December 20,2004

As a service company we are constantly asked, “Why doesn’t my dishwasher clean better”. To this query we offer the following insights and suggestions.

Whenever we diagnose a “poor cleaning” complaint the main things we want to know are:

1 Is the water hot enough?
2 Using a proper detergent?
3 Using a rinse additive?
4 Using proper loading practices?

1 Water temperature

Most manufacturers suggest a minimum 120 Fahrenheit for the dishwasher to begin the cleaning process, 140 to remove food soiling, and 155 to sanitize and remove bacteria. In restaurants they boost the dishwasher temperature to 180 Fahrenheit to satisfy health requirements. Consumers misunderstanding these requirements have led to problems for the household dishwasher.

In a dishwasher the temperature of the wash water is paramount. Unfortunately, It is now common to find household water temperatures of only 100 Fahrenheit, or less.

Many people have lowered their household water temperature in an effort to be conscientious consumers. Yes, it lowers electrical consumption. Unfortunately it has other consequences.

Manufacturers say it does not provide enough heat to clean dishes properly and can leave them covered in bacteria and food residue. Supporters of lower water temperatures claim it is both environmentally friendly and necessary to protect children from any possibility of scalding at bath time.

One of the latest ideas is a mixing valve added to hot water tanks. It is preset and will not allow temperatures in excess of 115 Fahrenheit. It does this by mixing cold water with the hot to maintain this preset maximum.

This debate over hot water tank temperatures has resulted in a catch 22 type scenario. Lower the temperature to lower consumption and be more child safe, but end up leaving bacteria on the plates we use to eat.

Low water temperature can also affect the cycle length. If too low the dishwasher may keep stopping to try and heat the water. A normal cycle of 40 minutes could be extended to 2 or 3 hours with all the heating delays. Some dishwashers may stall completely.

2 Using proper detergent

Gel or crystal, the choice is yours. Both seem to work equally well.

Crystal is less messy, while gel will dissolve quicker with the water. If your water temperature is low (as described above) gel may be a choice because it will mix better.

If using crystal detergent be aware that it can pick up moisture from the air. When this happens it will swell up and become lumpy or harden. These lumps will be difficult to break down and will not fully dissolve. If at cycle’s end you see detergent left inside it may be evidence of hardened crystals.

Additional evidence of moisture buildup can be seen if the box itself appears to be swollen. If seen, replace immediately with a fresh box.

A box of detergent should be consumed within 2-3 months. If not throw it away and buy a new one. Match the box size to your needs. Do not buy a large box just because it is on sale. If you have to throw most of it away, it wasn’t much of a bargain.

Some detergent manufacturers now offer a product that combines the detergent with the rinse additive. Others offer a detergent that includes a special grease-dissolving agent. Still others are in a tab form, or inside a dissolvable plastic pouch. Whichever form you prefer the one thing we always stress is, “when you find one that works for you stick with it … even if it costs more than others”.

Also dishwashing detergent and dishwasher detergent are not interchangeable. Trying to do so will cause problems. Each type of detergent is formulated to do a specific job.

“Dishwashing detergent” is the one used to wash dishes in the sink is. It is definitely not meant for the dishwasher. Anyone who has ever mistakenly put it into the dishwasher can attest to the mess this will produce. The beating action of the water will produce massive amounts of suds. This results in the dishwasher flooding out the door and across the kitchen floor.

So the moral of this tale is: “Don’t confuse dishwashing with dishwasher”.

3 Rinse additive

This is something that gets forgotten once the free sample bottle that came with the dishwasher has been used.

Its job is to make the water run off the dishes faster so they can dry quicker. Without it there would be little beads of water on everything at the end of the cycle. Glasses especially would appear to be water stained or be left with a gritty residue.So if poor cleaning is a problem, check the rinse additive level.

But remember, only one or two drops are added per load. A few ounces of rinse additive lasts a very long time. Such a long time that customers often think it is not being added, and blame the additive for problems it has nothing to do with

To refill, look on the dishwasher door for a cap or plug that is removable. It is often overlooked because the time between fill ups can be months. Also, the appliance manufacturers could help solve this problem if more of them added some sort of “Hey, I’m empty” indicator.

Frigidaire dishwashers have a neat little indicator. Right next to the soap dispenser is a clear plastic eye that changes colour when the additive is empty. So every time you add detergent to the machine you also see this eye staring back at you. White if empty, and black if full. Simple, effective, and smart.

4 Proper loading

Lastly, don’t forget that how you load the dishes can drastically affect how well they are cleaned.

Proper loading will allow the water to penetrate all the nooks and crannies. Try the following suggestions:

·Cups and glasses on the top rack with bottoms up
·Plates on the bottom rack all facing the same direction
·Bowls either rack, but all facing the same direction
·Utensils in the utensil holder in a mixed fashion (some knives, forks, spoons together in each compartment) to allow gaps between them
·Large items, such as a spatulas, laying down on top rack
·Pots bottom up wherever space allows (on their side okay if positioned so that water will drain out)

Placing the dishes and utensils in an orderly manner really does make for a better wash. It allows the water sprays to penetrate the dishes thoroughly. Try it … it works.

The analogy I offer customers is: If you were going on a car trip would you pack the car efficiently, or just open the doors and throw everything inside so that the passengers had to fight with the luggage. I think you get the picture.

Dishwasher efficiency

If your dishwasher is having a mechanical problem the result may show up as poor cleaning. Anything from low water pressure, broken pump, not draining fully, or even a blocked filter could be the cause.

So how do you know if the machine needs repair? You don’t. But, by checking all the previous problems first a lot of the more common causes of poor cleaning can be easily eliminated.

Also, you have probably heard this a million times before, but before telephoning for service read you owner’s manual. It can include some valuable information. It will usually give you a checklist of items to test before calling for service.

Summing up

You now know what is needed to make the dishes come out of the dishwasher sparkling clean. Hot water, good detergent, rinse additive, and proper loading practices. That’s it – that’s all. Provide all four of these things to the dishwasher and your cleaning success is guaranteed.

So load up the machine, go get yourself a liquid refreshment, put your feet up and let the dishwasher do all the work.

Nothing brought a smirk to my clients’ faces quicker than the statement that I valued my medical doctor.  It wasn’t that people don’t actually value their medical doctor—it was more that I valued my medical doctor. 

People automatically assume that Naturopathic Doctors and Homeopaths do not like medical doctors or medical care.  Most of the time, when one discusses natural medicines or care they are called “Alternative” meaning something to be used in place of medical care and medical drugs—i.e. medical doctors.

I doubted that I am so different from my colleagues in how I work with others.  But over the years, I guess I have discovered that I differ in my view of medical care.  Perhaps it has something to do with my initial college education being in nursing, and my subsequent work as a nurse upon graduation.  I learned the value of medical care and medical drugs.  And, oddly enough, it was Dr. Suzanne Barnes, my family practitioner, who helped me appreciate the world of medicine, especially when I was ill or in a rough spot.

Sure, there were times when my doctor and I disagreed on my future where my health was concerned; but I always valued her opinion.  When I started becoming interested in natural health, Dr. Barnes told me to research the herb before using it—she didn’t discourage me or give me a hard time about it.  By that time, she had learned that I was intelligent and that I valued her opinion on health-related matters.

And whenever I was “stuck” in my healing, or listened to bad advice from another practitioner, I always knew Dr. Barnes would help straighten things out where my health was concerned.  She listened and she offered suggestions.  There had been no “my way or the highway.” 

I even referred a few of my clients to her when they either didn’t have a medical doctor or didn’t like theirs.  Dr. Barnes became one of my colleagues—and she was valued even though she was a medical doctor.

After not needing her care for nearly a year, I returned to her with a flare-up of asthma that was not able to be controlled with what I knew—I then knew it was time for medical care.

We talked, as usual, about life.  I received medical care, and then learned that she was retiring in a couple of weeks!

It is strange when one thinks about it.  For some reason, I guess since I was still in practice I assumed she would be too.  She was older than I was; I knew that, as when I had first met her when I had moved to Green Bay about 20 years ago.  Still, I guess I hadn’t thought about her retiring—I always felt she would be there for me.

Finding a New Doctor

Don’t just open the phone book and pick a name randomly.  If your medical insurance covers a certain group of practitioners, it would narrow things down; but you are still, in essence, taking a shot in the dark.  Therefore, the best thing would be to research the physician. 

So, FIRST THING to do is to decide what you want in a doctor.  Do you want someone who listens to you?  Respects you?  Will not be pushy?  Will be pushy?  Write down the characteristics you really liked about your current or former doctor.  Decide which of those characteristics you’d really like to have in your next physician.

NEXT, talk to friends and co-workers and see who they like or don’t like.  Check “Angie’s List” on the internet—a place where people can comment about their doctor, dentist, etc.  (Doctors don’t like Angie’s List because people can say what they want to say.)

After Dr. Barnes retired, I set about finding a new doctor.  Having been through that before when I had first moved to Green Bay, I knew some of the “hazards” of looking for another doctor, especially if you really liked the one you had.  I still met with 2 other doctors before I had found Dr. Barnes!

The doctor I had before moving to Green Bay had taught me that I was the most important person to manage my health—the doctor was there to assist me.  Under his care I did a great job taking care of myself.

The first doctor I chose when in Green Bay I had just picked randomly.  He was NOT a good doctor for me.  He told me that he was the one who decided what I was to do or not do.  When I called with difficulty breathing, he said that it didn’t sound like I was having trouble so he didn’t prescribe anything and wouldn’t even see me.

With my former doctor, I had learned when to call for medications, when to seek immediate medical care, etc.  So I still followed those instructions; but the new doctor wouldn’t listen.

So I tried another.  The same thing happened.  This new doctor also “was the boss.”

So I tried Dr. Barnes.  Luckily, I had found her.

My Search

Since her retirement, I had to find another medical doctor.  I talked to my clients and to friends.  Oddly enough, I didn’t get any names of doctors that my clients liked!  Perhaps that had something to do with why they wanted to see me?

The qualities I valued in a doctor had been those I had found in Dr. Barnes:  a doctor who listened to me, respected me, didn’t get on my case for being a natural doctor, and was willing to honor my decisions (whether I chose to follow their recommendations or not).

I guess I also wanted someone to send my patients to when medical as I had done with Dr. Barnes.

Since none of my family members, friends or patients liked their medical doctors, I had to just pick one and see how it went.  I chose a new doctor, a recent addition to a clinic.  She was nice, different, but in the end, she didn’t listen to me.  In fact she had prescribed two drugs in dangerous doses—had I not been educated in medical drugs, I probably would’ve become very ill if I had taken them as directed.  When I had called to tell her about the problem, she was irate and told me not to question her.  So I never returned to her care—and didn’t take the drugs as prescribed.

The next doctor I tried was nicer, but distracted.  Granted, she was about 8 months pregnant, but after the last doctor, and my recent memories of Dr. Barnes, I looked for a welcoming smile and someone to hear me.  But at least she didn’t over-drug me or harass me for being who I was.  I feel confident that this new doctor will work out good for me.  At least she seems to care about my well-being—this is a quality that I highly value in a medical doctor.

Remember, It Takes Time

We are all very complicated and unique individuals.  We all have our little quirks and those with chronic diseases all have little things that are different from others with the same chronic disease.

You have to teach your medical doctor as much as she needs to teach you.  The only way any medical doctor can truly assist a person is for him/her to know as much about that person as possible.  Research the drugs and recommended treatments—don’t just listen to what the doctor says.  Make sure things are right for you.  Doctors are human—they make mistakes just as much as everyone else.  You have to pay attention so you can catch errors and discuss them with the doctor.  If the doctor doesn’t listen, and you don’t feel comfortable about following his/her advice, then find another doctor.

I was fortunate to have two wonderful medical doctors in my lifetime.  I hope that this new doctor will be the third, and that she will be like Dr. Barnes in that she will listen and provide me the care that I deserve and require so that I can be as healthy as possible and lead a happy and wonderful life.

Yes, I am a Natural Doctor and Healer.  But I know that natural medicines cannot do it all.  Medical care is necessary.  Together, natural and medical can help people better than one modality alone.  Turning your back on the medical profession because you don’t like your medical doctor or haven’t had good results from medical care can be harmful to your health in the long-run.  On the flip side, turning away from natural care because your medical doctor doesn’t approve is harmful to your health as well.

It may be difficult to find a medical doctor that approves of natural medicines; it may also be difficult to find a natural doctor that approves of medical care. 

Keep looking.  Everyone needs both.

I am sorry that Dr. Suzanne Barnes has retired.  She was a gem who understood the need for both natural and medical care—even though she favored the medical.  But what made her so special was that she wasn’t pushy and she listened.  But I think what made the strongest impression upon me is that she cared about my well-being—she actually tried to help me be as healthy as she could help me with the knowledge she had.  My care wasn’t about “the bottom dollar.”

I wonder if I will find another doctor that had the wonderful qualities Dr. Barnes displayed in her professional career.  I think every medical doctor has the potential to look outside themselves and do what is in the best interest of their patients—this is just something I haven’t seen or heard much of over the years, even when working in the medical field as an RN.

Best wishes to you Suzanne Barnes.  I wish you a happy and healthy life.

Best wishes,

Dr. Ronda Behnke Theys

Homeopathic Centers of America

Disclaimer:  The information provided by Dr. Ronda Behnke Theys is for educational purposes only.  It is important that you not make health decisions or stop any medication without first consulting your personal physician or health care provider.

How To Find The Right Tips to Keep Double Stroller Sprinkling Clean For Your Specific Product(Service). You Can Thank Us Later – 3 Reasons To Stop Thinking About Tips to Keep Double Stroller Sprinkling Clean. The Secret of Successful Tips to Keep Double Stroller Sprinkling Clean

It is worth considering that a double stroller is a basic necessity as a baby gear which is prone to bear several environmental aspects like shine or rain, and inevitable human issues like drink spills and food.

So, it is very important to maintain it properly and keep it clean so you can keep your baby from being exposed to bacterial elements. It is sure that your baby is about to stay within in for a long time.

Tips to Clean Double Strollers

It was basically the general idea for normal cleaning but what if the mould is developed in the fabric of Double Stroller for Infant and Toddler? Do you know that toxic fumes can be developed due to over exposure to mold? So, it is important to clean off the mold at first sight. To do this easily, many people use bleach. However, you should use white vinegar which is better alternative to bleach. It is basically non-toxic and safe.

Tips to Use White Vinegar to Remove Mould from Double Stroller

Tips to Remove the Mildew from Double Strollers

Pour ½ cup of white vinegar, few drops of lemon juice and 3 tsp of baking soda and make the mixture. The vinegar will kill all the mildew and block the further growth of mildew. All the ingredients in this mixture are all natural so they won’t cause any harm to your baby.  

Bottom Line

The above tips were the complete guide to keep your Double Umbrella Stroller clean and remove all the mildew and dust which are stubborn. I am sure these tips will help you to maintain your double stroller and keep it like new so your baby can stay healthy.

Coin collectors are much more common than old money collectors of the paper variety, though the latter are still quite active and manage to find some rare items occasionally. That paper variety may include pre US colonial currency, money from the beginning of the 19th century, currency from the Confederate States of America and also some souvenir cards of old money as the money itself are almost impossible to find and twice as hard to purchase.

If you are keen on collecting old money you will probably know that a collector’s item of old money is called fractional currency. I was really intrigued when I learnt that during the Civil War the United States began printing 50 cents, 25 cents, 15 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents paper money as they run short on change. Now such weird banknotes are highly desired by any true collector.

There is also other interesting fractional currency which is much sought after. These are private banknotes from the 1800s. Before the US government created a national banknote there were some banks issuing their own money without government backing. However, it was not long before these banks were closed down and the banknotes were counterfeited and altered.

Once the national bank system was established, privately issued bank money was declared to be illegal. Ever since US government money was issued it has retained monetary value. However, it is not the same case with the obsolete old bills from closed banks and this is the prime reason why these banknotes are worth finding. Actually private banknotes from the 1800s have remained an interesting item for collectors throughout the centuries.

It is pretty evident that a lot of old money has significant value nowadays. It is true that casual collectors cannot afford to have any authentic old money and notes from the 1800s and early 1900s as their value and consequently price are too high. That’s how collecting souvenir cards are becoming more and more popular. Having them you can collect a piece of history without actually paying a high price for it.

If you are wondering where you can find old money, you probably wont like my answer. It is really difficult to find old money. Of course, you might still be able to collect a Thomas Jefferson two dollar bill, but those antique coins and notes you are seeking won’t be easily found, nor purchased. The easiest way to satisfy your desire to collect old money is through dealers, collectors, auctions and old money paper shows.

You might also find the International Bank Note Society’s Journal and webpage not only very interesting but useful, as well. They offer contact information for trades and auctions and what is the best, they provide you with images of old currency on their website. In conclusion, old money collecting is a unique and fun hobby. It has its challenges but it there is no doubt it is worth taking.