Getting The Dirt Off Your Household Items

Sept. 22, 2009— -- Keeping your home appliances from rusting away only takes a couple of minutes of regular upkeep. The experts at ShopSmart magazine have come up with easy tips for maintaining five items found in virtually every home using simple household products in your cabinet.

It's important to keep these two items out of your dishwasher to prolong their lives. Knives go blunt easily without a little extra attention. Dishwashers can cause knife handles to crack and the blades to pit. Be sure to store your knives in a wooden knife block or plastic shield to keep the edges sharp.

The same goes for your nonstick pots. Keep them out of your dishwasher and wash them by hand, instead, with a plastic scrubber. This prevents burnt bits of food from sticking to the pot.

After washing your pans, be sure to dry them thoroughly. Otherwise, you could risk having them rust over. Another easy method is to dry them with paper towels and a dab of vegetable oil.

With your ranges it's crucial to regularly inspect the burners. If you have a gas model, be sure to clean your burner ports with a needle. But be careful not to touch the igniter, which can break easily.