In many households, the dishwasher is in use several times a week. However, contrary to popular belief, the machine does not clean itself during the wash cycle. Although it may seem obvious that the combination of warm water and dishwasher detergent cleans the inside of the appliance, this is (unfortunately) not the case. If your dishwasher smells after the wash cycle and the dishes are no longer really clean, you should clean your dishwasher – preferably with vinegar!

Simple household remedy ensures cleanliness

Cleaning household appliances is a rather unpopular task. Or when was the last time you cleaned your vacuum cleaner? And the dishwasher should also be thoroughly rinsed at regular intervals – at best every 4 to 8 weeks. There are special products on the market that promise hygienic cleanliness. The best cleaning agent is already in your cupboard!

All you need to clean your dishwasher is a little vinegar. It is best to use table vinegar, as the acid concentration of table vinegar is quite low at 5% – and it is also diluted by the rinsing water! This prevents damage to the rubber seals of your machine. You can simply pour the vinegar into the detergent compartment.

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Cleaning the dishwasher with vinegar: How this popular household remedy works

Vinegar has always been known as a powerful limescale remover. And so it also ensures that limescale deposits inside the dishwasher are gently removed. Select a program with high temperatures for the wash cycle, the dishwasher should be empty. You should avoid pre-rinsing.

To enhance the effect of the vinegar, you can sprinkle two tablespoons of baking soda on the bottom of your empty dishwasher. You’ll be surprised how clean and shiny your dishwasher will be after the vinegar wash cycle! Now nothing stands in the way of clean dishes.

FAQ

Source: merkur.de

Tomatoes are one of the most versatile foods in the kitchen. Whether as a base for sauces, in salads or simply on their own – they are a real all-rounder. But how do you ensure that they retain their full flavor and nothing goes to waste? With a few simple tips, you can store and preserve your tomatoes in the best possible way.

It’s better not to store tomatoes in the fridge

Tomatoes like it neither too cold nor too warm. The Refrigerator is therefore not the best place for them. At temperatures below 10 °C they lose their aroma and their consistency changes. Instead of being crunchy and juicy, they quickly become mealy. It is better to store them in a cool, shady place, for example in the pantry or cellar.

Make sure that the tomatoes are not stacked on top of each other. This will prevent bruising, which can cause the fruit to spoil more quickly. You should also keep them away from other fruit and vegetables. Tomatoes release ethylene, a gas that accelerates the ripening process. As a result, apples, bananas and cucumbers ripen faster and spoil sooner. At the same time, tomatoes easily absorb foreign odors, which can affect their taste. If you store them correctly, tomatoes will stay fresh for up to a week.

How to preserve tomatoes for a long time

Sometimes tomatoes ripen faster than you can use them. In such cases, it is worth preserving them. One simple method is to Preserving. To do this, peel the tomatoes, put them in sterile jars and add a little salt and citric acid. This way you can preserve them for several months and always have a base for soups, sauces or stews to hand.

Also the Drying is a good option. Cut the tomatoes into halves, remove the seeds and dry them at a low temperature in the oven or dehydrator. You can then marinate the dried tomatoes in oil and season with herbs. This enhances the flavor and is particularly suitable for smaller varieties such as cherry tomatoes. If you’re in a hurry, you can puree the tomatoes and freeze them. This gives you a practical base for many dishes later on.

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It’s all about the right storage

The way you store tomatoes not only affects their taste, but also their nutrient content. When stored optimally, the vitamin C content is largely preserved. Did you know that 100 g of tomatoes contain around 20 mg of vitamin C? This makes them a valuable addition to a balanced diet.

However, improper storage can cause the fruit to lose vitamins. This doesn’t just apply to tomatoes, by the way. Other sensitive foods such as peppers or avocados also benefit from the right conditions.

_{This article was partly produced with machine support and carefully checked by the editorial team before publication.}

Sometimes chocolate stashes accumulate faster than you can enjoy them. Whether after holidays, birthdays or a special vacation – there are many reasons why you might want to keep chocolate for longer. But what is the best way to do this? Can you freeze chocolate without it losing its taste or quality? Here you can find out what you should look out for and what alternatives are available.

Freezing chocolate: Step by step

Chocolate is a very durable food by nature. If stored correctly, it often remains edible for months. Nevertheless, freezing can be useful, for example for delicate chocolates, large quantities of leftovers or special varieties that you want to save for later. To ensure that the chocolate does not Quality it depends on the right preparation.

Wrap the chocolate airtightbefore you put them in the freezer. Cling film or a freezer bag are particularly suitable for this. This protects them from moisture and air, which could otherwise change the surface. When chocolate is exposed to temperature fluctuations, it often forms a whitish coating, the so-called fat bloom.

Chocolate will keep for several months in the freezer. However, the consistency can change slightly after defrosting. Especially with milk or white chocolate, which is more Milk fats there is a risk that the taste will suffer slightly. Dark chocolate is more robust in this respect and usually retains its quality better.

White spots on chocolate: what’s behind them

You know those mysterious white spots that sometimes appear on your favorite chocolate bar? Don’t panic – it’s not mold! What you’re seeing is what experts call “fat bloom” or “sugar bloom”. This phenomenon occurs when your chocolate has been exposed to temperature fluctuations – including freezing. When warm, the cocoa butter components separate from the rest and migrate to the surface, where they crystallize on cooling and form the whitish coating. Something similar happens with sugar when stored in damp conditions. The good news is that the chocolate is still perfectly edible! The taste may suffer slightly, but it is definitely safe for health.

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Storing chocolate properly: the alternative to freezing

In many cases, you don’t need to freeze chocolate to keep it fresh for a long time. A cool, dry and dark environment is often sufficient. Temperatures between 12 and 18 degrees Celsius are ideal. A storage cupboard or cellar are ideal for this. It is important that you protect the chocolate from direct light and heat, as these can also lead to changes in the surface.

If you want to store an opened chocolate bar, wrap it well and place it in a sealable tin. This will prevent it from absorbing foreign odors. You should consume particularly delicate chocolates or chocolates with creamy fillings more quickly, as they have a shorter shelf life than simple chocolate bars.

Are the nutrients preserved?

You don’t need to worry about the nutrients when freezing chocolate. Minerals such as magnesium or potassium, which are contained in cocoa, remain stable. Vitamins are also not destroyed by the cold. What can change slightly, however, is the consistency and – depending on the variety – the taste.

Incidentally, the principle of freezing also works for other foodsthat you want to preserve for longer. Butter, bread and cheese can also be frozen easily if you wrap them well. Fruit such as berries or bananas are best frozen raw to preserve flavor and vitamins.

Checklist: Freezing chocolate made easy

• Wrap chocolate airtight in cling film or freezer bag
• Freeze at a constant -18°C for an even temperature
• Leave in original packaging if possible for additional protection
• Dark chocolate is better suited for freezing than light varieties
• Slow defrosting in the fridge for better texture retention
• Allow to rest at room temperature for at least 1 hour before eating
• Consume within a few days after defrosting
• Do not refreeze frozen chocolate
• Alternative: Cool storage at 12-18°C in a dark environment
• Chocolate bars can generally be kept for several months without freezing

_{This article was partly produced with the help of a machine and carefully checked by the editorial team before publication.}

Doing the laundry, wiping out the fridge, cleaning the windows or making the beds – cleaning and keeping the household tidy are among our least favorite everyday tasks. We would rather fill our free time with nice things – but we don’t want to live in filth either. The compromise is usually a jam-packed weekend doing all the housework that was left undone during the working week. But it can be really easy to keep your own four walls tidy! With a well-thought-out cleaning plan and a bit of a system, the chaos can be quickly tamed. Find out here how you can create your own personal cleaning plan to finally gain more (free) time for the finer things in life.

Why a cleaning plan makes sense

Ticking off completed tasks from a to-do list gives most people a good feeling. The joy of having completed a section of a larger whole motivates us to take the next step. And so creating a cleaning plan can also motivate you to declare war on the chaos in your home.

Creating a cleaning plan has many advantages:

• It creates structure and an overview.
• Cleaning becomes a routine instead of a tedious major project at the weekend.
• Housework is spread over several days.
• You save time and nerves in the long term.
• Your home stays constantly clean.

How to structure your cleaning schedule

An effective cleaning schedule takes into account different time intervals, as there are household tasks that need to be done more regularly than others. The appropriate time intervals are defined by your personal sense of cleanliness. If fresh bed linen is important to you, you should change it weekly instead of just once a month. For small households, on the other hand, it may be sufficient to only take out the garbage once a week. The following overview can be a rough guide if you want to create your own personal cleaning schedule:

Tasks that should be completed daily (basic order)

You can keep the chaos in your home in check with just a few simple steps. You should do this every day:

• air and make your bed
• wash the dishes or load and unload the dishwasher
• wipe down the surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom

Tasks that should be done twice a week

This time interval is more of a rough guide. Depending on how many people live in your household, it may be necessary to vacuum more frequently, for example. You should vacuum every three days:

• clean the toilet
• vacuum the apartment
• take out the garbage
• do the laundry
• Wipe down all door handles (often forgotten, but they are a germ trap!)

Create a cleaning plan: Weekly tasks

These weekly tasks should also be included in your cleaning plan. You should do them once a week:

• Dust thoroughly
• mop the floors
• change the towels in the bathroom and kitchen
• clean the bathroom thoroughly
• clean the mirrors in the apartment

Tasks that should be done monthly

For basic hygiene, you should do this once a month:

• change your bed linen
• knock out the carpets
• vacuum the upholstered furniture
• clean the refrigerator

Quarterly household tasks

These household tasks are more time-consuming and are therefore often put on the back burner. However, they should not be missing from your cleaning schedule. Every three months you should:

• clean all windows
• clean the washing machine
• clean the oven
• Wipe down all doors
• Descale your kitchen appliances
• wipe out the kitchen cupboards

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Spring cleaning is due once a year

The term “spring cleaning” covers tasks that only need to be done once a year. These include

• washing curtains and drapes
• cleaning comforters, pillows and mattresses
• sorting out your clothes
• polishing your wooden furniture
• cleaning the extractor hood
• defrosting your fridge and freezer
• Thoroughly cleaning the carpets

Tips for a successful cleaning plan

Admittedly, that’s quite a long list! But instead of being demotivated by it, you’ll soon realize that the regular tasks will come easily to you. If you integrate them into your daily routine, they will no longer feel like housework. The following tips can help you implement your cleaning plan:

• Be realisticThink about how much time you can and want to spend cleaning.
• Consider your life situationHouseholds with children or pets usually need more intensive cleaning routines – but also plan enough family time!
• Divide the tasks intoIn multi-person households, it is worth dividing up the tasks.
• Use technologySmart cleaning robots and cleaning schedule apps can help you stay on top of things.
• Have the right cleaning products ready: Everything goes faster with the right equipment.
• Schedule fixed cleaning times: Set specific days or times of day when you do the respective tasks. For example, you can wipe over the bathroom shelves and the wash basin tap while brushing your teeth.
• Reward yourselfAfter the work is done, you can be proud of yourself and do something good for yourself!

Creating a cleaning plan made easy

When creating a cleaning schedule, it is important that you pay attention to your individual needs and design it according to your personal taste. Whether you keep it digitally or prefer to hang a printed schedule on the fridge – the important thing is that it suits you and your everyday life.

With a well-thought-out cleaning plan, annoying house cleaning becomes a manageable routine. You’ll be amazed at how much time and stress you’ll save if you do small tasks regularly instead of putting everything off. So, get to work on your cleaning plan – your future, more relaxed self will thank you!

Source: wohnglueck.de

With the start of the warm season, the first mosquitoes are already on the move. The blood-sucking pests, which can really spoil your evening in summer or buzz around your head at night and rob you of your sleep, have probably not been missed by anyone. All the worse that a NABU expert is now warning of a mosquito plague in summer 2025. Read here what’s behind this prediction.

Is there a threat of a mosquito plague this summer?

The south and southwest of Germany in particular are currently experiencing ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes – after weeks of rain, it is now warm and summery. “All the rain has created pools or puddles that are ideal for laying eggs,” NABU expert Julian Heiermann told t-online. According to the expert, it could be a very mosquito-filled summer – a mosquito plague is imminent!

The short, mild winter was also favorable to the pests. In spring, it was initially dry in many places and the animals hardly laid any eggs. However, the insect expert knows that the mosquitoes will be able to catch up by now at the latest. The pools of water that have formed as a result of the rain do not dry out immediately, even at higher temperatures. This means that the brood has a good chance of surviving in these places.

Incidentally, the blood-sucking pests that make life difficult for humans and animals in summer are exclusively female mosquitoes. They need the protein contained in blood to form and lay eggs after fertilization. This means that mosquitoes cannot reproduce without blood. But wouldn’t that be a real relief in summer?

Mosquitoes are important for the ecosystem

As annoying as the biting pests are, NABU also informs us that mosquitoes make a crucial contribution to our ecosystem. Mosquitoes and their larvae are important prey for other animals, such as fish, amphibians, dragonflies and birds. If mosquitoes were to disappear from the ecosystem, this would also have far-reaching consequences for other animals.

Did you know that mosquitoes also make an important contribution to the pollination of plants? Mosquito expert Doreen Werner told t-online: “Everyone always talks about bees and bumblebees. But the large mass of mosquitoes and flies do about the same amount of pollination.” According to the expert, midge larvae living in the soil also help with the decomposition of leaves and contribute to the formation of humus.

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Nature created mosquitoes for a reason – you should always keep this in mind, even if you are threatened by a mosquito plague this summer. Maybe you’ll be lucky and the biting pests will leave you in peace for the most part. Otherwise, here are 6 preventative home remedies to ward off mosquitoes.

Source: t-online

If you want to make yourself a cup of tea or a quick soup in between meals, the kettle is the first choice. However, you often don’t use up all the water you’ve just boiled and some is left over. Can you leave the water in the kettle and boil it again the next day, or should you throw it away? According to a survey by the SGS Institut Fresenius, 53% of respondents throw away the water from the previous day, while 47% continue to use it. But is that a good idea?

Why do we throw away water?

Limescale deposits quickly build up in the kettle, making the water less appetizing. In addition, many people are concerned that bacteria will spread if the water is left in the kettle for a long time.

Many also fear that harmful substances could be released into the water from the appliance itself. Microplastics or nickel cause many people great concern when using the kettle. But is this concern justified or is tipping it away simply a waste of water?

Boil water again? What the experts say

The Fresenius Institute sees no problem in boiling water again. Concerns about nickel and bisphenol A being released from the appliance are unfounded. However, it is important that the appliances bear the GS seal. Household appliances that are tested for this seal only rarely show any questionable levels of contamination. In addition to the electronics, many kitchen appliances are also tested to ensure that the materials used are safe. You are always on the safe side with a glass stove.

The institute is also reassuring when it comes to the fear of bacteria: Although there are germs from the environment that could multiply in kettles over long periods of time, these are usually killed by boiling the water again. So for your normal use, you can leave the water in the kettle and boil it twice: That’s no problem!

A question of taste

What may worry you is the chalky taste. This is because the limescale only dissolves when the water is heated and then settles in the appliance. When the water is boiled a second time, the taste may therefore be different – but this is not harmful. If you don’t like your tea like this, you can of course simply use new water.

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These people should not leave the water in the kettle

The Bavarian Consumer Center also shares the view that reboiling stale water is generally harmless. Nevertheless, some people are advised to use fresh water instead. This could be people with a very weak immune system, pregnant women and babies.

So for most people, the water from the previous day is perfectly adequate and does not pose a health risk. And if you prefer to use fresh water: You should never just tip the leftover water away. It’s great for pouring or ideal for ironing, because: Boiling the water beforehand makes it a little softer. Are you more of a dumping or reusing team?

Source: t-online, sueddeutsche

Do you have half a liter of orange juice left over after breakfast and know that you won’t use it up in the next few days? Instead of throwing it away and wasting the valuable vitamins, it’s better to freeze the juice. With the right technique, you will not only preserve the taste, but also most of the nutrients for later use.

Freeze juice: The right method

Juice is easy to freeze and remains edible for a surprisingly long time – up to 12 months if stored correctly. Before you put the juice in the freezer, you should place it in a suitable container decant. Do not use glass containers, as they can easily crack due to the expansion of the freezing juice. Airtight plastic containers or special freezer bags are more suitable.

Remember to use about a quarter of the container leave freeso that the juice can expand unhindered during freezing. Most of the nutrients, especially vitamins C and A, are largely preserved during freezing. Only the consistency may change slightly – especially in freshly squeezed juices with fruit pulp, which often settles to the bottom after thawing. Stirring briefly before enjoying solves this problem and restores the original taste for the most part.

Practical tips for optimum durability

There are a few clever tricks for even better results when freezing juice. The following is particularly practical Portioning into ice cube molds or small freezer containers. This allows you to take out exactly the amount you need for your smoothie, dessert or as a refreshing addition to drinks – without having to defrost the entire supply.

For juices with pulp, additional straining before freezing is recommended to minimize changes in consistency after defrosting. Don’t forget to label each container with the freezing date so that you can keep track. Juice remains in the freezer compartment up to one year but for the best taste you should consume it within the first six months.

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How do freezing and thawing affect nutrients?

Freezing is an excellent method of preserving the valuable ingredients in juices. Due to the rapid freezing process, the Oxidation of vitamins is largely prevented. Nevertheless, the freshness and intensity of flavor may decrease slightly after prolonged deep-freeze storage, although the juice still remains nutritionally valuable.

Checklist: Freezing juice in 5 simple steps

• Choose suitable plastic containers or freezer bags
• Fill containers only 3/4 full (due to expansion)
• For juices with pulp, sieve beforehand if necessary
• Label with date
• Store at -18°C (optimally up to six months)

_{This article was partly produced with the help of a machine and carefully checked by the editorial team before publication.}