Hacking Household Appliances

Hacking Household Appliances




Appliances can do more things than you think. Here are a few "off label" uses of everyday appliances. Feel free to comment with your own hacks.

Washing Machine: Having a party? Needs lots of cold drinks? You don't want everybody in and out of the fridge all night getting drinks and eating all of your food in the process. Coolers are unsightly and leak water everywhere. Buckets are cumbersome and heavy to move

What's the answer? Fill the washing machine tub with ice and beer, soda, or wine coolers. The drinks stay cold and handy. When the party is over and drinks are all gone, just put the washer on spin. No muss, no fuss, no mess.

Dishwasher: Talk about a multi-use appliance. The dishwasher can do lots of things. Sure, anyone can use it to wash dishes, but can you hack it?

Working on your car? You can spend hundreds of dollars on chemicals to clean it up, but why would you when you have a dishwasher. It's perfect to clean hubcaps, oil caps, even PVC valves. Painting the valve covers? Clean them up in the dishwasher. Just spray them liberally with engine cleaner, and put on the long cycle. To keep your food free of a gritty oily taste be sure to run the dishwasher 18 or 20 cycles before washing dishes in it.

Wait, thats not all. Instead of putting hot dogs in a pan of water that takes forever to heat, stick them on the metal prongs in the dishwasher. It cooks them nicely, and there's nothing to clean up when they're done. Don't forget you're cooking and accidentally put soap in. The soap ruins the hot dog flavor.

Microwave: It'll cook, it'll reheat, but did you know it'll dry clothing, and do it fast? Stain on your favorite shirt? Rub it out and then pop the shirt in the microwave to dry it. the same goes for socks, but not a wet cat. You've got to be smart here. No pets in the microwave. When drying clothing or other items in the microwave stay close by and monitor the smoke detector. Your results may vary, so be prudent.

Have others ideas? Comment and share them.