Sydney Henderson - AHAM Consumer Blog

Kitchen Design Tips for Function and Comfort

For many families, the kitchen is so much more than a place to prepare meals. It’s the heart of a home. It’s a multifunctional space, and often the center of family life. Kitchens are natural gathering places, and they foster connection, communication, and the creation of cherished memories. Kitchens are spaces where culinary skills are passed down from one generation to the next, as parents teach their children how to cook, share family recipes, and instill a love for food and cooking.

The kitchen is a focal point of the daily routine. It’s where breakfast is prepared before the day begins, and it often serves as a space for family members to grab a quick snack or drink throughout the day. Many families have a kitchen table or island where kids can do their homework or study while parents prepare meals. And of course, kitchens play a central role in celebrating special occasions and holidays, as families gather to prepare and enjoy festive meals, reinforcing the importance of togetherness and tradition.

With the kitchen being the center of life at home, it’s essential that they live up to their reputation as a multi-use space. That’s where the desire to make the space function at its best comes into play. The good news is that it doesn’t take a massive renovation to make a kitchen more functional!

Designer Jamie Gold, who is both a Certified Kitchen Designer and Mayo Clinic-Certified Wellness Coach, has vast experience turning kitchens into multi-use spaces. Her book, “Wellness by Design: A Room-by-Room Guide to Optimizing Your Home for Health, Fitness and Happiness,” focuses on designing spaces that promote well-being as well as function.

Gold breaks down her process into what she calls the five facets of wellness design. They are:

Health and fitness
Safety and security
Accessibility
Functionality
Comfort and joy

That last facet has particular significance. “People are stressed. They’re anxious,” Gold says. “Adding elements that bring happiness, that lift your mood and add joy is essential to your emotional wellness.”

Creating a functional space should encompass the following elements:

First, clear the clutter. When a space like a kitchen takes on multiple functions, non-kitchen objects start to find their way to your kitchen countertops, rather than to their ideal spot. Gold calls these “family landing zones.” You probably have one in your house—it’s where your child puts their backpack or jacket every day when they come home from school.

“It has been my experience as a designer and as a stepparent that the end of a kitchen island or corner of a counter just becomes a clutter magnet,” Gold says. “You don’t want to have it near your range. It takes up space. It can attract dust and dirt. It can become a fire hazard. The more people you have in your kitchen area at one time, the less clutter you want there.”

Decluttering can also have psychological benefits. “There’s a definite wellness component,” Gold says. “Clutter can create stress and anxiety.”

Safety check: Safety should be a priority, particularly around appliances. You might be familiar with the area, but make sure the setup is appropriate for others. “You don’t want someone sitting between your prep area and your cooktop,” Gold says. “You can have seating on an island. Just make sure it isn’t in the cooking zone.”

Thinking about your kitchen in zones can make it safer and less cluttered. This means each area of the kitchen should be reserved for its intended use. “Your kitchen zones are designed around your appliances and fixtures,” Gold says. “Your dishwasher is part of your prep and cleanup zone. Your refrigerator is part of your food storage zone. Your range is in your cooking zone.” Make sure certain uses don’t encroach on those areas.

Clear the area of any trip hazards, like pet bowls, charging cables or cords in aisles or walkways. It’s important to make sure the space is accessible for everyone in the house.

During times when you have more people in the home for longer periods, you should pay more attention to indoor air quality. It’s a good time to make sure your ventilation hood is in working order. A poorly maintained ventilation hood can generate excess noise and affect air quality, neither of which is helpful when you’re trying to cook, or the kids are trying to learn. Add an air cleaner to further improve indoor air quality.

Assess your portables: Take stock of your portable appliances and decide which should stay in the kitchen and which could be stored elsewhere. You might feel really busy, and you may be looking to save time, so you should also consider what additional appliances might make your life easier.

This isn’t necessarily about getting rid of portable appliances; it’s about ensuring your kitchen’s maximum function. “Let’s say you have a standard 30-inch cooktop. You might want to supplement with a portable induction burner.” Can you add appliances that give you healthier cooking options? “You might also consider a multi-cook appliance that has sous vide, steam and air frying capabilities.”

Prioritizing your portables and utilizing multi-function appliances is even more important if you’re working in a small kitchen and need to make the most of your space. A slow-cooker can save time and cut down on foot traffic where space is limited.

Get away from it all: We live stressful lives. Create a space in your home that allows you to get away from everything that’s happening inside and outside the home. “Have a space that’s electronics free, or where you only allow music through a smart speaker as opposed to news, a space where you can add plants, a fragrance and comforting elements. Scent is a powerful link to comfort and joy.”

Now that you’ve created a kitchen space that’s usable, efficient, safe, comfortable, and healthy, you’re ready to connect, communicate, and create memories as you celebrate the magic of family time.

Essential appliances to dry out your home after a flood

Cleaning up your home after a flood can quickly become overwhelming. In addition to property damage, flooding increases the possibility of mold and mildew and can bring other contaminants into the home. You can speed up the drying process by lowering the humidity with dehumidifiers, fans and room air conditioners.

Note: Only use appliances that have not been damaged by flood waters. Appliances may look normal after a flood, but using any that have been immersed in water creates the risk for electric shock and fire.

Follow these tips to reduce humidity in your home during flood recovery:

Use a dehumidifier: Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air. Position it in a dry area of the house at least six inches from any wall. Make sure the dehumidifier is protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter and avoid using extension cords, as spilled water creates a shock hazard. Set the humidistat to extra dry to remove moisture from room furnishings.
Open the house: Open windows when weather permits, if there’s lower humidity outside than inside.
Turn on the AC: A room air conditioner can help reduce humidity in the home. Avoid using central air conditioning. If systems are contaminated by dirt, silt or other materials, they’ll spread it around your home.
Use fans: Fans will help move humid air outside your home.

How Appliances Can Help You Manage Your Child’s Allergies

If your child is one of the millions who suffers from allergies in the U.S., you know that it can be hard to control their symptoms. Reducing contact with airborne allergens like dust and pollen can help prevent the onset of symptoms in children. Allergy symptoms can be especially troublesome during back-to-school season, when a combination of illnesses and fall allergies can increase the chances for absences early in the year.

This is where your appliances come in. Air cleaners, vacuums, humidifiers and dehumidifiers can all play a role in reducing allergens and easing allergy symptoms.

Here are a few steps you can take with your appliances that may help ease your child’s fall allergy symptoms:

Use a room air cleaner with a HEPA filter. Air cleaners trap many common allergens, including dust and pollen, and can even remove microbiological pollutants like viruses, bacteria and mold.
Keep your room air cleaner running, and operate it in the space where your child spends most of their time. Change the filter as needed.

Vacuum the carpet and floors throughout the home on a regular basis and consider using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. If you have a central vacuum, take advantage of its unique abilities. Dirt and pollutants that central vacuums capture are carried through a home’s exhaust system to a central container and don’t require a HEPA filter to remove allergens.

Dust mites tend to live on the floor, bedding and furniture. Wash all of them regularly in hot water.

Do not hang laundry outside to dry where it may collect pollen and other allergens. Use a dryer or hang the clothes inside instead.
Use a portable room air cleaner in your child’s bedroom to filter airborne particles and help them breathe—and sleep—easier. A portable room air cleaner that’s received a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) seal may reduce the level of airborne pollutants. CADR is evolving to encompass virus, bacteria and mold as well as the traditional dust, pollen and smoke.
If you have an allergy to dust mites or mold, use a dehumidifier. Dust mites tend to thrive in a humid environment. Dehumidifiers can also reduce the humidity that promotes mold growth.
Keep windows closed in the car and at home and limit outdoor activities, especially when the pollen count is high.
Using a humidifier can help with symptoms like chronic congestion or postnasal drip.
Give kids a bath or shower before bed to help remove the allergens that may have collected on them throughout the day. Wash their clothes in hot water, as many allergens can cling to clothing.

Search for and compare models using the AHAM Verifide online directory. You can search by room size to find the models that are most appropriate for your child’s bedroom. Look at the CADR ratings for tobacco smoke, dust and pollen and find the models that have the highest ratings since they will clean your room the fastest. You can then weigh the importance of product features, such as design and Wi-FI connectivity, to find an air cleaner that fits your needs.

Range Hoods: Ventilation Improves Air Quality While Cooking

When asked how cooking impacts the air in your home, your first thought might be smells like freshly baked cookies, or perhaps a burning pizza. Scents are an often great part of cooking, but the impact of cooking on your indoor air quality is more complex than that. All cooking, whether done with gas, electric, or induction, produces pollutants. It may also produce grease, which can build on kitchen surfaces over time if not cleaned properly. Cooking-related pollutants like airborne grease and other aerosolized cooking oils are measured using the term PM 2.5. The levels of pollutants vary widely based on everything from the type of food being cooked to the location of the burner used. Fortunately, cooking-related pollutants can be effectively addressed with proper ventilation.

Range hoods, also known as ventilation hoods, provide two major upgrades to your kitchen. In addition to often serving as an attractive visual highlight, they also improve something that you can’t see, but will likely notice – your indoor air quality. Air quality has been in the spotlight over the past few years, with COVID-19, widespread wildfires and now concerns about pollutants from cooking. While air cleaners are increasingly common in homes, range hoods are another key player for improving indoor air quality. However, despite these benefits, many people may not be taking full advantage of their range hoods, either because of the sound the fan makes or because they don’t fully understand the benefits.

As with air cleaners, the AHAM Verifide® program certifies range hoods based on their ability to keep contaminants out of the air. This program certifies the performance of range hoods for air flow and sound value. AHAM Verifide® certification provides assurance that the range hood has been tested and certified to meet specific industry standards, it will meet the manufacturers’ performance claims and when installed correctly, you will enjoy proper ventilation that will improve your indoor air quality. You can view the AHAM Verifide® range hood directory here to see if your model is certified. If you’re buying a new range hood, look for our seal on the packaging.

While range hoods all work in much the same way, they can be mounted in different areas of the kitchen, including:

Under cabinet
Wall mount
Island hood
Downdraft
Ceiling mount
Under-microwave

So how exactly does your range hood work? A fan pulls the air up into the range hood’s filter, which traps the smoke, grease, fumes and other particles. Some range hoods are ductless, meaning they clean the air in your kitchen via fans and filters without venting outdoors. Most, however, use ductwork to transfer this air outside your home. New building codes require external venting for any range hood.

With people spending much of their time at home, and possibly cooking more at home, proper kitchen ventilation is even more important. According to the American Time Use Survey, we spent around 62% of our waking time at home in 2021, up from 50% in 2019. A 2020 AHAM survey found that 48% of consumers reported cooking more frequently during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 42% planned to continue to do so. The combination of these upward trends means that without proper ventilation, your exposure to smoke and other harmful air particulates could be increasing. The age of your home could also be a factor – newer homes are being built with increasing energy efficiency that allow less air exchange with outdoor air, effectively trapping air inside when a proper ventilation system is not installed.

Range hoods improve indoor air quality by removing pollutants from the air. They also prevent lingering odors from cooking and grease build-up around your kitchen. Now that you have a better understanding of your range hood, we encourage you to make an effort to use this important appliance more frequently. Whether you’re cooking with gas, electric or induction, your range hood will improve your indoor air quality by removing pollutants released from cooking.

Tips & Tricks for your Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums now account for over 65% of new vacuum sales, making them ubiquitous in homes everywhere. But unlike, say, your refrigerator, they’re a relative newcomer on the scene. Their quick rise to popularity and rapidly changing technology mean that your robot vacuum likely has features you’re not taking full advantage of, and that you may want to brush up on the best practices to keep it cleaning at full potential. Below, with the help of AHAM member company SharkNinja, we’ve compiled some tips and tricks for your robot vacuum.

Put your robot vacuum on a schedule: Regular maintenance cleaning helps avoid build-up of debris and keeps your carpets and area rugs cleaner. This also helps out your vacuum by keeping debris at a manageable level.

Map your rooms individually for directed cleaning: This feature comes in handy when you have limited time to clean, or just want to hit certain rooms in your home.

Use your robot vacuum’s app: Controlling the vacuum using the app will ensure that its maps stay up to date with the layout of your home.

Clean your filters, brush roll and sensors: Keeping your robot vacuum clean will keep it running at peak performance. There are three distinct parts to consider when cleaning:

Keeping your filters clean ensures consistent cleaning performance and prevents dust and allergens from kicking up when your robot is cleaning.

Maintaining a clean brush roll means you won’t get errant stoppage due to hair wraps, and ensures strong cleaning performance.

Wiping the sensors found on the front and underside of your vacuum ensures that wheels move freely for error-free operation. Clean the sensors using a dry or damp microfiber towel. Avoid using wet wipes or a wet towel, as they can damage sensors.

Find an ideal spot for charging: Although today’s robot vacuums are smart enough to find their way back to their charging docks, you can help them out by placing the dock in a central location at least 1.5 feet from any walls, and ideally not in a closet or other enclosed space.

These tips should have your robot vacuum and your floors in top shape! Do you have a tip to share? Let us know in the comments.

Make the Most of Your Robot Vacuum’s Features

What kind of vacuum are you using at home? According to AHAM member company SharkNinja, robot vacuums now account for more than 65% of vacuum cleaner sales, and about 40% of U.S. households report having used one in their homes.

Whether you were an early robot vacuum adopter, or you’re just considering making the switch, you’ll find that the market has changed dramatically in the last five years. While features will vary depending on price point and manufacturer, here’s a sampling of some of the newer features being incorporated into today’s robot vacuums:

Intelligent navigation: Five years ago, most robot vacuums were essentially random bounce units with no sense of direction. Today’s models are equipped with state-of-the-art LIDAR (light detection and ranging) units similar to those found in your car! Robot vacuums sense their surroundings and draw a detailed floor plan of each room in your home.

Spot cleaning: Would you like to clean under your dining room table after hosting a dinner party? What about around the front door after a rainy fall day? Robots with LIDAR technology can be directed to a specific spot to clean up a mess.

Object avoidance technology: Thanks to an array of sensors, today’s robot vacuums won’t knock down objects, scuff your walls or even run over pet feces! (Yes, that really did happen.)

Improved suction and cleaning: Advancements in motor and brush roll technology mean that robot vacuums now have cleaning performance comparable to cordless stick units.

Voice control: Robot vacuums can respond to your voice, either directly or through an outside system like Amazon Alexa.

Debris storage: New model robot vacuums may have a dock to store debris, saving you the task of emptying the dustbin after every vacuum.

Multiple floor mapping: The latest robot vacuums can map multiple floors of your home for a more thorough clean.

Robot vacuums have earned their place as a floor-care fixture, and the innovations will continue. Looking for tips on maximizing your robot vacuum’s cleaning potential? Click here!

Best of AHAM Allergy Advice

Spring is here, and allergies are right around the corner, if not already knocking at the door. Luckily, you already have a secret weapon at your disposal! Your appliances can help remove some of the allergens from your home and reduce your symptoms. We’ve gathered our top allergy prevention advice to help you through the seasonal allergy storm:

Looking for allergy relief? Your humidifier or dehumidifier could help!

Learn how these appliances can help you fight allergies.

Your Appliance Spring Cleaning Checklist

Keep your indoor air pollutants to a minimum with your vacuum, clothes washer and air cleaner.

Physicians share their allergy prevention advice

Two experts share their advice on allergy relief.

Room air cleaners: Your ally against allergens

Air cleaners can help to remove allergy-causing pollutants from your home.

Tips for Managing your Child’s Allergies

AHAM’s tips for helping your little ones breathe easier.

Induction Cooking is Heating Up

The recent proposal by the U.S. Department of Energy for extremely stringent energy standards that would effectively eliminate most existing models of gas ranges has many home cooks up in arms at the thought of losing their favorite cooking method. But it has also drawn more attention to a newer alternative: induction cooking. Once considered a high-end appliance feature, more models of induction cooking ranges, cooktops and portable models are now available for cooks who are interested in making the switch. The percentage of electric surface cooking units and electric ranges that include induction is still relatively small, but has risen steadily in recent years. According to AHAM factory shipment data, induction ranges make up less than 5% of all electric ranges, but the number has grown 40% over the past year. In 2022, induction cooktops made up about one-third of all electric cooktops, a 6% increase over the previous year. Induction is heating up!

So how does induction cooking differ from gas and electric? Unlike gas and electric ranges, induction ranges use a magnetic field to transfer heat directly into the pan. Because of the direct heat transfer, there is no loss of heat, and what you’re cooking heats up faster! But only the pan, and what’s in it, will get hot. Not having hot cooking elements reduces the potential that nearby materials can ignite while cooking, according to the National Fire Prevention Association. Also, it’s unlikely that the burners will be accidentally turned on, since they won’t heat without the proper cookware on the burner, the NFPA says.

Induction burners will only work with cookware made of magnetic metals, such as iron or stainless steel. Most cookware is compatible – look at product packaging or marketing if you have any questions.

Hint: Cookware packaging will normally state if the cookware is compatible with induction surfaces. Cookware with a flat bottom will get you the best results.

Induction also offers more precise temperature control. You can even cook delicate items like dairy or chocolate for long periods, without worrying about fluctuations in temperature. It will take some practice, though, as induction cooking gets you to your desired temperature faster than gas or electric. Water, for example, will boil in about half the time. You’ll need to get used to the faster heating times.

The design of induction ranges, and the fact that they don’t get hot during cooking, can also lend itself to easier cleaning. Since the burners don’t heat up, spills aren’t going to burn onto the cooktop. (Though gas and electric ovens are also easy to clean, if you do it right.)

Thanksgiving Laundry: How to Remove Wine and Gravy Stains from Cloth Napkins and Tablecloths

Are you hosting a holiday feast this year? If you have cloth napkins and tablecloths, chances are you’ll bring them out to use when you’re hosting guests, and chances are, they will be quite dirty at the end of the meal! Cloth napkins are often considered a more sustainable option than paper since they rarely have to be replaced, and creative folding can make for fun presentation. However, cloth napkins and tablecloths also require proper laundering to last.

Many cloth napkins are made of linen, which is a more delicate fabric. That’s going to call for using your clothes washer’s gentle cycle. Washing cloth napkins may also take a little more thought and planning. With the variety of foods served during a typical Thanksgiving dinner, a single napkin could contain several different types of stains that need to be addressed in different ways.

We asked the experts at the American Cleaning Institute for advice on attacking food stains on cloth napkins and tablecloths. In general, linen and cloth napkins should be washed in the gentle cycle, in cold or lukewarm water.

Here are some tips on how to launder your cloth napkins and tablecloths so they’re clean and ready for the next big feast:

Oil-based stains: Thanksgiving favorites like turkey, gravy, butter and salad dressing could fall into this category. Pretreat them with a prewash stain remover before washing.

Fruit-based stains: Move quickly to treat stains from treats like cranberry sauce, apple cider and pumpkin pie. Run it under cold water to remove anything excess and treat the stains promptly. Wash in lukewarm water.

Beverage stains: Drinks like wine, coffee, tea and soft drinks are a big part of the Thanksgiving feast, but also bring opportunities for splashes and spills. Soak or sponge the stain in cool water and pretreat with a liquid laundry detergent or prewash stain remover.

Food-coloring stains: Are you bringing out a colorful cake or dessert to put an exclamation point on your Thanksgiving feast? Sponge any stains left afterward promptly with cool water. If that doesn’t remove the satin, soak it in cool water for at least 30 minutes, then pretreat with detergent or a prewash stain remover.

Wax stains: Dinner by candlelight can also lead to wax on the tablecloth. Scrape the excess wax off with a dull knife. You’ll need your iron for the next step. Place the napkin or tablecloth on the ironing board with the stained section between paper towels. Press your warm iron to the paper towel, which will absorb the wax. Once the wax has been transferred, put the stain on a clean paper towel and sponge with a prewash stain remover. Let it dry before washing.

Laundering tips

A detergent that contains enzymes can be a big help when you’re trying to remove food stains, ACI says. According to ACI, an enzyme is a catalyst that can speed up biological processes, including the breaking down of protein, fat or starch stains. Pretreat the stains with a stain remover. Detergents with enzymes must be used at lower temperatures.

It can also be helpful to let cloth napkins and tablecloths air dry after washing, ACI says. This is because the heat from the dryer can set a stain and it can be difficult to see grease or oil stains when the fabric is wet. If you still see the stain, repeat the stain treatment and washing. Only store it once the stain is gone and it has fully dried.

Add an Air Cleaner to Your Back to School List This Year

Did you know the average person spends 90% of their time indoors? While that number may have been a little lower when summer vacation was in full swing, it’s time to head back to the classroom, and all those germs.

Your classroom necessities have probably changed a lot over the past several years as we’ve weathered the pandemic. As we approach a new school year that’s on track to be the most “normal” in several years, teachers and administrators alike are looking forward to a full slate of in-person classes, closer interactions with students and a return to extracurricular activities. Even with all these positive changes, air quality remains a top priority both at home and in the classroom. While pre-pandemic most people would cite air conditioning and heat as their must-haves for indoor comfort, air cleaners are now almost as ubiquitous.

Happy teacher helping her students in using computers on a class at elementary school. Focus is on happy girl.

Even though air cleaners rose to prominence during the pandemic, they’ve been around a lot longer, doing a lot more great things for the air we breathe indoors. They help filter allergens, which are found indoors at up to five times the level outdoors. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology recommend air cleaners to help alleviate symptoms of asthma, the leading cause of absenteeism for students. While air cleaners are not currently tested for an ability to remove bacteria, the EPA considers them an important part in reducing bacterial transmission.

This brings us to the big question: Do air cleaners remove COVID-19? Until recently, there was no universally-accepted way to measure an air cleaner’s virus removal rate. But now, with the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers’ (AHAM) latest standard, we can test the effectiveness of portable room air cleaners’ ability to remove microbiological pollutants including viruses, bacteria and mold. This standard was developed over a period of 18 months by a committee of public health professionals, academic researchers and leading appliance manufacturers.

This standard will soon be added to AHAM Verifide®’s Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). CADR currently measures how fast an air cleaner filters three commonly sized particulates: dust, pollen and smoke. These numbers are listed on the AHAM Verifide® seal, which can be found on the packaging of all AHAM Verifide® air cleaners. The higher the number on the label, the faster the air cleaner filters the air.

So when you’re looking for a new air cleaner for your classroom, make sure you’re looking for the AHAM Verifide® seal. Protect yourself and your students with clean indoor air.

In Every Home