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5 kitchen gadgets you need (and 5 you actually don’t)

If you’re trying to save valuable cupboard or bench space in your kitchen, knowing which items you need and which you don’t can be a big help. 5 gadgets that are actually useful Slow cooker: add your ingredients in the morning and come home to a delicious home cooked meal. In a pinch though you can just use a casserole dish with a lid, in a low oven (but unlike a slow cooker you can’t really leave the house when it’s on). Vegetable peeler: you can get some great peelers now that make peeling a breeze with very little wastage. Non-stick pans: life is too short for soaking and scrubbing regular pans each night. Garlic press: no need to fiddle about peeling garlic cloves when you can just throw it in the press. Plus you can avoid having smelly garlic fingers. Stick blender: takes up minimal room and is great for blending soups, smoothies or batters. 5 items you could get rid of Knife block: save your valuable bench space and keep your knives in a drawer instead. Meat mallet: these are used infrequently and their bulky size means they aren’t exactly drawer-friendly. Use a small, heavy based saucepan instead. Sandwich press: these bulky items can take up a whole cupboard. Pop your sandwich in a frying pan and place a heavy pot on top. Icing bag: these are tough to clean and most likely get used once or twice per year. Just fill a zip lock bag with icing or cream and snip the corner off for a disposable icing bag. Avocado or egg slicer: these one-trick ponies just clutter up your utensil drawer without making life that much easier. Just use a sharp knife. Image credits: Getty Images

Home & Garden

3 smart appliances to make your life easier

It’s time to get digital but don’t worry, all you need is a set of batteries and a charging cord. From vacuuming to mowing the lawn, here are some helpful devices that will make your life easier. 1. <a href="https://www.binglee.com.au/products/irobot-braava-jet-m6-robot-mop-m613200?utm_source=CommissionFactory&utm_medium=referral&cfclick=346864d5d0bf44a58923574774cfdf9e" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Robotic Vacuum</a><a href="https://www.binglee.com.au/products/irobot-braava-jet-m6-robot-mop-m613200?utm_source=CommissionFactory&utm_medium=referral&cfclick=346864d5d0bf44a58923574774cfdf9e"> </a> The concept of a robotic vacuum is not at all new. The Roomba vacuum, arguably the most iconic robot vacuum cleaner out there has been out for over a decade but if you do not own one, do yourself a favour and get one! Or something similar. A robot vacuum will make bending over a thing of the past. They are a self-propelled floor cleaner that uses a rotating brush or brushes to pick up dirt and debris. They work on their own without any human intervention, just press the button and let the little robot clean your home. 2. <a href="https://www.ecovacs.com/au/winbot-window-cleaning-robot/winbot-w1-pro?cfclick=d2d2a30255d642df868b7ab3d6850b67">Robotic Window Cleaner</a> Cleaning windows is one of the most tiresome jobs in terms of cleaning, so rest those arms and get yourself a robotic window cleaner. This revolutionary window cleaner suctions itself onto the glass and gives your windows the gleam they deserve. Once again, no human intervention, just press the button and watch in amazement. 3. <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/WORX-LANDROID-Robotic-POWERSHARE-Battery/dp/B09V2DQGC1/?tag=homestolove-trx0000057-22">Robotic Lawn Mower</a> If you have a big lawn, then this is the way to go. Lawn mowers that you can ride are certainly a better option than those you hold, but the robotic lawn mower allows you to cut your grass from the comfort of your living room. They’re capable of cutting areas of up to 1000sqm. It measures the size of your lawn, the soil composition and can identify different grass species to make sure it’s cut at the right time based on growth rate and seasonality! Work smarter, not harder. Image credit: Getty

Home Hints & Tips

7 quick tips for cleaning your kitchen’s trickiest appliances

Microwave: Steam away messes Don’t waste elbow grease on the crusted messes in your microwave – just let them steam clean. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a microwave-safe bowl. Add the lemon pieces to the bowl, along with 1/2 cup of water. Nuke the water and lemon for three minutes on high, or until the liquid starts to boil. Without opening the door, let the lemon water stand for five minutes. The lemony steam will help break down the gunk, making it easy to wipe off after you remove the bowl. Take out the turntable to clean it, then wipe down the top, bottom, sides and door of the microwave before putting it back. Blender: Let it self-clean Hate the idea of scrubbing every inch of the blade? Let your blender do all the dirty work. Fill the pitcher with hot water as soon as you’re done using it, add a couple drops of dishwashing liquid, and run the blender like you would for a recipe. Rinse it out and it will be ready for your next concoction. Just make sure you take the blender apart and give it a hands-on scrub every now and then for a deep clean. Slow cooker: Deep clean with baking soda A slow cooker makes food preparation easy, but the cleanup? Not so much. When your appliance has a mess that can’t be wiped away after a pre-soak, it’s time for a deep clean. Add ¼ cup of baking soda and a squirt of washing up liquid, then fill with water. Put the lid on, then turn the machine on high for two to four hours. Stand mixer: Use a wet rag Place a wet rag over areas with built-on food residue to loosen it. After a few minutes, the dried gunk should be softer and easier to wipe away. When cleaning the beater, let the attachment soak in water to help dissolve the mess before scrubbing it clean. Toaster: Target the crumb tray Don’t forget about that crumb tray, if your toaster has one. Slide it out and shake off the crumbs, or turn the whole machine upside down and shake lightly if it doesn’t have a removable tray. Wash and dry the tray before putting it back to get rid of any caked-on food. To clean out the inner corners of your toaster, reach in with a pastry or basting brush. Finish by wiping the outside with a damp cloth and mild detergent, or a bit of vinegar if it’s stainless steel. Stove hotplates: Try different tactics for gas vs. electric For a gas hotplate, unclog the port with a pin or unfolded paper clip. Then take off the removable parts of the cooktop and soak them in hot, soapy water. Scrub them clean, then rinse thoroughly. Wipe the cooktop with a damp, not wet, cloth to prevent water from leaking into the burner. Electric hotplates should never be submerged in water, so it can be hard to break down burnt spills, especially when washing up liquid isn’t strong enough. Combine baking soda and water until it has a paste consistency, then use the mixture to scrub the mess. Garbage disposal: Use lemon for a fresh scent If your disposal is starting to smell, it’s time for a thorough cleaning. Get rid of grime in the grinding mechanics by pouring half a cup of baking soda into the disposal, followed by a cup of white vinegar, two cups of ice, and one cup of salt. With the cold water running, turn on the garbage disposal until the ice is gone. To freshen the odour, cut a lemon and grind the pieces one at a time in the disposal. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/food-home-garden/home-tips/7-quick-tips-for-cleaning-your-kitchens-trickiest-appliances" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home & Garden

The household appliance that could be killing your plants

As many people continue to battle with cold and damp winter months, many households turn to the use of a dehumidifier to keep their home in tip-top shape. While these common appliances can be great for dealing with extra moisture in your home, they can also spell disaster for your indoor plants. On average, plants need between 40% and 60% humidity to thrive, depending on the type of plant. The constant use of dehumidifiers can greatly alter the environment of your home, with your plants suffering as a result. When the air becomes too dry, you may notice the edges of your plant's leaves turning brown, stopping growing, or the leaves start to turn yellow. If you are starting to notice your plants becoming unhappy, Rhian Pullar, horticulturist, and director of Northern Beaches Creative Gardens, says you should be watering more regularly. "I always look at the leaves, and if it's wilting, then water it." Rather than sticking to a strict watering schedule, Rhian says it's best to water your plants as needed. "Put your finger in the soil. If it looks dry and as a bone, water it. If you feel a bit of moisture, let it dry out before watering to avoid root rot." If you have some plants that are really struggling with low humidity, Rhian says to only use the dehumidifier when required. “Use a water spray bottle to mist the leaves as part of your watering routine," she adds. "I suggest grouping your plants together if they are struggling with the dehumidifier and moving them to your bathroom so they can collect moisture from the shower.” Alternatively, you can look at purchasing plants that thrive in low humidity environments. Rhian’s top five plants that are great for dry conditions are succulents, orchids, devils ivy, snake plant, and fiddle leaf fig. Image credits: Getty Images

Home & Garden

Household appliances that use the most energy

As the colder months are well and truly settling in, a lot of us are relying on our various devices and appliances to make winter a little easier. However, as energy bills continue to rise, it’s worth being aware of things in our home that leech more electricity than others and therefore drive our electricity bills even higher. With general household appliances being responsible for more than 30% of your energy consumption, it's reflecting on your daily usage habits of appliances, and making any substitutes where you can. One of the main energy drains in most households are tumble dryers. While they are certainly a convenient purchase, dryers can drastically increase your electricity bill, as regularly using your clothes dryer can cost you anywhere from $100-$650 a year. To cut down the costs of your dryer, only tumble dry your clothes when absolutely necessary, which is admittedly a lot easier said than done in winter. If you can hang out your clothes to dry them, take advantage of this option. Also, make sure you turn off your tumble dryer at the powerpoint when it’s not in use, as some dryers can still use energy even when they’re not being used. Another huge power drain is fridges, as they are in use 24 hours a day. As we can’t go without a fridge, and can’t unplug it when it’s not in use (because it's always in use), it's important to pick the right fridge for your needs. Choosing a smaller fridge can help cut some electricity costs, as bigger units use more power to keep on. Also, look for the energy efficient stickers on fridges when making your purchase and decide accordingly. Air conditioning units and heaters can also contribute to almost 40% of your total energy bill, especially in times of extreme weather. For the sake of your electricity bill, it's best to limit the use of these appliances where you can and stay warm in other ways. Think electric blankets, cups of tea and only the cosiest slippers. And again, looking out for energy efficient stickers on these appliances when you’re buying them will help you save big bucks on your bills. Other smaller appliances such as TVs, computer monitors and even kettles are notorious for passively draining the electricity when they’re not being used. In order to prevent this accumulative energy drain, be sure to switch off these appliances at the powerpoint when you’re not using them, and your next electricity bill will thank you. Image credits: Getty Images

Home Hints & Tips

Easy weeknight Gnocchi

<img src="https://uc646d37169cf02fcc7b89a29b07.previews.dropboxusercontent.com/p/pdf_img/ABggKHEiPo6YEa10WKdM7Nz-rF9vD131EqSlMeHFfSo-a0yUxCQFQYRr0ITufWh0EWlXtq8Cghjelp3zAhmEsPHVCsuu9yWDU0kdS9O9w8n_iLS8AcCRdGBoa2ds2vCiI2BzmC3MXOlkBYvS3Y6KEba9YSb1ZISRda1nFcYBn47pUIKIHW5bg7DRW6Agmw3D5zuL88NduQZP7doO1WcSBrJrUyizHkWK8_42BdRjE3l-3Ort5J4iRwTugK0OdmsRAo5nff7oS4Ggt3qSZSQMl9huB6ogt6_82sUoYLInS-MefqT1CU_uj4dclrUp-CAMSn-fPvVVq91Gik1t594JeVeVmiSs4a71Ei1imnNL4Iz6Gcoh_iXb0ImIDBUxgAmgOyk/p.png?page=0&scale_percent=0" alt="RECIPE_EASYWEEKNIGHTGNOCCHI_2021.docx" width="697" height="985" /> Image: Smeg

Food & Wine

Everyday items you’ve been using wrong this whole time

It’s time to properly learn how to use everything in and around the home. From the right way to tear plastic wrap to having wrinkle-free button-down shirts, we’re here to help you on this journey of discovery. Food storage containers Glass vs. plastic aside, not all food containers are ideal for the microwave. The corners of rectangular containers usually attract more energy than other areas, leaving the food in those spots overcooked. A round container will allow food to reheat more uniformly. Blender There’s a reason your blender keeps stalling after every few seconds – the order of your ingredients makes a huge difference. Start with your liquid base or yoghurt, then layer ingredients from smallest to largest, keeping the toughest pieces, such as ice, at the top. The liquids will let the blades run smoothly without catching on the hard ingredients. Toaster The type of bread you’re toasting affects how hot you should set your toaster. While white and sweet breads heat quickly, heavier ones like rye take more time. Even slices from the same loaf might need a different setting after a few days. Once bread starts to dry out, you might need lower heat for the less fresh slices, which don’t take as long to toast. Grill Leaving the door of your oven closed when grilling can make heat and steam build up. Venting the steam lets your food develop the crustiness you’re going for, and letting the hot air out ensures the heat stays concentrated on the top instead of effectively baking the entire dish. Slow cooker Opening the lid of your slow cooker lets heat out and messes up the cooking time, so resist the temptation to take a quick look or give it a stir until there’s less than an hour left of cook time. As long as your pot is between half and three-quarters of the way full, your dish should cook up just fine. Dishwasher A University of Birmingham study found that the best spot in your dishwasher depends on the type of mess your plate has. The middle of the machine gets the strongest spray of water, which makes it best for carb-based stains like potatoes or tomatoes. On the other hand, the detergent is at its highest concentration at the edges, where it flows back down like a waterfall, making it the most effective spot for protein-based messes like eggs, which need more time to soak. Knives Big kitchen knives are scary enough without having to focus on how you hold them. Many people just wrap their hand around the handle. However, you’re supposed to hold your thumb and pointer finger on the sides of the blade. This grip will help you get more precise cuts. Plastic wrap Isn’t it annoying when cling wrap folds on itself and you need to rip out a new sheet? Keeping the tube still will help. Turn that box to the side and you should see a tab that you can press inwards, holding the tube in place. Aluminium foil has the same feature on its box. Toothpaste That image on the toothpaste package of a smear big enough to cover the bristles isn’t what the doctor recommended. Dentists say the ideal amount is about the size of a pea. Written by Marissa Laliberte. This article first appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/food-home-garden/home-tips/everyday-items-youve-been-using-wrong-this-whole-time" target="_blank">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a rel="noopener" href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> Image: Getty Images <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

Home & Garden

5 appliances you’re shortening the life of through misuse

Buying electronics and appliances can be a huge investment, and when something goes wrong with them, it can also cause a huge headache. So, of course, you want to keep everything working for as long as possible. While many of us blame the seemingly shorter lifespan of these products on the fact that things just aren’t made like they used to be, that’s not entirely true. It turns out that much of the time, the culprit is us! Read on for the mistakes you probably don’t even realise you’re making, which can cause the early demise of everything from your laptop and your phone to your stove and your toaster. 1. Laptop There’s nothing more frustrating than a laptop that goes from on the fritz to suddenly needing to be replaced. It turns out the key to keeping our laptops longer is turning them off at least once a day. This allows the operating system to install software updates and patches so everything can run smoothly and up to snuff. Another mistake that causes the early demise of this essential and expensive device? Failing to install anti-virus and malware programs. 2. Smartphone If you feel you need to replace your smartphone way before the newest one comes out, it’s probably because you’re letting it overheat. According to PCMag, a major cause of this is something most of us are guilty of: charging our devices overnight. In fact, your phone is at risk of overheating every time you keep it plugged in with a full battery. And while many of us know it’s best to leave our phone at home when we go to the pool or beach, water damage isn’t the biggest risk. An article from Time reveals that too much heat exposure from the sun can cause lots of problems, including battery leakage and loss of data. 3. Vacuum No one wants to empty the dirt cup after vacuuming your entire home or even before you vacuum, but an overfilled unit will not only run less efficiently – it will also ultimately shorten the life of the appliance. While most bagless units have a line indicating it’s time to empty the cup, it’s less obvious for bag machines. A sudden decrease in suction is a good indicator. 4. Car A good car doesn’t come cheap, and to get yours to last as long as possible, you can’t skimp on regular maintenance. One biggie: oil changes. If you wait too long to change the oil, you’re asking for trouble. So how often are you really supposed to be doing this? According to Cars.com, it depends on the make and model of your car. Check the owner’s manual. Changing the oil keeps the corrosive material and debris out of your engine, so if you live in a city, it’s best to change the oil even a little sooner than the manufacturer recommends. 5. Fridge If you have a big family and you find yourself with a fridge that’s constantly full, it might be time to consider buying a larger one. That’s because overloading it places pressure on the fan blades, causing them to work improperly or even break. Cleaning the fridge is another way you can extend its life. The coils, the internal mechanism and the outside of the fridge need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Source: <a href="https://www.rd.com/advice/ways-youre-damaging-home-appliances/">RD.com</a> Written by Amanda Lauren. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/12-ways-youre-shortening-the-life-of-your-home-appliances">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRN93V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a>

Home & Garden

5 ways to save on your electricity bill

As the weather starts to warm up a little bit, it can be tempting to get the air flowing in the house after months of stuffy winter weather. However, it’s important to remember that using electricity comes at a cost. If you’re dreading opening your next electricity bill, here are five tips that you can use to cut back costs. 1. Use energy efficient lighting Light bulbs contribute more than you think to your power bill, especially if you have old incandescent or halogen light bulbs. This is because it takes more watts of electricity to power them. Switching to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) or light emitting diodes (LEDs) can save you money as they use less electricity to run and can last longer. 2. Wash clothes with cold water It takes electricity to heat up water in your washing machine and it can be a real energy suck. Try sticking to the cold wash setting for day to day laundry if possible. Make sure that you take advantage of any eco-settings that are available on your washing machine as well as setting the machine to the correct load size in order to save on power. 3. Switch off appliances at the wall Switching off appliances at the wall might sound a bit cheap, but when you consider how many devices are plugged into power without being used all the time, this trick can save you money on your next electricity bill. Standby appliances, such as microwaves, televisions and even phone chargers cost a typical household over $100 a year in wasted electricity. 4. Check appliance settings While we’re on the topic of appliances, make sure that the settings of certain appliances are adjusted to what you need them to be. It’s as simple as making sure the television isn’t too bright and the fridge isn't too cold. It can also mean taking advantage of eco-settings that are available on dishwashers, clothes dryers, washing machines and air conditioners (if you have these appliances). 5. Compare energy providers If you’ve been with the same energy provider for years, but the prices keep increasing when you’re doing all you can to reduce your bill, maybe a change of provider is in order. You can save around by shopping for a better deal, as energy companies are always changing their products and prices. Just because you got a good deal upon signing up doesn’t mean that the energy company requires that it stays that way.

Money & Banking

Man finds snake alive in brand new kitchen appliance

When Barry Downes arrived home from his post-Christmas shopping, he was just looking to relax and have a cup of tea with the kettle he had just bought. What he didn’t expect was something alive slithering out of the appliance box and into his kitchen. Downes, from Paddington, London, purchased the kettle from department store Argos on December 28. “I made a cup of tea and went to sit down to drink it,” said Downes. “When I came back into the kitchen I spotted something on the floor.” At first, Downes thought it was a piece of string or plastic packaging due to his sight problems. “I picked it up to put it in the bin, but then it started wriggling.” He then trapped the snake under a saucepan lid and called the RSPCA for assistance. The RSPCA identified the reptile as a young corn snake. Animal collection officer Ella Davies, who collected the snake, said it might have snuck into the box at a storage warehouse in the country. “Corn snakes are talented escape artists, so I suspect this little one has escaped from a vivarium somewhere,” said Davies. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3D2381499588543994%26id%3D305736432786997&width=500" width="500" height="822" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe> The unharmed snake will be transferred to a specialist centre before being relocated to a “proper” wildlife habitat. An Argos spokesperson said, “We’re surprised to hear about this incident, and are investigating with the supplier.” Meanwhile in Australia, a snake horrified shoppers as it <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/home-garden/my-worst-nightmare-woman-s-terrifying-discovery-in-shopping-centre-car-park">snuck into a car grill</a> in a shopping centre parking lot. Queensland also saw <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/snake-bite-spike-9-people-hospitalised-in-one-day-after-increasing-number-of-attacks">nine people getting hospitalised for snake bites</a> in one night in December.

Home & Garden

CHOICE reveals: How long your appliances should really last

As consumers we’re lucky that we have an abundance of appliance choices to choose from to suit every budget. With toasters starting at $20 reaching all the way up to $150, there is something out there for everyone. But just how long should you expect an affordable appliance to last in comparison to its higher-end counterpart? <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.choice.com.au/" target="_blank">Choice</a> has released new guidelines, showcasing the “reasonable” life expectancy of household appliances. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fchoiceaustralia%2Fposts%2F10156656490116163&width=500" width="500" height="669" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe> According to the consumer group, while your cheap toaster could die out within two years, you can expect your expensive fridge to last over 10 years. The results of the research were based around 1000 people who took part in the survey, along with in-house product testing and manufacturer feedback. “In most cases the lifetime for electrical appliances should go way beyond the one-to-two-year manufacturer’s warranty,” said spokeswoman for Choice, Nicky Breen. If a product turns out to be faulty, shoppers have the right to a full refund or replacement under New Zealand Consumer Protection. The rule applies regardless of the consumer being within the official warranty period. But according to Ms Breen, it isn’t that simple as consumer guarantees tend to be a “little confusing”. “The law says you’re entitled to a remedy if a fault develops within a reasonable amount of time, but it’s not clear what that reasonable time is,” she said “You may buy a TV or fridge and it develops a fault within a year or two, you take it back to the retailer and there’s an impasse. What we’re doing is urging people to use these guidelines.” According to the results of the survey, a fridge should last around six to 13 years, while washing machines and dishwashers have a lifespan of five to 11 years. A laptop will give you four to eight years depending on how expensive it is, and a smartphone should last between three to six years. “Someone should start a GoFundMe to put this on billboards outside of Harvey Norman and The Good Guys,” said Facebook user, Kristen Hall. Others compared appliances today to the ones sold in the past. “Washing machines, the prehistoric ones, lasted and lasted, 25-plus years and still working,” said Helen Valen. “Had to replace them just because we got sick of waiting for them to fail and they didn’t look their best anymore. Same with stoves. So, it’s not the technology, it’s the design for failure/obsolescence business model." Naomi Agar pointed out that her mum’s fridge had to be replaced last year, after 47 years. “My microwave purchased in “’88 is still going”, she said. But not everyone was convinced as some pointed out the discrepancies in the survey results. “The mobile phone one is a joke,” Karla McClelland said. “The latest Samsung and Apple phones don’t last more than two years before something stuffs up.” Adam Scott questioned the life expectancy of a laptop saying, “Where did you get that figure? The life expectancy of a spinning drive is two years, three maximum,” he said. “The heat paste on the CPU will be chalk after a few years, leading to the CPU and GPU overheating. That’s if the power brick hasn’t died by then. Oh, and the battery will have well and truly died by then.” Do you agree with these results? Let us know in the comments below.

Technology

6 ways to save energy on your appliances

The average home has more than 60 electrical appliances that account for around one third of your energy costs. So there’s a huge potential for savings if you can use your appliances efficiently. Here’s how. 1. First and foremost, buy energy efficient appliances where possible. We’re not suggesting that you need to buy all new appliances right now, but when one needs replacing choose an energy efficient model. It will save you money in the long run and also reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the product. Most new appliances have an energy-rating label to help you make a choice and in some cases government rebates or incentives are even available. 2. Most of your big appliances (like the fridge, washing machine, dryer, television and computer) are turned on at the wall socket all the time, which means they are always using energy. While the fridge has to stay on, the others can be unplugged when not in use. 3. Speaking of the fridge, make sure its not using an unnecessary amount of power. If possible, position the fridge out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources like the oven or washing machine, which will substantially reduce your energy consumption. The door seal needs to be clean and without any perishing, so that the door closes properly. Let hot food cool down before putting it in the fridge or freezer. Fridges actually work more efficiently when they’re full so if you find that yours is mostly empty you might want to think about downsizing. 4. In the laundry, only wash when you have a full load and use cold water. If you’re purchasing a new machine front loaders tend to use less energy, water and detergent than top loaders. Minimise your use of the dryer by hanging clothes on the clothesline. If you need to use the dryer, make sure the lint filter is clean and that clothes are either spun or wrung out before they go in. 5. The same rules apply for the dishwasher – only run it when there’s a full load, and use the lowest temperature and shortest cycle you can. Scrape food from dishes and rinse them before stacking them in the machine. Clean the dishwasher once a month to keep it running efficiently. You can buy special cleaning pods or use 25 grams of citric acid in a hot cycle. 6. Small appliances can use a lot of energy too. Only boil as much water as you need in the kettle, rather than filling it all the way to the top. Thaw food in the fridge or in the sink rather than using the microwave. Put lids on saucepans when boiling them on the stove to reduce cooking time. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/12/vacuum-cleaning-tricks/">Vacuum cleaning tricks you’ll want to know about</a> <a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/12/stains-never-to-clean-with-water/">4 stains you shouldn’t use water to clean</a> <a href="/home-garden/2015/12/household-tricks-from-the-1900s-2/">More great vintage household tricks from the 1900s</a>

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5 kitchen gadgets you need (and 5 you actually don’t)

3 smart appliances to make your life easier

7 quick tips for cleaning your kitchen’s trickiest appliances

The household appliance that could be killing your plants