Refrigerators That Last Through The Years

February 23, 2013 by

EW26SS85KSRefrigerators and stoves are probably the most important appliances in all homes. One can do without television and may perhaps find a way to survive without a heater or air conditioner but none can subsist without a way to store and to cook food. This is why all homeowners choose only trusted and reliable brands like Electrolux for their refrigerators. Whether they’re looking for the biggest, more efficient, or quietest refrigerator, they need to make sure the one they choose will last a long time. Refrigerators are, after all, bought to last for years so they have to be well-built and durable.

To maintain the excellent performance of your refrigerator, make sure that you use only authentic Electrolux refrigerator parts and accessories. Also, ensure that your refrigerator is working at its optimum by performing periodic inspections. Among those that need to be checked regularly are:

  1. Water Filter. Most refrigerators now are equipped with a water dispenser which not only makes getting a cool glass of water faster and easier but also saves on electricity as there isn’t any need to open the refrigerator to get water from the pitcher. However, you must also ensure that your family would be drinking healthy and clean water which is why you must always have replacement water filters in stock.
  2. Air Filter. Keep your refrigerator clean and odor-free by regularly checking if your air filter needs to be replaced already. Choose an air filter that has an activated carbon system to prevent foul odors from permeating into your food.
  3. Condenser Coils. Every few months, clean dusty condenser coils with a vacuum cleaner. This would ensure that the refrigerator performs at its best. A refrigerator with dusty condenser coils works doubly hard and uses more electricity.
  4. Gaskets. Clean gaskets with a gentle cleanser and wipe dry. Check for cracks or damages and replace if there are any. Damaged gaskets allow cool air to leak out which means the refrigerator needs to work harder in keeping the temperature constant.

In between these maintenance checks, keep your refrigerator in good condition by giving it a thorough cleaning every week, or every two weeks at the least. Giving your ref a complete scrub down can prevent bacteria from growing on long-forgotten spills or even leftovers. Make sure though that you use gentle yet effective cleansers like SmartChoiceTM‘s ecosential cleaning supplies.

All these may sound like too much work, but keep in mind that a well-maintained refrigerator will last you many long years and one that is running efficiently will save you on electric bills.

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The Great Appliance Clean Up

August 5, 2012 by

Everyday we sweep the floor, we wipe the tables, tidy up rooms, and wash the dishes. We do always want our homes looking spic and span and as germ-free as possible.  However, we often take our most used appliances forgranted.  When was the last time you cleaned your airconditioner, your toaster, or even your electric fans?  Here are some appliances you should always clean regularly and some tips on how to do so properly:

OVEN TOASTER.  Clean the toaster after every use.  Remove the pan, rack, and crumb tray and wash them in hot soapy water then rinse thoroughly.  Make sure they’re dry before placing them back inside the toaster.

MICROWAVE. To avoid build up of dirt and grime, always give the interior of your microwave a quick wipe with a damp cloth daily.  Include this in your night time cleanup routine.  Once a week or every two weeks, give it a more thorough cleaning.  Make sure you unplug it before doing so.  Check for any damages while cleaning and call a technician if you do see one.  Your microwave may need RF microwave components that only a qualified technician can install.  Here are two options you can use in cleaning your microwave.

  • Steam Cleaning.  Soften grease buildup by placing a cup of water inside and letting it boil for a few minute then use a clean sponge to wipe the grease off.
  • Use Natural Cleansers.  Make a paste using equal parts of Baking Soda and Water or use a mixture of lemon juice and salt.  Apply this paste or mixure to the interior and let sit for about 15 minutes.  Wipe it off with a clean damp sponge.

ELECTRIC FAN. Here in the tropics, fans are often the most used appliance in the house and deserves a weekly cleaning and oiling.  Unplug the fan and remove the fan grill and blades.  Check your fan’s manual for instructions on how to do this. Proper cleaning of fan would depend on the material it is made off.

  • Plastic Parts.  Wash the fan grill and blades in warm soapy water, rinse well, and allow to dry completely.  Always make sure that the parts are dry before putting them back together.
  • Stainless Steel Parts.  Wipe the fan grill and blades with dry cloth.  Use a vacuum cleaner to clean them more thoroughly. Put a drop of oil on a clean cloth and wipe th fan grill and blades with it to prevent rusting.

REFRIGERATOR.  Always clean up food spills immediately to prevent the spread of bacteria.  Give your ref a thorough cleaning once a week. Unplug the ref and take everything out.  Store frozen products inside an ice chest to prevent thawing.  Discard any leftovers that cannot be eaten anymore and condiments that may be expired already.  Remove all shelves and bins and wash in warm soapy water.  Use soft cloth and soapy water to clean the interior and the door seals.  You may also opt to use a bakingsoda paste or a vinegar-water mixture to clean the interior.

 

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net




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Green Cleaning With Vapor Steam Cleaners

May 24, 2012 by

Moms with preschoolers like me (Yup, tots will officially be preschoolers in two weeks time!) are quite stringent when in comes to cleanliness in the house. We all know that with the mess comes germs, and sickness comes soon after. To avoid seeing our little ones somberly lying on their beds suffering from an illness, we keep our house spic-and-span and as close to germ-free as possible.

In our house, you’ll spot the ubiquitous hand sanitizer which everyone is required to use after playing with toys, cleaning, or doing a chore. Every night, the bedroom is cleaned and vacuumed to ensure that the kids sleep soundly and do not wake up to sneezing spells. We also use a floor steamer in the bathroom and kitchen to get between the tiles. I like steaming as it I know it kills off any bugs or mites that could be living between the crevasse. We’ll be going greener though and trading our vacuum cleaners with ladybug vapor steam cleaners for home use. This means we can steam the whole house! Hopefully removing 99.9% of harmful bacteria.

Vapor steam cleansers are not yet that popular for home use but they do help save Mother Earth. Here are two main reasons why vapor steam cleaners are more environment-friendly than other types of cleaners:

  1. They use less water. With other cleaners, such as carpet cleaners, you often end up using gallons of water within a minute of use. Vapor steam cleaners use only several quarts for an hour’s use which is definitely much less than other cleaners.
  2. No chemical cleaning solutions are required. This makes it great for hypoallergenic environments because no harsh chemicals are needed to clean and disinfect the area. Yes, vapor steam cleaners can disinfect even without chemical solutions! Most germs are killed by the heat of the vapor which also effectively kills dust mites in beddings and upholstery.

Not all those labeled as steam cleaners though are the same as VAPOR steam cleaners so do be careful when purchasing one.

 

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Stumped with House Cleaning? Austin Knows Exactly What You Need

April 24, 2012 by

Keeping the house squeaky clean and tidy is such a challenge especially when you have a brood of toddlers running around the house most of the time. But, having these young ones crawling on the floor, touching everything, and lurking in the nooks and crannies of your home all the more makes it important for you to pay attention to house cleaning, with some using cleaners similar Bissell to make sure your homes clean and fit for your children. Vacuums are always a good idea to keep your home clean and tidy, especially with those hard to reach places in your carpet or the corners of your hardwood floor. If Bissell isn’t for you, you can find the Six Best Canister Vacuum Cleaners on The Market and decide which appeals to you.

Austin professional cleaners can help you hurdle your challenge of keeping your home free of clutter and germs. All you really have to do is to look these companies up in Austin’s business listings. Or, you can ask around in your neighborhood to find out which maid services Austin residents prefer to call in for their house cleaning needs.

Professional house cleaning Austin companies have the manpower and equipment needed to give your home more than just a cursory dusting. These companies employ and train cleaners who are dependable and efficient. Some also do background checks on their cleaning staff to make sure they are trustworthy – you do not want to have more than just dirt cleaned out of your home. Most of the maid services Austin listings contain are also accredited with the Better Business Bureau so you can somehow feel comfortable that they follow certain industry standards and are compliant with industry regulations.

You can choose to call your preferred maid services Austin company to give your house a regular dusting and wipe down every week or every couple of weeks, or even do a deep cleaning every month. Don’t forget to ask your chosen house cleaning Austin company about the products that they use in cleaning your home. You can request that they use only green and non-toxic products to clean your home especially if you have children and pets around.



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Handy Clean Up Helpers Make Housekeeping Easier

January 15, 2012 by

The first two weeks without any helper to do the housechores left me utterly disappointed, sorely aching all over, and frustrated over the mess, dirt, and grime I have had to deal with.  You see, our helper had to leave a week ahead of her scheduled trip and left the house in disarray.   A pail full of filthy doormats in the dirty kitchen and a topsy-turvy kitchen cabinet were among the many things I had to contend with. 

I was frustrated and disappointed not only at the mess but also at my seeming ineptitude when it comes to doing house chores.  Years of sedentary lifestyle have left me with utterly useless muscles which are sorely needed when doing manual labor.  After a week of cleaning and organizing the house, I complained of chest pains to our favorite doctor, my sister.  She dismissed my complaint with a curt explanation that I was just growing muscles and that the pain will go away in a few days.

The chest pains did go away in a couple days.  I wish I could say the same for the dirt and clutter though.  By the time I finish cleaning one part of the house, dirt would already have accumulated in another part.  It’s really a never-ending cycle.

Almost a month without any helper (except my husband that is – thank you, hon, for taking out the trash and helping around the house) and the house is still respectably tidy.  My back still aches on some days but I’ve already somewhat adjusted to our help(er)less state.  To keep our house habitable and fairly clean,  I’ve enlisted the help of Messy Bessy, Scotch Brite and Lysol.  Now my arsenal includes:

  • Messy Bessy Tea Tree Mold and Mildew Spray.  It’s the only one that works on the molds that sprout on our cement floor. 
  • Messy Bessy Disinfectant Aroma Spray.  I absolutely love cleaning with this spray.  The scent reminds me of the Spa and actually improves my mood while I’m tidying up.  It can be used as a cleanser or as a room spray.  Now our room is not only clean, it smells good as well.
  • Scotch Brite Scrubs.  There’s one for the bathroom, a couple for the kitchen, and more for other cleaning needs.  Whatever your cleaning needs are, they have the exact  type of scrub you need.
  • Lysol.  There’s just something about Lysol that assures me that our dirty kitchen is relatively germ-free.  The outdoor kitchen can’t be kept pest-free so I use Lysol to ensure that all germs are killed.
  • CIF.  Tough cleaning with minimum effort – for real!  I use CIF on the stove and other kitchen surfaces.  It’s also great for removing stubborn dirt or stains.
  • JOY Hand Care with Vitamin E.  I just started using this a week ago when my hands became horribly dry and wrinkled.  It’s gentler on the hands and has a wonderful scent also.
  • Messy Bessy Aloe & Green Tea Handwash and Messy Bessy Vanilla Lite Hand Cream.  I use this duo after my chores are done.  I’ve always loved the scent of vanilla so this one will remain a favorite of mine.

How about you, what’s on your list?  I’d greatly appreciate it if you could share with me your favorite household cleaners and perhaps a tip or two on how I could keep our house squeaky clean.

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