How to Clean Something respects your privacy, and I’d like to keep this page as straightforward as possible.
Like most websites, How to Clean Something may collect some information when you visit. Some of it is needed to keep the site working. Other information may help understand which articles people find useful, how visitors reach the site, or how advertising performs.
This Privacy Policy explains what may be collected, why it may be used, and the choices you may have.
Who operates this website
How to Clean Something is operated by Claire Mercer.
Email: [email protected]
For questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal information, use the email address above.
Information you provide yourself
You can read most of How to Clean Something without telling me who you are.
If you contact the site, subscribe to something offered in the future, leave a comment if comments are enabled, or otherwise send information voluntarily, the site may receive information such as:
- your name,
- email address,
- the contents of your message,
- information you choose to include in a comment or submission.
Please avoid sending sensitive personal information through ordinary contact forms or email.
If you contact me about a cleaning disaster, I need to know what happened to the sofa. I probably don’t need your life history.
Information collected when you visit
Some technical information may be collected automatically when you use the site.
Depending on the services active on How to Clean Something, that can include:
- your IP address,
- browser and device type,
- operating system,
- pages you visit,
- date and time of your visit,
- the website or search engine that sent you here,
- links you interact with,
- approximate location based on your IP address.
This information can help keep the website secure, fix technical problems and show how people use the site.
Cookies
How to Clean Something may use cookies and similar technologies.
Cookies are small files stored on your device. They can be used to remember preferences, keep a website working properly, understand how visitors use it, measure advertising, or provide other features.
Some cookies are necessary for the website to work.
Others, including some analytics or advertising cookies, may be optional. Where applicable law requires it, you’ll be given a choice before non-essential cookies are used.
You can also block or delete cookies through your browser settings. Blocking some cookies may affect how certain parts of the site work.
Analytics
How to Clean Something may use analytics services to understand how people use the website.
Analytics can provide information such as which pages receive the most visits, how long visitors stay, what devices they use and where traffic comes from.
I use this kind of information to understand the site as a whole.
For example, if thousands of people suddenly start reading about smelly washing machines, that tells me washing machines are causing trouble. It doesn’t tell me that you, personally, have one.
If an analytics provider is added or changed, this Privacy Policy should be updated to reflect how that service handles information.
Advertising
How to Clean Something may display advertising.
Advertising providers can use cookies, pixels or similar technologies to measure ads, prevent fraud, understand performance or, where permitted, show advertising based on interests or previous browsing activity.
Third-party advertising companies handle information according to their own privacy policies.
Where consent or an opt-out is legally required for advertising or tracking, the site should provide the appropriate controls.
Affiliate links
Some articles may contain affiliate links.
If you click one of those links and buy something, How to Clean Something may receive a commission. This normally doesn’t increase the price you pay.
Affiliate networks or retailers may use their own tracking technologies to determine that a visitor reached their website through one of these links.
Any affiliate relationship should be disclosed clearly where it appears.
Links and embedded content
I regularly link to other websites when they contain useful instructions, research, manufacturer information, products or other relevant resources.
Articles may also include embedded material from services such as video platforms or social networks.
Once you interact with another website or third-party service, its own privacy rules apply. How to Clean Something doesn’t control how those companies collect or use information.
How information may be used
Information collected through the site may be used to:
- operate and maintain the website,
- respond to messages,
- improve articles and navigation,
- understand general visitor behavior,
- identify technical or security problems,
- measure advertising or affiliate performance,
- comply with legal obligations,
- prevent fraud, spam or misuse.
Personal information won’t be used for unrelated purposes without an appropriate reason or, where required, your consent.
How long information is kept
Information should only be kept for as long as there’s a reasonable reason to retain it.
The exact period can depend on what the information is and why it was collected.
For example, website logs may be kept for a limited period for security or technical purposes. Emails may be retained while a conversation is active or when a record is reasonably useful. Other information may need to be kept longer where required by law.
When information is no longer needed, it should be deleted or anonymized where reasonably possible.
Selling or sharing personal information
How to Clean Something doesn’t intentionally sell personal information for money.
Some privacy laws use words such as “sale” or “sharing” more broadly and may include certain advertising or tracking activities.
If services used by the site create a legal right to opt out of this kind of activity, appropriate controls should be provided.
Your privacy rights
Depending on where you live and which privacy laws apply, you may have rights over your personal information.
Those rights can include asking to:
- see personal information held about you,
- correct inaccurate information,
- delete certain information,
- receive a copy of certain information,
- object to or restrict some uses,
- withdraw consent where processing is based on consent,
- opt out of certain targeted advertising, sale or sharing.
California residents may have additional rights where the California Consumer Privacy Act applies, including rights concerning access, deletion, correction and certain sale or sharing of personal information.
To make a privacy request, email [email protected].
I may need enough information to verify that the request relates to you before acting on it.
Children
How to Clean Something is written for a general adult audience and isn’t directed at children under 13.
The site doesn’t knowingly seek personal information from children under 13.
If you believe a child has provided personal information through the website, contact [email protected] so it can be reviewed and, where appropriate, deleted.
Keeping information secure
Reasonable technical and organizational steps should be used to protect information handled through the site.
No website, email service or online storage system can promise perfect security.
Please keep that in mind before sending personal information online.
Changes to this Privacy Policy
The site will change over time. New analytics services, advertising partners, contact features or other tools may also be added.
This Privacy Policy may therefore be updated when the way information is handled changes or when legal requirements change.
The date at the top of the page will show the latest revision.