Home Appliances
Home appliances make life easier, but what's really going on inside them? HowStuffWorks Home Appliances articles take a look inside common household appliances.
5 Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Stopped Working
How to Diagnose a Water Heater Problem
Which Works Best: Laundry Pods, Powder or Liquid Detergents?
Getting to the Bottom of the Bidet
What's the Difference Between Toilet Paper and Tissue?
How Often Should You Clean Your Humidifier?
Gas vs. Electric Stoves: Which is really more efficient?
Magnetic Air Conditioners: A High Tech Way Of Keeping Cool
Stop Hand-washing Your Dishes!
Does Your Fridge Water Taste Bad? Here's How to Fix It
How to Clean an Oven
Learn More / Page 9
We use electricity everyday to run a number of appliances and lights. So how much does it cost per hour to power something like an electric blanket?
Hard water can be a problem because it causes pipes clog and some people just don't like the way it feels. Using a water softener can help solve this problem, but how does it work?
Want to know what happens to your clothes after you give them to the dry cleaner? Do they actually stay dry? Take a behind-the-scenes look at the dry-cleaning process.
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For many people, their bathroom scale is an indispensable part of watching their weight and keeping healthy. Learn how your weight – no matter how much or how little – is evenly distributed to provide an accurate measure of your weight.
Microwave ovens are popular because they cook food in an amazingly short amount of time. They are also extremely efficient in their use of electricity because a microwave oven heats only the food -- and nothing else.
Thermometers are used in everything from medicine to cooking. Find out how thermometers gauge temperature and learn how to make your own!
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How can the same device keep hot things hot and cold things cold? Find out what goes on inside a Thermos!
You probably have at least one light that is controlled by two separate switches -- either switch can turn it on or off. Find out how the light knows what to do with two sources of input.
The toilet. The john. The loo. The commode. The porcelain throne. No matter what you call it, there's no doubt it's a true technological marvel. Look beyond the commonplace bowl and see what a sophisticated water-handling system your toilet is.
You probably don't give your water heater much thought until your shower goes cold but it's an important appliance in your home. Find out how these produce hot water and which is right for you.
By Sara Elliott & Talon Homer