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How healthy are your dishwasher habits?

<p>Are you one of those people guilty of cramming as much as possible into the dishwasher or perhaps you don’t rinse the scraps off your plates before loading them in? Either way, both of these habits can mean that a wash cycle is a waste of time, water and power. </p> <p>To ensure that you don’t have two-day-old muesli stuck on your bowls post-wash, we’ve compiled four top tips for maximising your dishwasher’s cleaning powers.</p> <p><strong>Rinse off</strong><br />Rinsing off any crumbs, scraps, sauces and so on not only makes it much easier for your dishwasher to run properly, but it also promotes a healthy environment. For example, if you don’t put your dishwasher on everyday and you don’t rinse then you are leaving food to fester for days. </p> <p><strong>Stack right</strong><br />But neatly stacking or arranging the things that go into your dishwasher you will reep a few benefits. The most simple of these is that you will be able to fit more in (without overcrowding) if you stack things cautiously. For instance if bowl and plates are all facing the same way, they stack more efficiently. Secondly if you arrange things well in your dishwashing it will allow the waters and cleaner to get to every surface of every item in your dishwasher. </p> <p>Usually, large bowls and plates go on the bottom facing inwards, with saucepans and large pans stacked around the edges of them, glasses and small bowls go up top, as do long utensils. Knives face downward in the cutlery holder.</p> <p>Remember though, not everything should go in the dishwasher. For instance, some things like good knives and metal utensils such as pewter are not dishwasher safe or can become damaged by being put through a wash and are better suited to being hand washed.</p> <p><strong>Don’t overcrowd</strong><br />We’ve all been there before – after cooking up a big meal for the family all of the plates, pots and pans simply won’t fit in the dishwasher well. So you end up packing it all in. Don’t do it. It’s simply not worth it and it will NOT wash properly. It’s better to either hand wash some or put two loads on. </p> <p><strong>Dishwasher TLC</strong><br />Every now and then you should clean out your dishwasher – especially the seals. You may find bits if grime you can wipe away or every strewn cutlery or that Tupperware lid you’ve been searching high low for. A little bit of TLC every once in a while will ensure your dishwasher cleans more effectively and it may even make it last for longer. </p> <p>Some people suggest using a cup of vinegar in an empty dishwasher and to run a cycle to get rid of lime and soap build up. In any case before cleaning, consult your instruction manual to see it comes with any cleaning tips. If you’ve misplaced your manual – check to see if it’s available online.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Home & Garden

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Three signs it's time to clean your dishwasher

<p dir="ltr">The dishwasher is often one of the hardest working appliances in the house. </p> <p dir="ltr">While it's regularly filled with hot water and detergent, you’d be forgiven for thinking it's a clean environment. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, with all the dirt and food waste that goes into a dishwasher, it’s important to keep it maintained so your dishes come out sparkling every time. </p> <p dir="ltr">Here’s three things to look out for that mean it’s time to clean your dishwasher. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Your dishes are coming out cloudy and dirty</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Food left on your dishes, or a white powdery substance is a tell-tale sign that it’s time to clean your dishwasher.</p> <p dir="ltr">It’s recommended that your dishwasher gets cleaned once a month to keep it in good condition. </p> <p dir="ltr">If you notice cloudy spots on your drinking glasses, the simplest solution is to place a bowl of vinegar on the top rack and run a cycle, which acts as a rinse aid to help combat hard water. </p> <p dir="ltr">It’s a good idea to check your manual before doing this, as some manufacturers advise against using vinegar in a dishwasher.  </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>There’s a funny smell coming from your dishwasher</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">If you have a terrible smell from your dishwasher, the problem could be food particles getting caught in the filter. </p> <p dir="ltr">Check and clean your filter after each use to avoid nasty smells in your kitchen. </p> <p dir="ltr">Also, dishwasher cleaners that run through a cycle with no dishes in the racks can help clean food debris out of hard to reach places. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Water isn’t draining out of your dishwasher properly</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">If water is still pooling in the bottom of your dishwasher after running a cycle, or if you see water bubbling out of the sink, you might have a clog in the plumbing. </p> <p dir="ltr">If you clean the filter and check for obstructions and you are still finding pools of water,  it might be time to call an expert to look at your dishwasher.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Home & Garden

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The most bizarre dishwasher hack you’ll ever see

<p>Dishwashers are arguable one of the most useful appliances in the home, let alone the kitchen.</p> <p>Thankfully, there are cleaning prodigies who have some of the most useful tips and the most recent one to go viral has left users in a head spin.</p> <p>Aussie mum<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@carolina.mccauley/video/6968596608103533825?lang=en&amp;is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1" target="_blank" title="Carolina Mccauley">Carolina Mccauley</a><span> </span>has shared her odd but crucial tip to get sparkling silverware – and it involves a ball of aluminium foil.</p> <p>She says all you need to do is a throw a ball of aluminium foil in with your cutlery before turning on the dishwasher.</p> <p>"This dishwasher hack will leave your silverware sparkling," she captioned the video on<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://9now.nine.com.au/the-block/tiktok" target="_blank" title="TikTok">TikTok</a>.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841619/aluminium-dishwasher-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7349503acbde497b8ea9187fb2fcded0" /></p> <p>If you roll some tin foil into a ball and place in the cutlery holder of your dishwasher, your forks, spoons, and knives will come out sparkling like new.</p> <p>It's definitely an odd tip, but the results show it does make a difference.</p> <p>The video has been watched over 123,000 times so far.</p> <p>"Why does my brain think it's not okay to put aluminium foil inside appliances because of the microwave," one TikToker wrote.</p> <p>Another said, "What the scientific magic is this?"</p> <p>The magic behind the foil has been revealed, with<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dashingmaids.com/aluminum-foil-cleaning-hacks/" target="_blank" title="">Dashing Maids</a><span> </span>writing that the chemical reaction from the foil and a dishwasher tablet is what gives cutlery its incredible shine.</p>

Home & Garden

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Why you NEED to put your fruit and veggies in the dishwasher

<p>A woman has gone viral after sharing her food hygiene hack – washing fruit and vegetables in the dishwasher.</p> <p>In a TikTok clip, the user @smilelop showed how she removed dirt and bugs from her produce.</p> <p>She arranged a variety of fresh food products on the top shelf and bottom drawer before pouring in a capful of distilled white vinegar in the detergent compartment.</p> <p>She then set the machine running, and the video cut to seemingly washed and clean crops.</p> <blockquote style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="6824889367530704133"><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@smilelop" target="_blank" title="@smilelop">@smilelop</a> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cleanvegetables" target="_blank" title="cleanvegetables">##cleanvegetables</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cleanfruit" target="_blank" title="cleanfruit">##cleanfruit</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tiktoktips" target="_blank" title="tiktoktips">##tiktoktips</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/vinegar" target="_blank" title="vinegar">##vinegar</a></p> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/PONETE-ASÍ-6792622683843513093" target="_blank" title="♬ PONETE ASÍ - melojnico">♬ PONETE ASÍ - melojnico</a></blockquote> <p>The video has now been viewed more than a million times, but some viewers on the comment section were sceptical of the hack.</p> <p>“I literally don’t know why this would be necessary,” one wrote.</p> <p>“I mean a light vinegar solution is good to kill bacteria and some fruit has wax film on it, but dishwasher? Come on girl,” another replied.</p> <p>According to <a href="https://foodsafety.asn.au/fruit-and-vegetables/">the Food Safety Information Council</a>, washing fruits and vegetables under running water and drying them can help remove loose soil and remove many bacteria and viruses. The council also advised practicing safe hand washing and hygiene before preparing food or cooking.</p>

Food & Wine

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8 things you never knew you could put in your dishwasher

<p>You’d be surprised just how many household items can be given a thorough cleaning in your humble dishwasher.</p> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"><strong>1. Small plastic toys</strong></div> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"> <p>Germs can linger on your kids’ toys for months. Disinfect them by putting them in a mesh lingerie bag on the top shelf of your dishwasher. Then just let the normal cycle run.</p> <p><strong>2. Hairbrushes</strong></p> <p>Your hairbrush can hold almost 3,500 colonies of bacteria, according to University of Arizona research. Remove any stray hairs and drop your brush in the silverware tray for a thorough cleanse. Remember: Only plastic brushes or combs. Wooden or boar-bristle brushes will get ruined.</p> <p><strong>3. Potatoes</strong></p> <div id="page5" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> <p>Making mashed potatoes for your next big family gathering? Cut your preparation time and wash your spuds on a rinse-only cycle – no detergent! – on the top shelf.</p> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"><strong>4. Refrigerator shelves</strong></div> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"> <p>Between leaking meat juices and spilled food, your fridge can get really gross really fast. Instead of scrubbing every last inch clean, throw those shelves in with your other dishes.</p> <p><strong>5. Penholders</strong></p> <div id="page8" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> <p>When it comes to cleaning, common desk items like penholders and trays for scrap paper often get overlooked. If they’re metal or plastic, toss them in your next dishwasher load.</p> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"><strong>6. Bathroom stuff</strong></div> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"> <div id="page10" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> <p>Your bathroom is a haven for bacteria, from soap dishes to bathtub drain plugs to toothbrush holders. Luckily, all of them can be cleaned on the top rack with your other dishes.</p> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"><strong>7. Nail clippers and tweezers</strong></div> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"> <div id="page11" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> <p>Most cosmetic tools like nail clippers and tweezers are dishwasher safe. You can even wash plastic makeup brushes.</p> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"><strong>8. Razors</strong></div> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"> <div id="page13" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> <p>Razors can get dirty from more than just hair. They also pick up the chemicals in your shaving cream and salts from the water. When you wash them in a dishwasher, use liquid detergent. Tablets can leave grit on the metal.</p> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"><em>Written by Claire Novak. </em><em>This article first appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher" target="_blank">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&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRN93V">here’s our best subscription offer</a>.</em></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Home & Garden

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The ultimate guide to stacking your dishwasher

<p>Believe it or not but there is an art in stacking your dishwasher. While some may just throw the dishes in whichever way they deem fit, there are a few rules to follow to ensure your using space to its full potential.</p> <p>Consumer advocacy group Choice Australia has revealed some of the best tips and tricks when it comes to stacking your dishwasher to help achieve the cleanest dishes possible.</p> <p><strong>Never place wood, aluminium or copper in the dishwasher</strong></p> <p>While most items are safe to stack, there are a few exceptions.</p> <p>It’s recommended that anything made of wood, such as chopping boards, rolling pins and wooden spoons should not be placed inside a dishwasher, as the material tends to absorb odours and flavours of the surrounding dishes.</p> <p>Good quality knives and fine china should also be avoided, as the water pressure can damage the cutlery and ruin the detailing.</p> <p>Anything that consists of a “reactive metal” should be handwashed, which means items made from aluminium and copper should stay away from the dishwasher.</p> <p><strong>Don’t bother pre-washing dishes</strong></p> <p>It’s a habit that most people fall into before loading up their dishwasher, but your favourite dishwashing tablet has enough power to remove all surface stains without you having to give it a pre-wash.</p> <p>Just be sure to scrape any excess food scraps beforehand, to avoid the filter from clogging up.</p> <p><strong>Make sure the dirtiest dishes go in the middle</strong></p> <p>The answer to squeaky clean dishes is placement so write this next part down.</p> <p>Plastics should always go on the top shelf to reduce the risk of melting, the same applies for anything made of glass.</p> <p>Sometimes the spinning fan can miss the corners of the dishwasher so it’s a good idea to put the dirtiest dishes right in the middle for the most effective clean.</p> <p>Lastly, place each and every plate and bowl downwards to avoid dirty water and don’t stack them on top of each other.</p>

Home & Garden

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No scrubbing necessary! Genius way to remove stains from stainless steel pots

<p>Unfortunately, dirty pans and pots with impossible to remove stains are sentiments we know all too well in the kitchen.</p> <p>After a few uses or even after one bad mix up in the kitchen, our stainless steel appliances can become scorched and stained, and require a muscle workout to get them looking sparkling clean and brand new again.</p> <p>However, there is a solution that has become extremely popular on social media that has proven to work wonders – and the best part is the cleaning trick requires no elbow grease and zero scrubbing!</p> <p>To get a pot or pan back to its glorious original condition, all you need is a dishwashing tablet, a little time and boiling hot water.</p> <p>By placing a dishwashing tablet in your dirty pot with boiling hot water, the dirt, grime and hard-to-remove stains will lift and instead be replaced with a sparkling, unscratched surface.</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7826196/dirty.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/666454068f4e41649065b66095be0cab" /></p> <p>Dishwashing tablets have proven to be a magic trick in the kitchen – and not just for the dishes.</p> <p>Not only are they reported to do wonders on your stainless steel kitchen appliances, cleaning whizzes say they're also able to transform a dirty oven door and also your clothes as a replacement for laundry detergent.</p> <p>Will you be using this simple trick in your kitchen anytime soon? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Home & Garden

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Cook tonight’s dinner in your dishwasher!

<p>Many of us use our dishwasher to, well, clean our dishes. Especially after a meal.</p> <p>But there’s a new trend on the horizon that involves the opposite of this.</p> <p>It’s called ‘dishwasher cuisine’ and it is not a joke.</p> <p>Many people have decided that their oven is no longer up to scratch and are opting to give their dishwasher a try.</p> <p>So far, the most popular dish seems to be salmon.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsY73EHh4tn/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsY73EHh4tn/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Verlasso Salmon (@verlasso)</a> on Jan 8, 2019 at 2:02pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The trick is wrapping your ingredients up in foil (so the food doesn’t get saturated by the water or have other bits of food ending up in the final meal) and letting the dishwasher do the rest.</p> <p>Consumer advocacy group <span><a href="https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/kitchen/dishwashers/articles/can-you-cook-dinner-in-your-dishwasher">Choice</a></span> has recommended that you put your ingredients that you want to cook in plastic zip lock bags so no extra food gets in there as well as loading up the dishwasher to keep the temperature stable.</p> <p>Keeping the temperature stable is ideal as this ensures your food is cooked properly.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/dZqjZdLZoE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/dZqjZdLZoE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Forget the grill, here's how to cook salmon in the dishwasher. #howto #dishwashercooking #yum #nprlife</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/mstarbard/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Maggie Starbard</a> (@mstarbard) on Aug 24, 2013 at 8:30am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>However, as a dishwasher can reach temperatures of up to 62 degrees in a cycle, smaller portions of protein and vegetables are best.</p> <p>Choosing food that has a bit of wiggle room when it comes to time and temperature being a little bit out is ideal, as again, you’re cooking food in a dishwasher.</p> <p>Experts have compared it to the sous vide method. This method is a French style of cooking which involves vacuum sealing food in a plastic bag, submerging it in a bath of warm water and waiting for it to cook over time.</p> <p>Some have found it to be a productive way of cleaning up the mess they’ve made while preparing the meal whilst also getting a meal out of it.</p> <p>Is this something you’re willing to try? Have you heard of it before? Let us know in the comments.</p>

Technology

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World-famous restaurant Noma makes kitchen dishwasher a co-owner

<p>Noma chef Rene Redzepi had made his 62-year-old dishwasher, Ali Sonko, a part-owner in the restaurant.</p> <p>Ali has worked at the kitchen sink for the Copenhagen restaurant for 14 years.</p> <p>On Facebook Rene also introduced two other new part-owners in his famous restaurant.</p> <p>Australian-born manager, James Spreadbury and Lau Richter, also join Ali in being owners of the business.</p> <p>"As we close the doors to the old Noma, we also push towards the next rendition. We are almost positive we will open the doors to our new space at the end of this year. But, most importantly, we are here to tell you that Noma in its new edition will have a handful of new partners. It gives me incredible joy to let the world know that our restaurant managers Lau and James, and our dishwasher, Ali, have become partners in Noma," Rene shared online.</p> <p>Other workers will also be surprised by this opportunity with Rene stating that more workers will be joining the ownership team.</p> <p>“This is only the beginning, as we plan to surprise several more of our staff with a piece of the walls that they have chosen to work so hard within. This move is one of the happiest moments of my time at noma,” Rene hinted.</p> <p>Ali moved to Denmark from Gambia 34 years ago and previously worked as a farmer.</p> <p>"I cannot describe how happy I am to work here. There are the best people to work with and I am good friends with everyone. They show enormous respect towards me and no matter what I say or ask them, they are there for me,” Ali told a Danish news outlet.</p> <p>Noma has closed its doors in Denmark and will reopen later this year in Christiania as an urban farm.</p> <p>Rene plans to add a greenhouse and a floating field on top of a raft for his upcoming urban farm.</p> <p><em>Image credit: René Redzepi via Facebook </em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2017/02/jools-oliver-shares-picture-of-baby-river/">Jools Oliver shares pic of baby River wearing 45-year-old dungarees</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2017/01/signs-of-a-terrible-restaurant-when-travelling/">Signs of a terrible restaurant when travelling</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2017/01/best-cities-in-the-world-for-food/">10 food cities that will make your mouth water</a></strong></em></span></p>

Retirement Life

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11 tips to make your dishwasher clean better

<p>You may not pay too much attention to how you stack your dishwasher, but you should. A simple yet logical method of organisation and optimisation could mean the difference between sparkling clean plates or chipped glasses and crusty lasagne residue. Don’t just throw things in willy-nilly. Everyone has a strong opinion as to the best loading (and unloading) technique – and here’s ours. May it settle those household dinner party debates once and for all.</p> <p><strong>1. Don’t bother pre-washing</strong></p> <p>The dishwasher is one of your kitchen’s biggest time-saving luxuries, so why do so many people insist on pre-rinsing before stacking? Today’s models are powerful enough to handle the gunk. Washing before loading is therefore a waste of time, water and energy. In fact, most dishwashers and detergents actually do a better job if they have something to hold onto and remove. If there isn’t any food, it can go after glasses and make them cloudy.</p> <p><strong>2. Do away with food scraps</strong></p> <p>That said, do scrub off any large food scraps before they harden, paying special attention to baked-on bits, proteins such as eggs and cheese, which have a tendency to cling on, and starches that have dried on to the dish.</p> <p><strong>3. Don’t throw just anything in</strong></p> <p>Certain items should never be put in the dishwasher. Wooden boards and utensils, non-dishwasher-safe plastic, reactive metals (including iron, pewter or bronze), anything non-stick, anything cast iron, sharp knives and anything you’re too precious about should be washed by hand instead. Dishwasher-safe plastic should be placed on the top shelf, as far away as possible from the heating coil, which may cause it to melt or warp.</p> <p><strong>4. Do place items at an angle</strong></p> <p>Place your plates on the bottom rack, making sure they’re facing the centre. If they lean, they should lean inward and downward to get the most from the water spray. Alternate between large and small plates and stagger them as much as possible, to keep surfaces separated and accessible. Bowls should also be stacked on a slight angle, faced down so they’ll drain. Larger items, such as fry pans and chopping boards, ought to be placed around the outer edges of the bottom rack. Your pots and pans can go down here as well.</p> <p><strong>5. Do take extra precautions with glassware</strong></p> <p>Exhausted from having hosted that dinner party? Too sloshed to bother washing your delicate stemware? There’s a hack for that! Simply place your glasses on the top rack and stretch a rubber band around the stems and over the spokes, tethering the glasses securely to the machine. This stops them from knocking and vibrating against one another. No breakage!</p> <p><strong>6. Do load cutlery up and down</strong></p> <p>For cutlery, face the handles down and spread them out throughout the basket, ensuring they’re not resting against each other. This leaves their most germ-riddled regions exposed for a thorough clean. The exception here is knives, which should have their handle pointing up. The last thing you want to do is stab yourself while unloading! Also, tall utensils can get caught on rotating devices, so place things such as tongs and serving spoons laid down, on their sides, on the top rack.</p> <p><strong>7. Do use it for other household items</strong></p> <p>There’s room in your dishwasher for more than just your dishes. If you’ve got plastic or steel knobs on your cooker or washing machine that have become caked with grease, remove them and place them in the cutlery basket of your dishwasher. This saves you from having to wipe them down by hand!  You can also do the same for shower heads, tap handles, sink plugs, vent covers, dust pans and microwave trays.</p> <p><strong>8. Don’t ever use dish soap</strong></p> <p>When you’re stacked and ready to go, fill the soap container with powdered dishwasher detergent or a dishwasher pellet. Never use regular dish soap – unless you want a very sudsy kitchen floor. If you have hard water and want a rinse agent, you can always use white vinegar, which can be just as effective as the commercial stuff in preventing water streaks and cloudy glasses.</p> <p><strong>9. Do a final check</strong></p> <p>Before you close the door and turn it on, check the spray arms are able to spin freely and that there’s nothing obstructing the tubes. Then run hot water into your kitchen sink. This ensures that first fill cycle will be hot, making for a much more effective clean.</p> <p><strong>10. Do regularly clean</strong></p> <p>Heard stories of bacterial nasties growing inside the belly of your dishwasher? Get hit by a poof of rotten air every time you open her up? Limit the risk of fungi growth by making sure your dishwasher dries out thoroughly between cycles and wiping the seal with a cloth. You can also clean it by running an empty dishwasher with a cup of white vinegar on the bottom rack.</p> <p><strong>11. Don’t overcrowd</strong></p> <p>If necessary, wash large items by hand or run the dishwasher a second time.</p> <p>Do you prefer using the dishwasher, or hand washing your dishes? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Written by Kathleen Lee-Joe. First appeared on <a href="http://www.domain.com.au/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Domain.com.au.</span></strong></a></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/08/8-household-spots-dirtier-than-your-toilet-seat/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">8 household spots dirtier than your toilet seat</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/08/10-habits-of-clean-people/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">10 habits of people who always have a clean home</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/05/how-to-make-cloudy-drinking-glasses-clear-again/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">How to make cloudy drinking glasses clear again</span></em></strong></a></p>

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Why you shouldn’t pre-rinse before putting items in dishwasher

<p>It’s a common kitchen argument all over the country – often one partner wants to rinse all of the dishes before placing them in the dishwasher, and the other wants to pop them straight in.</p> <p>Finally we have the answer for you. While you should scrape off food scraps, you don’t actually need to rinse the dishes before you put them in the dishwasher.</p> <p><strong>Why…?</strong></p> <p><strong>Your dishwasher needs dirty dishes to work</strong></p> <p>The detergent actually needs to cling onto food particles in order to work. Without the particles they have nothing to attach to.</p> <p><strong>Your dishes won’t be any cleaner if you pre-rinse</strong></p> <p>Your dishwasher is a lot more high tech than you think, with super sprayers and even sensors to detect how dirty the plates are. Rinsing them before hand won’t make them any cleaner in the end, so why bother?</p> <p><strong>You will be wasting water</strong></p> <p>If all this pre-rinsing isn’t necessary, then you are wasting lots of water (and energy to heat that water). And research suggests that a typical dishwasher uses less water than washing the equivalent amount of dishes by hand.</p> <p><strong>You will be wasting time</strong></p> <p>Old habits die hard, but give the pre-rinsing the flick and you will save precious time on your kitchen clean up. That means more time to put your feet up, which is always a good thing.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/04/tricks-to-cut-vegetables-faster/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Tricks to cut vegetables faster</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/04/foods-that-dont-need-to-be-refrigerated/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 commonly refrigerated foods that don't need to be</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/04/old-fashioned-laundry-tips/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Simple old-fashioned laundry tips</strong></em></span></a></p>

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How you should really stack your dishwasher

<p>The proper way to stack the dishwasher is often a hotly contested debate in the household, but a group of scientists from the University of Birmingham may finally have laid the arguments to rest.</p> <p>Claiming to be the perfect way to stack a dishwasher, the study published in the Chemical Engineering Journal advises you to stack your dishes in a circle around the cutlery basket to ensure the water reaches all of the crockery.</p> <p>Dr Raul Perez-Mohedano, the lead author of the study, told the Daily Mail, "the distribution of water inside a commercial dishwasher is very chaotic."</p> <p>"Areas with a direct impact from the water jets are very localised and these are only able to cover a very small area of all the crockery surface present," he said.</p> <p>Dr Perez-Mohedano noted that circular stacking may not always be possible, saying, "Current commercial dishwashers also show a problem of symmetry - while the ejection of water is produced in a circular movement, the distribution of the crockery follows a rectangular pattern."</p> <p>"This automatically produces areas where the impact of water is going to occur for longer," he said.</p> <p>The study also recommended organising crockery in the dishwasher according to stains, with carbohydrate stains placed in the middle and protein stains stacked in a circle around them.</p> <p>"Depending of the soil type to remove, the best procedure to follow varies," said Dr Perez-Mohedano, adding, "For example, cleaning of protein-based soils, such as egg yolk, requires an initial swelling/hydration stage which is typically driven by high alkaline conditions at the beginning of the wash-cycle.”</p> <p>"Afterwards, cleaning occurs by detachment of soil layers from top to bottom following hydrolysis reactions.</p> <p>"Other types of soils based on carbohydrates, like tomato paste, require less chemistry and more mechanical action.</p> <p>"They are detached in patches of different sizes in a process known as adhesive failure."</p> <p>The study also found dishes with particularly tough stains are best placed in the centre of the blades or in the centre of the top shelf.</p> <p>According to The Telegraph, London, the findings "could now have dramatic consequences for dishwasher design with manufacturers forced to tear-up traditional blueprints and start from scratch with circular loading models."</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/02/ways-to-repurpose-doilies/">8 pretty ways to repurpose doilies</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/02/how-to-break-common-household-habits/">Bad common household habits we’re all guilty of</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/08/diy-wall-art/">8 pieces of wall art that you can easily make yourself</a></em></strong></span></p>

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5 places you should never use dishwashing liquid

<p>Although dishwashing liquid is a great cleaner, capable of lifting the dirtiest of stains and greasiest of greases off almost everything, it does have its limitations. These are the five places to never use dishwashing soap.</p> <p><strong>1. Car</strong></p> <p>It’s been touted as a handy way to clean your car, but dishwashing liquid is much too harsh on the paint of cars. It will strip away any protective wax, making your car vulnerable to scratches and nicks. Make sure you have the right cleaner for the job.</p> <p><strong>2. Dishwasher</strong></p> <p>It might seem logical if you’ve run out of dishwashing tablets to simply grab the dishwashing liquid, but it’s a big mistake. Dishwashing liquid won’t work in the dishwasher as it’s too sudsy and if put in the dishwasher, you’ll be dealing with an overflowing machine.</p> <p><strong>3. Washing machine</strong></p> <p>Dishwashing liquid simply does not contain the heavy-duty detergent to clean clothes the right way. Also, like the dishwasher, it will result in a flood of suds.</p> <p><strong>4. Windows and mirrors</strong></p> <p>Dishwashing liquid will leave streaks so don’t skip the glass cleaner if you’re looking for clean windows and mirrors.</p> <p><strong>5. Hands</strong></p> <p>Never substitute hand soap for dishwashing liquid! It’s much harsher than the soaps we use to clean our hands and will damage skin over time.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/01/dirty-home-items/">5 surprisingly dirty things in your house</a></span></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/01/uses-for-sunlight-soap/">Surprising uses for sunlight soap you’ll love</a></span></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/12/homemade-remedies-for-the-garden/">Homemade remedies for the garden</a></span></em></strong></p>

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The simple trick to cleaning your dishwasher

<p>It may sound counterintuitive considering a dishwasher’s sole job is to clean dishes, but it’s important to give your dishwasher a good clean every six months or so. It helps the machine run more efficiently and clears away all the gunk that inevitably builds up inside, But there’s no need to hurt your back climbing inside the machine – this trick by blogger One Good Thing by Jillee works a charm with minimal effort required.</p> <p><strong>Here are the three simple steps for a sparkling clean dishwasher:</strong></p> <p>1. Make sure your dishwasher filter area is free of debris.</p> <p>2. Place a dishwasher-safe container on the top rack. Fill it with white distilled vinegar, then run your empty dishwasher on a normal cycle.</p> <p>3. After the vinegar cycle, sprinkle a cup of bicarbonate soda along the bottom of the dishwasher. Run on a short, hot cycle.</p> <p><em>Source: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/02/how-to-clean-your-dishwasher.html" target="_blank">One Good Thing </a></strong></span>by Jillee </em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/01/how-to-sharpen-knife-with-mug/">Genius trick to sharpen knives without sharpener</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/01/how-to-keep-food-for-longer/">15 great kitchen hacks to extend the life of food and save on waste</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/01/dirty-home-items/">5 surprisingly dirty things in your house</a></strong></em></span></p> <p> </p>

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5 things you didn’t know your dishwasher could do

<p>If you’re just using your dishwasher for dirty dishes you’re only using part of its cleaning potential. We’ve taken a look at five hidden uses for common dishwashers.</p> <p>While they may not all be up your alley, it’s some interesting food for thought!</p> <p><strong>1. Shine your hubcaps</strong></p> <p>Yes, you read correctly! If your hubcaps have been through one too many puddles simply load them into the dishwasher with a cup of white vinegar and they’ll come out looking just as good as they did in the show room. Oh, and if you want to clean the lug nuts as well you can place them in a mesh bag before loading the dishwasher and run them through on the same load as well!</p> <p><strong>2. Clean canvas sneakers</strong></p> <p>This one may seem a little out of left field as well, but dishwashers are also a great place to clean canvas sneakers. Make sure you remove the liners before you wash them and skip the dry cycle (it’d be better for the sneakers if they air-dry). Also, make sure you run the dishwasher through without anything in it to clean it, otherwise your pots and pans are going to smell like toes!</p> <p><strong>3. Cook vegetables</strong></p> <p>Here’s a handy little trick for people who are cooking for a large group but are short on time who have already maxed out the space in their oven. You can actually steam vegetables like broccoli and carrots in foil packets, or potatoes wrapped in foil! Beats spending a money on a steamer.</p> <p><strong>4. Poach salmon</strong></p> <p>A why let the fun stop there? Wrap some salmon tightly in foil and the dishwasher will provide the perfect environment to poach it to perfection. You can’t deny the convenience of this option!</p> <p><strong>5. Sanitise your toothbrush</strong></p> <p>One thing people often neglect is sanitising their toothbrush, particularly after a cold. Instead of jettisoning your flu-infected toothbrush, run it through the dishwasher and sanitise it to perfection. Just make sure you put it through a different load to the hub cabs or sneakers. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/01/why-mosquitoes-are-more-attracted-to-some-people/">Why mosquitoes are more attracted to some people</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/01/stranger-pays-for-mums-parking-ticket/">Stranger pays for stressed mum’s parking tickets</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/01/why-the-duchess-gave-a-rare-public-curtsy-to-queen/">Why the Duchess gave a rare public curtsy to Queen</a></strong></em></span></p>

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