These Dos and Don'ts will help you to become a dishwashing pro.

Adding Detergent
DO use only the recommended amount of detergent -- too much can leave behind a residue, and too little can result in dirty dishes.

Filling It Up
DO run only full loads. If the dishwasher is partially full, use the Rinse-Hold cycle to remove odor-causing foods. This is more economical than rinsing dishes by hand, which can waste up to 20 extra gallons of water per load or 6,500 gallons per household each year.

Rinsing
DO use a rinse aid. They lower the surface tension of the rinse water so droplets don't form. Particularly helpful if you have hard water, they also help dishes dry faster, which can be helpful when using the Energy-Saving Dry cycle or air-drying dishes.

Drying
DO dry dishes on the lowest temperature setting. Hotter temperatures can leave spots on glassware.

Related: 10 Ways to Save Energy at Home

Not Dishwasher Safe
DON'T put the following into a dishwasher: acrylic, adhesive-joined...Read More »

Source: 11 Ways to Have a Clean Place Without Cleaning

If you don't enjoy cleaning, tidying up your place may feel like a time-consuming and mind-numbing task. However, there are little tricks you can do to lessen your load and expend less effort toward cleaning yet still have a sparkling clean residence. Here are some ways to have a clean place without cleaning:

• Everything has its place: Remember that every item has its place in your home, and if they don't, find spots for them. Organize your things and make sure that every time you take something from its rightful place, you're always returning it to where it belongs when you're done using it. You'll prevent clutter from building.
• Reduce your stuff: If you have less possessions, you'll have less clutter to deal with. Check out our recommendations of things you should throw away today. Be mindful when shopping and don't buy things you don't need, even if you're tempted to.
• Take off your shoes: Taking off your shoes bef

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Source: 6 Ways to Reduce Your Energy Bill While Cleaning

Cleaning your home takes up time and energy, and it also leaves you with a bigger energy bill and carbon footprint. There are plenty of ways to reduce the cost to the environment and your wallet when you're doing your chores. Here are some tips:

• Use the cold water setting. Opt for the cold water setting when doing laundry to save money and energy. Ninety percent of the energy used in the washer is utilized to heat up the water, so by skipping the hot water, you'll be saving a lot of energy.
• Hang clothes to dry Hang your clothes to dry whenever you can, instead of throwing them in the dryer.
• Run full loads. When you do use your dryer, run full loads and use the moisture-sensing setting.
• Clean the lint trap. Make sure you always clean the lint filter after use so the machine runs efficiently. Every six months, take the trap out and wash it with soap and water. While your clothes are drying, the lint in the trap ham

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