5 Tips for Cleaner Dishes

It can be frustrating to begin unloading a dishwasher full of dishes, only to discover that your clean dishes aren’t really clean. Think you might need a dishwasher repair? Not necessarily. Sometimes the problem begins before the dishwasher even begins running! Follow these simple tips to cleaner dishes today:

1.     Don’t Overload the Dishwasher:

It’s tempting to pack your dishwasher to capacity, but resist the urge. Leave appropriate gaps between dishes so that the water can spray into the cracks and get everything sparkling clean.

2.     Pre-Rinse with Water:

Even if you have one of the best dishwashers on the market, pre-rinsing all of the food off of the dishes will improve functionality. Be sure to rinse with water only, because soap residue can stick to the dishes and leave a film.

3.     Make Sure Your Water is Hot:

Have you ever turned on your kitchen sink and had to wait several minutes before hot water arrived at the spout? This same effect can take place in your dishwasher, which means your dishwasher is filling with cold water – not hot water. Hot water is optimum for getting the cleanest dishes. Ensure the best clean by running water at your kitchen sink until hot water comes out, then turn it off and start the dishwasher.

4.     Less is More with Dishwasher Detergent:

Repeat after me, “my dishes will not get cleaner if I use more soap.” Use the recommended amount of soap, and do not overfill the dispensers. Again, too much soap will leave a film on the dishes and make them appear dingy.

5.     Place Detergent Tablets in the Bottom of the Washer:

If you use detergent tablets for your dishwasher, place the tablet in the bottom of the dishwasher – as opposed to in the soap dispenser. This allows the dishwasher more time to dissolve the soap tablet and rinse all of the soap off of the dishes.

Still need a dishwasher repair in Dallas to get your dishes cleaner? Give Appliance Rescue Service a call today! 

Ask an Expert: What do I do if my oven temperature seems off?

Your oven – whether it’s a Maytag, Whirlpool, Kenmore, Jenn-Air, Wolf, Viking, etc. – will come preset from the factory with an oven calibration. The oven should be calibrated properly once installed, but Appliance Rescue Service has seen instances where oven calibration is necessary even on brand new ovens.

Temperature Testing

Before modifying the oven calibration, buy an oven thermometer and test the temperature in different parts of the oven. Do the temperatures line up with what the oven temperature is reading?  Are they all the same?

Checking the Thermostat Sensor Bulb

Sometimes a variation in temperature is simply due to a loose or misplaced thermostat sensor bulb. Look in the back of your oven for the thermostat sensor bulb, a cylindrical rod that will be attached to the oven. Make sure this rod is not loose or touching the interior walls of the oven. Make adjustments if needed, then check the oven temperature again.

Bringing the Temperatures into Alignment

Temperature variations of 100 degrees or more are not normal and a professional like Appliance Rescue Service should be called immediately to remedy the issue.  If you have an oven with a knob, it is possible to remove the knob and make manual adjustments with a screwdriver for minor temperature issues. However, most ovens today have electronic panels, requiring a professional to service the oven calibration issue.

If you suspect an oven calibration issue in Dallas, call the experts at Appliance Rescue Service today! We service nearly every zip code in the greater Dallas area, including Garland, Coppell, Carrollton, Plano, Richardson, Little Elm, Frisco, and more. Just put in a service request via the website, a text message, or a phone call, and a friendly staff member will call you immediately to set up a consultation. And no work is done until you give us the go ahead! Trust Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, TX to give you all costs up front and fair, honest service. 

Is Your Dryer Vent a Hazard?

A dryer is a marvelous invention that we take for granted daily. Most people use a washer and dryer at least a couple of times a week. But how often do you clean it?

Dryers – and dryer vents – are one of the leading causes of household fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, clothes dryers cause over 15,000 fires a year. So what can we do to prevent clothes dryer failure?

Properly Clean the Dryer Filter

It is recommended that you remove the dryer lint after each and every load of laundry that you dry. Look for loose pieces of lint that may have blown out of the lint filter, that are now in the dryer. These loose pieces of lint can move into the dryer vent hose, causing buildup, inefficiency, and even fire. In fact, 32% of dryer fires were caused by a failure to clean the unit.

Professionally Clean the Lint Hose

Even with the utmost care in cleaning your lint filter, lint can escape to the lint hose, causing buildup in the line. Have a professional out to inspect and clean your lint hose every 6 months with high dryer use; once a year for moderate use.

Only Run the Dyer When you are Home

In order to keep an eye on your dyer performance, it’s best to only run your dryer when you are at your house.

Always Vent a Dryer Outdoors

This one is important! There are lots of opinions out there on where is safe to vent, but the safest bet is to just vent outdoors. Easy as that.

Are you in need of dryer repair or need professional dryer cleaning in Dallas? Our team at Appliance Rescue is expertly trained in every clothes dryer manufacturer to diagnose issues and repair the work in no time. We can also inspect your dryer for issues and clean out any clogs in the dryer hose. Give Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas a call today! Proudly serving Dallas, Garland, Richardson, Forney, Plano, Allen, and the entire DFW Metroplex.

Wine Coolers - Why It's Important to Keep Temperatures in Check

If you are not fortunate enough to have a giant wine cellar in your home, then the next best thing is a wine cooler or wine refrigerator in the home. Not only do they add pizzazz to a kitchen or butler’s pantry, but they really do extend the life of your precious bottles of wine. But how much? What if I don’t keep my wine cooler properly calibrated?

These are questions that wine storage owner’s frequently ask Appliance Rescue Service. Here are a few reasons to make sure your wine cooler is properly calibrated:

Extreme Temperatures Cause Harm

If you own a wine refrigerator, then you want to keep bottles of fine wine safe from harmful temperatures. Most wines need to be kept between 45 degrees and 65 degrees Fahrenheit to maximize their flavor and lifespan.

Accelerated Aging

When wines are stored over 65 degrees, they are likely to age more quickly. Have you ever left a bottle of wine in your car on a hot summer day and noticed a difference in taste? High heat – even just indoor ambient temp – can cause wine to be more acidic or have a more vinegar-like flavor.

Prevents Wine Maturation

A good, fine wine is meant to be kept longer than 6 months – sometimes years – and gets better and more full bodied with time. When wines are stored at temperatures below 45 degrees, the wine is too cold to fully mature and flavors to develop.

Do you have a wine storage unit and are unsure if it’s keeping consistent temperatures inside or need help calibrating it? Or maybe you need a wine cooler repair? Call the experts at Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas. Our team specializes in all Dallas appliance repairs – from wine coolers, to refrigerators, to ovens, and more. Our expertly trained technicians always outline the job in detail before performing work and will give you “tricks of the trade” to help maintain the unit in the future. Give Appliance Rescue Service a call today!

Cleaning Tips for your Cooktop

Depending on what type of cooktop you have – gas, electric, glass top, etc. – your cleaning style will vary. Gas cooktops have an open flame, allowing the grates and other parts of the cooktop to get dirty during everyday use. Glass cooktops keep everything in, but sometimes stains can appear on the glass. What is a homeowner to do?!

Appliance Rescue Service not only does appliance repair in Dallas, but our team wants to equip you with ideas to better maintain your appliances as well. Here are a few cleaning tips for your cooktop:

Gas Cooktop

Gas cooktops are oh so much fun to cook on, but not very fun to clean. Even cleaning along the way – before gunk gets stuck – is not always feasible.

·      When you’re ready for a deep clean, remove the grates and burner caps and place them in a sink full of hot water with dish soap. The dish soap will work to dissolve the grease and grime that has built up on the grates overtime.

·      Next, use a paper towel to remove any loose crumbs on the cooktop, then spray it all down with stainless steel cleaner (if you have a stainless gas cooktop) or half vinegar/half water if you have ceramic. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe it off.

·      Use an old toothbrush to scrub off any hard stains.

·      One completed, rinse the grates and burner caps, replace on the cooktop, and voila – a sparkling clean cooktop!

Glass Electric Cooktop

Glass cooktops seem like they are easier to clean – and in general they are – but when you get a ring on the glass from a hot object being on there too long, it can be hard to remove.

·      We suggest first rubbing the stain with a silicone spatula. The silicone won’t scratch the glass, and may help to loosen the stain.

·       Next, make a paste by mixing 4 tablespoons of baking soda with a little water and rub that on the stain.

·      Place a warm, wet rag on top for 30 minutes, then wipe clean.

·      Repeat if the stain persists.

Happy cleaning, and if you ever need cooktop repair in Dallas, call the experts at Appliance Rescue Service!