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Best Way - DIY Dryer Exhaust Duct Cleaning | eHow.com

How to Clean and Maintain a Dishwasher

originated by:Mandi, Flickety, Webster, Krystle (see all)

* Featured Article
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A full dishwasher.

Most of us don't think about cleaning the dishwasher very often. After all, if the dishes are getting cleaner, shouldn't the dishwasher get cleaner, too? Unfortunately, debris and deposits do build up over time, and some of them reduce the performance of the dishwasher. Fortunately, dishwashers don't need cleaning very often and it's not hard to clean them. Here's how:
edit Steps

1.
Use your dishwasher regularly. It will help to prevent food and other debris from building up in there, reducing the need to clean it.

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2.
Run the dishwasher or wait until just after you've run it, then empty the dishwasher completely. Do the other steps with the dishwasher empty.
3.
A clogged hole.
Check all the spinning arms. Look to make sure all the holes are open so that water can run through them freely. The hole in this photo has accumulated some debris.
4.
You won't be needing this again.
Clear any debris out of the holes in spinning arms. Use fine pointed or needle-nose pliers if you have some. Otherwise, try a toothpick or something similar. Take care not to scratch anything if you're using a tool with a metal point. If these holes are very small, bend a fine wire with a tiny hook on one end. Thread the wire through the opening most distal from the center of the arm. Each time you do this a small amount of debris will come out. This is time consuming. Another option is to drill a much larger hole at the end of the arm. Run the washer to eject the matter, then plug the bigger hole with a stainless steel screw.
5.
Spills and splatters.
Wipe around the edges of the door and around the gasket. This space doesn't get washed during the dishwasher cycle. Use a damp cloth and, if you like, a bit of mild spray cleaner. An old toothbrush or other soft, household brush can help get into corners and up under the gasket.
6.
Under the door.
Clean under the bottom of the door. In some dishwashers, this is a dead spot where water doesn't go, so it can accumulate debris. Wipe this off.
7.
Inspect the drain for debris.
Inspect the bottom of your dishwasher around the drain. There will be a grate or grill around it, under the arm. This is where wastewater goes. Look for debris clogging up this area. You shouldn't have to clean this often if you're careful about what you put in your dishwasher, but you should remove any solid matter that builds up, especially bits of paper, shards of broken dishes, gravel, etc. You may be able to pick up solid objects accumulated on the outside by hand. If you think stuff has gotten down inside, you'll have to do some simple disassembly to get at it.
*
Start by unplugging. These outlets have been labeled to reduce confusion.
Start by unplugging. These outlets have been labeled to reduce confusion.
To remove accumulated debris, unplug the dishwasher. Look for a plug under your sink. Make sure to unplug the dishwasher and not the garbage disposal.
*
Unscrew the screws.
Unscrew the screws.
Carefully remove the screws, taking care not to drop them. The cover will lift off, leaving the area exposed. As you disassemble this section, take care to notice what you take off and where. Take photos along the way and set the pieces someplace safe, in the order they came off.
* Place a piece of tape on the opening to prevent debris from getting in it as you clean it.
* Use a cloth or your fingers to remove solid debris. Be careful of handling broken glass if that is part of what you find here.
*
Accumulated debris after removing a broken cup handle and other large solids. The blue tape covers an opening temporarily so this stuff doesn't get inside. Click to enlarge.
Accumulated debris after removing a broken cup handle and other large solids. The blue tape covers an opening temporarily so this stuff doesn't get inside. Click to enlarge.
Use a brush or a cloth to loosen and remove deposits.
* Screw everything back together, doing the reverse of what you did to get it apart. Don't over-tighten the screws, especially if they are going into soft plastic.
* Plug the dishwasher back in.
8.
Remove hard water deposits or scale, if needed. Run one cycle of your dishwasher empty, with a mild, food acid of your choice. Do this after you've done the other cleaning steps here, so that it will also take care of anything your cleaning missed or knocked loose. A "light" or short cycle is usually sufficient. Place powders into the detergent cup. Place liquids in a right-side-up cup or bowl in the top rack. Use whichever of the following is on hand or inexpensive:
* Lemonade drink mix or lemon-flavored Kool-Aid mix. Don't use strong colors that might stain. There is no need to add the sugar.
* Tang (powdered)
* Lemon juice
* Distilled white vinegar
* A dishwasher cleaning product [1]
9.
Remove mildew or mold with bleach. Run a separate cycle from any acid cleaners you have used and never mix bleach with other cleaners or with dishwasher detergent.
* If mold and mildew is a problem, leave the dishwasher loosely open for a while after each cycle to allow it to dry out.
* Avoid using bleach and detergents containing bleach if your dishwasher has a stainless steel interior or door.
* Bleach is a very strong chemical, both on you and on your dishwasher, so use it sparingly and only when necessary.
10.
Tackle rust stains.
* Use a dishwasher-safe rust remover [2] for the stains themselves, but ask how they got there in the first place.
* If the finish is chipping or flaking off the wire baskets in your dishwasher, try a paint-on sealant made just for dishwasher racks. Pull out the racks and check the bottoms, too. If the damage is severe or widespread (not just a few tines but all of them), see if you can replace the entire rack. Online stores sell a wide variety of appliance parts, so your replacement part may be very easy to find.
* If your water has a lot of iron or rust in it, rust may be beyond your control. If possible, address the problem at its source. If the problem isn't rusty pipes, water softeners can remove a limited amount of iron from water but they mostly work by exchanging minerals that are hard to clean off surfaces for salts that are relatively easy to clean. Filters do exist to remove iron from water and might be worth looking into if your water is extremely high in iron. [3]
11.
Wipe off the controls.
Spray the front of your dishwasher with a mild spray cleaner of your choice and wipe it with a sponge or soft cloth. Pay particular attention to the controls and the handle. Also, don't miss the little ledge between panels. It tends to collect dirt.
12.
Have you refilled this lately?
Refill your dishwasher's rinse aid dispenser about once per month. Rinse aid helps to prevent spots on your dishes. Unscrew the round knob in the dishwasher door and pour in rinse aid according to package directions or your dishwasher's manual. Depending upon your specific water chemistry, you may be able to substitute white vinegar for a "rinse aid." Experiment and see if this is right for your dishwasher.
* Don't use rinse aid if you have a water softener[4].
* Solid rinse aids are available. If you forget to refill liquid rinse aid, the solid ones are more visible, so they may help you remember.
* If you prefer, some dishwasher detergents now have built-in rinse aid.
13.
Clean the basket if it needs it.
Clean the flatware basket with a brush if there is any accumulated debris. Liquid dish soap will help.

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edit Tips

*
See that spoon?
See that spoon?
Promptly pick up any objects that fall to the bottom of the dishwasher.

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* Run the garbage disposal before starting the dishwasher. The dishwasher drains into the same pipe as your sink, so that drain must be clear.
* Run a bit of hot water in your sink before running the dishwasher. You will get cleaner dishes if the water starts hot. You can collect the water you run and use it for watering plants or other purposes. Run the water until what comes out of the tap feels hot.
* Make sure your water starts hot enough. Set the thermostat on your water heater to 120F (50C) [5]. Water that is cooler than this won't do a good job cleaning. Water that is hotter could scald.
* Load your dishwasher properly, stacking items facing downward and inwards. Check that all the arms can spin freely before running the dishwasher.
* Run full loads to conserve water and energy, but don't pack dishes too tightly. Dishwashers wash dishes by spraying water over them, so the water needs to be able to get to the dishes to clean them.
* Don't wash containers with labels that could come loose. Scrape heavy debris and large particles off dishes before placing them in the dishwasher.
* Don't pre-rinse too much. Dishwashers and detergents have both improved. If you haven't tried putting dishes in dirty lately, try it again. You may be pleasantly surprised.
* Not all dishwasher detergents work the same. The next time you buy a new container of detergent, try a different brand and see if you get better results. Look for ratings and reviews, too. At the very least, favor powders and tablets over gels and liquids, and keep them dry and free of excess moisture prior to use.
* Wash small items in the basket with your forks and knives so they don't slip through the racks and end up in the bottom. Some dishwashers even have enclosed baskets just for small items.
* For dried-on gunk, get the area wet or spray the cleaner, then let it sit and dissolve for a few minutes before wiping. You'll save yourself a lot of scraping and scrubbing.
* Wear gloves if you prefer not to touch the cleaner or the debris.

edit Warnings

* Never mix household cleaners, especially bleach, with other cleaners or chemicals.
* If you're not comfortable doing some simple disassembly and reassembly, don't unscrew the stuff in the bottom of the dishwasher. It doesn't need frequent cleaning.
* Use only detergents designed for use in dishwashers, not the liquid dish soap (washing up liquid) that you use to wash dishes by hand. The dishwasher is designed to contain water spraying from certain directions, not a thick layer of suds. You'll only make a mess.

edit Things You'll Need

* Acidic drink mix or vinegar
* A rag or sponge
* A mild spray cleaner
* A screwdriver

Originally Posted: http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-and-Maintain-a-Dishwasher

How to Clean a Refrigerator

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Every so often, a refrigerator needs to be cleaned inside. The shelves have to be washed down from milk spills, and food must be tossed out if they have outlived the shelf life.

Steps

1. Take everything out of the fridge. Place it on the table. (do one shelf at a time to avoids spoilage. Cycle things in and out of freezer as necessary). Do a complete toss out first to make room to keep things in.
   
2. Throw out aged, moldy or inedible food, bagging securely. Toss anything you don't use regularly, too.
   
3. Wipe your refrigerator inside and outside with a cloth and vinegar and water or baking soda and water solution, rinsing well with a washcloth rinsed clear with water. Soapy water works, too. Clean rubber door closure area too.
   
4. Keep your refrigerator organized, with meats and cheese and butter in one shelf box, and vegetables in the crisper. Meats should be stored on the bottom shelf to avoid meat juices dripping onto the shelves below
   
5. You can buy a deoderizor or just plain old-fashion baking soda to keep out old smells.
   

Video

Tips

• Organize to make things easier to find. Put milk, juices, and other drinks on one shelf, and your dressings, sauces, and similar items in another place.
  
• Clean your fridge out approximately once every month.
  
• Once your fridge is clean, one easy way to keep it clean is to empty and clean just one or two shelves or drawers at a time. The entire fridge is never spotless all at once, but it can stay reasonably clean without being an all-day project. Just make sure to cycle through all the shelves.
  
• Keep a small jar (with the lid off) of baking soda in the fridge to absorb excess moisture. Please note that it has to be a jar and not a box.
  

Warnings

• Old food should be bagged securely and separately before placing inside your regular kitchen trash bag to avoid attracting animals/rodents if the garbage bag is not sealed securely or acquires a rip or tear while outdoors.
  
• Never wash a cold glass shelf with hot water. The sudden temperature change could shatter the glass. Instead, use cold water or remove the shelf and let it come up to room temperature before washing it.
  
• Don't let water or cleaning solution fall into any of the inside vents.
  

Things You'll Need

• Vinegar
  
• Baking soda (optional)
  
• Water
  
• Plastic grocery or trash bag(s), if necessary
  
• Washcloth or sponge
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Clean Coffee Pots
  
• How to Clean Copper Bottoms on Pots and Pans
  
• How to Clean a Stove
  
• How to Clean a Microwave
  
• How to Get Rid of Bad Smells in Your Fridge
  
• How to Replace a Refrigerator Door Seal
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Clean a Refrigerator. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

The textile industry now uses the following symbols for laundry care instructions:

Washing

Machine Wash, COLD Machine Wash, COLD Permanent Press Machine Wash, COLD Gentle Cycle Hand Wash Machine Wash, WARM Machine Wash, WARM Permanent Press Machine Wash, WARM Gentle Cycle Do Not Wash Machine Wash, HOT Machine Wash, HOT Permanent Press Machine Wash, HOT Gentle Cycle

Bleaching

Bleach as needed Any bleach, like Clorox®, may be safely used Do Not Bleach No bleach product should be used including detergents with bleach - or follow bleach package test procedures to test for bleach safety. Non-chlorine Bleach as needed Use only a color-safe bleach, like Clorox 2®

Drying

Tumble Dry, NO HEAT Tumble Dry, Permanent Press, NO HEAT Tumble Dry, Gentle Cycle, NO HEAT Do Not Tumble Dry Tumble Dry, LOW HEAT Tumble Dry, Permanent Press, LOW HEAT Tumble Dry, Gentle Cycle, LOW HEAT Line Dry Tumble Dry, MEDIUM Tumble Dry, Permanent Press, MEDIUM Tumble Dry, Gentle Cycle, MEDIUM Drip Dry Tumble Dry, HIGH Dry Flat

Ironing

Iron, Steam or Dry, with LOW HEAT Iron, Steam or Dry, with MEDIUM HEAT Iron, Steam or Dry, with HIGH HEAT Do Not Iron with Steam Do Not Iron

Drycleaning

Dryclean May appear with additional letters and/or lines Take this item to a professional drycleaner Do Not Dryclean

Today's question:

Walking through any grocery store you can see shelves full of all kinds of fabric softeners. They come in many fragrances and I see people opening the container caps and smelling them. I think all of that fiber softener will wear out our clothes sooner than they would otherwise. Is there anything to that idea at all?

I thought at first that this was sort of a silly question: Why would they sell stuff that is supposed to keep your clothes nice when it is actually eating them up?

However, I looked into it a bit and found there is something to this.

Sort of.

It isn't so much that fabric softeners hurt your clothes, although some people say they do. The real problem seems to be what fabric softeners might do to you, not your duds.

According to a study reported in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health

" in May 2000, some fabric softeners can throw off, among other things, stuff such as toluene, styrene, phenol, thymol, xylene, and trimethylbenzene. None of these things is especially good for you.

Reach Thompson at clay .thompson@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8612.

The problem is that these chemicals build up in the fabric of your clothes and are released over time.

Granted, I haven't ever heard of somebody slowly poisoning a spouse with fabric softener, but still, the thought of all those chemicals is a bit off-putting.

If you're worried about it, I am told that putting a bit of vinegar and lavender oil on a sock and tossing it in your dryer will do the softening job.

I also read that putting a ball of aluminum foil or a tennis ball in the dryer will take care of static electricity.

Why a tennis ball would work, I don't know, but there you have it.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 04:09 PM

Originally Posted at: http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/claythompson/54087

Note: Temperature settings between microwave ovens may vary. Therefore, the time periods suggested for cooking or heating as listed below are approximate. For best results, check your user’s manual for recommendations from the manufacturer.

Beverages

• Thaw frozen juices by removing the metal lid, placing the packaging cylinder in a microwavable container and heating for approximately 30 seconds.
• Keep morning coffee, tea or hot chocolate fresh by covering leftovers with plastic wrap and placing in the fridge. Reheat one mug at a time for 1-2 minutes on high power. Prior to microwaving, peel loosen plastic wrap to allow steam to escape.

Condiments

• Soften a chilled or frozen stick of butter by reducing power to 50% and heating for approximately 40 seconds.
• When heating cream or sour cream, lower the power to 50-75% to help avoid curdling.
• Soften hard-packed brown sugar by placing in a microwavable container with a slice of apple or a slice of fresh bread and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Heat on high for approximately 30 seconds.
• Make breadcrumbs by cutting bread slices into cubes and microwaving on high until hard. Crush cubes in a resealable plastic bag for a quick cleanup.
• To renew hardened honey, check to see that it is contained in a microwavable jar and that the cap or lid has been removed. Cover the opening with plastic wrap, leaving a small gap for steam to escape, and microwave for approximately 1 minute. If you are uncertain as to whether the packaging container is appropriate for microwave use, transfer pieces of the hardened honey to a container that you know is appropriate for the microwave oven.

Desserts

• Melt chocolate squares by heating at full power for approximately 45 seconds per ounce of chocolate.
• Soften rock-hard ice cream by heating at 30% power for approximately 20 seconds.
• Toast coconut by spreading into a thin layer and heating on high power for approximately 2-3 minutes. Stop and stir after 1 ½ - 2 minutes.
• To dry lemon and orange peel, place grated rind in small microwavable container and heat on high power for approximately 30 to 60 seconds.

Fruits

• Microwave lemons and other citrus fruits for approximately 20 seconds to help get more juice when squeezed. Just before cutting the fruit, roll it against a countertop or cutting board surface, applying pressure with the palm of your hand, until softened.
• To plump dried raisins and other dried fruits, measure one cup of dried fruit and sprinkle with two tablespoons of water. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and heat on high approximately 30 seconds.

Herbs

• Dry herbs in the microwave by spreading into a single layer between paper towels and heating at full power for approximately 2-3 minutes. After the first minute, begin checking herbs at 30-second intervals. When herbs are dry, crumble and store in airtight containers. Heating times will vary for different herbs.
• To help maximize flavor, try adding herbs after food has been cooked or heated in the microwave.

Meats and Fish

• Separate cold or frozen meats by microwaving at the defrost setting for approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Drain fat from hamburgers by microwaving in a plastic colander placed on top of a dish or bowl.

Snacks

• Crisp stale chips, cookies or crackers by microwaving them at full power for approximately 10 seconds.
• Blanch nuts by placing them in boiling water and heating on high up to one minute. Remove skins by rubbing between paper towels.
• Roast nuts by spreading evenly in a single layer and cooking on high for approximately 2 ½ – 3 minutes.

Veggies

• Veggies can be steamed in the microwave in just a few minutes with no added fat. Simply chop vegetables as desired, place in a microwavable container with 1 to 2 Tbsp. of water and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Cook on high until soft.
• To make mashed potatoes in the microwave, cut potatoes into small pieces and place in a microwavable container with 1 to 2 Tbsp. water. Cover container with plastic wrap, turning back one corner to allow steam to escape, and microwave on high until soft. Mash and season with milk and herbs.
• When baking a potato in the microwave, be sure to pierce the skin to release steam.
• When peeling garlic or onions, snip off the ends and microwave for approximately 10 to 15 seconds to make the job easier.
• Make great corn on the cob by rinsing ears in cold water with the husks on. Heat in the microwave on high for up to six minutes for two ears and up to eight minutes for four.

Originally Posted at: http://www.plasticsinfo.org/s_plasticsinfo/sec_level4_alt.asp?CID=576&DID=2298

Please visit the above link for more tips and tricks of cooking with your microwave.