Pick up know-how for tackling diseases, pests and weeds.
Farm bill, farm marketing, agribusiness webinars, & farm policy.
Find tactics for healthy livestock and sound forages.
Scheduling and methods of irrigation.
Explore our Extension locations around the state.
Commercial row crop production in Arkansas.
Agriculture weed management resources.
Use virtual and real tools to improve critical calculations for farms and ranches.
Learn to ID forages and more.
Explore our research locations around the state.
Get the latest research results from our county agents.
Our programs include aquaculture, diagnostics, and energy conservation.
Keep our food, fiber and fuel supplies safe from disaster.
Private, Commercial & Non-commercial training and education.
Specialty crops including turfgrass, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals.
Find educational resources and get youth engaged in agriculture.
Gaining garden smarts and sharing skills.
Creating beauty in and around the home.
Maintenance calendar, and best practices.
Coaxing the best produce from asparagus to zucchini.
What’s wrong with my plants? The clinic can help.
Featured trees, vines, shrubs and flowers.
Ask our experts plant, animal, or insect questions.
Enjoying the sweet fruits of your labor.
Herbs, native plants, & reference desk QA.
Growing together from youth to maturity.
Crapemyrtles, hydrangeas, hort glossary, and weed ID databases.
Get beekeeping, honey production, and class information.
Grow a pollinator-friendly garden.
Schedule these timely events on your gardening calendar.
Equipping individuals to lead organizations, communities, and regions.
Guiding communities and regions toward vibrant and sustainable futures.
Guiding entrepreneurs from concept to profit.
Position your business to compete for government contracts.
Find trends, opportunities and impacts.
Providing unbiased information to enable educated votes on critical issues.
Increase your knowledge of public issues & get involved.
Research-based connection to government and policy issues.
Support Arkansas local food initiatives.
Read about our efforts.
Preparing for and recovering from disasters.
Licensing for forestry and wildlife professionals.
Preserving water quality and quantity.
Cleaner air for healthier living.
Firewood & bioenergy resources.
Managing a complex forest ecosystem.
Read about nature across Arkansas and the U.S.
Learn to manage wildlife on your land.
Soil quality and its use here in Arkansas.
Learn to ID unwanted plant and animal visitors.
Timely updates from our specialists.
Eating right and staying healthy.
Ensuring safe meals.
Take charge of your well-being.
Cooking with Arkansas foods.
Making the most of your money.
Making sound choices for families and ourselves.
Nurturing our future.
Get tips for food, fitness, finance, and more!
Understanding aging and its effects.
Giving back to the community.
Managing safely when disaster strikes.
Listen to our latest episode!
Dishwashers were once considered a luxury, but many people now consider them a necessity. When it doesn't clean properly, what could be the problem?
Nashville, Ark. – Dishwashers were once considered a luxury, but many people now consider them a necessity. A dishwasher is designed to do three things: fill, circulate hot water and detergent, and drain. We expect them to clean the dishes better than we would by hand. But occasionally they don’t perform as we expect. When there is a performance problem, it is likely related to one or more of the following factors:
- The water itself, either its contents or the temperature;
- The detergent and/or rinse additive;
- The manner the machine was loaded or operated.
The amount of minerals in water drastically affects its performance and how it interacts with the detergent. Water mineral content is measured in grains. Soft water has three grains or less; medium hard water has four to nine grains and hard water has more than 10 grains. Your local water company can tell you the degree of hardness of your water supply. If you are on a well, you may need to have your water tested.
It is almost impossible to get excellent results from any dishwasher in very hard water. But a general recommendation for the amount of detergent is one teaspoon per grain of hardness, with a minimum of three teaspoons in soft water. Using too much detergent causes cleaning problems and dishwasher problems.
Water temperature is another important factor. For optimum results, automatic dishwashers require 140 degree water. Some machines have internal heaters to boost the temperature to that level; others must depend on the water heater. If your dishwasher is not cleaning properly, use a thermometer to check the temperature of the water just as the machine starts the cycle.
Problems also arise when the dishwasher is not loaded so the water has maximum circulation. Like people, every brand of machine does things a little differently. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations on how your machine should be loaded if you are having cleaning problems.
Old or caked granular detergents may not dissolve completely, so they can’t clean properly. Keep them stored in a closed container in a dry place, not under the sink. Liquids and gels are not as easy to get out of the container, but they do not have the problem of caking. With any type, be careful to use the proper amount for your water.
A common dishwasher problem is filming or etching on the glassware. Filming is caused by hard water and one of the following: not enough detergent, water temperature too low or not using a rinse aid. Filming can be removed by soaking the glassware approximately 15 minutes in undiluted white vinegar or using a commercial film remover.
If this does not remove the film, then it is etching, which is permanent. In the beginning stages, etching has an iridescent, or rainbow look when the glass is held at an angle to the light. Some types of glass will etch in any dishwasher with the right combination of soft water (especially mechanically softened), the alkalinity of the dishwasher detergent and heat.
There is no way to predict what glassware may be affected, as it is not related to cost or quality of the glass. To prevent reoccurrence, us NO more detergent than recommended, keep the water temperature as low as possible to still clean, turn off the dry option, and DO NOT manually pre-rinse the dishes before loading the dishwasher.
Sometimes it takes a lot of sleuthing to find the right balances to keep the dishwasher working properly. But we all agree it’s worth it.
For more information about cleaning matters contact the Howard County Cooperative Extension Service at 870-845-7517 or visit our office located on the second floor of the courthouse.
Recipe of the Week
The Howard County 4-H Breads and Cookie Contest was held last week and here is one of the prize winning recipes. They were delicious! This recipe was submitted by Adelene Westfall, a member of the Super 4-Hers 4-H Club. If you are interested in learning more about 4-H contact the Extension Office at 870-845-7517.
1/3 c. butter melted
1 ½ c. graham cracker crumbs
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1 ½ c. flaked coconut
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate morsels
½ c. chopped pecans
Spread butter in 13x9x2-in. baking pan. Sprinkle crumbs over butter. Pat evenly and drizzle milk over crumbs. Sprinkle coconut, chocolate morsels, and nuts over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Watch for light brown edges. Cool completely. Store in refrigerator.
By Jean Ince County Extension Agent - Staff ChairThe Cooperative Extension ServiceU of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Jean Ince County Extension Agent - Staff Chair U of A Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service 421 N. Main St, Nashville AR 71852 (870) 845-7517 jince@uada.edu
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.