Computer keyboards are one of the dirtiest, germiest surfaces in the house. (So is the mouse.) Take a few minutes to clean your keyboard using supplies you probably already have around – just unplug it first. Next, turn it over a trash can and lightly shake out any dirt or dust that has accumulated. Clean the keys with a soft cloth lightly moistened with rubbing alcohol. ( You can do this to the mouse as well.) Finally, run a fabric softener sheet over the keys to cut back on dust-attracting static electricity. You’re done! A clean keyboard in under five minutes.
Archives for 2008
Recall: Progress Lighting Ceiling-Mounted Outdoor Light Fixtures
Name of Product: Progress Lighting Outdoor Ceiling Light Fixtures
Units: About 1,000
Importer: Progress Lighting, of Greenville, S.C.
Manufacturer: Pegtom, of Hong Ding, China
Hazard: A weld that affixes a mounting bracket to the ceiling pan can fail, which can cause the fixture to fall and injure nearby persons.
Incidents/Injuries: Progress Lighting has received six reports of fixtures falling. No property damage or injuries have been reported.
Description: Only Progress Lighting ceiling-mounted outdoor light fixtures with model numbers P5526-20 and P5526-44 are included in the recall. The light fixtures have three flame-shaped lights inside a beveled glass and solid frame. The fixtures require (3) 60-watt light bulbs. “Made in/Hecho En/Fabrique Aux China” and the model numbers are written on the packaging of the product.
Sold at: Electrical and lighting distributors nationwide from January 2007 through November 2007 for about $200.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should contact Progress Lighting to schedule a free repair of the lighting fixture.
Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Progress Lighting toll-free at (866) 418-5543 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.progresslighting.com
Recall: Salton Inc. Electric Toasters Due to Fire Hazard
Name of Product: Electric Toasters
Units: About 12,000
Distributor: Salton Inc., of Lake Forest, Ill.
Hazard: The toaster can turn on without bread in the slots and ignite items placed on top of it, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: None.
Description: This recall involves the chrome two-slice electric toasters sold under the following brands: Farberware (model # FCT200 or FCT100), Hoffritz (model # HZT2 and HZT2M), and Russell Hobbs (model #RH2MT). The brand name and model number are printed on a plate located on the underside of the toaster.
Sold by: Online and retail liquidators nationwide from January 2000 through December 2007 for between $40 and $50.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the toaster immediately, unplug it, and cut off the power cord where it enters the body of the toaster. Consumers who return the power cord in the prepaid envelope that will be provided will receive a full refund.
Consumer Contact: Contact Salton at (800) 233-9054 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.esalton.com
Note: About 13,000 toasters of similar model were recalled by QVC in December 2007.
Hamilton Beach Party Crock
Here’s a twist on the crockpot and fondue pot. Hamilton Beach’s Party Crock Cookset. This little pot would be great for entertaining. The 1.5 quart pot holds dips or side dishes on your buffet and can go from the refrigerator to the heating base to the table so you can prepare in advance and have fewer dishes to clean. The warming stand uses a tea candle so you don’t have to worry about guests tripping over the cord. It is available in red, blue, red heart shape, and orange pumpkin shape. It retails for $30-$35.
A Source for Antique Replica and Retro Style Kitchens
If you are planning your new kitchen or remodel and have your heart set on a 1950s or Victorian look, Elmira Stove Works will have you covered. They have two product lines, Antique and Northstar which include ovens, dishwashers, refrigerators and more.
Antique
The Elmira Antique line adds the warmth and beauty of an antique, traditional, or country style to any home. Choose one piece as an accent or the
full ensemble to complete a spectacular antique kitchen. Ranges and refrigerators are carefully handcrafted, offer professional state-of-the-art features, come in six colors, and have a multitude of options and trims. Ranges have self-cleaning ovens, eleven range tops to choose from including induction, and come in two different sizes for your convenience.
Northstar
The Elmira Northstar line is definitely a state-of-the-art retro trip! Nine cool colors and chrome accents allow the Northstar ranges, refrigerators, and range hoods to transform your kitchen into one of style and sophistication. The Northstar refrigerator is the coolest appliance you’ll ever own with its optional ice maker, Energy Star rating, 19 cu. ft. of storage, Visi-shelving, and adjustable door bins.
Northstar ranges offer full-sized, self-cleaning ovens (convection optional), high-speed radiant elements or high power sealed gas burners, delayed-start bake/clean, and much more. Complete the retro look with a dishwasher door panel and a professional-quality Northstar range hood, which offers four speeds, outside-vented fan, and dual halogen lights.
We have not yet reviewed these appliances, but they sure look fun, while still providing the conveniences we are accustomed to finding in our 21st century kitchens.
LG and GE to Share Patents
News from appliancemagazine.com a trade magazine, reports:
LG Electronics has entered into a cross licensing agreement with GE Consumer & Industrial that will allow LG and GE to use one another’s patents for refrigerators and cooking appliances without paying licensing fees.
“We believe that this licensing arrangement with GE will enhance our ability to deliver winning products and move us further toward our goal of becoming one of the top global brands in consumer electronics and home appliances,” said Young Ha Lee, president and CEO of LG Electronics Digital Appliance Company. “Our long history of working together with GE will help us take advantage of this agreement even more quickly.
“This agreement is part of a win-win strategy for both GE and LG,” said Lynn S. Pendergrass, president and CEO, GE Consumer and Industrial—Americas. “We expect the synergies resulting from the strong relationship between our two companies will contribute substantially to the success of both GE and LG.”
LG and GE have collaborated on cooking appliances since 1999, both in technologies and product development. The companies say the new agreement will help the companies strengthen their competitiveness worldwide. It will be especially helpful to LG, it said, in its push to expand its presence in digital appliances globally. The company currently sells its products through all three of the top retailers in North America: The Home Depot, Sears and Best Buy.
LG has previously entered into key partnerships with other top companies to build its technology and customer base. In 2000 the company partnered with Matsushita’s air-conditioning division and in 2001 LG allied itself with both Microsoft and Intel in the home networking sector.
A Jaunt for the Weekend- A Virtual Trip to the Washing Machine Museum
If you’re looking for a museum trip without the drive, just click here to visit the Washing Machine Museum. If you want to make the trip a real, not virtual experience, the museum is located in Eaton, Colorado with tours by appointment.
The virtual tour offers glimpses of the forgotten world of early hand, gas and electric powered washers. You can see the washers with wringers that advertise themselves with phrases like “Never Crush” and “Saves Women’s Lives”. Fingers were known to be not only crushed, but severed in wringers. There is also the Horton which claims “A Horton Washer will add many years to your life. It will save your health– keep the wrinkles out of your face–keep you youthful”.
The site includes an article about the invention of the washing machine, options to have your own antique appraised and of course, the virtual tour.
The tour is self guided and includes outdoor views of the rural museum, two buildings filled with vintage washers, a workshop and a barn with what appears to be washers awaiting restoration.
A fun afternoon’s visit, with some history and a great feeling for how much easier laundry is now.
Installing and Using Your Clothes Dryer Safely
Whether you are installing a new dryer, relocating an old one, or just looking to remind yourself of some basic household safety guidelines, you can clickon our link to The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers(AHAM) handbook on dryer care and safety.
You can read about:
- Proper installation materials and how to use them
- How to clean and maintain your dryer to get it working longer and at its best
- Items that should not be dried in a dryer
This is a short and easy to read brochure that will get you updated quickly.
Recall: Ensto Control Oy Toggle and Rotary Switches Due to Electric Shock Hazards
Name of Product: Toggle Switches and Rotary Switches
Units: About 19,000
Distributor/Importer: Disconnects of Florida Corp., of Tampa, Fla.
Manufacturer: Ensto Control Oy, of Finland
Hazard: When switched OFF, one electrical pole may remain energized, posing a risk of electrical shock hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Ensto Control Oy has received 13 reports of the switches not functioning properly. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recalled toggle and rotary switches are manual motor controller switches or disconnect switches. The switches are typically used with HVAC units, electric distribution and control panels and industrial uses. Primarily the switches are used commercially, however they may also be found in residential applications. The switches were sold under the brand name Ensto Control Oy with a four digit manufacturing week date code stamped on the bottom of each switch. The code indicates the week and year of manufacture. Product codes ranging from 0107 through 5007 are included in the recall. The model numbers are located on labels attached on the upper part of the plastic switch housing. The following model numbers are included in the recall:
| KK17.3 KK17.963 KK17.980 KK19.3 KK19.963 KK19.980 KKCSU3.60JDR/U KSR3.100 |
KSR3.100/U KSR3.1001/U KSR31002/U KSR3.125/U KSR3.1251/U KSR3.63 KSR3.80 KSR3.80/U |
KSR3.801/U KSR3.802/U KST3.100U KST3.63 KST3.80 KST3.80/U |
Sold at: The recalled switches were sold through Ensto Control Oy to distributors, which in turn sold the switches to industrial OEMs. They were not sold in retail establishments or to consumers. The switches were sold for between $30 and $60.
Manufactured in: Finland
Remedy: Consumers who have installed switches can contact the firm for information on how to receive a free inspection and replacement switch. Consumers who have switches that are not installed can return them to Ensto Control Oy, c/o Kaltek Inc., 2310 Peachford Road, Atlanta, Georgia for a replacement switch.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Ensto Control Oy toll-free at (866) 800-0690 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday ET or visit the firm’s Web site at www.ensto.com
The Dishwasher of the Future – A Shape Shifter
Newscientist.com has found a great solution to that half-filled smelly dishwasher that you feel guilty running because it will waste water- The Shape Shifting Dishwasher –
A problem with conventional dishwashers is that to save water, energy and detergent, people wait until the machine is full before switching it on.
But if the dishwasher is in a single-person household, or one where people often eat out, it can take several days for the dishwasher to fill. This can lead to hygiene problems and offensive smells, and to food drying onto dishes, which is then harder to remove.
Now Paul Frigout from Coventry University has an answer in the form of a dishwasher with a movable partition. This changes the size of the washing compartment so it can accommodate small or large loads.
When the dishwasher is switched on, it washes only those dishes on one side of the partition. The other area could be used to store clean dishes, or can be used for an alternate cycle of washing while the first section is still drying.
The system is perfect for the person living alone, says Frigout.
Read the full shape-shifting dishwasher patent application