Are you Making These 5 Common Laundry Mistakes?

If there is one thing in life that is inevitable, it’s laundry.

And while we’ve all got laundry to do, many of us are making laundry mistakes everyday that are creating extra wear and tear to our washing machines, dryers, and clothes. So Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas wants to know, are you guilty of these common laundry mistakes? Read on to find out!

#1: Overdoing it on the Laundry Detergent

More soap means more clean – right?! Wrong. In fact, excess bubbles in our machine can trap bacteria and dirt as it comes off of clothes, and then those suds can get stuck in hard to rinse spots, like in creases of pockets. This makes the clothes less clean because the bubbles can’t rinse clean. Avoid overdoing it on the laundry detergent by using less than you normally would, and see if the laundry gets clean. If it does, then you may consider even using less to conserve detergent. Find a happy medium between clean clothes and detergent.

#2: Allowing Clothes Snags

Ever get clothes out of the laundry and it’s been torn up or pulled by other clothes? While you can’t avoid all of these mishaps, you can avoid clothing snags by zipping all zippers to the top (so the teeth are not exposed) and un-buttoning shirts (buttoned shirts cause unnecessary stress on the buttons while in the wash).

#3: Overfilling the Washing Machine

Another common mistake we see at Appliance Rescue – your leader in Dallas washing machine repair – is overfilling the washing machine. Overcrowding the washing machine doesn’t leave room for clothes to float in the water; therefore, they don’t get clean. It also puts major stress on the washing machine’s bearings and shock absorbers.

#4: Leaving Clothes Unfolded

Leaving clothes in the dryer indefinitely, or taking it out and leaving it in a basket without folding it, is a recipe for wrinkles. Avoid those wrinkles by folding it immediately. No time to fold immediately? 2 things can help: 1) use the permanent press cycle that allows for a cool down/wrinkle free fluff; 2) lay clothes out flat before folding instead of crumpled in a pile.

#5: Scrubbing Stains

A little elbow grease is not helpful when properly pretreating stains. Instead, carefully blot the stain with a white cloth, working from the outside in to keep the stain from spreading outward. Treat a stain as soon as you can for maximum results.

Need more tips for using your washing machine or dryer more efficiently? Just call the experts in Dallas washing machine repair – Appliance Rescue Service. We’re always just a call away and can help with all your appliance repair needs.

Additional Reading

How To Handwash Your Clothes

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!