ACI Launches ‘Cleaning for Health’ Initiative to Advance Public Health and Hygiene
The American Cleaning Institute (ACI), a leading authority in hygiene and surface cleaning practices, has officially launched its comprehensive new initiative titled “Cleaning for Health.” This campaign is designed to empower individuals, families, and entire communities with evidence-based strategies and practical tools to enhance their cleaning habits in a way that directly supports physical and mental well-being. The program encourages a proactive approach to health by emphasizing targeted cleaning practices that prevent illness, improve quality of life, and create healthier home environments.
The Cleaning for Health initiative is rooted in recent findings from a national survey conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of ACI. According to the data, a remarkable 97% of Americans agree that cleaning and hygiene are essential components of public health. Furthermore, 74% of respondents reported that they have altered their cleaning routines specifically to improve health outcomes. Most notably, the survey revealed that 91% of people recognize a direct connection between cleaning and physical health, while 84% also believe that maintaining a clean environment contributes to improved mental well-being.
To help translate these insights into action, ACI is debuting a new educational resource titled “Levels of Clean.” This guide, available for free through ACI’s website, offers practical and expert-backed advice on tailoring cleaning practices to individual household needs. For example, the guide helps users determine how rigorously they should clean based on variables such as the presence of illness, allergy sensitivities, or immune-compromised individuals within the household. With easy-to-follow tips, the “Levels of Clean” guide empowers users to clean smarter—not just harder.
Brian Sansoni, ACI’s Senior Vice President of Communications and Outreach, emphasized the importance of the initiative. “At ACI, we know cleaning plays a critical role in everyday life, but how you approach it often shifts depending on life stage, seasonal routines, and personal health concerns,” Sansoni explained. “Cleaning is more than just a chore; it’s one of the most important actions individuals and families can take to prevent the spread of common viruses and illnesses. The Cleaning for Health initiative builds on our commitment to being a trusted source for practical, science-based guidance that helps individuals and families make informed choices about their cleaning routines.”
Reinforcing this message, Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell, a respected urgent care physician and public health advocate, voiced her support for the initiative. “In my practice, I see the consequences of preventable illness every day—missed school, missed work, and germs being passed from one family member to another,” Dr. Curry-Winchell noted. “I try to emphasize to my patients that small, consistent habits—like handwashing, surface disinfecting, and maintaining a clean home—can play a powerful role in keeping individuals and families healthier.”
The Cleaning for Health initiative also expands on ACI’s ongoing collaboration with the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). For the third consecutive year, ACI and AAFP are partnering to provide up-to-date, accessible, and practical resources that help families integrate health-focused cleaning into their daily lives. This partnership has produced a series of educational materials on cleaning for wellness, focusing on a range of important topics. These include:
- Disinfecting Your Home: A straightforward, informative guide that explains when and how to properly disinfect surfaces throughout the home to stop the spread of harmful pathogens. The guide includes detailed instructions on high-touch surfaces, the correct use of disinfectants, and the importance of consistency in routine cleaning.
- Preparing for Parenthood: Cleaning Your Home: This resource is especially valuable for new and expecting parents. It offers actionable tips on maintaining a hygienic living environment that supports the health of newborns, who are particularly susceptible to illness during the early stages of development. Topics include sanitizing baby items, managing allergens, and establishing safe cleaning routines in nurseries.
The initiative is also timely, as public awareness of hygiene and cleanliness remains heightened in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. While many people have retained the cleaning habits they adopted during the pandemic, there remains a need for updated, expert-driven information to help families refine those habits to support long-term health.
ACI’s Cleaning for Health webpage serves as a central hub for accessing the full suite of resources, including the “Levels of Clean” guide and other educational content. Visitors to the site can explore tailored advice for different types of households—whether they include small children, elderly members, or individuals with chronic health conditions. The site also offers seasonal cleaning tips and emphasizes the mental health benefits of living in a clean, organized space.
The Cleaning for Health initiative represents more than a public education campaign—it’s a movement toward redefining how we think about cleaning. It encourages people to view cleaning not merely as a household responsibility but as a proactive form of health maintenance. ACI’s initiative makes it clear: effective cleaning is not about achieving perfection, but about taking consistent, informed steps to protect and promote health.
In a time when the connection between hygiene and public health is more evident than ever, ACI’s Cleaning for Health initiative stands as a vital effort to educate and empower the public. With support from healthcare professionals, public health institutions, and engaged community members, ACI is helping to shape a healthier, more resilient future—one clean surface at a time.
