Most people tend to favor a certain cycle on their washing machine and use it most of the time. But you may be neglecting other cycles that could be a big help in your laundry routine. Different kinds of fabrics and clothes benefit from varying water temperatures and agitation levels. So, it’s important to know how each cycle works. Here’s a breakdown of the different temperatures and cycles on your washer.

Gentle or Delicates

The gentle cycle is designed for your most delicate fabrics. Handmade, silk, or lacey fabrics benefit the most from the gentle cycle. Using this cycle is the equivalent of handwashing since it uses cold water with low to no spinning. If your gentle cycle uses warm water, you can easily change it to cold. Cold water is the best for delicate fabrics, and when in doubt, it’s always the best temperature to use.

Normal Cycle

A “normal” cycle is for most of your laundry. It works well with your everyday clothes and linens. However, most people may not realize how intense this cycle can be. It uses high agitation, lots of spinning, and usually defaults to warm temperature water. This cycle is great for t-shirts, sweats, and durable linens like towels and cotton sheets. However, it may be too much for sweaters, soft fabrics, or anything that may take a beating in the washer.

Permanent Press

Not to be confused with the normal cycle, the permanent-press cycle is shorter, uses less agitation/spinning, and usually has a lower water temperature. This cycle is perfect for the clothes you want to be a bit gentler on, but still wear often. For example, those “work casual” or “night out” outfits would be great in this cycle.

The professionals at Express Appliance Service are washing machine experts. If your washer isn’t working correctly, give us a call today!

If you’re in the market for a new washer or dryer, the countless different options out there can be overwhelming to sort through. When it comes to picking a new home appliance of any kind, the three things to consider are budget, space available, and efficiency. Read on to learn about the different washers and dryers and which one is best for your home.

Top Loading vs. Front Loading Washing Machines

The top-loading vs. front-loading debate isn’t just about appearances. In most studies, front-loading washers tend to get clothes cleaner than their top-loading counterparts. This is because top loaders use agitators while front loaders tumble the entire contents of the cleaning basin. Clothes in a front-loading washer are constantly moving in all directions instead of just back and forth. Because of this, the soap and water are more evenly distributed. However, top-loading washers tend to be more budget-friendly. Owners of newer top-loading models will be happy to know that the cleaning power of agitators has drastically improved over the last several years.

Dryer Capacity

Most dryers are front loading. There are many different size options and an electric or gas option. Whether you choose electric or gas will depend on your setup at home, and both options will have the same features. Gas dryers will save you a little in energy bills and are considered the more economical option. The bigger the dryer capacity, the higher the price tag. But it’s important to keep in mind that more drying capacity means fewer loads and less energy to dry them.

For any washer or dryer problem, give Express Appliance Repair a call. We’re here for all your home appliance needs!

You probably hit the same buttons on your dishwasher every time and never think twice. Sure, the “Normal” cycle will usually cover your bases and get your dishes clean. But do you know what the other cycles do? Read on to learn more about the cycles on your dishwasher and when to use them.

Normal Cycle

Almost every dishwasher model has a “normal” setting. This cycle is safe to use daily to wash and dry everyday dishes after an average use. It can easily clean leftover messes without using extra water, high heat, or long cycle times. When in doubt, go with the normal cycle.

Quick Wash

The quick wash cycle, or 1-Hour cycle, is perfect to use when you have a load of slightly dirty dishes you need in a hurry. For example, if you just opened a box of brand-new plates or have a set of dusty cocktail glasses you’d like to use for a party, this is the perfect setting. This cycle uses more water and higher heat than a normal cycle, so it cleans faster.

Heavy Duty

When you have a load of super dirty dishes, it’s time for the Heavy Duty or Pots and Pans setting. This cycle is for when you have greasy, messy casserole dishes, plates, or silverware that just needs a little extra to get them clean. It uses the highest heat setting and extra water to get the job done. A heavy-duty cycle uses more energy, so it should be reserved for occasional use.

Delicate or Light Wash

Nervous about putting your fancy wine glasses in the dishwasher? Use the Delicate or Light Wash setting. This cycle uses less water, low heat, and a shorter time to wash your delicate dishes gently. It’s perfect for thin glassware, crystal, or other delicate tableware items.

Remember, Express Appliance Repair is here for all your dishwasher and home appliance needs. Give us a call today!

Your refrigerator stores the food that you and your family eat daily. But how clean is it? Cleaning your fridge should be part of your regular cleaning routine. It’s essential to ensure your food is safe to eat. Cleaning your fridge regularly will also help keep track of the fresh food you have available, so you’re more likely to use it up before it goes bad. Here’s how to clean your fridge.

Go Through Your Food Before Every Shopping Trip

A good rule of thumb to help keep your refrigerator clean is to throw away old, spoiled food before placing fresh food in. Every time you go grocery shopping, take a few minutes beforehand to throw out any spoiled or expired items. This tip will also help write your grocery list and prevent over-buying. Be sure to label your leftovers with dates, so you know when they need to be thrown out.

Clean Your Shelves

Most fridge models have removable shelves for easy cleaning. Although you can spot clean while they’re in the refrigerator, a deeper clean will require removal. After removing all food items, carefully remove the tray and wash it thoroughly with dish soap and water. Dry completely before re-inserting.

Clean Your Veggie Drawers

Those convenient vegetable drawers can get nasty if you forget to remove spoiled produce. In fact, most of the time, that musty smell coming from your fridge originates from the veggie drawers. To clean them, remove all items and carefully pull the drawers from the roller trays. Then place in the sink and use dish soap and hot water to wash thoroughly. After cleaning, dry entirely and re-insert.

If you have any issues with your refrigerator or any other home appliances, call Express Appliance Repair. We’re here for all your home appliance needs!

If you own a refrigerator with a filtered water dispenser, you probably use it for drinking water more often than your tap. Refrigerator water filters have become just as common in American kitchens as toasters and dishwashers, for a good reason. They’re convenient! So convenient that it’s easy to forget they do need some maintenance and cleaning every so often. A neglected fridge water filter can lead to some nasty water conditions. Not only that, but fridge filters aren’t exactly highly rated. Read on to learn more.

Micron Ratings

A refrigerator water filter’s ability to purify water is measured in microns. The lower the micron rating, the better it can capture tiny particles that contaminate water. Fridge filters usually use carbon and have an average rating of 20 microns. This rating is generally much higher than faucet or standalone water filtration systems. A popular Brita water filter pitcher, for example, has a micron rating between 1 and 3. So if you’re using a fridge filter to purify your drinking water, it may not be as pure as you think.

Sneaky Bacteria Particles

Studies have shown that dangerous bacteria particles like salmonella and coliform can make their past refrigerator filters. A 20-micron rating isn’t enough to stop these pesky bacteria from making you or your family members sick. However, if your tap water already goes through a rigorous filter system through your city – like a reverse osmosis process – fridge water would be enough to keep your drinking water clean. The trick is, a fridge filter gives you the illusion of clean water when it may not be.

Water Testing

If you’re not sure how clean your water is coming from your fridge filter, test it. This test can easily be done with an inexpensive water tester. If it’s not meeting your standards for clarity, consider either getting a whole house water filtration system or upgrading your fridge filter.

For all your refrigerator or any appliance needs, Express Appliance Repair is here for you!

A dishwasher’s sole purpose is to wash. But who washes a dishwasher? The answer should be you! Although dishwashers do exist to clean your dishes, like any appliance, they can get dirty. A dirty dishwasher may not be able to get your dishes as clean as you’d like.  Also, if you use your dishwasher often, it can get dirty quickly. Read on to learn when and why you should clean your dishwasher.

Why do you need to wash your dishwasher?

Everything you put in your dishwasher has food particles on it. Whether it’s sauce, meat, sugar, or vegetables – it all gets dissolved by your appliance. Over time, those little bits of food can clog up the drains and spraying components of your dishwasher. When something is clogged, it reduces the amount of water circulating during a wash or rinse cycle. After a while, your glasses will get splotchy, or your dishes will come out grimy. Washing your dishwasher regularly will not only keep your dishes coming out sparkly and clean every time, but it will also prolong the life of your appliance.

When do you clean your dishwasher?

If you run your machine daily, you should clean its filter and drain at least once a month. Monthly cleaning will keep your appliance running smoothly and efficiently. If you’re more of an every couple of days or weekly user, you could push your cleanings out to every other month.

How do you clean your dishwasher?

Only clean your dishwasher when it’s empty. Locate the drain filter on the bottom of the basin and remove it by twisting in the direction shown. Remove any food residue and put a few drops of dish detergent on the mesh. Using a sponge or dish brush, gently scrub any film or gunk on the filter. Rinse thoroughly with hot water. For a deeper clean, place the cleaned filter back in its place and run an empty cycle on hot with a cup of vinegar poured in the bottom of the machine.

For all your dishwasher or any appliance needs, Express Appliance is here for you!

It may sound redundant to wash a washing machine, but the truth is that even a washer needs cleaning. Washing machines are one of the most used appliances in households, and all that washing can get, well, dirty. Cleaning your washing machine doesn’t take much time and can help extend the life of your appliance. Read on to learn the tips and tricks to keeping your front-load washer clean.

When should you clean your front-loading washer?

If you notice that your clothes aren’t as clean as usual or have an unusual smell, then it is probably time to clean your washing machine. Some new models will alert you when they need to be cleaned after a certain number of cycles.

How do you clean your front load washing machine?

Always clean your washer when it’s empty. Start by cleaning the detergent tray and any attachments. A natural cleaner is preferred, but even a dishcloth with soap and water will work. Using the same method, clean the gasket around the drum and the glass inside the door. For a more thorough, disinfecting clean, use a solution of diluted bleach and water. If your front-loading washer has a self-clean cycle, now is the time to use it. You can use bleach, white vinegar, or a specially made washing machine cleaner.

How often should you clean your front-loading washer?

Since washers usually run frequently, washing at least once a month is a good idea. Not only will monthly cleaning keep your front-load washer smelling fresh and looking clean, but it will help prevent mold and deterioration of all the components. A dirty washer isn’t very good at keeping your clothes clean, either!

Washing machine not working? Keep Express Appliance Repair in mind for all your home appliance needs.

In this day and age, technology rules all. Tech is found in pretty much everything today, from your toothbrush to your kitchen; there is no place in the house safe from it. While this is usually a good thing, it can also lead to complications. And these complications can make things very complicated when trying to fix things.

Caring for your appliances also goes a long way in ensuring they last as long as they should. But even with proper care, sometimes things still stop working. One of the appliances that people commonly experience a malfunction with is a dryer, so here are some tips on what to do when your dryer isn’t working.

Identity…

The first thing to do is troubleshoot the unit. Do you have power? Is the drum spinning? These are the obvious things to look for before attempting to diagnose the issue. If you do have power, check the temperature of any items you take out after the cycle is complete to make sure heat is being transferred correctly.

The Fixes

If there is no power, try unplugging the unit and plugging it back in. If that doesn’t work, look for a reset on the outlet or even the breaker. Try resetting any switches, relays, or breakers that may be in place and see if the unit now has power. If there is still no power at this point, check to make sure the outlet is working by testing other appliances on the same circuit or outlet.

If this doesn’t work, or you sense there is an electrical issue, make sure to contact an electrician.

If there is power and the drum is spinning, try the lint trap. A common problem people run into is forgetting to remove old lint. If the lint trap is clean, try checking and cleaning the vent on the back of the dryer to ensure there is no obstruction.

If the drum is suspected to be an issue, the best thing to do is consult a professional. The technology in the units today makes it very challenging to fix on your own, and you could end up doing more harm than good trying to solve it. If you are unsure or would just like professional help, give us a call today, and we can help sort out any trouble.

Everyone knows about baby-proofing a home, but one of the areas that need to be kept safe from all kids, and even pets, is the kitchen. From fire hazards to choking hazards and many things in between, keeping your kitchen safe can be challenging. Here are some tips that can help to give you the peace of mind to know that your kitchen is a safe place for everyone in your home.

Mind the Sharp Objects

If you have older kids or larger dogs, make sure to keep knives and other kitchen appliances out of reach and away from the edge of countertops. Keeping knives in sheaths or cutting blocks is a good idea, but you still want to make sure they are out of reach of any nosy kids and pets.

Lock the Control

Many appliances today have child lock features on them to prevent accidental engagement. This safety feature is a good idea if you have younger children in the house, especially nosier ones!

Check the Wires

Make sure to keep any exposed wires out of sight. Curious pets may begin to chew on live wires, or some adventurous children may also meddle with them if given the opportunity.

Keep the Pantry Closed

This one works two-fold for both the kids and the pets. Out of sight, out of mind is definitely true when it comes to most pets and kids. Removing the temptation from them may prevent climbing or reaching in the pantry. This tip can also help to prevent any choking incidents by avoiding unsupervised eating of things that could be harmful.

Unplug Unused Small Appliances

Ensure to unplug unused coffee machines or standing mixers, as both can be accidentally turned on and lead to a potential injury.

Most of these tips apply to both kids and pets, and it is easy to see why. Both kids and pets can be curious, and it is best to prepare for these things as they could lead to serious injury or worse.

Every day, people around the world use things designed to improve their quality of life significantly. While they might not be typical for everyone in the world, people use some things every day that many people take for granted. And on the top of that list, we must consider your freezer.

The freezers most commonly found in homes today come in two types. Either they are attached to a fridge in some capacity or as a standalone unit. Unfortunately, as with most things in the world, they tend to have a shelf life. Replacing a broken unit usually comes with a high cost, but how do you know when it is time? To help you out, we will run through some tips on how to tell if your freezer is in bad shape.

The Obvious

The first and most obvious sign of a bad freezer is simply not having any power. Opening the door to discover a warm temperature is an obvious sign that your freezer needs a repair or replacement.

The Not So Obvious

Unfortunately, some other signs are not so obvious and may still lead to the need for a repair:

• Strange Noises – rattling, clanging, grinding, or just a louder noise in general could be the first sign of trouble
• Warming Temperatures – you may notice this with food being slightly warmer or ice being runny or not frozen in the middle. This development can start slowly and end up worse over time.
• Colder Temperatures – Another sign of a malfunctioning freezer is temperatures getting too cold. This sign may be a little more difficult to notice, but it can also be a clue something is going wrong.
• Smells – Another sign to be on the lookout for is an unusual smell. This smell can mean you have a leak or a burning electrical part.

While not the only signs, these can be some things to look out for in your freezer. If you think you need to repair or replace your freezer, give us a call for more information.