Our Favorite Kitchen and Laundry Secrets Revealed
Household tasks, from folding laundry to doing dishes, take up a significant part of our time each week. Appliances such as dishwashers and dryers help us save time, but there are still some lesser-known hacks you can try to get things done more quickly. Below you’ll find our biggest time-saving hacks for everyday kitchen and laundry-related chores.
What We'll Cover:
- 1. Where All Those Missing Socks Go
- 2. Yes, You’re Supposed to Clean Your Washing Machine
- 3. The Dryer Hack for Wrinkled Clothing
- 4. There’s a Reason Your Coffee Isn’t Tasting Quite Right
- 5. Freshen Up Your Microwave in 2 Steps
- 6. The Trick to Warm Plates
- 7. Cleaning Your Range Hood Is Easier than You Think
Where All Those Missing Socks Go
No, you’re not crazy. Socks do actually go missing in the washer and dryer. If you’ve checked behind and around your washing machine and dryer, there are still a few places to look. Start by examining your laundry thoroughly. Socks can stick to other pieces of clothing or even hide out in fitted sheets. You can also check your dryer’s lint trap. Socks sometimes get stuck under the filter. No dice? If your washer has a clean-out area, look there too.
If you have a top-loading washer, you might find socks under the wash plate or agitator. Socks also get trapped in the inner and outer tubs of washing machines. To prevent this problem, avoid overloading your machine.
Yes, You’re Supposed to Clean Your Washing Machine
Turns out you do have to clean the things you use to clean other things! Luckily, it’s not too difficult to clean your washing machine. If your washer has a self-cleaning cycle, simply select and run the cycle. If not, grab some white vinegar, an old toothbrush, a sponge, a bucket, and some microfiber cloths.
Steps:
✦ Run a regular cycle on hot but pour two cups of white vinegar into the dispenser (instead of detergent).
✦ Allow the full cycle to run.
✦ Mix ¼ cup of the vinegar with hot water in a bucket.
✦ Scrub the inside of the machine with a soft sponge and toothbrush.
✦ Wipe down the exterior of the machine with the vinegar and water mixture and a soft cloth.
✦ Run a second cycle on hot with half a cup of baking soda in the washer.
✦ Wipe the interior clean with a microfiber cloth.
The Dryer Hack for Wrinkled Clothing
Who likes ironing? Save yourself some time the next time your favorite shirt is wrinkled. Throw a clean but damp towel into the dryer with the wrinkled clothes. You can throw in a few dryer sheets as well. Set the dryer on low for 10 minutes.
There’s a Reason Your Coffee Isn’t Tasting Quite Right
If your coffee isn’t tasting the best, it might be due to mineral buildup. Hard water contains calcium, magnesium, and limestone, which can build up inside your coffeemaker. All it takes is a little descaling to get things tasting delicious again.
Here's How:
✦ Fully empty your coffee maker’s carafe, filter, and chamber.
✦ Add equal parts white vinegar and water to the carafe.
✦ Pour the vinegar and water mixture into the chamber.
✦ Start the coffee maker and allow the brew to complete halfway.
✦ Turn off the coffee maker and let it sit for an hour.
✦ Complete the brew cycle.
✦ Empty the carafe and refill with water.
✦ Run the brew cycle with water two times.
✦ Clean the carafe with hot water and soap.
✦ Wipe down the exterior of the coffee maker with a microfiber cloth and your favorite surface cleaner.
Freshen Up Your Microwave in 2 Steps
From popcorn to spaghetti and frozen meals, all sorts of things can stink up your microwave. If it’s been a while since you cleaned it out, don’t worry. It only takes two simple steps:
✦ Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and heat until boiling. Be careful not to burn yourself.
✦ Use a microfiber cloth to wipe clean and caked-on food and grime.
The Trick to Warm Plates
Give your next home-cooked meal an extra touch by warming your plates. Grab your toaster oven and put the plates inside. Choose the lowest setting and warm for about 5 minutes. Take care when removing them from the oven.
Cleaning Your Range Hood Is Easier than You Think
To keep your range hood running in tip-top shape, you need to regularly clean and replace the filters. The filters help to trap odors and grease.
Learn More
How you’ll clean the filter depends on the type you have. We break down how to clean everything from baffle to aluminum mesh filters in this handy guide.
Questions? Send us a message and we'll get right back to you: info@hauslane.com
Search Tip: When you search Hauslane products to find the right filter for your range hood, choose the accessories category and use the filter drop-down menu in the upper-left-hand corner to search for “aluminum” "baffle" or “charcoal” filters, depending on your needs.
Shop the Accessories Collection
From HAUSLANE
Stainless-Steel Baffle Filters: Designed for heavy-duty cooking and dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. These filters trap grease while helping the exhaust fan suck out smoke, steam, and odors. The grooves within the filters catch dripping grease.
Aluminum Mesh Filters: Perfect for everyday cooking. As air reaches the filter, it separates out the grease from cooking fumes. They also help to purify the air and filter out contaminants.
Charcoal Filters: Typically found in ductless range hood models and great for everyday cooking. These filters are made of carbon-based material which allows them to filter out contaminants and deodorize while cooking. This type of filter must be replaced vs. cleaned.