Kitchen and home myths: fact or fiction?

The questions

1. Question 1 of 7Gritty plates, a bad smell and a puddle in the bottom of the dishwasher. Where should you look first?

   

   • The spray arm
   • The filter in the floor of the tub
   • The door seal
   • The detergent drawer

   Show answer

   Answer: The filter in the floor of the tub

   Gritty dishes, a smell or water left in the bottom are good reasons to check the filter, whatever the brand. It sits in the centre of the tub floor: lift out the lower rack to reach it (Samsung, Bosch).

   Source: Samsung UK: How to clean my Samsung dishwasher; Bosch US: How to clean a dishwasher filter

   How to clean your dishwasher filter

2. Question 2 of 7Which way does Samsung say to turn the filter handle to unlock it?

   • Clockwise
   • Anticlockwise
   • Push down, no turning
   • Either way

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   Answer: Anticlockwise

   Samsung says to turn the handle anticlockwise to unlock it, and clockwise to lock it again when it goes back in.

   Source: Samsung UK: How to clean my Samsung dishwasher

   How to clean your dishwasher filter

3. Question 3 of 7Fact or fiction: a scouring pad gets a dishwasher filter cleanest.

   • Fact: scrub it hard
   • Fiction: use a small soft brush

   Show answer

   Answer: Fiction: use a small soft brush

   Rinse the parts under running water and use a small soft brush or an old toothbrush. Bosch warns that anything abrasive can damage the filter.

   Source: Bosch UK: Cleaning the dishwasher filter; Bosch US: How to clean a dishwasher filter; Samsung UK: How to clean my Samsung dishwasher

   How to clean your dishwasher filter

4. Question 4 of 7How often does a Miele dishwasher remind you to check the filters, by default?

   • Every 10 programmes
   • Every 50 programmes
   • Once a year
   • Never

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   Answer: Every 50 programmes

   Miele dishwashers show a "Check filters" message every 50 programmes by default, and you can set it between 30 and 60. Bosch US says every few months; Samsung says whenever debris builds up.

   Source: Miele UK: Check filters, setting the interval; Bosch US: How to clean a dishwasher filter

   How to clean your dishwasher filter

5. Question 5 of 7Your smoke alarm chirps once every 30 to 40 seconds, for days. What is it most likely telling you?

   

   • There is smoke
   • The battery is low
   • You pressed Hush
   • It is dusty

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   Answer: The battery is low

   In Kidde's list a chirp every 30 to 40 seconds (60 on some alarms) that goes on for days means a low battery: replace it, then test. Other brands use other patterns, so check your alarm's label.

   Source: Kidde: What causes consistent chirping?

   Smoke alarm chirping? What it means

6. Question 6 of 7A sealed 10-year alarm with no battery door chirps every 30 seconds. Will a fresh battery fix it?

   

   • Yes, swap the battery
   • No, the alarm has reached the end of its life

   Show answer

   Answer: No, the alarm has reached the end of its life

   Kidde says a sealed alarm chirping every 30 seconds has reached its end of life and a new battery can't fix it. Replace the whole alarm. NFPA says to replace smoke alarms every 10 years; the date is on the back.

   Source: Kidde: What causes consistent chirping?; NFPA: Smoke alarms

   Smoke alarm chirping? What it means

7. Question 7 of 7Something else beeps once a minute. Could it be your carbon monoxide alarm?

   • No, CO alarms never chirp
   • Yes: Kidde CO alarms chirp every 60 seconds when the batteries need replacing

   Show answer

   Answer: Yes: Kidde CO alarms chirp every 60 seconds when the batteries need replacing

   Kidde CO alarms chirp once every 60 seconds when the batteries need replacing, so stand under each alarm for a minute to find the right one.

   Source: Kidde: What causes consistent chirping?

   Smoke alarm chirping? What it means