How Planet-friendly is Your Kitchen?

Written by Jenny Catton

 

If you’re trying to be more ecologically aware at home, then the kitchen is a good place to start. Of all the rooms in your house, the kitchen is perhaps the one where you can make the most changes. From electrical equipment to detergents, there are plenty of ways to turn your kitchen from an eco-disaster zone into a planet-friendly space.

 

Here are some ideas:

 

Oven

Avoid heating up the oven just for one small dish. Instead, cook several things at once to make the most of the heat created.

 

Fridge

Fridges are most energy-efficient when they are full or nearly full. So if your fridge is looking a bit bear try filling empty shelves with cans or bottles that you might have stored elsewhere. Alternatively, fill pitchers of water to fill the space and you’ll have easy access to a cold glass of water anytime.

 

Dishwasher

Only turn your dishwasher on once it is full. Running half loads is incredibly inefficient. Check that your detergent is eco-friendly and when buying a new dishwasher (or washing machine), choose an energy-efficient model.

 

Recycling

Pretty much all kitchen waste from tin cans to plastic bottles can now be recycled. Keep recycling bins to hand so that you remember to recycle as much as possible. If you have a garden, you might want to invest in a mini composter for your fruit and vegetable peelings.

 

For more ways to reduce your carbon footprint around the home, visit carbonfootprint.com

Categories: Bottles, dishwasher, energy efficient, friendly, kitchen, nbsp, planet friendly

How Clean is Your Dishwasher?

 

 

Think your dishwasher gets a good clean every time you use it? Think again! You may be horrified to hear researchers have discovered that over 60 per cent of dishwashers contain potentially harmful fungi that could be responsible for problems such as lung illnesses and skin infections. The findings, which were published in the journal Medical Mycology, showed that the warm, damp conditions within dishwashers provide the ideal habitat for certain fungi to thrive. Some fungi even love the salty environment created by dishwasher salt.

 

So how can you prevent potentially harmful fungi from spreading through your dishwasher? The trick is to keep it clean and dry between washes. Even if your dishwasher looks clean, tiny food particles, grease and soap scum can all accumulate over time.

 

It is recommended that you clean your dishwasher whilst it is empty. The racks should be removed and washed in hot water on a monthly basis to keep them in tip top condition. The inside of the dishwasher should also be wiped down and allowed to dry thoroughly. A particular spot to keep an eye on is the door where fungi can rapidly breed within the rubber seal. And remember to check your dishwasher filter regularly for any items which may be clogging it. Refer to your dishwasher’s manual for precise instructions on how to clean it.

 

Keeping your dishwasher clean will also help it run more efficiently and help prevent bacteria and germs from spreading.

 

For more information on kitchen hygiene, visit: http://www.hygienecouncil.org/

Categories: dishwasher, fungi, harmful, harmful fungi, nbsp, potentially harmful, prevent