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How to make your phone or tablet battery last longer

<p>There’s nothing more frustrating than having your phone or tablet run out of battery when you need it most. Batteries of today seem to be draining at a more rapid pace… but rather than lugging your charger everywhere with you, here are a few easy ways you can help your device last the distance.</p> <p><strong>Screen brightness</strong></p> <p>The brighter your screen the more power it consumes. Lower the brightness levels slightly (your eyes will adjust) or change it to auto-brightness which will enable your phone to automatically adjust to the optimal level of brightness while conserving battery.</p> <p><strong>GPS</strong></p> <p>The GPS is a great feature in ensuring you’ll never get lost again. However, it also needs a substantial amount of battery power to function. It’s one of the biggest consumers of power so if you’re not using it switch it off.</p> <p><strong>Wi-fi</strong></p> <p>Keeping your wi-fi turned on at all time when not connected will quickly drain your battery. It’s because your phone is constantly trying to search for a wi-fi network to join so if you’re not using wi-fi switch it off. Just remember to turn it on again when you’re connected to a known wi-fi network like one at home otherwise it will eat up your data. </p> <p><strong>Bluetooth</strong></p> <p>Bluetooth is a convenient and useful feature in connection to other devices wirelessly but it also drains your power. Only switch it on when you know you’re using it.</p> <p><strong>Apps</strong></p> <p>We tend to have many apps running in the background that we’ve simply forgotten we opened up. But if apps are open they will be using battery power. Close the ones you’re not using.</p> <p><strong>Turn it off</strong></p> <p>It’s the most obvious solution and the most effective. If you know you’re not going to be using your phone for a few of hours (like when you’re watching a movie or going to bed) switching it off will stop any energy consumption.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Technology

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3 easy ways to back up your photos on your phone and tablet

<p>Do you have all your photos stored on your phone or tablet? Do you back them up? If the answer is no, then please back them up! There are too many sorry tales of people losing all their precious memories in the snap second technological devices decide to play up. Backing up your photos is also a great idea if you’re phone or tablet is running low on space. Here are three simple ways to do it.</p> <p><strong>Directly transfer photos from your device to a computer.</strong></p> <p>This is one of the easiest and most straightforward way to back-up photos. Connect your phone or tablet to your computer with the supplied dock connector cable. A window will automatically pop up asking if you want to “import” the photos to your computer. After they have been imported, you’ll be asked if you want to “delete” the images you’ve imported. If you press delete, the photos will be deleted from your smartphone or tablet. This is a fast way to free up space on your device but if you still want to keep photos on your phone, don’t click delete.  </p> <p><strong>Save your photos to a cloud system like <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Dropbox</span></a> </strong></p> <p>A cloud service lets you store information on a remote computer or server connected via the internet. It’s a handy platform that will ensure your photos are saved even if your device and computer decide to play up. You can also sync photos without physically plugging in your device. The free service Dropbox is one of the simplest versions around allowing you to upload photos directly from your tablet or phone. You will have to sign up for a Dropbox account before you are given 2GB of free storage.  </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">To automatically backup photos to Dropbox from your computer </span></p> <p>Once Dropbox is installed on your computer, you can turn on Camera Upload so photos are automatically uploaded to your Dropbox. Connect your device to your computer and go to Dropbox > Settings > Preferences and click the “Enable Dropbox camera import.” This will allow Dropbox to automatically import photos to your Dropbox account when your device is connected.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">To automatically backup photos to Dropbox from your device</span></p> <p>Dropbox can also automatically upload images straight from your device. You will have to download the Dropbox app. Go to the Dropbox app > Settings > Camera Upload > On. Make sure you click the option to only upload pictures when Wi-Fi is on so it won’t eat up your cellular data.</p> <p><strong>Back up your photos to <a href="https://www.flickr.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Flickr</span></a></strong></p> <p>Another popular and easy-to-use photo sharing and cloud storage system is Flickr. It has the advantage over Dropbox because it offer 1TB (1,000GB) of free space. You can upload your photos and share them privately or publicly.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Technology

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How healthy are your dishwasher habits?

<p>Are you one of those people guilty of cramming as much as possible into the dishwasher or perhaps you don’t rinse the scraps off your plates before loading them in? Either way, both of these habits can mean that a wash cycle is a waste of time, water and power.</p> <p>To ensure that you don’t have two-day-old muesli stuck on your bowls post-wash, we’ve compiled four top tips for maximising your dishwasher’s cleaning powers.</p> <p><strong>Rinse off</strong><br />Rinsing off any crumbs, scraps, sauces and so on not only makes it much easier for your dishwasher to run properly, but it also promotes a healthy environment. For example, if you don’t put your dishwasher on everyday and you don’t rinse then you are leaving food to fester for days. </p> <p><strong>Stack right</strong><br />But neatly stacking or arranging the things that go into your dishwasher you will reep a few benefits. The most simple of these is that you will be able to fit more in (without overcrowding) if you stack things cautiously. For instance if bowl and plates are all facing the same way, they stack more efficiently. Secondly if you arrange things well in your dishwashing it will allow the waters and cleaner to get to every surface of every item in your dishwasher.</p> <p>Usually, large bowls and plates go on the bottom facing inwards, with saucepans and large pans stacked around the edges of them, glasses and small bowls go up top, as do long utensils. Knives face downward in the cutlery holder.</p> <p>Remember though, not everything should go in the dishwasher. For instance, some things like good knives and metal utensils such as pewter are not dishwasher safe or can become damaged by being put through a wash and are better suited to being hand washed.</p> <p><strong>Don’t overcrowd</strong><br />We’ve all been there before – after cooking up a big meal for the family all of the plates, pots and pans simply won’t fit in the dishwasher well. So you end up packing it all in. Don’t do it. It’s simply not worth it and it will NOT wash properly. It’s better to either hand wash some or put two loads on. </p> <p><strong>Dishwasher TLC</strong><br />Every now and then you should clean out your dishwasher – especially the seals. You may find bits if grime you can wipe away or every strewn cutlery or that Tupperware lid you’ve been searching high low for. A little bit of TLC every once in a while will ensure your dishwasher cleans more effectively and it may even make it last for longer.</p> <p>Some people suggest using a cup of vinegar in an empty dishwasher and to run a cycle to get rid of lime and soap build up. In any case before cleaning, consult your instruction manual to see it comes with any cleaning tips. If you’ve misplaced your manual – check to see if it’s available online.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Home & Garden

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Three signs it's time to clean your dishwasher

<p dir="ltr">The dishwasher is often one of the hardest working appliances in the house. </p> <p dir="ltr">While it's regularly filled with hot water and detergent, you’d be forgiven for thinking it's a clean environment. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, with all the dirt and food waste that goes into a dishwasher, it’s important to keep it maintained so your dishes come out sparkling every time. </p> <p dir="ltr">Here’s three things to look out for that mean it’s time to clean your dishwasher. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Your dishes are coming out cloudy and dirty</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Food left on your dishes, or a white powdery substance is a tell-tale sign that it’s time to clean your dishwasher.</p> <p dir="ltr">It’s recommended that your dishwasher gets cleaned once a month to keep it in good condition. </p> <p dir="ltr">If you notice cloudy spots on your drinking glasses, the simplest solution is to place a bowl of vinegar on the top rack and run a cycle, which acts as a rinse aid to help combat hard water. </p> <p dir="ltr">It’s a good idea to check your manual before doing this, as some manufacturers advise against using vinegar in a dishwasher.  </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>There’s a funny smell coming from your dishwasher</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">If you have a terrible smell from your dishwasher, the problem could be food particles getting caught in the filter. </p> <p dir="ltr">Check and clean your filter after each use to avoid nasty smells in your kitchen. </p> <p dir="ltr">Also, dishwasher cleaners that run through a cycle with no dishes in the racks can help clean food debris out of hard to reach places. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Water isn’t draining out of your dishwasher properly</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">If water is still pooling in the bottom of your dishwasher after running a cycle, or if you see water bubbling out of the sink, you might have a clog in the plumbing. </p> <p dir="ltr">If you clean the filter and check for obstructions and you are still finding pools of water,  it might be time to call an expert to look at your dishwasher.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Home & Garden

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8 things you shouldn’t put in the dishwasher

<p>Some items commonly placed in the dishwasher should never be put there.</p> <p><strong>Wooden utensils –</strong> Hot water can cause your wooden utensils to wear and warp.</p> <p><strong>Vintage plates –</strong> Detergent and hot water can wear at trims and painted details on old china.</p> <p><strong>Aluminium cookware –</strong> Harsh conditions in your dishwasher can cause your aluminium cookware to grow discoloured.</p> <p><strong>Insulated travel mug –</strong> Unless stated otherwise on the label, avoid putting travel mugs in the dishwasher. The water can get in between the cup’s layers and destroy the insulation, rendering your cup useless.</p> <p><strong>Cheese graters and garlic presses –</strong> Most dishwashers aren’t powerful enough to fully clean a cheese grater. Wash it by hand exclusively or give it a scrub before putting it in the washer.</p> <p><strong>Chef knives –</strong> Detergent can damage the sharp edge of your knives, and in turn your knives can damage other dishes if they’re not safely secured in your washer.</p> <p><strong>Crystal –</strong> Some crystal can be put in the dishwasher, but to be safe your best bet is washing your best pieces by hand with a gentle soap or shampoo.</p> <p><strong>Copper cookware –</strong> Like your aluminium cookware, the dishwasher can cause your copper goods to lose their coveted copper shade.</p>

Home & Garden

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Why it's important to install updates on your device

<p>Ever wondered if installing updates is worth the bother? Here's what you need to know.</p> <p>Whether you use an iPad, tablet, laptop or desktop computer, you have probably been prompted at one point to update your device. While these pop-up boxes may look like the spam you see on websites, they’re far from it.</p> <p>The device you use will have an operating system built into it, so iPads or Mac laptops will operate on Apple’s iOS system while tablets and laptops not made by Apple will run on Windows. Whichever system your device uses, it will eventually need an update. While it can be easy to dismiss the update notifications when they pop up on your screen, here’s why you shouldn’t.</p> <p><strong>What’s the point?</strong> <br />When a software program is developed, it is put through tests and quality checks and only once that has been satisfied is it released to the general public. However, once the software is out there in the world, and being used in real-life environments, it can come across little issues which get reported back to the developer. These companies then fix the issues and release the solutions as software updates.</p> <p>For electronic devices, especially laptops and desktop computers, security issues can be a big problem. Software updates include security solutions to malware or hackers, as well as fixes to bugs and any other issues that have occurred since the software was released.</p> <p><strong>Is it different to an upgrade?</strong><br />While they may sound similar, a software update and an upgrade provide two different functions. An update will install a current version of your software to your device, so basically updating your existing version of iOS or Windows. On the other side of the coin is an upgrade, which allows you to upgrade a program to its next major version. Generally, there will be a cost for a software upgrade.</p> <p><strong>How do I get updates?</strong><br />If your device is connected to the internet and it detects an update is available, it will prompt you with a notification message. This will alert you to the fact that an update is available and advise you of the next steps to step, such as clicking on a button on the notification message which will start the process for you.</p> <p>In System Settings on Apple devices and Control Panel for Windows devices, there’s an option where you can turn on automatic updating. This can provide significant benefits, such as improved security and reliability.</p> <p>Ultimately, software updates exist for a reason. While they may take a little while to download and install on your device, they are worth it. So, the next time that grey box pops up on your screen saying there’s an update available, click on it. It’ll keep your tablet or laptop secure and up-to-date with your software’s latest features.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Technology

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Adding space to your dishwasher just got easier

<p dir="ltr">Looking for more space in your dishwasher? Perhaps you’ve even considered upgrading – but before you do, take a moment to consider this genius solution one eager Kmart shopper has come up with – using only a $10 item. </p> <p dir="ltr">Posting in the Kmart Home Decor & Hacks Australia Facebook group, the woman revealed she had purchased the store’s Over Sink Dish Drying Rack, which is intended to sit over your sink to dry plates and utensils, as well as defrost food.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Got this for my sink, however, it also works great as an extra rack for the large utensils in the dishwasher,” the shopper wrote, also sharing a photo of the drying rack set up in her dishwasher.</p> <p dir="ltr">A word of warning: Kmart doesn’t explicitly state that their drying rack is dishwasher-safe, meaning there’s an off chance your particular dishwasher model may not like it.</p> <p dir="ltr">The dishwasher hack comes as Kmart released its own range of budget white goods online last month.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-7aa1d503-7fff-2ce6-fac6-00d09f15a914"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“The new white goods range was seen as a gap in the market for us to service in this way and provide our customers with everything they need at the lowest prices,” a Kmart spokesperson told news.com.au.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Facebook / Kmart hacks group </em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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The most bizarre dishwasher hack you’ll ever see

<p>Dishwashers are arguable one of the most useful appliances in the home, let alone the kitchen.</p> <p>Thankfully, there are cleaning prodigies who have some of the most useful tips and the most recent one to go viral has left users in a head spin.</p> <p>Aussie mum<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@carolina.mccauley/video/6968596608103533825?lang=en&amp;is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1" target="_blank" title="Carolina Mccauley">Carolina Mccauley</a><span> </span>has shared her odd but crucial tip to get sparkling silverware – and it involves a ball of aluminium foil.</p> <p>She says all you need to do is a throw a ball of aluminium foil in with your cutlery before turning on the dishwasher.</p> <p>"This dishwasher hack will leave your silverware sparkling," she captioned the video on<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://9now.nine.com.au/the-block/tiktok" target="_blank" title="TikTok">TikTok</a>.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841619/aluminium-dishwasher-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7349503acbde497b8ea9187fb2fcded0" /></p> <p>If you roll some tin foil into a ball and place in the cutlery holder of your dishwasher, your forks, spoons, and knives will come out sparkling like new.</p> <p>It's definitely an odd tip, but the results show it does make a difference.</p> <p>The video has been watched over 123,000 times so far.</p> <p>"Why does my brain think it's not okay to put aluminium foil inside appliances because of the microwave," one TikToker wrote.</p> <p>Another said, "What the scientific magic is this?"</p> <p>The magic behind the foil has been revealed, with<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dashingmaids.com/aluminum-foil-cleaning-hacks/" target="_blank" title="">Dashing Maids</a><span> </span>writing that the chemical reaction from the foil and a dishwasher tablet is what gives cutlery its incredible shine.</p>

Home & Garden

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Why you NEED to put your fruit and veggies in the dishwasher

<p>A woman has gone viral after sharing her food hygiene hack – washing fruit and vegetables in the dishwasher.</p> <p>In a TikTok clip, the user @smilelop showed how she removed dirt and bugs from her produce.</p> <p>She arranged a variety of fresh food products on the top shelf and bottom drawer before pouring in a capful of distilled white vinegar in the detergent compartment.</p> <p>She then set the machine running, and the video cut to seemingly washed and clean crops.</p> <blockquote style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="6824889367530704133"><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@smilelop" target="_blank" title="@smilelop">@smilelop</a> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cleanvegetables" target="_blank" title="cleanvegetables">##cleanvegetables</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cleanfruit" target="_blank" title="cleanfruit">##cleanfruit</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tiktoktips" target="_blank" title="tiktoktips">##tiktoktips</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/vinegar" target="_blank" title="vinegar">##vinegar</a></p> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/PONETE-ASÍ-6792622683843513093" target="_blank" title="♬ PONETE ASÍ - melojnico">♬ PONETE ASÍ - melojnico</a></blockquote> <p>The video has now been viewed more than a million times, but some viewers on the comment section were sceptical of the hack.</p> <p>“I literally don’t know why this would be necessary,” one wrote.</p> <p>“I mean a light vinegar solution is good to kill bacteria and some fruit has wax film on it, but dishwasher? Come on girl,” another replied.</p> <p>According to <a href="https://foodsafety.asn.au/fruit-and-vegetables/">the Food Safety Information Council</a>, washing fruits and vegetables under running water and drying them can help remove loose soil and remove many bacteria and viruses. The council also advised practicing safe hand washing and hygiene before preparing food or cooking.</p>

Food & Wine

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8 things you never knew you could put in your dishwasher

<div id="page1" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> <p>You’d be surprised just how many household items can be given a thorough cleaning in your humble dishwasher.</p> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"><strong>1. Small plastic toys</strong></div> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"> <p>Germs can linger on your kids’ toys for months. Disinfect them by putting them in a mesh lingerie bag on the top shelf of your dishwasher. Then just let the normal cycle run.</p> <p><strong>2. Hairbrushes</strong></p> <p>Your hairbrush can hold almost 3,500 colonies of bacteria, according to University of Arizona research. Remove any stray hairs and drop your brush in the silverware tray for a thorough cleanse. Remember: Only plastic brushes or combs. Wooden or boar-bristle brushes will get ruined.</p> <p><strong>3. Potatoes</strong></p> <div id="page5" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> <p>Making mashed potatoes for your next big family gathering? Cut your preparation time and wash your spuds on a rinse-only cycle – no detergent! – on the top shelf.</p> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"><strong>4. Refrigerator shelves</strong></div> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"> <p>Between leaking meat juices and spilled food, your fridge can get really gross really fast. Instead of scrubbing every last inch clean, throw those shelves in with your other dishes.</p> <p><strong>5. Penholders</strong></p> <div id="page8" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> <p>When it comes to cleaning, common desk items like penholders and trays for scrap paper often get overlooked. If they’re metal or plastic, toss them in your next dishwasher load.</p> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"><strong>6. Bathroom stuff</strong></div> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"> <div id="page10" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> <p>Your bathroom is a haven for bacteria, from soap dishes to bathtub drain plugs to toothbrush holders. Luckily, all of them can be cleaned on the top rack with your other dishes.</p> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"><strong>7. Nail clippers and tweezers</strong></div> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"> <div id="page11" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> <p>Most cosmetic tools like nail clippers and tweezers are dishwasher safe. You can even wash plastic makeup brushes.</p> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"><strong>8. Razors</strong></div> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"> <div id="page13" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> <p>Razors can get dirty from more than just hair. They also pick up the chemicals in your shaving cream and salts from the water. When you wash them in a dishwasher, use liquid detergent. Tablets can leave grit on the metal.</p> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher"><em>Written by Claire Novak. </em><em>This article first appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/13-things-you-never-knew-you-could-put-in-the-dishwasher" target="_blank">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRA93V">here’s our best subscription offer</a>.</em></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Home & Garden

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The ultimate guide to stacking your dishwasher

<p>Believe it or not but there is an art in stacking your dishwasher. While some may just throw the dishes in whichever way they deem fit, there are a few rules to follow to ensure your using space to its full potential.</p> <p>Consumer advocacy group Choice Australia has revealed some of the best tips and tricks when it comes to stacking your dishwasher to help achieve the cleanest dishes possible.</p> <p><strong>Never place wood, aluminium or copper in the dishwasher</strong></p> <p>While most items are safe to stack, there are a few exceptions.</p> <p>It’s recommended that anything made of wood, such as chopping boards, rolling pins and wooden spoons should not be placed inside a dishwasher, as the material tends to absorb odours and flavours of the surrounding dishes.</p> <p>Good quality knives and fine china should also be avoided, as the water pressure can damage the cutlery and ruin the detailing.</p> <p>Anything that consists of a “reactive metal” should be handwashed, which means items made from aluminium and copper should stay away from the dishwasher.</p> <p><strong>Don’t bother pre-washing dishes</strong></p> <p>It’s a habit that most people fall into before loading up their dishwasher, but your favourite dishwashing tablet has enough power to remove all surface stains without you having to give it a pre-wash.</p> <p>Just be sure to scrape any excess food scraps beforehand, to avoid the filter from clogging up.</p> <p><strong>Make sure the dirtiest dishes go in the middle</strong></p> <p>The answer to squeaky clean dishes is placement so write this next part down.</p> <p>Plastics should always go on the top shelf to reduce the risk of melting, the same applies for anything made of glass.</p> <p>Sometimes the spinning fan can miss the corners of the dishwasher so it’s a good idea to put the dirtiest dishes right in the middle for the most effective clean.</p> <p>Lastly, place each and every plate and bowl downwards to avoid dirty water and don’t stack them on top of each other.</p>

Home & Garden

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No scrubbing necessary! Genius way to remove stains from stainless steel pots

<p>Unfortunately, dirty pans and pots with impossible to remove stains are sentiments we know all too well in the kitchen.</p> <p>After a few uses or even after one bad mix up in the kitchen, our stainless steel appliances can become scorched and stained, and require a muscle workout to get them looking sparkling clean and brand new again.</p> <p>However, there is a solution that has become extremely popular on social media that has proven to work wonders – and the best part is the cleaning trick requires no elbow grease and zero scrubbing!</p> <p>To get a pot or pan back to its glorious original condition, all you need is a dishwashing tablet, a little time and boiling hot water.</p> <p>By placing a dishwashing tablet in your dirty pot with boiling hot water, the dirt, grime and hard-to-remove stains will lift and instead be replaced with a sparkling, unscratched surface.</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7826196/dirty.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/666454068f4e41649065b66095be0cab" /></p> <p>Dishwashing tablets have proven to be a magic trick in the kitchen – and not just for the dishes.</p> <p>Not only are they reported to do wonders on your stainless steel kitchen appliances, cleaning whizzes say they're also able to transform a dirty oven door and also your clothes as a replacement for laundry detergent.</p> <p>Will you be using this simple trick in your kitchen anytime soon? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Home & Garden

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Scam alert: Is this happening on your phone or tablet?

<p>You may have noticed a variety of pop up advertisements appearing instead of an Over60 article recently, whenever you click on a link from the Over60 Facebook page. These often appear without an option to close the pop-up and can be very annoying, especially when you’re trying to read a story.</p> <p>Unfortunately, this could be due to malicious software you have picked up from other seemingly safe websites.</p> <p>The Over60 team has worked hard to find a solution to stop this from happening, as it is not something we have any control over, and the ads are not coming from the Over60 website.</p> <p>We have outlined the steps below to follow to help stop the ads popping up on your device.</p> <p><strong>For Apple users (iPhone and iPad)</strong></p> <p>1. Go to the Settings app.</p> <p><img style="max-width: 320px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7824644/iphone_step_1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d9ccbe9da5724fd989a0abc9c7aafd54" /></p> <p>2. Scroll down and click on the Safari app.</p> <p><img style="max-width: 320px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7824645/iphone_step_2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/41ff514462e84150a05cc21185624f1e" /></p> <p>3. Scroll all the way to the bottom and click Advanced.</p> <p><img style="max-width: 320px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7824646/iphone_step_3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a4e4b823b9bd47c098b9d97ee5228c6a" /></p> <p>4. Click Website Data.</p> <p><img style="max-width: 320px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7824647/iphone_step_4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8f3326f4cda44fe693fc3226448406a1" /></p> <p>5. Scroll all the way to the bottom and click Remove All Website Data.</p> <p><img style="max-width: 320px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7824648/iphone_step_5.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/92e177380a0c4f0eaf1a6a88d78e0f55" /></p> <p>6. Once nothing appears, you are done.</p> <p><img style="max-width: 320px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7824649/iphone_step_6.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/1d8b964d533c439494c0246e61f1eb37" /></p> <p>Don’t worry about your saved passwords or website history being removed. That won’t happen. Removing website data doesn’t impact your saved passwords or website history.</p> <p><strong>For Android users</strong></p> <ol> <li>Head to the Settings menu. This can be found by tapping the cog icon in your notifications.</li> <li>Find Apps (or Applications, depending on your device) in the menu and then find your internet browser, this is likely to be Chrome.</li> <li>Tap on Storage and the buttons for clearing the cache and app data will become available.</li> </ol> <p>However, if you don’t want to go through each app and clear out the cache, there’s a simpler way to clear your cache settings for your entire phone. Go to Settings &gt; Storage &gt; Cached Data and then tap OK in the confirmation window to remove all cached data from your phone.</p> <p><strong>Whilst Over60 continually take significant steps to ensure our website is kept safe for our community, we do encourage all of our users to periodically clear their cache to protect themselves from malicious software threats.</strong></p> <p>Did this solution work for you? Let us know in the comments.</p>

Technology

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Cook tonight’s dinner in your dishwasher!

<p>Many of us use our dishwasher to, well, clean our dishes. Especially after a meal.</p> <p>But there’s a new trend on the horizon that involves the opposite of this.</p> <p>It’s called ‘dishwasher cuisine’ and it is not a joke.</p> <p>Many people have decided that their oven is no longer up to scratch and are opting to give their dishwasher a try.</p> <p>So far, the most popular dish seems to be salmon.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsY73EHh4tn/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsY73EHh4tn/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Verlasso Salmon (@verlasso)</a> on Jan 8, 2019 at 2:02pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The trick is wrapping your ingredients up in foil (so the food doesn’t get saturated by the water or have other bits of food ending up in the final meal) and letting the dishwasher do the rest.</p> <p>Consumer advocacy group <span><a href="https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/kitchen/dishwashers/articles/can-you-cook-dinner-in-your-dishwasher">Choice</a></span> has recommended that you put your ingredients that you want to cook in plastic zip lock bags so no extra food gets in there as well as loading up the dishwasher to keep the temperature stable.</p> <p>Keeping the temperature stable is ideal as this ensures your food is cooked properly.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/dZqjZdLZoE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/dZqjZdLZoE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Forget the grill, here's how to cook salmon in the dishwasher. #howto #dishwashercooking #yum #nprlife</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/mstarbard/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Maggie Starbard</a> (@mstarbard) on Aug 24, 2013 at 8:30am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>However, as a dishwasher can reach temperatures of up to 62 degrees in a cycle, smaller portions of protein and vegetables are best.</p> <p>Choosing food that has a bit of wiggle room when it comes to time and temperature being a little bit out is ideal, as again, you’re cooking food in a dishwasher.</p> <p>Experts have compared it to the sous vide method. This method is a French style of cooking which involves vacuum sealing food in a plastic bag, submerging it in a bath of warm water and waiting for it to cook over time.</p> <p>Some have found it to be a productive way of cleaning up the mess they’ve made while preparing the meal whilst also getting a meal out of it.</p> <p>Is this something you’re willing to try? Have you heard of it before? Let us know in the comments.</p>

Technology

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Why you're tripling the risk of developing a deadly disease if you take these heartburn tablets

<p>A new study has found that popular heartburn pills can triple the risk of potentially deadly infections.</p> <p>The research found that patients on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were more likely to fall ill with deadly bugs, including E. coli.</p> <p>Researchers believe the drugs could be allowing harmful organisms to spread by reducing levels of the stomach acid that normally kills them.</p> <p>The drugs, including brands like Zanprol, Prevacid and Prilosec, are prescribed to an estimated 55 million patients in England alone.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 305.993690851735px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7821146/1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/11eb887af851492099913bbf604cd8e1" /></p> <p>The tablets work by reducing the production of acid by blocking the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces acid.</p> <p>Microbiologists at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust studied 126 hospital patients sick with drug resistant bugs called ESBL-enterobacteriae.</p> <p>These bugs, such as E.coli, occur naturally in the bowel where they do no harm. However, if they escape to other parts of the body they can become life-threatening.</p> <p>The reports of ESBL-bugs are increasing and don’t respond to commonly-used antibiotics like penicillin.</p> <p>Patients in the study were asked if they had taken heartburn medicines in the past six months.</p> <p>The study, published in the Journal of Hospital Infection, found infected patients were three times more like to have taken PPIs than a group of healthy volunteers.</p> <p>In a report the scientists explained: “PPIs are widely overprescribed and heavily promoted by the pharmaceutical industry.”</p> <p>“This is the first time this risk factor has been identified in a UK hospital population, and the magnitude is greater than in previous community-based studies.</p> <p>“Reducing inappropriate use of PPIs may reduce transmission.”</p> <p>Several studies in recent years have linked over-use of PPIs with stomach cancer, stroke and even reduced sperm count in men.</p> <p>Despite PPIs only being prescribed for normally four weeks, it’s feared that millions stay on the tablets for years.</p> <p>Research shows 25 per cent of patients are still on them after a year and four per cent continue on the pills after five years.</p> <p>Less than half of those who remain on the tablets long-term are advised by doctors to try to come off them.</p> <p>Do you take heartburn tablets on a regular basis? Tell us in the comments below. </p> <p> </p>

Body

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How to protect your Facebook account from being hacked

<div class="replay"> <div class="reply_body body linkify"> <div class="reply_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://newsroom.fb.com/news/2018/09/security-update/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> has announced that 50 million accounts have been compromised by hackers who “exploited a vulnerability in Facebook’s code”, allowing them to access personal details of its users.</p> <p>Now <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/your-stolen-facebook-account-can-be-bought-for-just-390-on-the-dark-web/news-story/0ec028c40c5c348edcdd99a5480971af" target="_blank">news.com.au</a> </em>reports that login details for Facebook accounts are being sold on the dark web for as little as $3.90.</p> <p>But there are ways you can act now to protect your Facebook account from being hacked.</p> <p><strong>1. Make sure you use a strong password</strong></p> <p>Remembering passwords is a bane of modern life, and it’s tempting to repeat passwords or make them something we’ll easily recall like birthdays, pet names, family members or “1234”!</p> <p>It may seem an obvious solution, but it can’t be stressed enough how important it is to have a strong and unique password for your Facebook account. Make sure to use a combination of numbers, symbols and upper and lowercase symbols.</p> <p><strong>2. Use two-factor identification</strong></p> <p>Two-factor identification simply means having a code as a second layer of protection for your account on top of your password. The code can be sent to you on a different device like your smartphone, which makes it harder for hackers to access your account even if they do find out your password.</p> <p>You can learn more about two-factor identification <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/facebook-security/two-factor-authentication-for-facebook-now-easier-to-set-up/10155341377090766/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p><strong>3. Set your devices to lock quickly</strong></p> <p>It may seem inconvenient, but the faster your device locks, the less time someone has to physically access it. So if you don’t have your devices set to lock, it’s well worthwhile. And make sure, just like any passwords, that those for your devices are unique and hard to crack. That means no birthdays!</p> <p><strong>4. Reconsider what information you share</strong></p> <p>Of course, social media is made for sharing our information but it could be a good time to reconsider what private information you’re willing to share on Facebook. So think twice before sharing personal tidbits about your life on your Facebook page. </p> <p>You can find more ways to secure your account at <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/help/325807937506242" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.</p> <p>What do you do to protect yourself online? Tell us in the comments below.<span class="detail_tools"><span class="who_watched"><span class="people_count_container"><span class="people_count current"></span></span></span><a class="likebtn"><span class="post_like_button icon icon-dapulse-thumb"></span></a></span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p> </p>

Technology

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Chemists handing out sick notes “like headache tablets”

<p>The hardest part of chucking a sickie has always been producing a medical certificate on your return to work. But a new report suggests many Aussie workers have found a way around this, getting their sick notes from the pharmacist instead of the doctor, where medical certificates are being, “handed out like headache tablets”.</p> <p>Under the Fair Work Act 2009, ‘absence from work’ forms are widely available at national pharmacy chains, to the point where many outlets actively advertise the service.</p> <p><a href="http://www.news.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>News.com.au reports</strong></em></span></a> that it’s gotten to the point where a Chemist Warehouse brand in Sydney’s CBD was advertising sick notes for just $20, saying, “Our pharmacist can issue absence from work certificates for personal and carer’s leave.”</p> <p>While this process is perfectly legal, Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group (AI Group) <a href="http://www.news.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>told news.com.au</strong></em></span></a> that employers who receive these forms are becoming increasingly sceptical of these claims.</p> <p>“Pharmacists are not doctors and the Fair Work Act makes no reference to them being appropriately qualified to issue medical certificates for the purposes of personal/carer’s leave entitlements,” Mr Willox said.</p> <p>“Many employers are likely to take the view that they are not satisfied with certificates obtained from pharmacists.”</p> <p>Guidelines from the Pharmacy Guild of Australia also state that pharmecists should be cautious about handing out these forms without a good reason.</p> <p>“For pharmacists the decision on whether or not to issue a certificate must not be taken lightly.</p> <p>“Pharmacists will need to carefully consider whether or not the illness or injury that is the subject of the certificate is within their recognised area of practice,” the guidelines state.</p> <p>What are your thoughts?</p>

Caring

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Man discovers dishwasher trick that will change your life

<p>An Irishman who shared the moment he realised dishwasher trays could be height adjusted on Twitter has gone viral – as thousands of others admit they had no idea about this dishwasher feature.</p> <p>Mike McLoughlin, from Ireland, tweeted that he'd lived in his present house for 10 years and assumed his dishwasher just couldn’t take his largest dinner plates.</p> <p>Instead, he had been handwashing his bigger plates for a decade.</p> <p><img width="500" height="358" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7267656/dishwashing-hack-art4_500x358.jpg" alt="Dishwashing -hack -art4 (1)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>But in fact, the dishwasher tray was simply set too high, and if he had known to adjust the height his plats could have fitted in easily.</p> <p>While many people couldn’t believe McLoughlin didn’t know this simple dishwasher feature, many thousands of others confessed they had no idea either and thanked McLoughlin for sharing the revelation. </p>

News

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Best and worst dishwashing liquids revealed

<p>CHOICE has released its list of the best and worst dishwashing liquids on the Australian market, slamming numerous detergent brands which the consumer watchdog claims are “worse than water” when it comes to cleaning dishes.</p> <p>The consumer advocacy group put 30 common commercial products to the test, scrubbing a marked white tile, and found seven brands were less effective than warm water.</p> <p>“Most people would find it shocking to hear that regular tap water and a bit of elbow grease works better than some of the common detergents found at the supermarket,” Choice spokeswoman Stefanie Menezes told <a href="http://www.news.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>news.com.au</strong></em></span></a>.</p> <p>The consumer watchdog tested a variety of stains on the white tiles which were left overnight before they came into contact with the different detergent varieties, with each product tested multiple times for consistency.</p> <p>“CHOICE put 30 commercial detergents and two D.I.Y. recipes to the test in its latest review and found seven performed worse than water,” Menezes said.</p> <p>“That’s because the detergents are slippery and can actually lubricate your sponge so it glides off your plate, meaning they don’t work as well when you’re trying to scrub off those tough bolognaise stains from dinner.”</p> <p>Earth Choice dishwashing liquid, Coles Smart Buy dishwashing liquid and Coles Super Strength Dishwashing Liquid fared worst out of the detergents, tested, with Morning Fresh Ultra Concentrate Ultimate, Kin Kin naturals Eco Dishwash Liquid, and Woolworths Select Shine Super Concentrate Antibacterial were the top performers.</p> <p><strong>TOP SCORES</strong></p> <p>Morning Fresh Ultra Concentrate Ultimate — 80 per cent</p> <p>Kin Kin Naturals Eco — 75 per cent</p> <p>Morning Fresh Ultra Concentrate Advanced (fast dry technology) — 70 per cent</p> <p><strong>LOWEST SCORES</strong></p> <p>Earth Choice — 28 per cent</p> <p>Coles Smart Buy — 29 per cent</p> <p>What are your thoughts? Do you think this will change which dishwashing liquid you go with in the future? Let us know in the comment section below!</p>

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