Dishwashers:
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When shopping for a dish-washer the first order of business is finding a model that cleans thoroughly and fits your budget. And since the whole point of a dishwasher is to ease the burden of manual washing, it makes sense to find a model that doesn't require a lot of rinsing of dishes before you load them in.
WATER AND ENERGY USE are major considerations when you shop for a dishwasher. Look for features that will reduce water use, such as booster heaters and smart controls. Ask the sales staff how many gallons of water the dishwasher use during different cycles. Dishwashers that use the least amount of water will cost the least to operate.
With rising water and energy costs, consumers should also consider the dishwasher's energy factor (EF). The EF number represents the number of complete cycles that a dish-washer will run through while using one kilowatt-hour of electricity. It is part of the Energy Star Program which was created by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help shoppers identify the most energy-efficient appliances. products that carry the government's Energy Star rating are the most efficient of all, typically exceeding federal efficiency standards by 13 percent to 20 percent.
THE COST OF A DISHWASHER
varies enormously, from about $300 for a basic unit to $1,700 or more for a sleek, deluxe model that makes no more noise than a pot of boiling water and has adjustable heat settings that can handle everything from fine crystal to the grungiest pots and pans.
CHECK A MACHINE'S NOISE LEVEL. Today's open architecture, in which kitchens are connected to dens and entertainment areas, increase the importance of finding a model that isn't noisy. Ask the sales rep to explain the decibel level of the unit you're considering. High-end models have a decibel label in the low 40s (about as loud as quiet conservation), which less expensive units are in the middle to high 50s (comparable to the noise in an average office).
WHAT ELSE DO YOU GET WITH A HIGH-END MODEL? One of the Candillacs of dishwashers is made by Miele Inc., a German company founded in 1900, with prices ranging from $800 to $1,700. Each model features three spray arms, which provide more thorough cleaning compared to the one spray arm in lower- ]end dishwashers. Miele also doesn't have an exposed heating element. This internal heating element. This internal heating, as it's called, is more energy efficient and adds to the appliance's longevity (20 years compared to 8 to 10 years for lower cost units). Internal heating provides a greater range of heating temperatures, from a low of about 115 degrees F for china and crystal to 170 degrees F for pots and pans. The internal heating feature also prevents the melting of plastic parts that fall to the bottom of the dishwasher.
Design and craftsmanship are other considerations. You'll pay more for a stainless steel model with a cutting edge design and the latest technology.
DISH-WASHES ARE SOLD at appliance stores, home improvement stores, discount merchandisers, and some department stores.
Dish-washing Detergents
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You have two choices when it's time to do the dishes: Load them into the dishwasher or wash them by hand.
Let's look first at the easier method. Newer dishwasher models (those manufactured in the last five years) tend to work fine even if you don't rinse the food off first. And rinsing agents can eliminate the water spots and film that used to make it necessary to rewash some glasses by hand before using.
Automatic dish-washing detergents come in three forms: powdered, gel, and tablet. All of them are effective, so let personal preference be your guide.
POWDERED FORMULAS have been around the longest and are still generally the least expensive to use. The newer products--gels and tablets--offer some added benefits in certain situations, though. Powders can turn to grit if your dishwater doesn't get hot enough (140degree F) to dissolve all the powder.
DISH-WASHING GELS dissolve more quickly than powders or tablets and so begin cleaning dishes faster. Gels are also a good choice if you live in a humid climate, where powders have a tendency to cake.
TABLETS offer the convenience of eliminating the need to measure, since each tablet is formulated to clean one load.
RINSE PRODUCTS prevent spotting and filming by lowering the surface tension of the water, causing it to sheet off dishes. They also enables dishes to dry faster when left to air-dry or when you use the energy-saving function on your dishwasher. Rinse agents come in liquid and solid forms. Liquids may be used only in dishwashers with a built-in rinse reservoir. Solid forms are made to attach to the upper dishwasher rack, where they dissolve slowly during the various cycles.
TWO OTHER SPECIALTY PRODUCTS can be helpful in getting the most from your dishwasher.
In general, though, if you have a good dishwasher, soft water and water that heats to at least 40degrees F, just about any automatic dish-washing detergent will get the job done. In that case, use the least expensive product.
HAND DISH-WASHING PRODUCTS are among the gentlest detergents available and can also be used to wash everything from delicate clothing to the family dog. Dish-washing liquids work by loosening grime and suspending it until it can be rinsed away. When the suds disappear, so does the cleaning action, so you'll need to add more detergent. If you buy a cheap brand that gives out quickly, you'll just have to use more--and then it's not really a bargain.
DISH-WASHING LIQUID INNOVATIONS include hand care ingredients such as vitamin E, aloe vera, and aromatheraphy--inspired scents added to the liquid. There's also an alternative to soaking your dishes in the sink to loosen dried-on food: You can spray a dish-washing pre-treatment, such as Dawn Power Dissolver, on food stains and leave the dishes on the counter until you clean (after about 15 minutes).
NEVER USE HAND DISH-WASHING LIQUID in your dishwasher, because the suds and foam it produces can inhibit the cleaning process in the machine. Always use automatic dish-washing detergents, which are specially formulated for dishwashers and produce little or no suds.
DISH-WASHING DETERGENTS ARE AVAILABLE at supermarkets and discount retailers.
Disinfectants
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Disinfectants are designed to kill germs on surfaces, including bacteria and viruses that spoil food, create unpleasant odors, and cause illness. Some products clean as they disinfect, so read the label if you're looking for a dual-purpose dis-infecatant. A product that does both will tout that benefit.
DISINFECTANTS CONTAIN
microbe killers, which show up on the label as pine oil, qauternary ammonium compounds, or phenols. Disinfecting cleaners also contain surfactants (surface-active agents) to remove soils.
WHEN CHOOSING A DISINFECTANT, checking the label is especially important.
Depending on the formulation and active ingredients, disinfectants may be designed to kill:
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When shopping for a dish-washer the first order of business is finding a model that cleans thoroughly and fits your budget. And since the whole point of a dishwasher is to ease the burden of manual washing, it makes sense to find a model that doesn't require a lot of rinsing of dishes before you load them in.
WATER AND ENERGY USE are major considerations when you shop for a dishwasher. Look for features that will reduce water use, such as booster heaters and smart controls. Ask the sales staff how many gallons of water the dishwasher use during different cycles. Dishwashers that use the least amount of water will cost the least to operate.
With rising water and energy costs, consumers should also consider the dishwasher's energy factor (EF). The EF number represents the number of complete cycles that a dish-washer will run through while using one kilowatt-hour of electricity. It is part of the Energy Star Program which was created by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help shoppers identify the most energy-efficient appliances. products that carry the government's Energy Star rating are the most efficient of all, typically exceeding federal efficiency standards by 13 percent to 20 percent.
THE COST OF A DISHWASHER
varies enormously, from about $300 for a basic unit to $1,700 or more for a sleek, deluxe model that makes no more noise than a pot of boiling water and has adjustable heat settings that can handle everything from fine crystal to the grungiest pots and pans.
CHECK A MACHINE'S NOISE LEVEL. Today's open architecture, in which kitchens are connected to dens and entertainment areas, increase the importance of finding a model that isn't noisy. Ask the sales rep to explain the decibel level of the unit you're considering. High-end models have a decibel label in the low 40s (about as loud as quiet conservation), which less expensive units are in the middle to high 50s (comparable to the noise in an average office).
WHAT ELSE DO YOU GET WITH A HIGH-END MODEL? One of the Candillacs of dishwashers is made by Miele Inc., a German company founded in 1900, with prices ranging from $800 to $1,700. Each model features three spray arms, which provide more thorough cleaning compared to the one spray arm in lower- ]end dishwashers. Miele also doesn't have an exposed heating element. This internal heating element. This internal heating, as it's called, is more energy efficient and adds to the appliance's longevity (20 years compared to 8 to 10 years for lower cost units). Internal heating provides a greater range of heating temperatures, from a low of about 115 degrees F for china and crystal to 170 degrees F for pots and pans. The internal heating feature also prevents the melting of plastic parts that fall to the bottom of the dishwasher.
Design and craftsmanship are other considerations. You'll pay more for a stainless steel model with a cutting edge design and the latest technology.
DISH-WASHES ARE SOLD at appliance stores, home improvement stores, discount merchandisers, and some department stores.
Dish-washing Detergents
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You have two choices when it's time to do the dishes: Load them into the dishwasher or wash them by hand.
Let's look first at the easier method. Newer dishwasher models (those manufactured in the last five years) tend to work fine even if you don't rinse the food off first. And rinsing agents can eliminate the water spots and film that used to make it necessary to rewash some glasses by hand before using.
Automatic dish-washing detergents come in three forms: powdered, gel, and tablet. All of them are effective, so let personal preference be your guide.
POWDERED FORMULAS have been around the longest and are still generally the least expensive to use. The newer products--gels and tablets--offer some added benefits in certain situations, though. Powders can turn to grit if your dishwater doesn't get hot enough (140degree F) to dissolve all the powder.
DISH-WASHING GELS dissolve more quickly than powders or tablets and so begin cleaning dishes faster. Gels are also a good choice if you live in a humid climate, where powders have a tendency to cake.
TABLETS offer the convenience of eliminating the need to measure, since each tablet is formulated to clean one load.
RINSE PRODUCTS prevent spotting and filming by lowering the surface tension of the water, causing it to sheet off dishes. They also enables dishes to dry faster when left to air-dry or when you use the energy-saving function on your dishwasher. Rinse agents come in liquid and solid forms. Liquids may be used only in dishwashers with a built-in rinse reservoir. Solid forms are made to attach to the upper dishwasher rack, where they dissolve slowly during the various cycles.
TWO OTHER SPECIALTY PRODUCTS can be helpful in getting the most from your dishwasher.
- Cleaning boosters for plastic, such as cascade Plastic Booster, remove tough stains from plastic ware.
- Film removers are powdered alkaline products containing chlorine. They remove hard-water film and cloudiness on dishes and can be combined with dishwasher detergent.
In general, though, if you have a good dishwasher, soft water and water that heats to at least 40degrees F, just about any automatic dish-washing detergent will get the job done. In that case, use the least expensive product.
HAND DISH-WASHING PRODUCTS are among the gentlest detergents available and can also be used to wash everything from delicate clothing to the family dog. Dish-washing liquids work by loosening grime and suspending it until it can be rinsed away. When the suds disappear, so does the cleaning action, so you'll need to add more detergent. If you buy a cheap brand that gives out quickly, you'll just have to use more--and then it's not really a bargain.
DISH-WASHING LIQUID INNOVATIONS include hand care ingredients such as vitamin E, aloe vera, and aromatheraphy--inspired scents added to the liquid. There's also an alternative to soaking your dishes in the sink to loosen dried-on food: You can spray a dish-washing pre-treatment, such as Dawn Power Dissolver, on food stains and leave the dishes on the counter until you clean (after about 15 minutes).
NEVER USE HAND DISH-WASHING LIQUID in your dishwasher, because the suds and foam it produces can inhibit the cleaning process in the machine. Always use automatic dish-washing detergents, which are specially formulated for dishwashers and produce little or no suds.
DISH-WASHING DETERGENTS ARE AVAILABLE at supermarkets and discount retailers.
Disinfectants
Disinfectants are designed to kill germs on surfaces, including bacteria and viruses that spoil food, create unpleasant odors, and cause illness. Some products clean as they disinfect, so read the label if you're looking for a dual-purpose dis-infecatant. A product that does both will tout that benefit.
DISINFECTANTS CONTAIN
microbe killers, which show up on the label as pine oil, qauternary ammonium compounds, or phenols. Disinfecting cleaners also contain surfactants (surface-active agents) to remove soils.
WHEN CHOOSING A DISINFECTANT, checking the label is especially important.
Depending on the formulation and active ingredients, disinfectants may be designed to kill:
- Bacteria that cause intestinal illnesses, such as E.coli and salmonella
- Staphylococcus, kinds of bacteria that cause skin infections
- Fungi that cause athlete' foot
- Viruses, such as rhinovirus, which is the primary cause of the common cold.
The Environmental protection Agency requires that products labeled as disinfectant meet established guidelines. The products must be registered with the EPA and have an EPA registration number on the label.
FOR DISINFECTANT TO WORK, follow the package directions to the letter. That usually means letting the disinfectant sit on the soiled surface for at least ten minutes to kill bacteria. Many people use diluted household chlorine bleach as a disinfectant and stain. remover. Make sure you follow label directions and dilute accordingly
FOR DISINFECTANT TO WORK, follow the package directions to the letter. That usually means letting the disinfectant sit on the soiled surface for at least ten minutes to kill bacteria. Many people use diluted household chlorine bleach as a disinfectant and stain. remover. Make sure you follow label directions and dilute accordingly
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