Follow these 4 Steps If You want to Avoid Refrigerator Repair

It’s never fun when your refrigerator goes out. 

No one is excited to spend thousands on a new refrigerator – or even spend hundreds on refrigerator repair – and at Appliance Rescue Service, we get that. 

We make many refrigerator repair service calls, and we’ve noticed some trends in service. If you want to avoid refrigerator repair in Dallas and prolong the life of your unit, here are several steps we recommend you follow:  

Step 1: Clean the Coils

If there is one thing you take from this article, then it should be the importance of clean condenser coils. The condenser coils – normally located on the bottom of the refrigerator – should get a good scrubbing once a year. The best time to do that is now, before the summer heat hits and your refrigerator has to work harder to keep up.

Step 2: Allow for Airflow

When purchasing a refrigerator, consider the space it is going in and make sure it has adequate airflow on all sides once installed. Tight spaces don’t allow air to circulate, which prevents the refrigerator from cooling properly. Unless you have a built-in refrigerator, airflow and circulation is key.

Step 3: Keep the Doors Sealed

Many modern refrigerators have a chime that goes off if the refrigerator is left open too long, and that’s a good thing. When the refrigerator doors are left open, it allows cold air to escape, which in turn, makes your refrigerator’s condenser work harder to cool. (Think about the way your home’s air conditioner works.) Another tip – regularly clean gaskets to get a tight seal so cold air doesn’t escape even if the door is closed. 

Step 4: Avoid Overloading the Refrigerator

Just as airflow outside the refrigerator is important, it’s also important inside the refrigerator. This means you must not pack too many items into the refrigerator if you want it to work at maximum efficiency. Also – many people will go to Costco, buy huge containers of ranch, bbq sauce, etc., and then put them all in the refrigerator. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, too many heavy containers placed together can add strain to the refrigerator doors, shelves, etc. – causing issues with door seals and more.

Hopefully these tips help you avoid Dallas refrigerator repair and extend the life of your unit for years to come. If for some reason you do find yourself in a situation where your refrigerator isn’t working properly, please don’t’ hesitate to give us a call at Appliance Rescue Service – the #1 appliance repairman in Dallas, Texas. 

Clean Your Glass Cooktop Like a Pro

Glass cooktops are not only beautiful, but can are often purchased because all the elements are hidden, making cleaning a breeze – right?!

Even glass cooktop owners will affirm that sometimes appliances just get dirty – and cleaning can be difficult. Appliance Rescue Service often performs cooktop repairs, and we have a few tips on how to keep those glass cooktops looking brand new for years to come:

Always Allow the Cooktop to Cool Before Cleaning

Before cleaning, let the cooktop cool completely, for obvious reasons. 

Use Gentle Products

Use a mild non-scratch scubbing sponge or microfiber cloth for cleaning, along with non-abrasive cleaners. Anything abrasive will scratch the glass and create irreversible damage. 

Check the Owner’s Manual

Your owner’s manual will offer important maintenance tips on what works best for your particular model, so take those suggestions into account. Plus – you may learn if there are any cleaning products or methods that could void a warranty. 

Spritz Daily

Don’t wait until the gunk and build-up has overtaken your cooktop! Instead, keep a squirt bottle full of half vinegar/half water and lightly spray in on the cooktop after it cools. Then, wipe off right away to prevent any build-up that can lead to cooktop repairs in Dallas. 

Razor Blades Work on Tough Stains

If you have hard, burnt on foods, then a razor blade can work well to remove it. As long as your owner’s manual doesn’t advise against using a razor blade, very gently use the full edge of the blade – as flat as possible – and scrub at the dried residue. It should clean right off. Never use the very edge of the blade, as it will scratch. 

Hopefully, these tips will extend the life of your glass cooktop and prevent the need for any Dallas glass cooktop repair. Should you ever need appliance repairs, don’t hesitate to call us at Appliance Rescue Service! We’re your #1 appliance repairman, servicing cooktops, refrigerators, wall ovens, dishwashers, and more. 

5 Laundry Hacks to Make Laundry Easier

Some things never end, and at the top of that list: dirty laundry and dirty dishes. 

While dirty laundry can’t be avoided, there are ways to make laundry easier and more efficient. Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas recommends trying the following 5 laundry hacks to kick your laundry game up a notch:

1.    Fold Right Away.

Stop what you’re doing and fold the clothes straight out of the dryer. If you really think about it, this task normally takes only 10-15 minutes, and when done right away, avoids the mess of piles sitting around and wrinkles too. Get in the habit of holding clothes right out of the dryer, and even if it’s not put away, you’re still winning.

2.    Pick a System.

Like most things in life, laundry works best with a system. Haphazardly doing a little laundry here and there can leave you frustrated and frazzled. Instead, choose to do one load a day – start to finish – to keep laundry bins from brimming, or dedicate one full day to getting everything done. 

3.    Separate the Socks.

Tired of losing socks and the tedious chore of matching socks? Invest in a mesh laundry bag for each member of the family, and instead of throwing their socks in the hamper, ask them to put their dirty socks in the lingerie bag. When it’s full, pop it in the washer and dryer, then return to the owner of the bag to match and put away. No more lost socks!

4.    Sort Right Away.

Have you ever thought to have a divided hamper in your room? Instead of lugging the hampers down to the laundry room and THEN sorting, why not sort when you take the clothes off? That way, it’s easy to throw in a load of whites with zero effort.

5.    Clean the Washer & Dryer.

Want cleaner clothes? Then clean the washer and dryer as well. Regular washer and dryer maintenance can go a long way to keeping your whites white and avoiding major issues down the road.

Hopefully, these tips will help make the burden of laundry a little lighter. And as always, if you ever have washing machine issues and need washing machine repair or dryer repair, call us at Appliance Rescue Service, proudly serving Dallas, Fort Worth, Richardson, Addison, McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Little Elm, Flower Mound, Highland Village, Grapevine, Coppell, Colleyville, Keller, and the entire North Texas community. 

Additional Reading

Why You Should Handwash Your Clothes

Refrigerator Cleaning Hacks You’ve Got to Know About

Spring is in the air, and around here, that means Spring cleaning those appliances! We know your oven, refrigerator, cooktop, and dishwasher took a beating during the holiday season, so now it’s time to freshen them up and give them a new lease on life for the Spring and Summer seasons.

This week, we recommend starting with your refrigerator. Here are a few refrigerator cleaning hacks to help you jump start the process:

1.    Get Everything Out

Before you begin cleaning, it’s a good idea to take every last bit of food out of the refrigerator. That way, you control what goes back in and you can really see where the grime and gunk is that has been covered by the food items. Start by throwing away old leftovers, expired food, and duplicates.

2.    A Toothbrush and Toothpaste Work Wonders

When scrubbing the interior of the refrigerator, a little toothpaste and toothbrush can go a long way in removing stuck on splatters. The toothpaste has a nice abrasion to it, is non-toxic, and smells great. 

3.    Odor Removal? No Problem!

There are many odor removers readily available in your pantry for removing stubborn smells. Everyone knows about the age old baking soda trick, but what about cotton balls soaked in vanilla or orange extract? Simply place on a dish in the back of the refrigerator to let them soak up scents. Crisper drawers a little musty? Crumpled paper bags left in them overnight will soak up the scent. 

4.    Find Door Leaks with a Flashlight

As you’re scrubbing that refrigerator door seal, remember what it’s there for: to trap in the cold air. You can easily check for leaks by putting a lit flashlight in the refrigerator, then shutting the door. If the room is dark, you should be able to see if any light is shining through and your refrigerator door seal needs repair.

5.    Vinegar and Olive Oil on the Exterior

You don’t need a fancy stainless steel door cleaner! Check the pantry! Vinegar or olive oil on a microfiber cloth are both great at removing stains and restoring shine. Simply rub with the grain and watch the door sparkle again!

Happy spring cleaning! And if you do discover any issues with your refrigerator as you are spring cleaning and need Dallas refrigerator repair, give us a call at Appliance Rescue Service! We serve the entire North Texas community, including Addison, Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving, Las Colinas, Colleyville, Southlake, Flower Mound, Keller, Argyle, Coppell, and more.

Dishwasher Making Noise? Learn What it Means from Appliance Rescue Service.

Dishwashers are very handy in the kitchen, saving us precious minutes that we would otherwise spend washing and drying dishes individually. But when your dishwasher is making loud, strange sounds, it can be concerning. Before there is a major issue with your dishwasher, learn why your dishwasher is making noise and what those noises mean, from Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas:

Swishing Noise

If you hear a swishing noise in your dishwasher, there is no cause for alarm. During the wash cycle, the spray arm will spray water into the basin and that is the noise you are hearing.

Loud Banging Noise

If the noise is especially loud, like a loud banging that might echo a little afterward, then you might have a water hammer that needs professional attention. A water hammer occurs when a valve is shut off quickly and the water is forced to “bang” against that closed valve. 

Rhythmic Thumping or Knocking Noise

A rhythmic thumping or knocking noise can usually be attributed to a spray arm hitting something inside the dishwasher at regular intervals. Open the dishwasher door, take a peek inside, readjust anything that might be hitting, then restart the dishwasher. The problem should be solved, but if it isn’t, then give a dishwasher repairman a call. 

Squealing Noise

Is your dishwasher new? New dishwashers do not have water inside them yet, so sometimes a new unit can squeal a little as mechanisms begin working and water has not fully filled the dishwasher cavities yet. The same issue can occur in a vacation home where a dishwasher goes months without use. If you suspect this is an issue, try pouring a little water in the bottom of the dishwasher basin before starting the cycle to see if it solves the issue. 

Humming Noise

A mild humming noise can be normal, but if it’s loud or constant, then it could be a faulty motor or a fan that needs replacing. Call a professional dishwasher repairman to properly diagnose the issue.

Still have questions about your dishwasher and why it’s making noises? Call us anytime at Appliance Rescue Service for a full diagnosis of your machine. We are your Dallas dishwasher repair specialists! 

Additional Reading

Dishwasher Deep Dive