As a former professional cleaner - of houses, offices and even carpets - for 20 years, Deana Mooney knows her products.
So do the other employees at Industrial Chemicals of Arizona, which sells janitorial supplies. That's what sets the store apart. While it may sell some things you can find elsewhere, like Windex, you'd be hard-pressed to find better customer service.
"We're able to walk down the aisles and explain every item," says Mooney, an 18-year employee who manages Industrial Chemicals, 5302 E. Pima St.
Don't let the store's tagline - specialists in janitorial supplies - scare you off. The store isn't just for contractors. In fact, about half of Industrial Chemicals' customers are homeowners looking to tackle everything from stripping their floors to getting rid of hard-water stains.
What you should know for making a clean break: 100
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As in 100 SS, the store's biggest seller. Mooney sells 900 gallons a month of the stuff, which goes for $13.27 a gallon. It's an all-purpose, biodegradable cleaner - with a subtle, licorice-y smell - made specifically for our hard-water conditions. Mooney uses it to clean just about everything. "I put a tablespoon in a quart bottle and spray down counters," she said. "I wash the cars, floors, wipe down furniture."
And, it's apparently nontoxic.
"My dog licks it, and he's fine," chimed in Jessica Camarena from behind the checkout counter.
See? They know their stuff.
Handling hard water
Nasty whitish buildup is a typical problem in this neck of the woods, thanks to hard water. Tackle that scuzz with It Works. The product - along with some elbow grease on your end - gets out mineral deposits.
"We sell this to a lot of housekeepers," Mooney said of the cleaner, which costs $9.95 for an 8-ounce bottle.
Odor eater
Artificial grass is on the rise as homeowners look to conserve water. But that can lead to unsavory pet-related smells. The solution is Liquid Alive, $20.99 for a gallon. The multipurpose product is for drain maintenance but also gets rid of urine odors, Mooney said.
TOP TIPS
Deana Mooney, who manages Industrial Chemicals of Arizona, had extensive experience in the cleaning biz before joining the store. Her top tips:
• Buy everything (such as mop heads) washable. It costs more upfront, but is cheaper in the long run.
• To get clean, streak-free windows, use a microfiber cloth.
• When it comes to mop handles, the top should be close to your shoulder. If the mop's too big, it's hard to wring out and use.
Industrial Chemicals of Arizona
5302 E. Pima St., 327-6331, www.ica-cleaning supplies.com
• Hours: 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays; closed Sundays
• What: All kinds of cleaning supplies, including "green" products, odor-control and cleaners and related items for everything from carpet care to sealing flagstone.
