How Do I Decide Which Dishwasher Cycle to Use?

Today’s fancy dishwashers have so many built-in settings it can be hard to determine what cycle to use! While these settings can be perplexing, they are actually there to help you get your dishes cleaner and do it more efficiently. 

So how do I decide which dishwasher cycle to use? Appliance Rescue Service – the #1 appliance repair company in DFW – is here to help you figure it out!

Auto Clean

Consider this your go-to if you aren’t sure which setting best fits your load. The auto clean cycle assesses how many dishes are in the dishwasher – and how dirty they are – and then adjusts the cycle and water temp accordingly. 

Heavy 

This cycle will use the highest water pressure and the hottest water to get baked on gunk off your dishes and leave them sparkling clean. Do not put any delicate dishes in this cycle and be aware that this cycle normally takes the longest. Reserve this cycle for that night you baked lasagna and it’s really caked on your dishes. 

Light

The light wash cycle isn’t necessarily for a load with very little in it. Think of it as a load for delicate items. If you’re going to put fragile stemware or china in your dishwasher, then run it on the light cycle. The light cycle will use low pressure and cooler water to get things clean with little effort. Be sure all caked on food is removed before loading in the dishwasher or you’ll be disappointed with this cycle. 

Quick Load

So what cycle should I use if I don’t have many dishes and they aren’t that dirty? Quick load is your best bet! This option uses hot water and high pressure to get things clean, but doesn’t spend as much time (or water!) getting it done. Why waste a heavy load option that runs longer when your dishes only need a mild cleaning and sanitizing? 

So there you have it! Hopefully these tips help take the mystery out of which dishwasher cycle you should use. If you have more questions – or need dishwasher repair in Dallas, Texas – do not hesitate to call Appliance Rescue Service for all your appliance repair needs. 

6 Things You Should Never Put in the Dryer

Laundry – the necessary evil.

We love fresh, clean clothes and the idea of sorting and pulling things out that shouldn’t go in the dryer is well, exhausting. Many of us get lazy and just throw everything in there, but don’t! If you want to avoid dryer repair in Dallas, Texas, then here are 7 things our technicians here at Appliance Rescue Service say you should never put in the dryer:

1.    Wool

Wool sweaters, gloves, and socks get a lot of use, particularly during the winter months. Unfortunately, putting them in the dryer will cause them to shrink. Instead, take nice wool sweaters to the dry cleaner and take gloves and socks out to air dry flat.

2.    Overalls

What? Why not overalls? Well, you know those metal clasps. If you’ve never put a pair of overalls in the dryer, then chances are you’ve heard the metal clasps clanking around in there. The clasps are normally heavy and can damage the interior of your dryer. Instead, hang them to dry or put them in a pillow case to protect the dryer.

3.    Running Shoes

There are many tutorials online for washing running shoes in the washing machine, but just make sure you don’t transfer them to the dryer! Before washing, remove laces and insoles, then let them air dry after washing to avoid damaging the rubber or other layers of the shoe. 

4.    Rubber Bath Mats

Sure, bath mats can do in the washing machine, but if they have a rubber backing, never put them in the dryer! That rubber backing will break down in the dryer and cause Dallas dryer repair! And at worse, it can actually catch on fire! Instead, wash them air dry them. 

5.    Denim Jeans

Jeans don’t need to be washed often, and if you want to extend the life of your jeans, spot clean regularly, then wash and air dry sparingly. 

6.    Swimsuits and Bras

These are in the same category because both normally have a decent amount of elasticity that can break down and get ruined with the heat of the dryer. Instead, line dry both for long life. (Just make sure to dry swimsuits in the shade to avoid fading.)

Hopefully these tips help you extend the life of your dryer and your clothes too! As always, if you ever need Dallas dryer repair, call the experts at Appliance Rescue Service!

Additional Reading: 

What You Want to Know About Heat Pump Dryers

Dryer Deep Dive

Why You Need To Clean Your Dryer Vent 

9 Things Your Dryer Hates

9 Electric Dryers At 3 Different Price Points

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