Vinegar. Yes, it works! But WHY does it work?

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One main ingredient when making your own natural cleaners is distilled white vinegar. Vinegar is a deodorizer, disinfectant and cuts grease, but how and why does it work?

 

Vinegar is a mix of acetic acid and water. The pH of acetic acid is what makes vinegar an excellent cleaner. Think back to high school science class. The acid in vinegar crosses the cell membrane of bacteria and triggers a release of proteins, which causes the cell to die.

 

Basically, acetic acid is what gives vinegar its “power”. Acetic acid is measured in grains. For example, 10-grain vinegar means the vinegar is made up of 1% acetic acid and 99% water. The most common vinegar solution is 50-grain, which is 5% acetic acid and 95% water. Heinz has recently introduced a 6% acetic acid vinegar. They are calling it the “cleaning vinegar” and it is supposed to boost the strength of vinegar by 20% and still maintain a fast dry time with no smell.

 

Enough of the science.

 

Vinegar is able to clean and disinfect bacteria such as salmonella and E. Coli, but it takes a few seconds. Be sure that when you are cleaning with vinegar, you spray and let the vinegar sit on the surface for 30-45 seconds before wiping clean.

 

Here are some quick and easy recipes you can start using around your house today!

 

1.)    To shine chrome sink fixtures that have a lime buildup, use a paste made of 2 tablespoons salt and 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar.

2.)    To clean a grease splattered oven door window, saturate it with full-strength white distilled vinegar. Keep the door open for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping with a sponge.

3.)    Remove soap buildup and odors from the dishwasher by pouring a cup of white distilled vinegar inside the machine and running it through a whole cycle. Run monthly.

4.)    Remove odors from a lunch box by placing inside a slice of bread that has been soaked in white distilled vinegar. Leave overnight.

5.)    Get rid of fruit flies by setting out a small dish of undiluted white distilled vinegar.

6.)    Spray shower doors with full-strength white distilled vinegar after you’ve squeegeed the glass, or before you step in and turn on the water. It will help release the hard water deposits so they don’t remain on the glass.

7.)    To remove paint splatters from windows apply full-strength white distilled vinegar with a clean paintbrush.

8.)    Attack spaghetti, barbecue, or ketchup stains with a white distilled vinegar and water solution.

9.)    Get cleaner and brighter laundry! Add about 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the last rinse. The acid in white distilled vinegar is too mild to harm fabrics, yet strong enough to dissolve the alkalies in soaps and detergents. Besides removing soap, white distilled vinegar prevents yellowing, acts as a fabric softener and static cling reducer, and attacks mold and mildew.

10.)                        Remove soap scum and clean the hoses of your washing machine with white distilled vinegar. Periodically run the machine with only a cup of white distilled vinegar in it—nothing else added to the wash cycle.

 

Do you use vinegar around the house? What are some of your secret recipes? Tell us at www.facebook.com/Miraclean

 

 

 

 

What’s the most annoying sound in the world?

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I was faced with quite a dilemma last week.

One of my customers left me a key, but set her alarm system.

As you can imagine my surprise when I entered the house and one minute later sirens were blaring from everywhere! I tried to contact the homeowner, but she did not answer my calls or return any texts.

This is not my first break-in.  😉  I’ve set off plenty of alarms in seven years of business. I know the drill. The alarm goes off for about five minutes and the police stop by to check on everything.

I explain my little predicament to the officer and thought, “Ok. They will turn off the alarm and we can get to work.”

And that would have been fine…had they turned off the alarm. The police didn’t have access to the homeowner’s security system. The security system sent out the police when the alarm went off, but the police could not reset the alarm.

Then about 30 minutes later, it stopped.

Ahh. Silence.

But, not for long.

Apparently the motion detector was also on, so once we started cleaning, the alarm would set off again. Therein lays my predicament. Do I stay or go? I had the check. I got the key like she told me to, but what kind of working condition is this for my employees and I?

I decided to suck it up and clean. Thank goodness my employees are super laid back and though we were all annoyed at the sound of the alarm, we powered through it.

About two hours later, the husband came home from work because the neighbors were complaining about the constant noise coming from the house.

He apologized and seemed frazzled saying the neighbors called him about an hour ago, but he couldn’t leave work. Of course I said it was OK and not a problem. We all screamed Hallelujah once he turned off the alarm and headed back to work.

Ahhh. Silence. For real this time!

Two weeks later, I returned to the house. The wife was there and was very apologetic. By that time, it wasn’t a big deal. I had one million other things on my mind and that wasn’t one of them. We did crack a joke on the way there about the alarm hopefully being turned off this time. (Hehe!)

So, what do you think? Did I do the right thing? Am I crazy for staying? Put yourself in the homeowner’s shoes. Tell me on Facebook if you think I made the right decision. www.facebook.com/Miraclean

My dryer is a sock thief!

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My dryer loves to eat socks.

I don’t know why. Maybe they taste good; but it seems like every time I wash a load of laundry I lose a sock.

What do you do with your misfit socks? I keep mine with my cleaning products and use them as dusting cloths around the house. They work pretty well, actually.

Last week, I used a few to clean mini-blinds and they were perfect for the job. (Thank you for the idea, Pinterest!) I thought that with spring in the air and thoughts of cleaning in the back of your minds, I would share my secret to clean blinds.

I’m sure if you are an avid reader of my blog, you’ve heard me mention my “everything” cleaner. I’m not lying. I really do use this stuff for everything!

My “everything” cleaner is fruit peels fermented in vinegar for two weeks. I know it sounds gross, but it is super easy to do and works on everything! (Place fruit peels in a mason jar. Fill the jar with vinegar. Tighten the lid and let it sit for two weeks.  Pour one cup of the solution in a spray bottle and fill the spray bottle with water.)

Back to my blind cleaning extravaganza.

I took an old sock and put it on my hand like I would a sock puppet.  Then, I sprayed the “everything” cleaner on what would be the sock puppets mouth. Take the sock puppets mouth and clean one blind at a time using the sock to clean both front and back of the blind. Start at the top and work your way down for beautiful shiny blinds. Check it out!

Photo: Does your dryer have a habit of eating socks? I know mine does! Next time you lose a pair of socks, don't throw the misfit away. Save it to use as a duster around your house. I used them to clean the top and bottom of the blinds, like this.

 

Is your kid the smelly kid in class?

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Do you smell?

 

I mean, do your clothes smell?

 

You may not notice, but washing machines have a tendency to smell bad due to their design. Water sits in certain components, which then become a breeding ground for mold and mildew causing unpleasant odors.

 

If you live in a humid climate, constant moisture in the air prevents the water from completely evaporating.

 

So, how do you fix it?

 

By cleaning your washing machine.

 

It makes sense. You use your washing machine to get your dirty clothes clean, so let’s talk about ways to make your washer more efficient.

 

TOP LOADING:

 

1.)                Set washer to run on the hottest water and largest load setting. Do not add clothes or detergent. Once the wash bin is full, add 4 cups of vinegar to the water and allow the machine to agitate for one minute.

2.)                Add ½ cup baking soda and agitate washer for one minute.

3.)                Stop washer and allow it to sit for 30 minutes to one hour. Take this time to wipe the top of the washer, the knobs, and any dispensers.

4.)                Allow washing cycle to resume until the water begins draining.

5.)                Use a clean cloth to wipe the inside of the wash bin, the lid, and any other parts you did not get during the initial clean.

Remember to leave the lid open after each load, so the washing machine can dry completely.

 

FRONT LOADING:

 

1.)                Set washer to run on the hottest water and largest load setting. Do not add clothes or detergent. Once the wash bin is full, add 1 cup white vinegar to the water (via the dispenser) and allow the machine to agitate for one minute.

2.)                Wipe down door gaskets, seals and door interior with a soft cloth soaked in a separate 50/50 vinegar and water solution after the wash cycle finishes.

3.)                Rinse the door gaskets and seals after cleaning them with the vinegar solution to prevent deterioration and damage of the seal.

4.)                Make sure doors, gaskets and seals are completely dry. Leave the door slightly open to allow the wash bin to air out.

 

There you have it. A safe way to clean the appliances that keep you clean.

 

Maybe you’re wondering… “I’ve never washed my washing machine and I’m fine.”

 

Maybe.

 

But as put by University of Arizona microbiology professor Charles Gerba, “There is about a tenth of a gram of poop in the average pair of underwear.”

 

Fecal matter can carry different germs like E. Coli and salmonella. Underwear and towels are the worst culprits.

 

The acidity of the vinegar helps dissolve soap residue in the wash bin and is helpful in dissolving lime deposits in pipes. Baking soda cleans soap scum and deodorizes.

 

Want to see before and after pics of my washing machine? Check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Miraclean

 

Don’t forget to ‘like’ our page while your there!

Strange ingredients can add extra sparkle to your home

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I was so proud of myself yesterday. I had bought fruit at the farmers market and after juicing (yes, I’m attempting to juice) I used the peels to make my “everything” cleaner. Throw your peels in a mason jar and fill the jar with vinegar. In two weeks you will have an “everything” cleaner.

The citric acid in lemons have a low pH level which easily breaks down rust and mineral stains, but gentle enough not to dull surfaces. Double check your counter tops before you use lemon juice. Some marble counters may be sensitive to acid.

We are getting off track. I started thinking, while I was making my “everything” cleaner, about all the weird ingredients I use to clean things around the house.

Cream of tartar, coconut oil, soda water, vinegar, lemon juice, peanut butter. What kind of grocery list is this?

The amazing thing is that they all work…in their own weird way.

Did you know that if your kid gets gum in their hair, apply peanut butter? The oils in the peanut butter find it easier to stick to the gum base in chewing gum instead of the proteins in dry hair. The oils in the peanut butter get in between the hair and the gum which makes the gum stiff and less sticky. Salad oil and mayonnaise will work the same way because they are also oils.

Cream of tartar. I’m serious. It’s great for cleaning metals like aluminum, brass and copper. Cream of tartar is an acid salt, meaning when it is dissolved it will lower the pH of the liquid. Because of its acidic properties, it can be used to clean and remove stains or used for its mildly abrasive qualities. Try making a paste from cream of tartar and vinegar (or another acid, such as lemon juice) to buff and clean metals. And don’t worry, there will not be a chemical reaction from mixing the two.

Coconut oil has antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties because of fatty acids in the oil. The fatty acids are concentrated in coconut oil; making up 60% of all that is in the oil. Besides being used as a deep conditioner, aftershave and body lotion, coconut oil can also be used while cleaning. Equal parts of coconut oil and baking soda removes the sticker residue off any surface. You can also use coconut oil to condition and soften leather.

Soda water contains carbonic acid, which is helpful for removing stains and dissolving rust deposits. Try using soda water on your laundry, carpet and upholstery stains. The bubbly action will lift the stain to surface and you can blot it out easily. It’s also great for polishing chrome kitchen and bathroom fixtures.

Have you tried any of these tricks? Do you have any tricks with weird food you use for cleaning? Tell us about it at www.facebook.com/Miraclean

Happy cleaning!

Get kids cleaning early

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Will your kids do just about anything to get out of doing chores? The excuses pile up fast.

 

“I don’t want to,” “I’m a kid!” “I’ve got homework,” “I’m late for school/work,” “I’ll do it later.”

 

Those were some of my excuses growing up. Looking back, of course there were always more important things than cleaning my room, but now that I’m a homeowner…and owner of a cleaning company…I’ve realized that my mother was setting me up for a life of responsibility.

 

My mom was not Betty Homemaker. She was a working mom of three daughters. She wasn’t the type to have a snack ready when we came home from school, but she was the type that would not allow us to have friends come over because the house was a mess.

 

You wanted friends to come over, you had to clean the house. You were hungry after school, you had to make a sandwich. No clean bowls in the cabinet? Get out a sponge because “you have two hands, now get to washing.”

 

Sound a little harsh?

 

I don’t think so. She was a firm believer of teaching us how to become responsible adults. One of my favorite quotes she would say was, “that’s why they call it work and not fun.”

 

Well, I’ve found a way to make chores fun for the whole family.

 

First, develop a system. Pick a day and time. Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., everyone will help clean. That doesn’t sound fun. But, if you make a game out of it (and play some awesome background music,) your kids will be eager to participate.

 

On a sheet of construction paper, label 1-9 as designated areas to be cleaned in your home. For number one, start simple like “hallway” or “stairs” and work your way up to bathrooms, play areas, kitchen work, etc.

A fun way to get your kids involved with house cleaning. Roll the die and match the number to the appropriate cleaning task. Grab a kitchen timer for extra incentives. :)

A fun way to get your kids involved with house cleaning. Roll the die and match the number to the appropriate cleaning task. Grab a kitchen timer for extra incentives. 🙂

 

Roll dice and determine where you will start. For example, if you roll a two and a three, that’s five. If number five is the playroom, you, the kids, and a kitchen timer should head to the playroom.

 

Set the timer for 15 minutes and get to cleaning. The kids can start putting their toys away and throwing out trash so you can vacuum. Reward them if they were faster than the clock.

 

Roll the dice and keep playing until the house is clean. Obviously, the game will change depending on how old your children are and what responsibilities you feel are appropriate, but the end result should be a clean house.

 

Another idea is to label two jars “to-do” and “completed”. On popsicle sticks, write chores your children are capable of handling.

Fast, easy and cheap way to hold children accountable for chores. Try color-coding them, if you have multiple children.

 

For example, the older children can wash clothes while the younger children can fold or put away clothes. The younger children can unload the dishwasher while the older children can wash dishes and reload the dishwasher. The younger children can pick up toys and the older children can vacuum. Whatever you feel works best.

 

Color-code and label the popsicle sticks placing all items that need to be completed in the “to-do” jar. (I saw one where the older girl was pink, older boy was blue and they competed to see who got the most chores finished. Each child was rewarded monetarily, but the one who completed the most tasks was given a “bonus”.) After each chore is complete, simply move the popsicle stick to the “completed” jar and reward the appropriate child.

 

Be encouraging. If your kids are feeling frustrated or think they cannot do a specific chore without you, help them. Do not be Miss Perfect. Of course a 10-year-old is not going to vacuum as well as you do, but don’t let them see you correcting it or they will just think they can do a half-butt job because you will fix it later anyway. Let them get the chores done, but don’t be too picky. Remember, you are trying to encourage life-long lessons here, not demean their help.

 

Lastly, create daily chores to give your kids the feeling of accomplishing something on a day to day basis. One child sets the table, the other child clears the table. Get them to make their bed every morning, or pick up their room before bedtime.

 

Another alternative to a chore chart.

Another alternative to a chore chart.

 

Most of the time, if you set a timer, make a game of it, make it fun and rewarding; they will carry these habits with them forever.

 

 

 

Is invisible dust keeping your family sick?

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Invisible dust.

 

That’s the dust that hasn’t quite piled up in your home. The dust that doesn’t look like it’s covering a surface, but when you wipe your hand across it, you find out the truth.

 

Some areas where invisible dust likes to hide are on lamp shades, light fixtures, windows, and upholstered furniture.

 

Have you ever been surprised to see just how dirty something is until after you clean it? What starts off as a simple job, quickly turns into asking yourself “how did (this) get so dirty?!”

 

That’s invisible dust.

 

Here are a few ways to cut down on invisible dust in your home, keeping your family and your home safe and clean.

 

Lamp shades are the biggest culprit in collecting dust and pet dander. Carefully take your crevice tool on your vacuum cleaner and use it to dust off your shades. If you are worried about breaking or harming the shade, try using a lint roller.

 

I’ve cleaned thousands of bathrooms in the six years I’ve been in business and I can honestly say dust gathers in and around the light fixtures. You would be amazed if you ever crawled on your countertop and took a peek in what was growing in the lights! This is not a bad chore. Actually, once you deep clean the fixtures, it is a lot easier to keep up with the dust. If you have light fixtures that can be easily removed, take them down and soak them in hot soapy water. The easiest thing to do is to fill up the bathroom sink and place them in there. Depending on how intricate your fixtures are, grab a towel and maybe a toothbrush to scrub those hard to reach places. Dry and hang the fixtures back up. Is your room brighter?

 

Windows are tricky-tricksters and can even fool the experienced cleaner. There have been times where I think, “hmm…these windows aren’t too bad” then I take my one part vinegar, four parts water solution and squeegee and BOY do I have a mess on my hands. Now, grab a toothbrush, open the window, and get to scrubbing! Cleaning this part of the windowsill will help keep dirt in your home down to a minimum and it is only a job you do a couple times throughout year.

 

When was the last time you looked under your couch cushions? I usually avoid looking under mine because it’s gross. My dog lays on the couch, we veg out on the couch, I take my naps on the couch. A half-teaspoon of dust contains as many as 1,000 dust mites and 250,000 allergenic dust mite fecal pellets. Don’t be grossed out. You’ve been living in it your whole life. Just take a few extra steps like vacuuming your upholstery, removing the cushions and using the crevice tool on the vacuum to get extra crumbs that may have fallen, and pull your couch out and vacuum the floor under the couch. Schedule an upholstery cleaning once a year and you are good.

 

If you or someone in your family is sick often, dust could be the reason why. Keep your home and family safe and healthy with these quick tips integrated into your cleaning schedule.

 

Do you need help keeping up with the house? We can give you peace of mind…and that help you want! Check out www.miracleanonline.com for full house cleaning and a la carte cleaning information.

Behind the Scenes: The True Story of Miraclean

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Miraclean new logo

If you haven’t noticed through my Facebook, LinkedIn, and blog posts, I love helping people. I love being able to share little cleaning tid-bits with you all and hearing your feedback.

 

That’s how Miraclean got started.

 

I needed a job that was flexible with my schedule while I attended college. My mom had cleaned offices when I was a kid to get some extra cash, so my dad suggested I do the same. I could make my own schedule, pick my own clients, and make some money.

 

“Sure, why not?” I thought.

 

So I got few office jobs and went to work. I must have been doing something right because my office managers loved me! They wanted me to clean their house. At the time, I turned down the work because I thought homes were too much of a liability. It was too much to worry about breaking something.

 

One particular office manager wore me down, so I decided to only clean her house. Honestly, I told her I would dust her house like I dusted the office. Same thing, right? I didn’t even clean her master shower because there is no master shower in the office.

 

I had NO idea what I was doing. Needless to say she kept me (and I started cleaning the master shower…duh, Kristin.) She started to tell her neighbors and the word spread around town.

 

Once I took the leap and started cleaning houses, my business took off. I started researching different products, learning the industry, ‘experimenting’ methods, and seeing what worked best.

 

But, all my office work wasn’t a waste because little did I know, I had built a relationship with the office managers. When they found out I also cleaned houses, they wanted aboard. It’s amazing how fast word spread.

 

By this time, I was getting ready to graduate from Winthrop University.

 

Due to a conflict in my scheduling, I had to take 25 credit hours in one semester to graduate on time. Most seniors take as few hours as possible and their first class was NOT at 8 a.m. Monday thru Thursday.

 

Not this senior.

 

Oh, and did I mention I was also planning my wedding? Yep. So, everything was happening at once. (Side note: I learned that if I could survive this semester, I could do anything!)

 

Miraclean was growing and my life was headed in one million different directions. I had to turn down a lot of people and I hated it. I thought Miraclean was too small to have employees. I was also worried about the liability, pay, tax deductions, and could I really afford to make that step?

 

Instead of worrying, I had to ignore it. I had bought a house the prior year and the mortgage wasn’t going to pay itself. I decided to keep the customers I could fit into my schedule because they paid my bills and focus on graduating.

 

I survived! And graduated on time. I majored in mass communication with a concentration in journalism. I minored in business.

 

I dabbled in newspapers, working as a freelance reporter, but Miraclean always won. As we grew, I knew I needed help!

 

My dad joined part-time and helped expand Miraclean. Thanks to his work, we also offer carpet, upholstery, tile and grout and pressure washing services, using all-natural products.  We’ve become a one-stop cleaning shop.

 

I’ve hired a few amazing folks and we’ve got plenty of teams to help you clean, deodorize, sanitize and disinfect your ENTIRE home, top to bottom!

 

This is the true story of how Miraclean came to be what it is today. We use all-natural products that are safe to use around children and pets. We have the fastest dry-time method around! Your carpets will be 100% dry in less than one hour.

 

Don’t take my word on it. Check out our website for before and after pictures, referrals, and more information about us. If you would like tips on how to clean your home naturally, friend us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

before and after amy

 

If you are a customer, please know that we appreciate your business so much. If you have yet to work with us, please know that we will do everything we can to help give you peace of mind.  🙂

Are you too cheap? Ask Bubba

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bubba

 

This is Bubba.

 

Bubba owns a carpet cleaning company. He’s got equipment. He’s not-so-keen on appearance, but he’s able to perform the work. He’s the one that posts signs in the grocery store parking lot advertising for five rooms to be cleaned at $50. Wow! What a deal!

 

But, there’s a catch.

 

Does Bubba look like he is insured? What if he bumps into your china buffet and breaks a very expensive piece of dinnerware? Can he replace it?

 

If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

 

Miraclean may not have the cheapest prices in town, but we provide a quality service in a fast, timely manner using all-natural products to keep your family safe and give you peace of mind.

 

All employees arrive on the job wearing company shirts and present themselves in a professional manner. Our trucks are clearly marked. We have the best knowledge when it comes to removing stains.

 

We carry various products that are specifically designed to eliminate certain types of stains. A red wine or juice stain cannot be treated the same way as high traffic areas. We have the products and knowledge to address every type of stain and get your carpets the cleanest of clean.

 

We care about your family. We will not bring any product into your home that will cause harm or discomfort to your loved ones. Our all-natural products are safe to use around children and pets. Our ultra-low moisture system provides the best cleaning with the fastest dry time, less than one hour. Another perk to using an ultra-low moisture system is there is no chance of mold forming underneath your carpet.

 

As much as we would love to clean all of your carpets for $50, it is not possible. In order to provide you with a safe, efficient cleaning from a reputable company that is insured and bonded, $50 is not going to cut it.

 

Next time you are in the market for a quality carpet cleaning company, do not go with the cheapest price. Think about your outcome. What would Bubba do for your family?

 

Check out Miraclean. We can provide you with the right price and the right service. Just ask your neighbors.

 

Have you had an experience with Bubba? Tell us about it on our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/Miraclean

 

 

 

 

Top 10 baking soda recipes

Posted on by Posted in Cleaning Tips .

I love finding new uses for ingredients I have in my pantry. I don’t have to wonder if it’s safe to use because most of them, I use in food! AND, they are cheap! One of my favorite ingredients that has multiple uses is baking soda. Baking soda is wonderful! It can be used just about anywhere.

 

Here are my top 10 uses for baking soda:

 

1. Freshen rugs by sprinkling baking soda on carpet. Wait at least 15 minutes (preferably overnight), then vacuum.

 

2. Get your clothes cleaner and brighter by adding one cup of baking soda along with your regular liquid detergent on your next load of laundry.

 

3. Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the kitty litter box, add litter on top to help reduce smells. Also, make a do it yourself litter by mixing a small box of baking soda with three inches of sandy clay.

 

4. Pour one cup of baking soda, followed by one cup of vinegar, and a pot of boiling water down the kitchen drain to remove clogs.

 

5. Massage a handful of baking soda on your scalp in place of shampoo for a few weeks to fight dandruff.

 

6. Sprinkle ¼ cup of baking soda in the toilet bowl and scrub clean.

 

7. For a thorough toothbrush cleaning, mix ¼ cup of baking soda and ¼ cup of water to soak toothbrushes overnight.

 

8. Scatter baking soda, instead of salt, on icy sidewalks.

 

9. Freshen your pet’s breath by brushing their teeth with baking soda.

 

10. Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the hamper, or over dirty clothes, to keep items fresher until laundry day.

 

 

There many other ways to use baking soda. What are some of your favorites? Comment on our Facebook page! Www.facebook.com/Miraclean