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One of the things that is most common between your U.S. home and your new German living quarters is the fact that you have appliances to assist you with your everyday tasks. Whether it is doing the laundry or washing the dishes, appliances provide a nice break from manual labor, but that is where the similarities end.
Plan for longer cycles
If you have not already experienced the two-hour laundry cycle, be prepared for some extra time when washing your clothes. European appliances will take double (and sometimes longer) the time to run through the complete washing cycle than your units from the U.S. due to efficiency requirements. Although the time difference can be a little inconvenient, especially if you are doing a wash for a larger family, you may notice your clothes come out a little cleaner. The added bonus of the longer cycle means your clothes are soaked in water longer (and with less water used than the U.S. units) resulting in cleaner clothes. It allows your detergent to activate over time, which releases the enzymes (and not from a quick flash of hot water). Another reason for the longer cycle is the units only load cold water and they need time to heat. One more area of efficiency is the spin cycle. The speed of the spin is much faster, which wrings out more water and thus takes less time in the dryer. Don’t forget to turn off the water feed to your washer after each cycle (and don’t forget to turn it on before you start a load).
Add salt to your dishwasher
No, your dishwasher doesn’t need a little extra seasoning, but it does need a little help to keep the system clean. Adding salt to your unit prevents the system from clogging up while softening the water. It is important to note that you do not just throw a dash of salt in the unit before you push start. You should refer to the manual of your unit, but if you don’t have one handy (you can always look online), you should look for a screw cap on the floor of your dishwasher. Dishwasher salt (sodium chloride) can easily be found in your grocery store or hardware store. Read the box for instructions, but it usually needs to be added about once per month.
Clean out hidden lint traps in EU dryers
Your EU dryer is likely a dehumidifier disguised as a dryer. Often there is not a vent connected to your unit which means the moisture has to go somewhere. The water is sucked out of your clothes and trapped in a container (often under your dryer) that needs to be emptied after each use. What you might not know is there are hidden lint traps that need to be cleaned out to keep your dryer running like a top. The trap you are familiar with is the dry lint trap, which is easily visible when you open the door. The hidden wet lint trap is the one that can go unattended for months, resulting in poor drying. It is usually located just above the water catch reservoir behind a panel that needs to be removed. The wet trap should be cleaned out every few uses. Check the manufacturer manual to get a detailed description of where your wet lint trap is located.
Get a larger refrigerator from FMO
Depending on what type of place you find to live in, you may come across the “college size fridge” in your kitchen. It can be quite common to find these small units in Europe, especially in apartments. If you want to give it the old “college try” and use the smaller fridge, more power to you. Just be ready to go to the store three or more times a week. This is normal protocol for Europeans, but Americans usually want to go once a week and be done with it. Your local FMO often has a nice medium-sized option that gives you enough capacity for your needs, but doesn’t take up your whole kitchen, as German kitchens can often be much smaller than those found in the U.S.
