5 Things That Should Never End Up In The Washing Machine

Your washing machine is a workhorse and it can handle a lot, but let’s face it. There are certain things that just don’t belong in a washing machine! Some are obvious and can wreck havoc on your machine and clothes; others less obvious. 

Are you putting the right items in your washing machine? Read on as Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas brings you 5 things that should never end up in your washing machine:

Metal Objects

Here are two likely culprits when it comes to metal objects in the washing machine: keys and coins. Both of these items get left in pockets, and then cause issues in your machine. Often coins can be harmless, but there is a chance that these small metal objects end up stuck in your filter or pipes. Another thing to worry about with coins and keys: scuffing on the interior of the washing machine drum. Your keys are the biggest culprit of washing machine drum damage, but they can also damage themselves by short circuiting in the washer. 

Rubber Mats

Bath mats with rubber bottoms and other rubber mats don’t belong in the washing machine. Overtime, the rubber can wear down and disintegrate in the washing machine, clogging pipes and filters and ending up in places you don’t want it. 

Gasoline-Stained Clothing

Pretreat flammable stains – like gasoline – by hand before ever placing in your washing machine. If not, the gasoline can be flammable and it’s just not worth the risk. 

Excessive Laundry Detergent

Many people think that more laundry detergent = more clean clothes, but that is false. Using too much laundry detergent can interfere with the sensitivity sensors on your control panel and it can actually stay in your clothes and leave a soapy residue that ruins the clothes. 

Pet Hair

Excessive pet hair can clump in your washing machine and find its way into the little holes of the drum. Not only is this exceedingly difficult to remove, but it can then clog the drain pipes as well. 

If you experience issues with your washing machine from any of these items or for other reasons, call Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas immediately for Dallas washing machine repair. 

Can I Remove Scratches from my Stainless Steel Appliances?

It can be frustrating to discover a scratch or nick on your stainless steel refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, or cooktop, but all hope is not lost. There are ways to remove minor scratches and dings with easy home remedies. Read on with our tips from Appliance Rescue in Dallas, Texas on how to remove stainless steel scratches with ease:

Step 1: Clean the Stainless Steel

It is very important to clean the stainless steel before attempting to remove any scratches or dings; otherwise, you may end up damaging the stainless even further. Start by identifying which way the grain runs – north and south or east and west. Now, take a soft, microfiber cloth and choose one of three cleaning methods for the stainless area: polishing cleaner like Comet, vinegar, or stainless steel cleaner. Work the cleaner into the stainless steel with the microfiber cloth until it is thoroughly cleaned. 

Step 2: Remove the Scratch

You are now ready to remove the scratch! Your first line of defense is a mildly abrasive cleaning product, just as Ajax or Comet. Mix the product with water to form a paste, then gently rub it into the scratch with a damp cloth – going with the grain – until the scratch is no longer visible. If this doesn’t work, then try whitening toothpaste, using the same method as above. Lastly, you can try wet sandpaper by thoroughly wetting the stainless and the sandpaper and gently buffing the scratch with the grain.

Step 3: Condition the Stainless Steel

Once you have removed the scratch to your satisfaction, be sure to condition the refrigerator with a stainless steel polish or olive oil. 

If these steps don’t work to remove a scratch from your stainless steel appliance, there are professional remedies you can try. If you have any issues with your refrigerator, oven, cooktop, or other household appliance, be sure to call the experts at Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas for all your Dallas appliance repair needs.  

Is Your Oven Leaking Hot Air? Appliance Rescue Service Can Help!

When using your oven, have you noticed that there seems to be an abnormally high amount of hot air leaking out? 

Is the oven taking longer than normal to preheat?

Is food cooking unevenly – or taking longer to cook?

These are all signs that your oven may be leaking hot air. 

If you notice your oven leaking hot air, then Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas recommends replacing your oven gasket.

What is an Oven Gasket?

An oven gasket is the seal between your oven and the oven door. It is found around the outside of the oven, generally silver in color and made out of mesh-like material. When this oven gasket gets frayed or worn out, not only is your oven working less effectively, but it’s probably contributing to higher energy costs too!  

How do I replace an Oven Gasket?

Replacing an oven gasket can be done at home with just a few simple steps:

1.    Order a New Gasket:

Locate your oven’s model number and then search for a new oven gasket on Amazon or at your local home improvement store.

2.    Cut the Power:

Before attempting to do anything to your oven, be sure to cut all power at the breaker. 

3.    Locate the End of the Gasket:

Look around for the ends of the gasket. They are generally located near the bottom of the oven, inserted into two holes.

4.    Remove the Gasket:

Once you’ve located the ends, begin pulling them out of the holes. Now, carefully dislodge gasket all along the perimeter. There are small clips holding it in place, so you may need needle nose pliers to remove some sections.

5.    Reinstall the New Gasket:

Now that the old is out, you can install the new gasket! Simply line up each pin with the existing holes in the oven and begin placing the gasket accordingly.

As always, if you suspect an issue with your oven leaking hot air, call us at Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas! We handle all types of Dallas oven repair, including oven door gasket replacements and more. You can expect fast, courteous, and quality service – and an oven that is back up and running in no time!

Dallas Microwave Repair: Signs it’s Time to Call the Professionals

Many of us take for granted what a workhorse the microwave is until it’s out of commission. When microwaves came on the scene in the 1980s, Americans rejoiced at a faster, easier way to get dinner on the table. And when your microwave isn’t working right…it’s a huge pain. Here are several signs that it might be time to call Appliance Rescue Service for Dallas microwave repair before it’s too late: 

Door Won’t Seal Shut

This is a problem. Without a proper seal, the food in your microwave will not cook evenly or completely. Be wary of running the microwave if the door doesn’t shut or seal properly.

Sparks are Flying

Occasionally, you might get a touch of something metallic in the microwave and it will spark for just a sec, but this should not be the norm. If there are sparks flying in your microwave, immediately open the door to stop the appliance, then unplug the device or cut power at the breaker. Do not turn the appliance back on until it has undergone professional microwave repair to avoid a fire hazard. 

Loud Noises

When the microwave is running, do you hear clanging, humming, or other loud noises coming from your microwave? If so, this can often be a sign of a turntable issue. If you do not immediately see an issue with the turntable after inspection, it’s time to call an expert Dallas appliance repairman to remedy the issue.

Food is Cold

If the food didn’t cook all the way and you know it should have in the time allocated, then something is off. Call the experts in microwave repair to fix the issue.

Contact us at Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas if you experience any of these issues and need professional microwave repair in Dallas. Our expertly trained technicians will fix the problem quickly, so you’re back up and running in no time. We proudly serve Dallas, Fort Worth, Carrollton, Irving, Las Colinas, Flower Mound, Coppell. Grapevine, and more. 

Mixing The Old With The New

By Todd Skaggs

So many things in our society push us to upgrade. We are constantly being told that in order to be the best that we need the latest and greatest gizmos. Our computer tells us to get the latest updates. Our phones constantly want us to upgrade.

What about our kitchens? Well, funny you should ask. I’m going to let you in on a secret.

I’m sorry, what’s that? Who am I?

Ah, yes, introductions.  I almost forgot. My name is Todd. No, I know, you’re absolutely right, you could have read that from the byline. Fine. Let’s see. I’m a Sagittarius. I don’t really care for walks on the beach, but love a good sunset just about anywhere. I dislike strawberries but love anything that is strawberry flavored. I love bacon of all sorts. I enjoy—you know what? None of that really matters. Just think of me as an impartial observer on this big blue marble we’re all floating around on. From time to time I’ll drop by and leave some words here for you. Hopefully they make you smile and brighten your day a bit. After all, isn’t that what makes it all worth doing?

Good. Great. Now that we sorted that, where was I?  Right! Getting the “Latest and Greatest” because that’s what we’re told we need.

Horse apples.

What always happens when you get the latest and greatest? In no time at all you’re sitting there thinking, “Man, they sure don’t make them like they used to!”

When I was a kid, I can remember going over to my grandparents. And before the days of the internet and streaming this-and-that, people actually talked to each other. Lavish dinners were made and stories were shared. And sometimes vacation slides were brought out, but we won’t talk about that. Ever.  

At my grandparents’ house, I have one distinct memory from those dinners (besides, of course, the traumatic vacation slides).

The double oven.

My friends, and people I just met, the double oven is a thing of beauty. Two separate ovens with completely independent controls. You can make a turkey in one oven and a that amazing fried-onion-green-bean casserole that appears at nearly every church potluck in the other. If you’re still having problems visualizing this little piece of magic, allow me to illustrate.

Check this out.

How fantastic is that?!  That is the original double-oven of my childhood, direct from my grandparents’ house.

And I get to see it every day. I get to use it. If you’re lucky enough to find a home to move into that has one of these beauties, you may want to think twice before ripping it out and dropping in that steel-faced Viking you saw on the interwebs.

Seriously consider working with a company like Appliance Rescue Service and get that beauty in tip-top shape. Not only will you get a quality appliance (I can assure you they truly don’t make them like that anymore), but if you’re lucky like me, you’ll get one that has that wonderful Avocado color from our childhood!

But, Todd—what if I really want something new and shiny?

Look, I’m not going to tell you how to run your kitchen.  That’s totally up to you. And I would be a hypocrite if I said that all new things are bad.

As awesome as the double oven of my childhood is, the actual stove that used to sit alongside it was kind of a nightmare. I could have had the burners replaced (and I’m sure my grandparents did once or twice), but in the end, it just wasn’t cutting it.

Enter the glass cooktop!

Now, I’m going to be honest with you, I’m normally a gas-stove kinda guy, but there is something about this cooktop that I really love. It gets up to temp in time flat and is super easy to maintain and service. Plus, it’s sleek and makes me think I’m boiling my water in a tea kettle in space!

Well, yeah. I guess I am a little odd, but you know what? You’ll get used to it.

So what’s the moral of the story here?

Don’t be so quick to get rid of those old things. There’s definitely a happy medium. You can have the old and awesome, and the latest and greatest!

Most of the time, you just need someone who can come in and give the old and awesome some of the TLC it needs.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I need to go check on the ham that’s in the oven. Or maybe the cake that’s in the other oven!

Until next time my friends, have an awesomesauce day!!

-Todd