Chemical Free Cleaning: 2 Natural Ways to Clean a Microwave

The microwave is one of the most commonly used appliances in the kitchen, and yet many times it’s also overlooked when it comes to cleaning. At Appliance Rescue Service Dallas, we try to clean without harsh chemicals as much as possible. That’s why we wanted to bring you 2 great chemical free cleaning methods for cleaning your microwave that you may not know about:

1.  Lemon

Lemon is a natural cleaning agent, and a great one for cleaning the microwave! Grab a microwave safe bowl and fill it with ½-1 cup of water. Then take your lemon, cut it in half, and squeeze it into the water. Throw the lemon rinds in for good measure! And here’s a tip for helping the water not to boil over: throw in a toothpick as well!

Now, set your microwave for 3 minutes and watch the magic work! The water will boil and create steam; the steam will loosen stubborn food particles that have been stuck to the sides of your microwave. After the 3 minutes are up, let it sit for a few minutes, then remove the water/lemon mixture, and wipe down the microwave with a clean cloth or sponge. A sparkling clean microwave awaits – and it smells good too!

2.  Vinegar

Don’t have a lemon on hand? No problem! Pour in some vinegar in place of the lemon. If you don’t like that vinegary smell, you can also add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil. Follow the chemical free cleaning instructions above and voila – clean microwave!

From microwave cleaning tips to ideas on how to help them last longer, Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas is here for you! We are the Dallas appliance repair experts in Addison, Plano, Frisco, Richardson, Irving, Las Colinas, and the entire Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Call us for your next appliance repair in Dallas!

Do I Fix or Replace My Broken Appliance?

It always seems that appliances go on the fritz at the worst possible time – in the middle of a laundry load, when company is about to show up, when you’re about to go out of town for vacation, etc.

Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas knows a thing or two about Dallas appliance repair, and we often get the question – should I fix my appliance, or replace it? Here are a few guidelines from the Dallas appliance repair experts to help you make an educated decision:

1.  How Long Have You Had the Appliance?

Appliances are built to last, and while they may seem more repair-prone today than in years past, it’s only because today’s appliances have more technology built in – and that extra technology can have glitches. Below is a list of the average lifespan of today’s appliances, to give you an idea as to where your appliance is in it’s lifespan:

·     Refrigerator: 10-13 years

·     Range: 15 years

·     Microwave: 9 years

·     Dishwasher: 10-12 years

·     Washer: 10-13 years

·     Dryer: 10-13 years

If it’s newer; it pays to repair it. If it’s close to 10 years old, you may consider a replacement.

2.  How Much Will it Cost to Replace?

At Appliance Rescue Service, our service call fee is $59.95, and then our appliance technician will provide you with an estimate for the cost of the appliance repair. Chances are, the repair will end up costing at least $100, and then the price can increase from there given the repair needed. A good rule of thumb: If your appliance is worth less than $200, it’s time to replace it vs. fix it. If your appliance repair estimate is at least half the purchase price of a new one, you may want to weigh the value of a new one vs. the current appliance repair.

If you ever need Dallas appliance repair, Appliance Rescue Service is happy to give you a no hassle service call and will discuss your repair options with you at the time of service. 

Your Dryer’s Dirty Secret: The Lint Trap

When was the last time you cleaned your dryer’s lint trap?

Keeping a dryer’s lint trap (or lint catch as some call it) clean is vital to optimum dryer performance. Let Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas help shed a little more light on this important topic!

How often should a lint trap be cleaned?

The answer is simple: every single time to run the dryer. Lint – or the tiny particles of dust that come off of your clothing as they are drying – is an inevitable part of the drying process. If you do not remove the lint from the lint trap regularly, then the lint begins to build up and can cause Dallas dryer repairs.

What about cleaning the dryer vent?

If you really want to keep your dryer in peak operating condition and avoid Dallas dryer repairs, then plan to clean the dryer vent once every 3-6 months. While a lint trap catches most lint, it’s impossible for it to catch it all. What escapes can get stuck in the dryer vent, causing damage to the dryer – or worse – a house fire!

What are signs that my lint trap or dryer vent is clogged?

Normally, one of the first signs that you have a clog in the lint trap or the dryer vent is that clothes become difficult to dry. It might take more than one cycle to dry, or it may never get dry at all!

If you begin to experience issues with your dryer or suspect a clogged dryer vent, be sure to call the experts at Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas for all of your Dallas dryer repair needs. Appliance Rescue Service serves the entire Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and fixes everything from dryers, to dishwashers, to refrigerators, and more. Give us a call today!

Appliance Ratings: Most Reliable Refrigerator Brands

At Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas, we not only want to save you money when doing Dallas appliance repairs, but we also want to recommend brands that are going to perform well, day in day out. Take a look at this list of the most reliable refrigerator brands, as rated by Consumer Reports:

French Door Bottom Freezer Refrigerator Models

This refrigerator style has now become the most popular refrigerator configuration, as reported by Consumer Reports, and it’s not hard to see why! Many consumers want to see their food at eye level, not bend now and dig around in lower level crisper drawers and shelves. Of these models, Consumer Reports rates the Kenmore brand as the most reliable, beating out other popular brands like Whirlpool, Maytag, and KitchenAid.

Side-by-Side Refrigerator Models

The second most popular type of refrigerator is the side-by-side model, with about 25% of respondents owning this type of refrigerator. Surprisingly, reliability numbers are pretty consistent across side-by-side brands, but Consumer Reports gives the nod to Samsung because of its impressive features, efficiency, and overall performance.

Top Freezer Refrigerator Models

Once the most popular type of refrigerator out there, top freezer models are now much less common. That being said, nearly 16% of respondents still own this style. If a top freezer is what you want, then go for Maytag or Frigidaire as the most reliable refrigerator brands.

Overall Refrigerator Brand Satisfaction

Don’t see your favorite brand listed above? Don’t worry. Refrigerators have come a long way, and brand satisfaction is very high across the board! When looking at overall brand satisfaction across all categories, all brands performed well, with standouts being LG at #1, Samsung #2, and Kenmore #3.

Hopefully this helps you select the most reliable refrigerator brands, but should you ever need Dallas appliance repair, be sure to call the experts at Appliance Rescue Service!

4 Steps To A Clean Range Hood

One of the most under appreciated appliances in the kitchen, range hoods are rarely cleaned. The result: gunky grease build-up that can be very tough to remove and slows down the overall efficiency of your unit!

Is your range hood and range hood filter in need of a little TLC?

Want to know how to clean your range hood and filter without harsh chemicals?

Read on for range hood spring cleaning tips from Appliance Rescue Service – the best appliance repair company in Dallas:

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Chances are, you can find everything you need for range hood cleaning in your pantry. Grab the following supplies before beginning your project:

·     Large stock pot

·     Dish soap

·     Baking soda

·     Vinegar or Ammonia

·     Scratchless scrubbing sponge

Step 2: Create Your Cleaning Mixture

Begin by boiling water in your large stock pot, filling the pot ¾ of the way. Once water is boiling, pour in just a tiny dollop of dish soap. You want the water to boil and bubble, but not to boil over during the range hood cleaning process. Next, slowly pour in ½ cup baking soda until mixture is fizzing.

Step 3: Clean the Filter

Once the pot of water is fizzing, slowly lower the range hood filter into the solution. Watch it eat away at the grease and grime on your filter. Rotate the filter in the solution until all sides are clean. Is your filter too big for the pot? Lay it flat in a jelly roll pan and pour the solution over it to clean your range hood filter.

Step 4: Clean the Range Hood

Dip your sponge in the remaining solution and gently scrub the exterior of your range hood until the grime and grit is gone. If you feel like the solution is not doing a good enough job, add a touch of vinegar or ammonia to the sponge and continue scrubbing.

Hopefully this simple cleaning method will help you keep your range hood in perfect working order! Should you ever need range hood repair in Dallas, Appliance Rescue Service is here to help! Proudly serving Dallas, Richardson, Plano, Irving, Grapevine, Mesquite, Wylie, and the entire Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Happy Spring Cleaning!