The Washing Machine

What is a washing machine? The washing machine is a machine designed to wash laundry ,such as clothing , to wels and sheets. Points in which you can clean your washing machine First, run a cycle of hot water along with two cups of vinegar or lemon juice to loose up the soap and grime. Remove the fabric softener receptacle and soak it in hot water and detergent . Clean the bleach dispenser with a spray cleaner, paper towels, and Q-tips. While this is going on, check all your hoses for leaks. Over time, the water hos es that came with your washing machine may start to leak or even burst. It is go od preventive maintenance to check these hoses from time to time for any sign of wear or weakness. Most manufacturers recommend replacing hoses every 5 years. M ake sure your hoses are not a disaster waiting to happen! Once you have soaked the fabric softener receptacle, replace it and polish up th e outside of your washing machine with vinegar and a cloth towel. Your washing m achine now looks better and will run better as well! Points to consider when buying a washing machine The key to selecting the right washing machine is to ask yourself a series of qu estions about your lifestyle and needs. For large families, for example, it make s sense to invest in a large washing machine with a stainless-steel tub. Those w ith limited space and those who wash often will probably be okay with an apartme nt-size washing machine made of high-grade plastic. There are two styles of washing machines: top-load and front-load. A top-load wa shing machine is usually cheaper, but also less energy-efficient, so it may end up costing more in the long run. Compact and easier to store, this type of washi ng machine has a limited loading capacity of less than 5 kg.

Clothes Dryer What is a clothes dryer?

A clothes dryer or tumble dryer is a household appliance that is used to remove moisture from a load of clothing and other textiles, generally shortly after the y are cleaned in a washing machine. Ways in which you can clean and care the dryer. Cleaning dryer vents is a very important part of appliance maintenance. Keeping the vent clear of lint helps your dryer run more efficiently, and helps cause le ss wear and tear on your dryer. It also helps keep your clothes in better condit ion, as dryers tend to run too hot when the vent is not clean. More importantly, if you clean a dryer vent, it can help you prevent a possible house fire.

Ways in which you can clean and care the dryer. An important consideration when buying a washer and dryer is whether to choose a front-loading or top-loading model. Energy efficiency is another consideration, not only for the good of the environment, but for economic purposes as well. Th e types of items you wash, the amount of clothes you wash and issues such as noi se level and space are other necessary considerations to make when buying a wash er and dryer.

Juicer What is a juicer? A juicer is a kitchen appliance which is designed to extract juice from fruits a nd vegetables. Most juicers can also be used to make fruit drinks, and a high qu ality juicer can be a very useful addition to a kitchen. Points in which we can clean and care our juicer Supplies Needed to Clean a Juicer To clean your juicer, you will need: a garbage can a plastic spoon a clean dry towel a scouring sponge liquid dishwashing detergent a nylon cleaning brush a small pipe cleaning brush

.Unplug the Juicer As soon as you finish making your fruit or vegetable juice, turn the juicer off and unplug the electrical cord from the wall. Disassemble the Juicer Begin disassembling the juicer by removing the pulp container from the machine a nd empty all of the contents in a nearby garbage can. Next, slide the locking arm down over the juice cover and lift the juicer cover from the machine. Using a plastic spoon, carefully scrape out and throw away any left over pulp that is stuck to the underside of the juice cover. Carefully lift the filter bowl surrounding the stainless steel filter basket fro m the motor base. To remove the stainless steel filter basket from the filter bo wl, turn the filter bowl upside down and allow the filter basket to drop out. Wh en removing the filter basket, be sure to hold it by the mesh edges to avoid cut ting yourself on the sharp blades in the bottom of the filter basket. Wash and Soak the Juicer Once the juicer is disassembled, run each section of the juicer under warm water to remove any large or excessive pulp. Fill a large sink with hot soapy water, and allow the parts to soak in the water. Wipe Down the Juicer Using a clean scouring sponge, carefully wipe down each part. For parts with sma ll hard to reach areas, such as the pour spout opening on the juice cover, use a small pipe cleaning brush to clean out the opening. This will prevent long-term buildup that can attract bacteria from forming inside the opening. Cleaning Stainless Steel When cleaning the stainless steel filter basket, a good nylon cleaning brush ten ds to work better on the blades than a scouring sponge. Vigorously brush the bla des and filtration edges of the basket until the basket is clean. If you have problems cleaning the mesh holes of the filter basket, soak the bask et in a mixture of 1 part lemon juice to 9 parts before washing. This will help break up the caked on pulp in mesh holes. Dry the Juicer As each part is cleaned, rinse the parts under hot water and place each part on a clean dry towel until all of the parts are washed. Allow the juicer parts to d ry. Clean the Motor Base Using a damp scouring sponge, carefully wipe down the motor base. Finally, after double-checking that all of the parts are dry, reassemble the jui cer parts and store the juicer in a dry, clean area until its next use.

Points to consider when buying a juicer When shopping for a juicer, there are many issues to be considered so that you c an make an informed purchase. Many people are tempted to buy a cheap juicer to s tart out because they are not sure they are going to like juicing and they may n ot be sure they will stick to a juicing regimen. My suggestion would be to visit a health foods store, spa or grocery where you can purchase fresh, raw juice fr

om a juice bar and try some of the juices first. If you find that you like fresh fruit and vegetable juice, then you ll probably be more likely to enjoy making yo ur own juice at home. Assuming that you are ready to begin your quest for a juicer, the first thing to know is that there are different types of juicers depending on what it is you w ant to juice. For example, citrus juicers are typically designed exclusively for juicing citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits and possibly pomegranates. Some models are manual and some are electric. Some brands are cons tructed of plastic while others have stainless steel components. When shopping for a citrus juicer, here are some popular features to consider. Many come with a large reservoir to catch the juice and pour directly from the c ontainer. Many have a variable pulp control so that the juice can be made to be more or less pulpy. Some electric models will spin the juicing cone in forward a nd reverse directions in order to get the most juice from the fruit. Some come w ith different sizes of juicing cone to accommodate different sizes of fruit such as small limes and large grapefruit. Citrus juicers can range in price from aro und $8000 to over $40,000. The size of the feeder tube should also be considered. Some models have a small feeder tube. With a small feeder tube, you have to cut up the fruits and vegetab les small enough to fit into the feeder tube. Larger feeder tubes let you fit in much larger pieces. However, I have found that with a larger feeder tube, some of the smaller food pieces fall down inside the tube and never get ground up pro perly, so there is more waste and hence less juice.

Microwave What is a microwave? A microwave oven, or simply a microwave, is a kitchen appliance that cooks or he ats food by dielectric heating. This is accomplished by using microwave radiatio n to heat polarized molecules within the food. This excitation is fairly uniform , leading to food being more evenly heated throughout (except in dense objects) than generally occurs in other cooking techniques. How to clean and care your microwave. What to Use A good rule of thumb on what to use to clean your microwave is to stick to produ cts that are either safe to eat or safe to use on dishes. This includes vinegar, lemon juice and dish detergent. This does not include bleach and ammonia. Wipe Out the Microwave First Remove any loose crumbs and debris from your microwave with a damp dishcloth. Th is will leave only the baked-on food which, hopefully, will be loosened when you steam your microwave. Steam Your Microwave Place a bowl with about 2 cups of hot water into the microwave. Add a couple tab lespoons of lemon juice or a squirt of dishwashing detergent to the water. Micro wave the water on high for 2 to 3 minutes or until it is boiling. Allow the wate r to sit in the microwave for a couple of minutes before opening the door. Wipe Out Your Microwave Use a damp sponge or dish rag to wipe out your microwave. If you still find some food stuck to the interior, either apply a small amount of vinegar to it or rep eat the steaming process. Allow the microwave to air dry by leaving the microwav e door open for a couple of minutes. Deodorize If your microwave has developed a nasty smell, try washing it with a solution of 1/4 cup of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of warm water. Rinse with water and allow to dry.

Points to consider when buying a washing machine Consider What You Cook If you are a light user, your microwave is used primarily for melting and reheat ing, or perhaps making popcorn. You don't need lots of fancy features, so don't pay for them! If you enjoy experimenting with products and use your microwave to prepare entire meals, look for the latest innovations and more variable feature s. If your children use the microwave, ease of use and safety features become mo re important. Wattage A higher wattage will cook foods faster. Most microwaves have power that falls b etween 600 to 1200 watts. Recipes written for the microwave usually specify powe r of at least 800 watts so the foods cook evenly. Countertop or Over Range? Where are you going to put the microwave? Countertop models are most popular - y ou just plug them in and start cooking. Newer types of countertop microwaves put the controls on the door, so there is more capacity in a smaller footprint. Bui lt in microwaves require professional installation, and are usually more powerfu l with more features. Over the range microwaves can have fans built in, have mor e options, and save valuable counter space.

Oven

What is a oven? An oven is an enclosed compartment for heating, baking or drying. It is most com monly used in cooking and pottery. Ovens used in pottery are also known as kilns . An oven used for heating or for industrial processes is called a furnace or in dustrial oven. In modern times the oven is used to cook and heat food in many ho useholds across the globe. How to clean and care the oven No matter how many precautions we take, the day comes when a meal boils over ont o the bottom of the oven. In that instant, we feel powerless. We can't stop and wipe up the spill due to the burning risk in a hot oven. We can only stand by an d wait as the oven cools down, and the spill burns on. Then we assess the damage and start to clean. Here's How: Each time the oven is cooled off, wipe up any spills with a hot, wet cloth. If y ou do this each time, food will not build up or burn onto the oven surfaces. Som e people prefer to cover the bottom of the oven with aluminum foil, but you'll n eed to make sure that no vents are blocked if you choose this prevention trick. For really stubborn stains or buildup, you'll need an oven cleaner and a plastic scrubbing pad or brush. Make sure you use good ventilation when using an oven c leaner. Points to consider when buying an oven

First, you need to figure out if you want an electric oven or a gas oven. If yo u're married or living with someone, so whoever will be using the oven the most should probably make that decision -- my vote would be a gas oven because they h eat up more quickly and cook more evenly. Second, if you ever want to do somethi ng big in your oven, like a Thanksgiving turkey, you want an oven that has plent y of space (at least 5 cubic feet so you can put a turkey and other things in th e oven at the same time). Third, consider reliability. Finally, consider cost. I f you're on a limited budget, you may want to wait and save up in order to get a n oven of higher quality. You do get what you pay for.

Fans

What is a fan? A fan is a machine used to create flow within a fluid, typically a gas such as a ir. A fan consists of a rotating arrangement of vanes or blades which act on the air . Usually it is contained within some form of housing or case. This may direct t he airflow or increase safety by preventing objects from contacting the fan blad es. Most fans are powered by electric motors, but other sources of power may be used, including hydraulic motors and internal combustion engines. How to clean and care a fan When the weather turns hot, the fans comes on. Even in homes, where air conditio ning is affordable, most households buy two, sometimes three fans to help keep t hem cool during the summer months. Always affordable and appreciated, but not always clean. The benefits of a clean fan are numerous, nam ely that it works more effectively, but what is the best way to clean a fan? Rea d this article, it provide tips for how to clean a floor fan. Buy Fan that Dismantled The first and most important thing you must remember before cleaning a fan is to buy a clean fan that is affordable but that you can easily dismantle. A portion of manufacturers make fans that are hard to dismantle and so that you can't tak e them a part to clean, you don't want a fan of that kind. You need to buy a fan that has nuts and bolts which you can easily see and take a part. These type of fans you have to assemble and are rarely small. Spray Bottle The next thing you will need after dismantling your floor fan is a spray bottle.

A 12 oz plastic spray bottle is what you need. It is easy to clean a floor fan, if you can spray the liquid on to parts of the fan. Warm Water/Lemon Juice You will need to fill your spray bottle with warm water, which will help cut thr ough weeks or months of dirt and dust. Fill the spray bottle to the rim with a m ixture of warm water and lemon juice, half and half. The lemon juice will have t he fans smelling fresher. You don't want to put any harsh cleaning products in y our spray bottle because it could damage your fan's motor. Bucket of Water The next thing you will need is a small bucket of cold water to rinse off your c loth. Fill the bucket with only water(no cleaning products) and empty the bucket of water, at least, once before adding more cold water to it. Clean Cloth After gathering your spray bottle and bucket of cold water, you will need about four clean cotton white cloths. Spray down the parts of the floor fan: the base, the front top, the four wings, and the back of the fan with a clean cloth and w ith another cloth, dip into the bucket of water and with it go over the fan's pa rts again. Repeat the cleaning process about two to three times until fan appear s clean. Alcohol After finishing cleaning the fan empty the bucket of water and fill again with c old water and in it add about 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol. Taking another clean c otton cloth to wipe down the surface of the fan, once or twice, before putting b ack together

Points to consider when buying a fan Buying a portable fan may sound like a simple task, but it can turn out to be qu ite complicated if you are not aware of what to look for in a fan. True, a buyin g guide for a fan is not exactly rocket science, but it does include points whic h most of us tend to ignore or overlook. So, if you are planning to go fan shopp ing, make sure that you keep the following points in mind1 If you intend to keep the fan in a large room, then you should consider buying a standing oscillating or adjustable fans. These fans generally have large blades and are capable of cooling larger rooms. However, if you require a fan for a wa rehouse or factory, a high velocity commercial fan would be more suitable. 2 If you want to buy a fan for personal use, then its intended location is the fir st thing you should consider before making your purchase decision. In studies, q uiet box or table fans would be ideal; in bedrooms on the other hand you may con sider investing in a good looking and quiet tower fan, with an LCD display or ni ght light. 3 For living rooms and other areas of the you can choose between table and stand f ans, based on the size of the room. 4 A lot of fans these days also come with some very useful additional features, su ch as ionizers, multiple speed settings, child safe grills and soothing color op

tions etc. Which feature is worth the extra money, would depend on an individual 's specific needs. For instance a child safe grill would become an essential req uirement in a household with little children; ionizers and negative ionizers is good feature as it ensures you get fresh air. Multiple speed settings are ideal in standing fans meant for large rooms and a large range of color and design opt ions is a feature that most aesthetically inclined people would happily pay for.

Sewing machine What is a sewing machine? A sewing machine is a textile machine used to stitch fabric, cards and other mat erial together with thread. How to care and clean the sewing machine Your sewing machine, like any other machine, requires regular maintenance in ord er to operate properly. By following these simple steps after every 8 to 10 hour s of machine use, you will help ensure your machine's longevity and will be able to better enjoy your sewing experience. Things You'll Need: Can Or Tube Of Sewing Machine Oil Can Of Compressed Airs A Pair Of Eyebrow Tweezers Cotton Swabs Mild Soap Cotton Swabs Mild Soap Small Screwdriver Sets soft, lint-free cloths 1 Unplug your sewing machine and remove needle, thread spool and bobbin. 2 Remove lint from the exterior of your machine by gently wiping the machine cas ing and exposed parts with a soft, lint-free cloth. Remove stubborn dirt stains with a dampened cloth and mild soap. 3 Use a small lint brush and/or canned, compressed air to remove lint from th read guides and other tight areas. 4 Move the slide plate toward you as far as it will go and remove throat plat e as per instructions found in your owner's manual. Some throat plates can be sn apped out of position, others must be unscrewed. 5 Remove lint from area in and around bobbin case with canned air and/or lint brush.

6 Remove excess lint from in and around bobbin case by removing bobbin case a s per owner's manual instructions and using tweezers to extract lint that has be en packed under or around bobbin case. 7 Place one or two drops of machine oil in oiling points indicated in either the owner's manual or on the sewing machine. The areas of your machine that requ

ire oiling will be determined by the machine model. Points to consider when buying a sewing machine Since your sewing machine is the biggest investments you will make for your sewi ng room, before choosing one, consider the following: (1) Intended use of the sewing machine Since sewing machines are being designed for different and specific purposes, bu ying the one that will meet your sewing needs is key. If you are mainly looking to do simple straight stitching, minor clothing repairs and make an occasional c urtain or pillow case, a basic sewing machine with 1-15 types of stitches should be good perfect. However, if you're planning to make a few quilts, make clothin g and create buttonholes, then a mid range sewing machine like the Brother PC-21 0 50-Stitch Computer Sewing Machine or the Janome DE 5124 24 Stitch Decor Excel Pro would be a better fit. If you are focusing on a machine for embroidery, you will need to figure out whether you want an embroidery only machine like the Bro ther PE700 Embroidery Machine or prefer an embroidery sewing machine combination such as the Singer Futura CE150 or the Brother SE350 67-Stitch Sewing & Embroid ery Machine. (2) Mechanical or Computerized Sewing Sewing machines can be the basic mechanical or the computerized variety. This is another thing to consider. Whether you want a mechanical or a computerized sewi ng machine is a matter of personal preference. (3) Determine Your Budget Get a general idea of the price range of the type of sewing machines that fulfil l your needs. Figure out just how much you want to spend. Sewing machine prices range from the under $100 basic models like the Omega 605 or the Singer 1507, a basic 7 stitch sewing machine and great choice for simple garment construction, basic quilting and mending; to the over $7,000 embroidery sewing machines .

Toaster What is a toaster?

The toaster is typically a small electric kitchen appliance designed to toast mu ltiple types of bread products. A typical modern two-slice toaster draws anywher e between 600 and 1200 W and makes toast in 1 to 3 minutes. There are also non-e lectrical toasters that can be used to toast bread products over an open fire or flame. How to care and clean a toaster It doesn't take long for a toaster to get dirty. That exterior is subject to dus t, grime and smudges. The inside gets full of yucky crumbs. I find myself wonder ing if the heat will kill the germs or am I providing a breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria and insects. The I finally break down to clean the toaster. Difficulty: Easy Instructions Things You'll Need: Dirty toaster Trash can Sink Warm soapy water 409 or other cleaner Towel Clean new paint brush Spray can air 1 Make sure the toaster is unplugged. Now you will want to remove the crumb tray a nd shake the excess crumbs out over the trash. You can even turn it upside down when doing this. 2 Wash the crumb tray in the sink with warm soapy water, rinse and allow to dry. 3 Now use a clean, small soft bristle paint brush to remove any remaining cru mbs or residue on the inside of the toaster. I have a special one that I use onl y for my toaster. I wash it after using, dry and store in a drawer for next time I clean a toaster. 4 For stubborn particles or places I can't reach I simply use high pressure a ir in a spray can. The kind you use to clean your computer. 5 Clean the outside with a cleaner such as 409 or Bon Ami for dust and grime. For smudges and finger prints use glass cleaner. Careful not to spray inside. Y ou don't want to eat cleaner with your next piece of toast. 6 Make sure the crumb tray is completely dry and attached back onto the clean toaster.

Points to consider when buying a toaster If you want the toaster just for the English muffin or thin slices of bread, you can go for a thin toaster. Or else you can have the one with wide slots for tha t can help you to toast bagels. Also some toasters are provided with external di als that allows adjusting the width of the bread slices. Other point you should keep in mind is the amount of toasting capacity you want your toaster to have wh ich is decided by how many people you want to please at a time. If you want a to aster for only you or to toast just two slices each day or two halves of a bagel , then a mini toaster will work for you. If you are serving for the entire famil y, then but obvious you end up making it in a bulk. As such you should have a to aster of high capacity. Also you should keep a check on the size of the toaster you are going to have fo r your kitchen. If your kitchen has abundant counter space, you would be perhaps willing to buy a big sized toaster for you. Whereas if your kitchen has a limit ed counter space, you should go for a small sized toaster. Toasters are availabl e in many sizes which can be long and thin, or square and squat. Another importa

nt thing one should remember while buying a toaster is the style that fits you a nd the style for your kitchen. Today the toasters are not only restricted to the traditional ones but they are available in many styles, colours and metal finis h. A good brand is another thing you look for in your toaster. Do not make your pur chase from any ordinary shop since it is an electronic device and elements used in such appliances are the ones we need to be cautious of. The appliance retaile r should give you the product along with the warranty and guarantee. Also see wh ether the toaster you are purchasing is not consuming much of the power units. A lso the toasters are now available in variable shelves. Other features like desi gn, storage, cord retraction, analog or digital controls should be checked well in advance. The most important thing is that it should function properly and giv es you the crunchy breads in lesser time. Make your decision based on looking whether the toaster fulfills all essential f eatures you are looking for. Also see if you want a timer in your appliance. Als o look for the toaster that matches your kitchen colour and style. Therefore, wh en buying one, get the best for your kitchen. Dish washer What is a dish washer? A dishwasher is a mechanical device for cleaning dishes and eating utensils. Dis hwashers can be found in restaurants and private homes. How to care and clean a dish washer Dishwashers are one of the valuable creations meant to clean the utensils. Does it need to be cleaned too? Obviously, it also has to be cleaned. If left untouch ed, the debris may accumulate and may reduce your dishwasher's performance. Howe ver, it doesn't need a routine clean up. Here are some simple tips to keep your dishwasher equipment clean. Use it regularly. Never run your dishwashers once in a blue moon. Regular usage of your dishwasher prevents your dishwasher free from building debris. Check the spinning arms occasionally. Make sure that all the holes are open so t hat there is free circulation of water in the spray arms. Some times, impurities from the water can get clogged on the holes. Even some of the food particles ma y cling to the spray arm and can impede the water spray. You can use any pointed tool like a sharp needle or a tooth pick to remove the debris. You can handle m any ways to remove the debris out. As pricking through the holes with a sharp ne edle is a painstaking process, you can also use a flexible metallic brush. Clean the dead space of your dishwasher (the spot under the bottom of the door) where water never reaches. It should be wiped with a moist cloth. Have an inspection on the bottom of your dishwasher around the drain. This is wh ere the water is drained out after each wash cycle. Make sure that there is no c logging of the debris in this area. You can avoid the clogging by careful loadin g of your dishes after scrapping off the food items. If you're struck between yo ur wash cycles, you simply need to disassemble it to make it work again. While disassembling the dishwasher, you should make sure of the following points . Remove the screws carefully. If you have a digital camera, take a snap shot to m ake sure of the repositioning of screws. Seal the opening to prevent the debris from getting it in during the cleaning pr ocess. o Always use gloves to remove the solid debris as it may contain sharp items tha t may harm your fingers o You can use a brush to remove the clogs. o Re-place the screws and never over-tighten the screws as it can damage your eq uipment.

Points to consider when buying a dish washer The dishwasher has now been labeled as one of the most important appliances in a n average-income and medium-sized household. It is usually used three to seven t imes a week in an average household. Buying a dishwasher is not as easy as simply selecting the cheapest one that can do the task. There are several important things that should be considered befor e choosing a dishwasher. * Size Choose the dishwasher that has the right size for your household needs. Compact capacity models can contain eight place setting and six serving pieces, or less. Standard capacity models can hold more than eight place settings and six servin g pieces. Most of the standard capacity models fit a twenty-four inch space unde r the countertop. Before choosing the compact capacity model, consider how often you will be using the dishwasher. If you will be using the compact model frequently, it will cons ume more energy and water than if you have a standard capacity model. There are also some dishwashers that have fold-down tines and adjustable racks, for differently-shaped serving pieces. Some dishwashers allow adjustments to hav e plates be cleaned on both layers at the same time. This is helpful if you are hosting large parties. * Wash Cycles The basic cycles usually are light, normal, and pots and pans. Some dishwashers have a rinse and hold setting to delay washing until the load is full. Consider having a dishwasher that has multiple wash cycles so you can choose the cleaning level according to the dirt on the dishes. Check if there is an energy -saving or light cycle setting. Such a setting saves you money by operating in l ess time and consuming less water. Apart from these, other cycle settings may no t be as important. * Cycle Time A dishwasher can take 80 to 150 minutes for the normal cycle time. Longer cycle times do not really affect the level of cleaning. So if choosing a dishwasher, t he cycle time should only be within that range. * EnergyGuide Check the EnergyGuide stickers to know more about the power and water consumptio n of the dishwasher model. A regular dishwasher can consume three and a half to twelve gallons of water per load. Energy costs can reach up to $65 a year. So always select an energy and w ater efficient model. * Dirt Sensors A little while ago, dirt sensors were only available as a premium feature. Most new dishwasher models now have dirt sensors to adjust the water consumption to t he level of dirt of the dishes. * Noise Check the noise ratings of the dishwater. You may be able to get a good-function ing dishwasher for a low price but the noise may be one of its disadvantages. * Design Since having a dishwasher is now popular, several designs and colors are now ava ilable. The most common colors are white and black. Those with a stainless steel finish are popular but remember that these can show smudges and fingerprints. Some dishwashers may also be fitted with a customized front panel, so it can ble nd with the design of your kitchen cabinets. Most of the new models have one door, eliminating the bottom panel for the dirt trap. This design creates a clean look. Some smoothly designed, costlier models have the controls along the top edge of the door. However, this makes the buttons difficult to operate and labels hard t o read. * Self-cleaning filters Self-cleaning filters may provide ease of maintenance but it can add to the nois e. A clogged filter degrades the dishwasher's performance. Since filters can be easily cleaned by taking it out and rinsing it, you may just opt for those witho

ut self-cleaning filters. * Price The price for domestic brands ranges from $200 to $1300. Foreign-made brands can cost from $350 to $2000. Upon selecting the dishwasher to fit your household needs, your last concern wil l be the installation and delivery costs. Installation usually costs within $100 and $200. If replacing an old unit, also check the company's rates for removing your old unit and replacing it with the new one. With this information, surely, you can confidently select the right dishwasher t hat will save you money over time.

Vacuum What is a vacuum? A vacuum cleaner, also known as a hoover (a genericized trademark) or sweeper an d commonly referred to simply as a vacuum, is a device that uses an air pump to create a partial vacuum to suck up dust and dirt, usually from floors. The dirt is collected by either a dustbag or a cyclone for later disposal. How to clean and care your vacuum Cleaning a vacuum cleaner properly can help your vacuum perform better. If you p lan on cleaning your vacuum hose, read this first. Cleaning vacuums can be a tri cky job. Learn how to clean your vacuum properly today. Difficulty: Moderate Things You'll Need: All-Purpose Spray Cleaner Rag Screwdriver Garden Hose Wide-Tooth Comb 1 Remove your vacuum hose. Cleaning vacuum hose is first priority because clo gs in the hose can make you lose suction power. If there is a clog in the hose, you can carefully maneuver it out with an unbent coat hanger. 2 Spray your garden hose into one end of your vacuum hose. This can help rins e away sticky things that might be clinging to the inside of the hose. If you fi nd that this is necessary, make sure the hose is completely dry before re instal ling it. Hang it outside to dry. 3 The Beater Bar Can Get Entangled With Hair and Fuzz Remove the shield that covers the beater bar (brush that spins around really fas t.) If there are strings or hairs entangled in the bristles, you can use a widetooth comb to remove them. 4 Check for other clogs. If your hose attachment is threaded through the base that holds the beater bar, you'll need to make sure there are no clogs in that area, too.

5 Remove all air filters, and give them a good rinsing. Lay them in the sunsh ine to dry. if you have an upright bag-less vacuum, you'll want to clean out the canister at this time. Put a new vacuum bag in if required. 6 Wipe down the inner chamber that holds the vacuum bag or bag-less canister.

7 Cleaning Vacuum Hose Can Increase Suction Replace all of the filters, hoses and covers so that your vacuum is reassembled as it was before. Make sure everything is dry before you put it back together.

Points to consider when buying a vacuum

Dish washer What is a dish washer? A dishwasher is a mechanical device for cleaning dishes and eating utensils. Dis hwashers can be found in restaurants and private homes. How to care and clean a dish washer Dishwashers are one of the valuable creations meant to clean the utensils. Does it need to be cleaned too? Obviously, it also has to be cleaned. If left untouch ed, the debris may accumulate and may reduce your dishwasher's performance. Howe ver, it doesn't need a routine clean up. Here are some simple tips to keep your dishwasher equipment clean. Use it regularly. Never run your dishwashers once in a blue moon. Regular usage of your dishwasher prevents your dishwasher free from building debris. Check the spinning arms occasionally. Make sure that all the holes are open so t hat there is free circulation of water in the spray arms. Some times, impurities from the water can get clogged on the holes. Even some of the food particles ma y cling to the spray arm and can impede the water spray. You can use any pointed tool like a sharp needle or a tooth pick to remove the debris. You can handle m any ways to remove the debris out. As pricking through the holes with a sharp ne edle is a painstaking process, you can also use a flexible metallic brush. Clean the dead space of your dishwasher (the spot under the bottom of the door) where water never reaches. It should be wiped with a moist cloth. Have an inspection on the bottom of your dishwasher around the drain. This is wh ere the water is drained out after each wash cycle. Make sure that there is no c logging of the debris in this area. You can avoid the clogging by careful loadin g of your dishes after scrapping off the food items. If you're struck between yo ur wash cycles, you simply need to disassemble it to make it work again. While disassembling the dishwasher, you should make sure of the following points

. Remove the screws carefully. If you have a digital camera, take a snap shot to m ake sure of the repositioning of screws. Seal the opening to prevent the debris from getting it in during the cleaning pr ocess. o Always use gloves to remove the solid debris as it may contain sharp items tha t may harm your fingers o You can use a brush to remove the clogs. o Re-place the screws and never over-tighten the screws as it can damage your eq uipment. Points to consider when buying a dish washer The dishwasher has now been labeled as one of the most important appliances in a n average-income and medium-sized household. It is usually used three to seven t imes a week in an average household. Buying a dishwasher is not as easy as simply selecting the cheapest one that can do the task. There are several important things that should be considered befor e choosing a dishwasher. * Size Choose the dishwasher that has the right size for your household needs. Compact capacity models can contain eight place setting and six serving pieces, or less. Standard capacity models can hold more than eight place settings and six servin g pieces. Most of the standard capacity models fit a twenty-four inch space unde r the countertop. Before choosing the compact capacity model, consider how often you will be using the dishwasher. If you will be using the compact model frequently, it will cons ume more energy and water than if you have a standard capacity model. There are also some dishwashers that have fold-down tines and adjustable racks, for differently-shaped serving pieces. Some dishwashers allow adjustments to hav e plates be cleaned on both layers at the same time. This is helpful if you are hosting large parties. * Wash Cycles The basic cycles usually are light, normal, and pots and pans. Some dishwashers have a rinse and hold setting to delay washing until the load is full. Consider having a dishwasher that has multiple wash cycles so you can choose the cleaning level according to the dirt on the dishes. Check if there is an energy -saving or light cycle setting. Such a setting saves you money by operating in l ess time and consuming less water. Apart from these, other cycle settings may no t be as important. * Cycle Time A dishwasher can take 80 to 150 minutes for the normal cycle time. Longer cycle times do not really affect the level of cleaning. So if choosing a dishwasher, t he cycle time should only be within that range. * EnergyGuide Check the EnergyGuide stickers to know more about the power and water consumptio n of the dishwasher model. A regular dishwasher can consume three and a half to twelve gallons of water per load. Energy costs can reach up to $65 a year. So always select an energy and w ater efficient model. * Dirt Sensors A little while ago, dirt sensors were only available as a premium feature. Most new dishwasher models now have dirt sensors to adjust the water consumption to t he level of dirt of the dishes. * Noise Check the noise ratings of the dishwater. You may be able to get a good-function ing dishwasher for a low price but the noise may be one of its disadvantages. * Design Since having a dishwasher is now popular, several designs and colors are now ava ilable. The most common colors are white and black. Those with a stainless steel

finish are popular but remember that these can show smudges and fingerprints. Some dishwashers may also be fitted with a customized front panel, so it can ble nd with the design of your kitchen cabinets. Most of the new models have one door, eliminating the bottom panel for the dirt trap. This design creates a clean look. Some smoothly designed, costlier models have the controls along the top edge of the door. However, this makes the buttons difficult to operate and labels hard t o read. * Self-cleaning filters Self-cleaning filters may provide ease of maintenance but it can add to the nois e. A clogged filter degrades the dishwasher's performance. Since filters can be easily cleaned by taking it out and rinsing it, you may just opt for those witho ut self-cleaning filters. * Price The price for domestic brands ranges from $200 to $1300. Foreign-made brands can cost from $350 to $2000. Upon selecting the dishwasher to fit your household needs, your last concern wil l be the installation and delivery costs. Installation usually costs within $100 and $200. If replacing an old unit, also check the company's rates for removing your old unit and replacing it with the new one. With this information, surely, you can confidently select the right dishwasher t hat will save you money over time.

Vacuum What is a vacuum? A vacuum cleaner, also known as a hoover (a genericized trademark) or sweeper an d commonly referred to simply as a vacuum, is a device that uses an air pump to create a partial vacuum to suck up dust and dirt, usually from floors. The dirt is collected by either a dustbag or a cyclone for later disposal. How to clean and care your vacuum Cleaning a vacuum cleaner properly can help your vacuum perform better. If you p lan on cleaning your vacuum hose, read this first. Cleaning vacuums can be a tri cky job. Learn how to clean your vacuum properly today. Difficulty: Moderate Things You'll Need: All-Purpose Spray Cleaner Rag Screwdriver Garden Hose Wide-Tooth Comb 1 Remove your vacuum hose. Cleaning vacuum hose is first priority because clo gs in the hose can make you lose suction power. If there is a clog in the hose, you can carefully maneuver it out with an unbent coat hanger.

2 Spray your garden hose into one end of your vacuum hose. This can help rins e away sticky things that might be clinging to the inside of the hose. If you fi nd that this is necessary, make sure the hose is completely dry before re instal ling it. Hang it outside to dry. 3 The Beater Bar Can Get Entangled With Hair and Fuzz Remove the shield that covers the beater bar (brush that spins around really fas t.) If there are strings or hairs entangled in the bristles, you can use a widetooth comb to remove them. 4 Check for other clogs. If your hose attachment is threaded through the base that holds the beater bar, you'll need to make sure there are no clogs in that area, too. 5 Remove all air filters, and give them a good rinsing. Lay them in the sunsh ine to dry. if you have an upright bag-less vacuum, you'll want to clean out the canister at this time. Put a new vacuum bag in if required. 6 Wipe down the inner chamber that holds the vacuum bag or bag-less canister.

7 Cleaning Vacuum Hose Can Increase Suction Replace all of the filters, hoses and covers so that your vacuum is reassembled as it was before. Make sure everything is dry before you put it back together.

Points to consider when buying a vacuum

Your home If youve a particularly large house you should look for a vacuum with a large he ad - some models now feature heads that are 25% bigger than average and this wil l greatly cut down on the cleaning time. If you have deep-pile carpets youll want a powerful cleaner with a rotating brus h - and if the cleaner doesnt already come with one youll probably be able to bu y an optional attachment called a turbo-brush or turbo power nozzle (which has i ts own power supply). If you have different floor types youll need a versatile machine - one with carp et height adjustment or with a floating head, which adjusts to suit the carpet p ile. If you have a long flight of stairs, a cylinder cleaner with a long hose may be a much better option than an upright; however, many upright cleaners now come wi th stair hoses long enough (three or four metres) to clean right to the top of t he stairs. Its also worth thinking about the weight of your cleaner if you need

to lift it upstairs. Cylinders are generally the lightest cleaners - look for on e that weighs 3-4kg. If you live in a house with awkwardly shaped rooms, you should look for the 360 degree swivel hose attachment that allows complete freedom of movement for clean ing hard-to-reach areas. Its available on cylinder cleaners, which incidentally are lighter and more manoeuvrable for getting under tables and cleaning stairs. you Asthma and allergy suffers should look out for the British Allergy Foundation se al of approval. This is based upon High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtra tion. HEPA 12 is the highest possible and filters out 99.97% of the most penetra ting particles (like allergens, dust mite faeces and tobacco smoke). Besides HEP A, theres the S-Class filtration, which also rates a 99.97% filtration. This sta ndard is required of vacuums used in hospitals. If youre a pet owner you should choose a cleaner with Active Air Clean filter. T his filter will be more effective at removing pet hairs and eliminating odours. A turbo brush is also ideal for removing pet hair. Some new vacuum cleaners offe r different types of filtration, including one that filters through water, which is a good way of trapping dust mites and allergens. Also, if you have back problems then opt for an upright cleaner, which involves less bending and carrying - although beware, as these tend to be heavier than cy linder models.

you Asthma and allergy suffers should look out for the British Allergy Foundation se al of approval. This is based upon High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtra tion. HEPA 12 is the highest possible and filters out 99.97% of the most penetra ting particles (like allergens, dust mite faeces and tobacco smoke). Besides HEP A, theres the S-Class filtration, which also rates a 99.97% filtration. This sta ndard is required of vacuums used in hospitals. If youre a pet owner you should choose a cleaner with Active Air Clean filter. T his filter will be more effective at removing pet hairs and eliminating odours. A turbo brush is also ideal for removing pet hair. Some new vacuum cleaners offe r different types of filtration, including one that filters through water, which is a good way of trapping dust mites and allergens.

Also, if you have back problems then opt for an upright cleaner, which involves less bending and carrying - although beware, as these tend to be heavier than cy linder models.