In consideration of the length of time man has been a home-dweller, the home dishwashing technology that we now have come to expect is actually a rather newcomer to food preparation and meal clean up methods for families. We tend to take them for granted these days, and without much empathy for our ancestors and predecessors who never got to experience such a vast variety of special features that are now only considered as the basics for any dishwasher.
Dishwasher Capabilities Have Evolved Over Time
Even though the very first dishwashers (or automated dishwashers, as they were known,) were designed exclusively for providing a safer method of handling the cleaning of delicate china and crystal (than conventional hand washing by servants had been,) their functionality was nothing close to what it has become. So, certainly at one time it would have been preposterous to dare attempt to use the automated dishwasher for anything other than those plates and such — considered to be delicate and sometimes even irreplaceable food and beverage ware. Today’s dishwashers offer a highly evolved degree of durability, performance and at the same time, extra protection for cherished keepsakes.
Excelling Design Efforts Pay off Big
Manufacturers of dishwashers for home use have remained hard at work for quite some time now to advance the performance of dishwashers, and at the same time eliminating much of what at one time was “pre-washing efforts” on the part of the one doing the loading. They have been entirely successful at coming up with many wonderful and much needed features and functions that have vastly improved the degree of clean consumers can now expect from their new purchases.
Are There Benefits You’re Missing Out on?
While you may already love your dishwasher, being entirely thankful for how it is designed with such super features that make washing dishes a breeze, and especially how the really food-laden casseroles and pots always come out bright and shiny and uber clean, if you are like most people, there’s something you need to know. You are probably not fully maximizing all of the complete capability of your dishwasher, to include a myriad of benefits that can help you to clean more of your home than just last night’s dishes, glasses and utensils. This clever appliance which we refer to as a “dishwasher” may just now be due for a renaming, if what we call it is to adequately convey all that it is able to clean, or “wash.”
Out of the Box Functionality
Good ideas and expansion of capability in any area comes from individuals who are good at thinking out of the box, and breaking tradition. Actually, that’s exactly what design is: out of the box thinking. The question that evokes the best of such thinking is found to ask, “But is thereanything else that can be accomplished here?” And when brilliant thinkers are asked this question, they always can be counted on to provide at least one, if not many answers. Thankfully, someone, or actually several someones have managed to successfully and creatively answered that question as it applies to dishwasher functionality and extending its useful applications to easily and effectively encompass many impressive household cleaning tasks.
Are You Getting the Full Use Out of Your Dishwasher?
If you are only using your dishwasher for traditional cleaning of dishes, glasses, pots, pans, casseroles and the like, read on to be amazed at how much more your dishwasher can do for you! Here are 15 of an even more extensive list of ways you can use your dishwasher:
Wash Your Window Screens: If your dishwasher is large, or you have smallish windows, clean them in the dishwasher. They will totally transform after a short cycle!
Clean the Attachments for Your Vacuum Cleaner: Make sure to select the lowest temperature for these plastic devices, and load them on the top rack. Sometimes, you need to clean the cleaning tools!
Sanitize and Clean Your Door Knobs: Spring cleaning is an excellent time to give a new shine and germ removal to the door knobs in your home. Simply disassemble them and place them on the top rack of your dishwasher.
Clean the Globes From Your LIght Fixtures and Lamps: Simply remove them from their bases and place them all in your dishwasher. This is much easier than trying to dust and clean them while they are in different places all over the house.
Dirty Floor Vent Grates? You can use your dishwasher to safely and effectively clean all your metal grates in your home.
Clean Your Range Hood Filters: Every now and then, give the filters in the range hood above (or beside) your cooktop, and they’ll be as good as new!
Clean Trash Can Lids: Often these can go uncleaned for long periods of time. At least every couple of weeks, load them up and select hot water. Freshness like you’ve never known it!
Renew Your Kids’ Plastic Toys: This is especially great when any little one in the house has been sick, as when kids play with toys, they not only become germ-laden but they get dirty. For toys that have small parts, you can load them all together into a closed mesh bag to go in the dishwasher. Top rack only.
Clean Your Brushes and Combs: If your hairbrushes and combs are plastic with plastic bristles, you can safely and securely clean them in your dishwasher. You can use the silverware caddy or the top rack. Just remove as much hair from them prior to loading.
Clean All Your Rubber Shoes Like Crocs and Flip-Flops: While you want to make sure your shoes are washable, you can even add some sneakers to the list of “dishwasher-washables!”
To Clean Your Toothbrushes: Yep, what better way could you have to disinfect and renew your family’s toothbrushes! Load into the silverware caddy. You can even wash your toothbrush holders this way!
Shine Your Car’s Hubcaps: This is a long used secret of car wash facilities. Use hot water and you can add a streak free agent–and watch them shine!
Clean Your Car Floor Mats: First shake or knock off any loose dirt and then lay them over the dishwasher’s top rack, face down.
Ensure Clean Athletes: Did you know that all of your family’s sporting equipment that will fit into your dishwasher can be cleaned there as well? Shin guards, helmets, and everything else that is plastic will come out shiny and clean.