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September 2010

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Myth Busting Truths About Using a Dishwasher by AEG-Electrolux

Washing up by hand can waste time and water

It’s hard to believe but only four in ten households in the UK have a dishwasher! To anyone who has had one, being without a dishwasher would be like being without your washing machine - you simply can’t ‘live without one once you have had one!’

Many people still justify their reason for not having one because ‘they guzzle so much water and energy’. In fact this is one of the biggest myths. Just take a look at what a dishwasher holds - 12 place settings or 120 pieces of cutlery and crockery.

Now can you imagine washing all these things in one tiny bowlful of water - as little as 7 litres of water as shown in the picture below.

A sink with 7 litres of water - the same amount as the AEG-Electrolux needs

That’s what the AEG-Electrolux Proclean dishwasher can do! It’s a fact that using a dishwasher saves water and energy. Here we bust that myth and several others!

Ten Greatest Dishwashing Myths

1. Myth: “Doing the dishes by hand is more environmentally friendly than using a dishwasher.”

Truth: Doing the dishes by hand wastes energy and water. It consumes about twice as much energy – even more if done under running water – and 10 times as much water as using the dishwasher.

2. Myth: “If I pre-rinse by hand, my dishes will get cleaner.”

Truth: It's estimated that 30% of people pre-rinse by hand. With a good dishwasher, you don’t have to pre-rinse by hand to be sure of getting immaculate results.

The AEG-Electrolux Proclean Dishwasher

3. Myth: “Knives get dull in a dishwasher.”

Truth: There is no such evidence.

4. Myth: “I should always try to wash at a low temperature to save the environment.”

Truth: That depends. Lower temperatures can be more environmentally friendly, but they do not remove all types of ingredients. It saves water and energy to use an intensive cycle which uses a high temperature for a shorter amount of time, compared to re-washing dishes by hand when they don’t get clean.

5. Myth: “You should not put crystal glasses in a dishwasher.”

Truth: Just choose the right cycle. All types of glasses can be run in a dishwasher if you choose a glass program.

6. Myth: “Completely filling the machine worsens results.”

Truth: Not if you use a machine that automatically adapts its program to the load and has an advanced water spray system.

7. Myth: “Matt plates and glasses are the result of a bad dishwasher.”

Truth: Excess detergent, not a bad dishwasher, is what takes away the sparkle.

8. Myth: “If my dishes are not perfectly clean, I should run them again.”

Truth: You only get one chance. If the dishes don’t get clean the first time, the leftovers hardens together with detergent during the drying program and sticking to the dishes like concrete. This is why it’s crucial to get it right the first time with a dishwasher that sprays and rinses every dish properly no matter where it is loaded.

9. Myth: “Expensive detergents are more effective than cheaper ones.”

Truth: Experiment. A more expensive detergent is not necessarily better than a cheaper one. Sometimes, it’s just a question of branding.

10. Myth: “Detergent is the only thing that gets the dishes clean.”

You need detergent, but most of the cleaning results from high temperature water spray repeatedly hitting the dishes from different angles.

For more information visit the AEG-Electrolux website at www.aeg-electrolux.co.uk

DeLonghi Kettle from Dunelm Mill

The DeLonghi Kettle from Dunelm Mill

This smart DeLonghi Icona Jug Kettle is perfect for making lovely hot drinks and boiling water for cooking.

Available from Dunelm Mill, the kettle has an easy to read water level indicator and a removable scale filter. The kettle holds a concealed element that makes the boiling process quicker and also easier to clean.

If you have an old kettle to dispose of or other unwanted electricals, The UK's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations will allow members of the public to deposit old electrical and electronic items at recycling sites across the UK free of charge.

The DeLonghi Icona Jug Kettle has a 1.7 litre capacity (2.9 pints) and is available in a choice of Silver (above), Red or Black. It has a one year guarantee.

For more information on Dunelm Mill products visit the website at www.dunelm-mill.com

Home Comforts

Keep Warm with

a Valor Fire

Keep Warm with a Valor Homeflame Slimline Fire

Keep warm and cosy in the cooler Autumn weather with a Valor Homeflame Slimline Fire.

Valor Homeflame has introduced a new slimline high efficiency range. With a depth of just 79mm, the super slim engine is the only truly universal high efficiency fire available on the market, with slimmest competitor products measuring in at 120mms, which can lead to expensive installation costs.

The new Slimline models will be available in a choice of three popular designs - Petrus, Dream and Blenheim.

"Valor are leading the way once again with the development of design lead high efficient gas fires, says Matilda Swabey, Product Manager at Valor Fires. "High efficiency fires are here to stay and in developing this range of fires, Valor are future proofing the fires category against stringent regulations expected to come in to force regarding emissions.

All areas of the fire have been considered to make the design as practical as possible without losing any of the fires good looks. The full range boasts an efficiency rating of 89%; equal to the C1 models already available, and Dream & Petrus also have reflective sides to give illusion of a bigger fuel bed.

All areas of the fire have been considered to make the design as practical as possible without losing any of the fires good looks

The fires are constructed in a heavy weight material allowing for a more rigid installation, and the 79mm depth denotes that this fire will fit 99% of UK chimney and flue openings, meaning retailers and installers can recommend the product with confidence and be surer of a standard, straight forward installation.

Further installation features include the flue restrictor which is accessible from the front of the fire, meaning that the aeration can be easily amended to optimise the efficiency, and maximise heat output felt in the room. Access to the glass front is also straightforward and this can be removed for cleaning without taking off the fascia, making it easy for the customer to maintain.

The pilot light has a link gauge protector, stopping fluff and debris building up on the pilot injector therefore reducing the risk of failures and makes the fire run cleaner for longer. The inclusion of a one piece fuel bed, not only ensures an effective use of coals to give the customer a pleasing flame effect, but the design of the bed means that the chances of sooting are greatly reduced.

All Valor Homeflame fires are backed by heateam, Baxi Heating UK's state of the art customer service division

As with every product from Valor Fires, all Valor Homeflame fires are backed by heateam, Baxi Heating UK's state of the art customer service division which provides service support for products long after they leave the factory.

For further information about Valor Fires, please call Telephone: 0844 871 1565 or visit the Valor website at www.valor.co.uk

Brighten up
Your Home with

Drift Living

Greengate Teapot from Drift Living

Brighten up your home with the beautiful selection of products from Drift Living.

This Greengate Teapot in Millie White design is perfect for afternoon tea. Traditional in shape, it's the ideal size for two good sized mugs of tea (or four smaller teacups).

Decorated in a pretty nostalgic flower design, this bright teapot is a delight to own. Price is £32.50.

Greengate Red Spot Pie Dish from Drift Living

For those who enjoy cooking, the Greengate Red Spot Pie Dish is the perfect shape for a delicious pie. Deep, generous and with a fluted edge, it has a lovely warm Autumn feel.

Decorated in a cheery spotty design, you'll use it again and again for lovely hot desserts and heartwarming pies. Price is £23.

Flower Power Cake Stand from Drift Living

Entertain in style with this retro Flower Power Cake Stand made from laminated birch wood from Sweden.

Durable, sturdy and decorated with the eyecatching art of designers Bengt Lindberg and Lotta Glave, the cake stand looks great with fairy cakes, sandwiches, biscuits, slices of cake, or brownies. It even looks great without cakes! Price is £65.

Iron Sheep Letter Holder from Drift Living

Keep your letters and correspondence tidy with this fun to use Iron Sheep Letter Holder.

A new design from Bengt & Lotta, this letter holder is made in Sweden and is really sturdy. You can also use it as a napkin holder and it will make a lovely gift along with a pack of pretty paper napkins. Nicely boxed, price is £25.

For more information on Drift Living products visit the website at www.driftliving.co.uk

Pretty Petal Power from Dorma

Bethany bedlinen from Dorma

Make your bedroom pretty and romantic with the new Bethany range of bedlinen from Dorma.

Sensuous yet feminine, Bethany by Dorma will give your bedroom a slightly moody, dramatic look that nods nostalgically towards a time when period prints were de rigueur. Dorma shows you how to get the look with its plummy ‘wine’ plain dyed sheets and pillowcases which have been offset against its newest, edgy floral range.

Personalise a private boudoir space, and introduce big bloomy florals to help keep sleeping sanctuaries cosy. The 100% cotton design has a two dimensional, highly contrasted printed pattern giving this range a slightly unconventional outdoor feel, and the luscious roses are indulgent in an aesthetically pleasing way. Play it down with a petal pink contrasting sheets, or turn up the trend with a bold black pillowcase or valance. There is also an option to introduce a ready-made floral curtain too.

Double sided, Bethany can be used dark side up, or simply flip the duvet cover over for a softer take on this trend. Which ever your preference these modern floral motifs are sure to re-ignite your passion for home décor. Bethany is made from a high quality 300 thread count cotton sateen fabric.

Bethany Bedlinen from Dorma

Bethany starts from £75.00 for a double duvet (200cm x 200cm), and just £18.00 for a housewife pillowcase. A whole selection of complimentary sheets and pillowcases can be seen on the new look Dorma website at www.dorma.co.uk

The range also comes with the option of a matching 100% cotton velvet throw ‘Orissa’ in wine red and pillowsham for the ultimate bedroom chic.

Dorma has always been famous for its easy-care, easy-iron textiles perfect for those with busy lifestyles as they take the minimum of effort to look after. Having been carefully shrink and dye-fast tested ensuring the best performance levels possible. Dorma’s plain dyes and patterned linens wash perfectly time and time again – one reason why many shoppers have stayed in love with the brand.

For more information visit the Dorma website at www.dorma.co.uk

Create a Clutter Free Neat and Organised Hallway

Free-Standing Coat Rack from The Holding Company

It's easy to overlook the importance of the hall when dressing your home - a terrible oversight! It's the first impression you give to visitors, and stepping over a heap of coats or muddy shoes is not a brilliant start.

If your hallway is plagued by muddy football boots or wellies, keep a Utility/Boot Tray to hand from The Holding Company. You'll save heaps of time cleaning up, and having the mess contained makes it a lot more bearable.

6-Basket Console Unit from The Holding Company

Having a unit or table such as a 6-Basket Console Unit in the hall is a fantastic way to keep clutter contained.

If you want to be super-organised, the Empty Pockets Tray really has a place for everything: including phone, keys and small change.

Coats and jackets can easily take over your hall. The Holding Company recommends a free-standing coat rack to keep the situation under control.

Utility/Boot Tray from The Holding Company

For more information on the range of storage products from The Holding Company visit the website at www.theholdingcompany.co.uk

Hand Embroidered Fluffy Towels

Soft and Fluffy towels from Gift Wrapped & Gorgeous

Wrap yourself in luxury with these gorgeous soft and fluffy towels with hand embroidered hearts from Gift Wrapped & Gorgeous.

Perfect for a guest room or making your bathroom feel warm and cosy the Bath Towel is £30, Sheet Towel is £35, Hand Towel is £20 and the matching Flannel is £8.

For more details about Gift Wrapped & Gorgeous click on www.giftwrappedandgorgeous.com