An Introduction to Household Cleaning Machines

Electrically-powered machines can make the task of cleaning much easier. This is universally accepted for floors, almost every home owns a vacuum cleaner. Floor coverings are kept cleaner and last longer, but it is necessary to empty the cleaner and change the filter as recommended.

The attitude towards washing dishes is different, many homes do not possess a dishwasher. Shortage of space can be a problem and so can concern about noise, but the basic cause is the view that a dishwasher is a non-vital luxury and washing is more thorough (it isn't!) by hand.

The Vacuum Cleaner
There have been a number of developments during the past 10 years. Bagless upright and cylinder models are available and so are vacuum cleaners with washable permanent filters. The cyclone system has become popular and there are HEPA filters which retain much more dust than the standard type. There are wet/dry cylinder and hand-held models for liquid spills as well as dry waste, and there are models specially designed for houses with pets.

Upright - It is not necessarily a good idea to buy the largest model you can afford, lightweight cleaners are much easier to carry upstairs and are more maneuverable. Uprights generally clean more quickly than cylinder models and all sorts of refinements have appeared in recent years.

Cylinder - The great virtue of the cylinder cleaner is its versatility. Reaching under low objects is no problem and the attachments supplied allow you to clean soft furnishings, etc. Many refinements are available these days, power brushes, telescopic tubing, and automatic cable rewind.

Hand-held - The hand vac became popular during the 1990's. The rechargeable battery model is useful for taking up spills and for cleaning difficult areas such as the car interior.

The Dishwasher

If you have a large family a dishwasher is a near-essential piece of equipment. Washing-up in the average home takes an hour a day, and the scalding hot water used in a machine ensures cleaner and more hygienic dishes. Dirty crockery and cutlery can be put away immediately, which means a cleaner kitchen. The usual size is 12 place settings (a place setting is the amount of cutlery and crockery required for a 3 course dinner). The machine will have to be plumbed into the water supply. The features of the models available vary widely, study a range of leaflets before you buy. Most standard dishwashers are fitted under the work surface. For smaller kitchens you can buy a slim line model (8 - 9 place settings) or a table-top dishwasher (4 - 5 place settings).

It is up to you to choose the most suitable routine. A popular plan is to fill the machine with dishes, pans, cutlery during the day and then switch it on at bedtime.

You will have to use a special dishwasher detergent. Don't use an ordinary detergent, it is not designed to break up food deposits. You will also need a rinse-aid to prevent water marks forming on glasses and dishes. Many dishwashers have a built-in water softener and top with salt as recommended by the manufacturer. Alternatively, you can buy 3-in-1 tablets, containing detergent, rinse-aid and water softener.