SEE ALSO: The 10 rules of good dishwasher use

1. ONE SOAP IS THE SAME AS ANY OTHER: FALSE

Regardless of personal preferences, all dishwasher soaps’ primary function is to remove dirt with the help of hot water. However, not all products are identical: the characteristic to check when buying soap is whether it is “all in one” or not. Indeed, some also carry out the function of salt and rinse aid (usually the tabs). In general, dishwasher soaps are different in terms of format (liquid, powder, tabs), function (all in one or just soap), and environmental impact.

2. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS PRE-RINSE DISHES BY HAND: FALSE

One of the great dilemmas for people using a dishwasher is exactly this: should dishes be rinsed before loading or not? Of course, you need to remove leftover food, nuts, lemon seeds, small bones, and other similar residues, but there is no need to run dishes under the tap or wipe them with a sponge and soap. The important thing is to get rid of the large bits of food, even just with a tissue thrown directly in the bin. The dishwasher will take care of the rest!

3. WASHING DISHES IN THE DISHWASHER WASTES MORE WATER: FALSE!

By now it’s well-confirmed: washing dishes by hand uses more water and energy than washing them in the dishwasher. A normal wash cycle in the dishwasher uses up to six times less water than handwashing. Furthermore, this appliance uses heat from the water, which is not the case in the sink, where the heat is lost into the air. Would you like some data? Awash cycle with a normal level of dirt uses around 25 litres of water, whereas handwashing uses 120 litres…

4. DISHES COME OUT BETTER WHEN HAND WASHED: FALSE

In the dishwasher, the dishes are washed at a high temperature and the dirt is removed with an efficient combination of soap, mechanical action, heat, steam, and intersecting jets of water. If your dishes are still dirty after two hours of washing, there is something wrong: in most cases, the dishes are loaded badly, or the dishwasher is too packed. When you load dishes into the dishwasher, you should respect a particular order, which is also illustrated in the instruction booklet for the appliance: have a look!

5. REGULAR DISHWASHER MAINTENANCE MAKES NO DIFFERENCE: FALSE!

A dishwasher that is used regularly bears a significant workload. If it is maintained well, it can last many years. Regularly cleaning the filter, using salt and rinse aid (depending on the instructions), and eliminating possible bad odours are not useless gestures; they make a difference. One of the most important maintenance procedures for a dishwasher is removing the scale and grease that builds up inside. For this job, it is worthwhile to use specialized products – so-called “dishwasher care” products – such as Mister Magic® Protector Dishwasher Care, which works to fight scale, grease, and another build-up. Mister Magic® Protector Dishwasher Care also helps to keep the filters and drainage pipes in excellent condition and is a gentle treatment made from natural ingredients.

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L'articolo Dishwasher: 5 Myths Debunked For Cleaner Dishes! proviene da Mister Magic.

OVEN

Remove any trays or pans, and slide out the drip pan and shelves. Collect any burnt crumbs or pieces of food. Spray the bottom and the walls with Mister Magic® Oven and Barbecue Cleaner, leave for a few minutes, and wipe with a damp sponge. If there is still some stubborn dirt, spray the oven cleaner directly onto the area and wipe again.

Spring cleaning trick: use a product without strong fragrances that could interfere with the food. And don’t forget the outside of the glass!

FREEZER

Don’t forget the freezer! How long has it been since you looked inside? When you are doing your spring cleaning, defrost your freezer and clean it. To do this quickly, without having to deal with spatulas and scrapers, use a product that accelerates the defrosting process, such as Mister Magic® Easy-Defrost, which also leaves a pleasant clean smell. Spray the product liberally onto the ice on all the surfaces to be cleaned. Leave until all the ice has detached from the surfaces, then take the ice away or soak up the meltwater with a cloth. Dry the walls of the freezer carefully, then replace the drawers, well-cleaned, and finally check the frozen food. If anything has been sitting there for too long, eat it immediately.

Spring cleaning trick: repeat this process after two months – this way you will prevent the build-up of layers and layers of ice, and cleaning the freezer will become a breeze, taking only a few minutes.

DISHWASHER

Food residues and grease stick in the filter, on the walls, the cutlery basket, and the seals. When spring cleaning, do things properly and deep clean your dishwasher. You can handwash the walls and the bottom, take out the baskets, and put the filter to soak. Or you can treat everything with a specialized product such as Mister Magic® Protector Dishwasher Care, which also works against scale and build-up. This type of maintenance improves the performance of the machine. Your dishes will be cleaner, and your dishwasher will last longer.

Spring cleaning trick: to prevent bad smells in the dishwasher, hang a Mister Magic® Little Lemon Dishwasher Deodoriser.

SEE ALSO: How to clean stovetops: 5 tips for a sparkling hob with no streaks

TOSTER

If you use it every morning, you’ll know the state it gets in after a short time! If you have a vertical toaster, it probably includes a removable crumb tray. When spring cleaning, slide it out and tip out the crumbs that have collected. If it is dirty, wipe it with a damp cloth. Then clean the blackened grills, scrubbing with steel wool if needed. Carefully turn the toaster upside-down and shake it to remove any hidden crumbs. Clean the outside, including the bottom, with a damp cloth and Mister Magic® Kitchen Surface Cleaner. Don’t forget the cable!

Spring cleaning trick: when you make toasted sandwiches with melted cheese, use a little baking parchment between the bread and the grills. This way you won’t make any mess!

MIXER

The parts of a mixer that get the dirtiest are the attachment for the spatulas and whisks, and the outside, where little splashes of batter stick on and dry. With an old toothbrush, scrub the most difficult-to-reach parts of the whisk attachment, concentrating on the areas that can’t be detached. Then degrease the outside of the mixer; if it is made of steel, remember to dry it with a rag, or you will leave unsightly streaks. The bowl and the whisks should be washed after every use, if possible by hand, without too much soap.

Spring cleaning trick: usually mixers also come with a plastic anti-splash cover that can be attached over the bowl. Don’t forget to use it!

ELECTRIC ORANGE SQUEEZER

Dried-on orange pulp is one of the most difficult things to clean in the kitchen, right? The secret is to immediately remove residues and rinse the mouth of the orange squeezer under the tap, because the more time passes, the more they harden… By “cleaning the orange squeezer,” we mean cleaning the parts that can be detached, of course, so the mouth and the grooved accessory for squeezing. The part containing the motor should never be put in water, but it can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Sometimes electric orange squeezers become yellow over time: to remove stains, try rubbing it with a little water and bicarbonate.

Spring cleaning trick: get rid of pulp and juice residues straight away. The longer you wait… the worse it gets.

SEE ALSO: Cleaning your computer screen: mistakes to avoid making

COFFEE MACHINE

The parts that should be cleaned regularly are the water tank, the drip tray, the dispenser, and the capsule compartment. The tank is subject to scale build-up because it contains water: if you want to do things properly when spring cleaning, give it a treatment with a href=”https://test.mistermagic.it/en/prodotti-mister-magic/specialised-cleaning-products/descaler-for-coffee-machines/”>Mister Magic® Descaler, which is odourless and made from citric acid. The drip tray is easily removed and can be rinsed directly under the tap, as can the capsule container. Don’t use dish soap or products with strong fragrances, or your coffee will taste of perfume! Finally, don’t forget to wipe a wet sponge over the outside of the machine and wipe the coffee dispenser spout, which gets blocked very easily.

Spring cleaning trick: don’t leave water sitting in the bottom of the tank – empty it, rinsing well, before refilling it with clean water. This way you will avoid the growth of mould.

MICROWAVE

In the microwave, splashes of food and drops of milk or hot chocolate dry onto the walls of the appliance. Make sure that it is always clean and well-sanitized to avoid mould and bad smells. To clean your microwave, open the door, remove the glass turntable plate and wash it with water and a block of normal dish soap. Spray the walls, bottom, and the inside of the door with Mister Magic® Fridge and Microwave Cleaner, then wipe with a dry cloth: no need to rinse! The outside of the microwave gets more dusty than dirty: remember to dust it, and don’t neglect the counter underneath.

Spring cleaning trick: when you reheat food, use designated lids or clingfilm so you don’t get any splashes!

Discover here all products of MISTER MAGIC® line

L'articolo Spring Cleaning: 8 Home Appliances That Should Be Cleaned (At Least) Once A Year proviene da Mister Magic.

1. OVERFILLING

If the freezer is too full, the cold air doesn’t circulate, so it doesn’t freeze the food properly. This means that when you go to take something out, you find one single, unmanageable block of ice. What should you do? You need to freeze things wisely, and above all, use all your stocks cyclically to avoid too much accumulation.

2. NOT WRITING DATES ON FREEZER BAGS

Putting food in the freezer without writing the date on the bag is a big mistake. Even frozen food has an expiry date: 2 months for fresh fish, 4-6 months for meat, 6 months for vegetables. If you write the date on, you will be able to use up your stocks intelligently, starting with the oldest.

3. NOT WRITING THE CONTENTS OF THE BAGS

Food often becomes “unrecognizable” once it is frozen. What could it be, that whitish stuff? Chicken, fish, or a slice of cake? To avoid defrosting unknown food, just write the name of the product or the dish on its bag in a permanent marker.

4. FREEZING PIECES THAT ARE TOO BIG

The bigger a piece of meat or fish, the more time it will take to freeze evenly. But the freezing process is truly safe only when it happens fast. So what should you do? Cut meat into slices no thicker than 2cm, fish into small chunks, and cube vegetables before putting them in the freezer.

5. PUTTING FOOD IN THE FREEZER WHEN IT IS STILL HOT

Never put hot saucepans, scalding baking trays, or bags of food that are still steaming in the freezer. This is damaging for both the food and the freezer itself. Indeed, the rise in the internal temperature of the freezer damages the food and it is one of the causes of ice building up on the freezer’s wall.

6. OPENING THE DOOR TOO OFTEN

Letting warm, humid air enter the freezer (especially if it is frost-free) is dangerous, because it leads to sudden ice formation. Furthermore, the food stored inside will undergo repeated temperature fluctuations. Only open your freezer when you need to. This is why it is a good idea to keep it organized: once it is open, you only need a glance to see what to take and where it is.

7. USING THE DRAWERS WITH NO SYSTEM

Putting food in the freezer with no apparent system is a very common error with many negative consequences: a chaotic freezer, difficulty finding the right food, bags forgotten about for years, food cooked with the care that is no longer anywhere to be found! How should you do it? Assign each drawer (or each shelf) a food group. For example first drawer, frozen food from the supermarket and herbs; the second drawer, preserves, and home-cooked food; the last drawer, meat, and fish.

8. NOT CHECKING THE SEALS

If your freezer is not freezing properly, or if it is already old, check the state of the seals. A well-sealed door guarantees that this appliance will work at its best. On the other hand, perished seals allow warm air to enter and cold air to escape. If the rubber is ripped or loose, it’s time to change it!

9. OVERFILLING CONTAINERS

If you often find jars and containers that have exploded, it means you are overfilling them. Once frozen, liquid and semi-liquid foods increase in volume by about 10%. So don’t fill containers right to the brim – leave a little space.

110. NEVER DEFROSTING THE FREEZER

If despite everything, your freezer has still accumulated ice build-up, you need to get rid of it. Defrosting the freezer is important for freeing up space, keeping it clean, and helping the door to hermetically seal. You can use water and vinegar, or hot water and some rags, but remember to unplug it first.

If, instead, you want to melt the ice quickly without rinsing, try Mister Magic® Easy-Defrost, which melts even the most compacted ice with just a few sprays. You should clean and defrost your freezer regularly!

Discover here all products of MISTER MAGIC® line

L'articolo Freezer: The 10 Most Common Mistakes That Ruin Food And Appliances proviene da Mister Magic.

Today, coffee machines are a feature of many homes, and “bar-style coffee” has become an everyday reality.
Capsule machines and machines for ground coffee (with an “arm”) are the most common because they take up less space and produce good quality coffee. To keep them working well for a long time, you just need to take care of them and remember to carry out regular maintenance, especially for the detachable parts of the machine.

Here is some advice that will be easy to remember… and you’ll be able to say goodbye to customer assistance hotlines!

THE RULES FOR CORRECT COFFEE MACHINE MAINTENANCE

1. There is always an instruction booklet provided with your coffee machine. There will certainly be a section inside dedicated to the maintenance of your specific model. Read the producer’s advice: you may find just the right tricks and tips.

2. Your coffee machine needs to be securely positioned on a flat surface, far from heat sources. Leave a few centimetres of space around and above the machine: consider that you will need to access different areas (the drawer at the front, the tank at the back, the possible arm, etc.)

3. Keep the outside of the coffee machine clean, degreasing it weekly with a damp cloth and a simple detergent, such as Mister Magic Kitchen Surface Cleaner.

4. Cleaning the parts of the machine that come into contact with the coffee and the water is very important, not only in terms of hygiene but also because incorrect maintenance will spoil the taste of the coffee.

5. Preventing the build-up of scale in the coffee machine is one of the best strategies for making it last longer. Scale builds up mainly in the water tank and the hidden parts of the machine. Scale alters the taste of the coffee, and slowly lowers the temperature of the machine.

6. In the tank, it is best to use cold water, or low-mineralized bottled water, especially if your city has particularly “hard” water (with a lot of scales).

7. The tank should be rinsed in cold water very often to remove possible deposits. A very important rule for coffee machine maintenance: the tank should be descaled once a month. The descaling process can be carried out with various methods, using vinegar or an unscented product such as Mister Magic Descaler for Coffee Machines, which is made with citric acid.

8. Clean the portafilter very often (even once a day), as the water that comes out with the coffee accumulates in it, along with the residues of the coffee itself. You can simply rinse it under the tap.

9. For capsule machines, remember to clean the capsule compartment often, at least every time you empty it.

10. For ground coffee machines, regularly clean the dispenser (including the filter) and run hot water through, which will unblock the spouts. If your machine includes dispensers and containers for milk, clean them after every use: milk leaves build-up and deposits that are almost as damaging as a scale!

Is it possible to get rid of scale from a coffee machine using a descaler?

Yes! With a professional product, the results are 100% guaranteed. Mister Magic Descaler for Coffee Machines is suitable for coffee machines, percolators, small appliances, and irons. Made from natural ingredients, it is odourless, removes rust, and is 98% biodegradable.

Discover Here all products of MISTER MAGIC® line

L'articolo Coffee Machine Maintenance: 10 Tips To Make It Last Longer proviene da Mister Magic.

In this post, we will reveal the mistakes to avoid making, and the secret to having dust-free screens that are as good as new!

UNPLUG THE COMPUTER

For a thorough clean carried out in safety, turn off the computer and unplug it (if it is a laptop, disconnect the charger).

DON’T USE JUST ANY OLD CLOTH

The best type of cloth for dusting and cleaning your computer screen is a microfibre one, sold in all supermarkets. The soft, anti-static surface of this fabric removes every trace of dust and fingerprints, without scratches.

Toilet paper, tissues, cotton rags, or kitchen rolls will instead leave lint on the screen: avoid using them.

DON’T APPLY TOO MUCH PRESSURE

When you clean computer screens, and also LCD monitors, plasma TVs, and all delicate electronic devices, you need to be careful. Don’t apply too much pressure with the cloth on the screen, because you could permanently damage it. A slow, gentle movement is more than enough. If the stains don’t go away on the first wipe, try again with circular movements.

THE PRODUCT FOR CLEANING YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN

To clean your computer screen, you can slightly dampen the microfibre cloth with just water, but this solution may not be good enough, especially for the most stubborn fingerprints. Our advice is to use a specialised product, such as Mister Magic® Glass, and Screen Cleaner.

Mister Magic® Glass and Screen Cleaner is a gentle detergent that works against fingerprints and dust and can be used on all glass or crystal surfaces. So not only computer screens, but also smartphones, tablets, LCD monitors, TVs, mirrors, and even precious crystal objects such as vases and decorative tables.
The formula of Mister Magic® Glass and Screen Cleaner is enriched with natural alcohol derived from the fermentation of vegetables.

Discover here all products of MISTER MAGIC® line

L'articolo Cleaning Your Computer Screen: Mistakes To Avoid Making proviene da Mister Magic.

There are a lot of foods you can freeze: there are very few exceptions (best to avoid eggs, fried food, and vegetables containing a lot of water), and only a few rules to remember, for example, that you need to eat food within 12 months of freezing it.

FRESH MILK

Yes, you can put it in the freezer! Milk freezes in around 24 hours, but it should be poured into a bigger container, as it expands when it freezes, taking up more space. You should drink it within 2 months, leaving it to defrost slowly in the fridge.

COFFEE

There is always some coffee left over, isn’t there? Try pouring it into ice cube trays: you will end up with delicious cubes of coffee to use in an iced coffee, an impromptu syrup, or to cool down hot coffee.

FLOUR

Have you ever opened a bag of flour, used very little, and then been about to go on holiday? No problem: to avoid the risk of moths, put your flour in one or more freezer bags and put it in the freezer. To use it, just defrost in the fridge.

CHERRY TOMATOES

If you are lucky enough to have a vegetable garden, or if you found a good deal at the market, make sure your cherry tomato stockpile doesn’t go bad. You can freeze cherry tomatoes (Pachino, plum tomatoes, etc.) as they are, and they will remain tasty and flavourful. To defrost them, move them into the fridge or throw them straight into hot water.

SHORTCRUST PASTRY

If you have prepared too much, you can keep it raw in the freezer, wrapped in clingfilm: it will be ready for your next tart or tray or biscuits! Just put it in the fridge the day before.

BUTTER

Did you know? Butter can be frozen without problems: leave it whole or divide it into single portions to use in a moment of need. Just melt it straight in the pan, or in a microwave. An excellent solution for those who live alone or don’t use it much.

POTATOES

Raw potatoes shouldn’t be stored in a cold place, but after cooking they can be frozen. Peel them, cube them and parboil them for 5 minutes, then drain them and put them in freezer bags. They keep for up to 12 months, and chopped like this they will be ready to be used in all your recipes.

JAM

Vacuum-sealed jars keep for a long time in the cupboard, but what can you do with those already open and left in the fridge? Instead of waiting for them to go mouldy, close them well and put them in the freezer: jam will keep for a long time, up to 12 months.

OLIVES

Have you stocked up on olives and now you don’t know what to do with them? Freeze them, in bags or jars, and get them out when needed. If you use them to cook, you can add them directly without defrosting them first.

ORANGE JUICE

You can freeze both juices bought at the supermarket and juice squeezed at home. A great solution if you have too much in the fridge, or if you don’t want to throw away the oranges that have been sitting in the fruit bowl for weeks… just juice them!

SAVOURY SNACKS AND PEANUTS

After pre-dinner drinks at home or a buffet party, you might be left with a bowl still half-full of peanuts, mini-pretzels, or crisps. Did you know that you can freeze them? Divide them into little bags and put them in the freezer. They will still be tasty and crunchy months later.

FINAL TIP

To avoid damaging food, make sure your freezer is clean and well-defrosted with Mister Magic® Easy-Defrost, which removes all ice residues, needs no rinsing, and has a formula made from alcohol and natural ingredients.

L'articolo 10 Unexpected Foods You Can Freeze: Milk, Coffee, Flour, And Many More! proviene da Mister Magic.