Doing laundry is an ordinary, seemingly effortless task when you have a washer and dryer in good condition. For being an appliance that we use constantly, you might not be aware that there are several things you can do to save yourself time and money. Atlanta Appliance Services takes you through all the steps to make sure you get the most out of your laundry machines.
Learn the right maintenance techniques, proper laundry protocol, and more to make doing laundry even more efficient for you and your family.
How Much We Rely On Our Washer and Dryer
Imagine you are enjoying a nice summer day with your family when all of a sudden, your kids burst through the door drenched head to toe in muddy clothes. They toss them in the usual laundry pile. Typically, it is as easy as throwing the load into the washer and starting it. However, what if you didn’t have a washer and dryer?
These machines have indeed become a staple in the industry of household appliances. In the U.S, more than 80 percent of households have laundry machines. However, this means that roughly 20 percent of homes in the United States operate without a washer or dryer.
That means they have to find alternative methods of washing things like muddy clothes. Whether hand washing or using something like a portable washer, the effort to complete one load of laundry is considerably more than if you have the standard equipment. It turns something quick and easy into hours of manual labor.
So, suppose you find yourself lucky enough to have a fantastic set of laundry appliances. In that case, it’s essential to take care of them. Keep reading to learn how to get the most out of your washer and dryer.
Why You Should Get Updated Laundry Appliances
Your dryer likely uses the most energy out of your household appliances. If it’s considered outdated, you can bet it’s eating up even more electricity than necessary. Clearly, the newer and better devices usually help you get the most out of any appliance, especially energy conservation.
A new Energy Star-certified dryer uses around 20 percent less energy than older models every year. A new washer uses 25 percent less energy while saving approximately 33 percent of water per year. Think about all places in your home this energy and water could be utilized! Though the total effect of getting a new dryer won’t decrease your overall utility bill by huge numbers, it would significantly impact the environment.
If everyone started using these cutting-edge machines, the results would stack up. Eventually, our carbon footprint from energy use would reduce. So, suppose you are trying to be more environmentally conscious. In that case, it’s not a bad idea to get an upgrade for your laundry appliances. Updated laundry machines will let you get the most out of your washer and dryer while doing your part for our planet.
Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Washer and Dryer
We are in our laundry rooms almost daily, pushing our washer and dryer to the max. To ensure you are never left without them, read these tips and tricks to get the most out of your laundry appliances while keeping them ready for action.
1 | Don’t Put Too Much in Your Machine
We have all been there. The laundry piles have been building up, and you are in a pinch to get them all done. So, you stuff in as much as your washer can handle and begin the cycle with your fingers crossed that everything gets clean.
Inside your washer or dryer, there is a motor propelling the spinning motion of the drum in your machine. This mechanism causes the tumbling of laundry that everyone loves to see.
Overloading these with clothes, towels, and other heavy items can put too much of a strain on the motor. Once this goes bad, your laundry machines won’t be doing much washing and drying.
Put the appropriate load size into your laundry appliances to get the most out of them.
2 | Let Your Washer Air Out After Use to Get the Most Out of It
After finishing a wash cycle, you take your clothes out, switch them to the dryer, and carry on with your daily duties. However, your washer still has moisture built up on the inside. If you close the door and forget about it, here is what can happen:
- Mildew can form quickly from the stagnant moisture. Once created, this compromises that fresh, squeaky-clean, freshly-washed laundry smell and can be a pain to clean.
- Your washer can rust. If water sits too long on certain parts of your appliance, it can cause rust to form. Furthermore, if you try to do another load with rust in the washer, it can ruin anything you’re trying to clean.
- Mineral deposits can form from built-up detergent and used water sitting inside the washer. If not cleaned out, this can also stain and ruin laundry loads. It could also break the drum inside your washing machine from corrosion.
Leaving the door cracked will give you the best chance to evaporate anything left after your last cycle and ensure you get the most out of your washer.
3 | Clean Your Laundry Machines Regularly
Buildup from hair, dirt, detergent, and anything your laundry machines removes from your clothes or towels can get caught in almost any place inside your appliances. It’s essential to wipe down every visible nook and cranny inside the machines to remove excess debris.
Also, it’s good practice to wipe down the top of your laundry machine. The external coverings of laundry appliances can’t deal with heavy-duty cleaning chemicals like bleach or detergent.
Start by running your washer with just a little detergent and no laundry. Use the hottest water cycle your appliance has and let it run. If it’s really filthy, use a presoak cycle and some bleach and let the hot water sit in your washer to eliminate any unwanted buildup.
If you feel confident enough to remove any parts on your laundry machines that come off for cleaning, do it! Cleaning the filters on your washer and dryer will ensure you get the most out of them during cycles while keeping your laundry nice and clean. Most washers have a lint trap that should be removed and cleaned with each use.
4 | Use the Right Amount of Detergent to Get the Most Out of Each Washing
Whether you’re in a rush or feel like eyeballing it, putting the right amount of detergent in your washer is critical to keep it functioning.
You can slightly deviate your detergent amount based on the load size you are putting in. Still, you want to check and see how much your appliance recommends for an average load. By putting too much detergent in, your clothes will stay soapy and cause skin irritation from not having all the suds removed.
5 | Deal with Stains Before Washing
While our washer and dryer may seem like miracle workers, they can only do their best if we deal with tough stains beforehand.
Have you ever accidentally spilled something like red wine on your favorite shirt? Here’s a good course of action to get the most out of your washer when dealing with a stain:
- Immediately soak the linen in a bucket full of warm water and a small amount of detergent.
- Take the item out and spot-treat the inflicted area with stain remover.
- Throw it in and let your washer do the rest.
Reach Out to Atlanta Appliance Services to Get the Most Out of Your Laundry Machines
Atlanta Appliance Services offers a great variety of quick and easy appliance repairs to keep your washer and dryer going. Our experienced and certified technicians can help you with old or new laundry appliance issues.
Our main goal is to save you money and time by ensuring you get the most out of your machines while extending their lifespan.
If you have any issues or questions about your washer and dryer, contact Atlanta Appliance Services for more information on installation and repair.