By Jennifer Quail
CHICAGO—Tools for cleaning have become high-powered, all-natural and even technologically advanced in some cases as manufactures work to make household chores as simple as possible. Look for a big influence from products that not only clean, but sanitize, fully zapping germs of all kinds, as well at the International Home & Housewares Show this week.

Architec
Architec debuts Scrubbies, two-sided, ergonomic kitchen scrubbies that are pinched in the middle for maximum comfort while tackling everyday tasks. Also new from Architec is a Soap Dispenser designed for easy, one-handed operation. The dispenser locks onto the countertop with a patented screw-lock suction that holds it in place without damaging the counter.

Argee Corp.
Argee addresses the simple solution of finding your towel when you need it with the Retractable Towel. The washable, microfiber towel comes with a clip and belt so consumers can pull it out when need it and simply let it retract when not in use.

Blitz Manufacturing Co.
Blitz features a line of Polishing Cloths, Wipes and even the Polish itself for everything from stainless steel to brass, silver and copper, and barbecue grills. The products are non-toxic and environmentally safe. A new packaging format will be unveiled here as well.

Brabantia
Brabantia tackles the laundry care category with several new products. New ironing table covers feature contemporary designs and are made from 100 percent cotton with a choice of backing materials and thickness. The company has also developed replaceable ironing table covers so users can have a fresh, clean cover whenever needed. These cover are sold in economy packs of five.

Butler Home Products
Butler introduces a variety of sponges, brushes and scrubbers under the Dawn brand name. Dawn Sponges feature scrapers and Superfabric, a scrubber material that is non-abrasive and stain- and cut-resistant, to remove stuck-on food. Dawn Soap Filled Brushes are a line of dish wands and kitchen brushes designed to contour to different shapes and get into hard-to-reach spaces. A push-button soap delivery system allows Dawn liquid to pass directly onto the cleaning surface. Dawn Non-Soap Filled Brushes & Scrubbers were also designed with ergonomics in mind. A variety of shapes and sizes are available.

The Caldrea Co.
Caldrea brings the legend of relaxing lavender to the laundry room, continuing the practice of aromatherapeutic homekeeping products. The Specialty Laundry Collection was inspired by the fragrant landscape of Provence, which features the calming aroma of fresh-cut lavender. The line includes Delicate Wash, Sport Wash, Dark Wash, Spray Starch and Stain Balm. Also falling under the specialty header are products like the folding board, wooden hangers and a clothes brush for providing your wardrobe with the special treatment it deserves. The company also introduces the limited-edition scent of Watercress Wild Lily. Included in the line are dish soap liquid, hand lotion and a candle, among others.

Casabella Holdings
Casabella works to make dusting the floor less of a chore with the wayclean* Microfiber Flex Duster. Each end of the duster flips up to make cleaning baseboards and corners a simple task. A neoprene grip makes the device comfortable to use and the microfiber head is machine washable and replaceable. Also new here is the Contoured Spray Bottle, with an extra-wide mouth for filling ease, and the Ergo 2 Broom and Dustpan Set, featuring a curved pole for a natural ergonomic position when sweeping.

Fresh Wave
Fresh Wave introduces a line of household products developed with a proprietary blend of natural extracts to eliminate household and pet odors. The products are natural and environmentally friendly and activated by air flow. Among the products in the line are a Home Spray, Soy Candle, Continuous Release Crystal Gel, Vacuum Pearls and All-Purpose Cleaning Additive.

Fuller Brush
Fuller goes green with a line of cleaning products under the banner of Nature’s Choice. The solutions in the line includes one each for carpet and upholstery, bathroom, multisurface, glass and mirror, and wood furniture. The tag line “Cleaner that’s greener” is featured on the bottle to drive home the products’ eco-friendly ingredients. Also new here is a series of no-drip gel cleaners, including No-Drip Gel Window Cleaners, Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish and Wood Furniture Cleaner & Polish.

Guardsman
Guardsman introduces products to keep surfaces clean and scratch-free. Leather Clean & Renew Wipes renew the natural beauty and feel of genuine leather, while Leather Protector Wipes protect it from stains and provide a better cleaning surface for the future. The company’s Touch-Up Markers, one for black finishes and one for white, can be used on wood surfaces to minimize the appearance of marks. The markers contain the same formulations of dyes that are used by color manufacturers.

Harper Brush
Harper launches a cause marketing program to help fund cancer research via its pink Household Broom & Clip-On Dust Pan. Inspired by two employees who were diagnosed with cancer, a portion of the proceeds from each broom sold will be donated to cancer research.

Idea Factory
The Scrub and Rinse Wand Cleaner from Idea Factory was designed to reach, scrub and rinse the entire tub and shower faster than ever. It’s Simply Safe cleaner is a pH neutral, fresh scent formula that is safe on all bathroom surfaces and even your skin. It attaches to the shower head, only allowing water to flow from the wand when the trigger is pressed.

iTouchless Housewares & Products
iTouchless introduces the Dual Access Stainless Steel Sensor EZ Soap Dispenser, a touch-free dispenser with a wall-mountable, quick removal holder. Also new here is Towel-Matic, an automatic sensor paper towel holder. The holder is programmed to dispense any perforated home paper towel on demand.

Leifheit
Leifheit relaunches its Picobello M Plus mop, which combines mopping with scrubbing for a dual-clean. The brush is integrated into the mop head, as is the squeezing mechanism. The wiper here also has a 360-degree swivel joint, rendering it completely flexible and able to fold flat down to the floor. Wiping pads can be washed in the machine.

Lola Products
Lola adds the Amazin’ Scrubber Roller Mop to its expanding flagship LolaPRO stick goods line. The mop features a patent-pending double scrubber, which allows the user to eliminate scuff marks and hard-to-get stains. It includes six rows of durable scrubbing bristles that deploy by pulling the ergonomic wringing lever. The Amazin’ mop is available in two sizes—a 10-inch version and a heavier-duty 12-inch model.

Mark Feldstein & Associates
Mark Feldstein introduces a way to zap germs without the use of sprays and cleaning rags, preventing user hands from nearing unwanted bacteria. The UV-C Light Sterilizer can be used anywhere: a public rest room, hotel room, airplane, your own home. Third-party testing has certified the sterilizer kills 99 percent of germs, bacteria and viruses in seconds. The sterilizer is available in two sizes: a wandlike version that is 11 1/2 inches long and a pocket-size that is only 7 1/4 inches long.

Mrs. Meyers
Two new scents for housekeeping products come from Mrs. Meyers: Basil and Rhubarb. The Basil line includes a wide variety of products ranging from liquid hand soap to countertop spray to laundry products. Basil’s aromatherapeutic qualities are known for the ability to ease nerves and perk up the senses. Rhubarb’s lively qualities were chosen for the brand’s Spring Cleaning Kit, which includes window spray all-purpose cleaner, liquid dish soap and countertop spray.

MysticMaid
MysticMaid addresses the environment with Certified Green Cleaner, an Earth-safe, high-performance cleaning solution that uses negatively charged ions to remove dirt, odors, grease and grime without the toxicity, environmental impact and corrosion everyday cleaning solvents can cause. The company will also introduce the Cloud Duster Angle Wand, a 2-in-1 dusting tool with ratcheting head and removable pad, designed for hard-to-reach places from the floor to the ceiling.

Phantastic
Innovations
Phantastic Innovations aims to save consumers’ delicates with the BraBall. The product was designed to prevent the regular damage that bras endure and the problems that ensue when they are machine-washed. The plastic ball features an outer chamber that shields and protects bras and an inner one that support and contours the bra cups. Four hundred seventy-two holes throughout the ball allow multiple bras to be cleaned at the same time.

Polder
Polder tackles the unsightly with its Dual Bath Caddy, designed to keep a plunger and bowl brush both clean and neatly contained in one space. The brushed stainless-steel caddy suspends the bowl brush and plunger, allowing the tools to drip dry, and is open in the back to allow excess water to evaporate rather than collect and create odor and bacteria. Also new here is the Over the Door Ironing Board, designed so the board faces outward against the door when closed, hiding the underside when not in use.

Quickie
Quickie debuts its first line of cleaning tools with Microban antimicrobial protection. The Home-Pro with Microban line of mops and scrub brushes is engineered with Microban to combat stain- and odor-causing bacteria throughout the life of the products.