Hey there! Let’s dive into some common misunderstandings about household appliances and learn the real facts behind them. This will help you use your appliances more effectively and maybe even save some money!
Many people think that refrigerators work by blowing cold air, but that’s not true. Inside a fridge, there are coils that play a big role. Outside the fridge, a vapor turns into a liquid, which then flows into the inside coils. This process helps absorb the warm air inside the fridge, keeping it cool. The liquid eventually evaporates, goes through a compressor, and the cycle starts again. It’s all about science!
Some believe that dishwashers use a lot of water, but modern dishwashers are actually quite efficient. They use about 9 liters (or 2.4 gallons) of water per wash, which is less than what you might use washing dishes by hand. A study found that using a dishwasher could save a household around 11,000 liters (about 2,900 gallons) of water each year!
It’s a common thought that hot water cleans your coffee maker, but that’s not enough. A study found that many coffee makers have yeast and mold growing inside them, even more germs than a toilet seat! It’s important to clean your coffee maker daily and run vinegar through it every few months for a deep clean.
Actually, metal doesn’t get hot in the microwave before it starts sparking. Metal reflects microwaves instead of absorbing them like plastic or glass. This reflection can cause sparks, so it’s best to avoid putting metal in the microwave.
Thanks to modern washing machines and detergents, cold water can clean your clothes just as well as hot water. Using cold water can also prevent shrinking and help avoid setting stains from things like blood and sweat.
It’s not a good idea to put knives in the dishwasher. The detergent and contact with other silverware can dull them. Instead, wash your knives by hand with soap and water, and dry them immediately.
Not all hair dryers dry hair evenly. Some have hot spots that can cause uneven drying. A ceramic hair dryer can help because it heats more evenly than regular ones.
You can make your refrigerator more efficient by cleaning its coils every year. Turn off the power and water supply, then use a vacuum to clean the condenser coils. This helps your fridge run better and last longer.
Vacuum cleaners can’t pick up everything. Items like toys, nails, and coins can get stuck and cause damage. It’s a good idea to pick up these items by hand before vacuuming to avoid costly repairs.
Seeing water at the bottom of your dishwasher after a cycle is normal. This water helps keep the seals moist, preventing cracks and leaks. So, don’t worry if you see a little water there!
Thanks for learning with us! If you have any topics you’d like to explore in future episodes, feel free to share your ideas. See you next time!
Explore how a refrigerator works by creating a simple model using a plastic bottle, water, and a freezer. Fill the bottle with water and place it in the freezer. Observe how the water turns to ice and discuss how this relates to the cooling process in a refrigerator. Share your observations with the class.
Track your family’s water usage for a week by comparing hand-washing dishes to using a dishwasher. Record the amount of water used in each method and calculate the savings. Present your findings and discuss how using a dishwasher can conserve water.
Learn how to properly clean a coffee maker by following a step-by-step guide. Use vinegar and water to run a cleaning cycle and observe the difference. Share tips on maintaining a clean coffee maker with your classmates.
Create a poster illustrating the dos and don’ts of using a microwave, focusing on why metal should not be used. Include safety tips and explain the science behind microwave reflections. Display your poster in the classroom.
Conduct an experiment by washing two identical stained cloths, one in cold water and the other in hot water. Compare the results and discuss how modern detergents work effectively in cold water. Share your conclusions with the class.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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Hey there, I’m Elliot, and this is MentalFloss on YouTube. Today, I’m going to talk about some misconceptions about appliances.
**Misconception number one:** Refrigerators blow cold air. So how do they keep your food cool? A refrigerator contains coils both outside and inside. In the outside coils, a vapor becomes a liquid, which then flows into the inside coils, helping to cool the fridge and freezer. The refrigerator stays cool because warm air inside is absorbed by that liquid. Eventually, the liquid evaporates, goes through a compressor, and the cycle repeats. It’s all science!
**Misconception number two:** Dishwashers waste water, so you should wash dishes by hand. Actually, modern dishwashers only use around 9 liters per wash, which is about 2.4 gallons. This is less than what people typically use when washing by hand. In fact, according to a 2006 study by the University of Bond, most households could save around 11,000 liters (about 2,900 gallons) each year by using a dishwasher instead of washing by hand.
**Misconception number three:** You don’t need to wash your coffee maker. Some people think that the hot water going through the coffee maker disinfects it and kills bacteria, but that’s not the case. In 2011, NSF International tested 22 household coffee makers and found that half had yeast and mold growing in them. They even had more germs than toilet seats! Experts recommend cleaning your coffee maker daily and running some vinegar through it every few months for a thorough clean.
**Misconception number four:** Metal gets really hot in the microwave. Actually, metal does not get hot before it starts sparking. Metal doesn’t absorb microwaves like plastic and glass do; instead, it reflects them. So when placed in a microwave, metal won’t heat up like other objects and might start sparking as the electrons in the metal move into the air.
**Misconception number five:** If you want your clothes clean, you should not set your washing machine to use cold water. Thanks to modern washing machines and laundry detergents, washing your clothes in cold water can get them perfectly clean. Plus, it has benefits compared to hot water, such as reducing the likelihood of shrinking and potentially doing a better job at preventing stains from blood and sweat.
**Misconception number six:** You can put your knives in the dishwasher. Experts recommend washing your knives by hand instead of in the dishwasher because the combination of dishwasher detergent and other silverware can dull your knives. Just use some soap, water, and a sponge to clean your knives, and dry them right away.
**Misconception number seven:** Hair dryers dry your hair evenly. In reality, many hair dryers have hot spots. One solution is to get a ceramic hair dryer, as they heat more evenly than regular ones.
**Misconception number eight:** There’s no way to make your refrigerator more efficient. You can keep your refrigerator running efficiently by vacuuming its coils every 12 months. To do this, turn off the circuit breaker and water supply lines, then vacuum the condenser coils with your regular vacuum, ensuring you keep it at a safe distance to avoid damaging the coils. Brush away any extra dust that the vacuum doesn’t pick up.
**Misconception number nine:** Vacuum cleaners suck up everything on the floor. Not necessarily! Certain items can get stuck in the cleaner, making it harder to pick things up. This includes toys, nails, and coins. Before you vacuum, you should pick these items up by hand to avoid breaking your vacuum, which can be expensive to repair.
**Misconception number ten:** Water at the bottom of your dishwasher means it’s broken. There should actually be water at the bottom of your dishwasher after a load. This water serves an important purpose: it keeps a bit of moisture in the appliance so that the seals don’t crack, which could lead to leaks and other problems.
Thank you for watching Misconceptions on Mental Floss on YouTube! This episode was made with the help of all these wonderful people. If you have a topic for an upcoming misconceptions episode that you would like to see, leave it in the comments, and I will see you next week!
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This version removes any informal language and ensures clarity while maintaining the original content’s intent.
Appliances – Devices or machines used to perform a specific task, often related to household functions like cooking or cleaning. – Many homes use energy-efficient appliances to reduce electricity consumption and help the environment.
Refrigerators – Appliances used to keep food and drinks cold and fresh by maintaining a low temperature inside. – Modern refrigerators are designed to use less energy while keeping food fresh for longer periods.
Water – A transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance that is essential for the survival of most living organisms. – Conserving water is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems and ensuring a sustainable future.
Cleaning – The process of removing dirt, germs, and impurities from surfaces or objects to maintain hygiene and prevent the spread of diseases. – Regular cleaning of surfaces in the kitchen helps prevent the spread of germs and keeps the environment safe.
Microwaves – Appliances that use electromagnetic waves to heat and cook food quickly and efficiently. – Microwaves are convenient for reheating leftovers and cooking meals in a short amount of time.
Clothes – Items worn to cover the body, often made from fabrics like cotton, wool, or synthetic materials. – Washing clothes in cold water can save energy and reduce the impact on the environment.
Dryers – Appliances used to remove moisture from clothes after washing, typically by using heat. – Energy-efficient dryers can significantly reduce electricity usage in households.
Efficient – Achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense, often related to energy use. – Using energy-efficient light bulbs can help reduce electricity bills and environmental impact.
Vacuum – A device that uses suction to remove dirt and debris from floors and other surfaces. – Regularly using a vacuum cleaner can help maintain a clean and allergen-free home environment.
Germs – Microorganisms, especially those that cause disease, such as bacteria and viruses. – Washing hands frequently is important to prevent the spread of germs and stay healthy.
