things to make it appear cluttered in the first place.

Set aside an afternoon to go through your belongings and get rid of some of things you longer have a purpose for. If you haven’t worn it or used it in over a year, donate it instead.

  • If it’s broken, toss it – even if you think you’ll one day repair the clock you bought at a garage sale, you probably won’t. Getting rid of things you don’t have a purpose for will make your pad appear cleaner.

Make Priorities

microfiberMany men are notorious for taking great care of their cars, as it should be. A car is a precious investment and something many of us love to show off.

However, we should take pride in our home as well. Taking care of a car is a priority, and cleaning your home should be too.

You’d never go on a drive with a mud-spattered windshield or stained seats, right? Don’t live in a home that isn’t taken care of either.

  • Make sure that you have sponges and cleaning supplies in stock so you can easily manage your home as needed. (Side note, our microfiber clothes are great for drying off cars!)

Form Cleaning Habits

When it comes to keeping things clean, small changes make a big difference. After you shave and brush your teeth, wipe down the sink. After dinner, do the dishes immediately.

Soon, doing these things will become second nature.

  • If you get into the habit of cleaning certain areas of your home, you’ll learn to do them mindlessly. We have a variety of cleaning supplies available that can help you accomplish your cleaning tasks daily, making it quick and easy tidy up.

Having the right products will help you keep your bachelor pad in top shape. Check out SpongeOutlet for the products that will help keep your apartment or home sparkling clean.

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Cleaning Up Illness at Home

Getting sick is literally THE WORST, but getting sick twice or spreading your germs to other household members or loved ones is even worst. No matter if you’ve just kicked a cold or the flu to the curb, once relief is in sight, it’s key to spring into action, ensuring you get rid of the germs that caused yours and your loved one’s misery in the first place. Here are some easy tips to help you handle the icky business of cleaning up after being sick.

TOUR DE HOME: CLEANING EDITION

Make sure the cleaning supplies you are using is a disinfectant and kills whatever virus you are trying to evict from your home. The bathroom, kitchen, bedroom and living room are usually key areas to keep in mind during your cleaning session. Don’t forget to give extra attention to where you spent most of your time. Scrub down sinks, doorknobs, counters, light switches, and so forth with a scrubby sponge.

LOAD UP THE WASHER

After spending several days getting some quality time binge-watching your favorite TV shows while you were on bed rest, you came in contact with several items of clothes and linings that are in need of a good wash post-sickness. These items include clothing you wore, bedding, towels, face cloths, kitchen towels, etc. Wash in hot water, as long as the care instructions for those items allow.

TOUCHPOINTS & TECH

While you’re sick, it’s unavoidable to touch a lot of things. Even when practicing good hygiene and washing your hands often, you still run the risk of spreading germs. Be mindful of door knobs, faucets, handles and windows. Also, remember to give special attention to any technology you used to keep yourself occupied, like phones, remotes, computers and tablets. Clean items and wipe them dry with a microfiber drying towel, and throw the towel in the washer when you’re done.

THERE’S NOTHING LIKE FRESH AIR

Open your windows and get a good cross breeze going. The fresh air will help move some fresh air in your home, while pushing out any icky germs that may be lingering.
For more tips on keeping your home sparkling clean, visit Spongeoutlet.

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