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Clothes Dryer Repair and Cleaning

Posted by on December 18, 2009 at 1:05 pm in Home Improvement
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You can do two other things with a clothes dryer apart from drying clothes: cleaning and repairing the machine if it breaks down. A clothes dryer is a home appliance, and like your typical home appliance, it needs regular cleaning and maintenance if you want it to do a good job. Clothes dryers are sturdy machines, but that’s not saying they don’t choke and break down sometimes, because they do. Put your helmet on because it’s time to do a little cleaning and repairing.

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), clothes dryers are responsible for around 15,500 fires annually.

It is obvious then that you should take good care of your clothes dryer. Continuous use of this appliance allows lint to build up in the machine and along the walls of the hose, where the water drains out. Not cleaning the machine and allowing lint to accumulate over long periods of time, according to the CPSC, cause the clothes dryer to overheat, increasing the chances of starting a fire.

Clean the clothes dryer regularly and make sure to remove all traces of lint stuck in the lint filter. Also, improper venting can cause damage to the machine. A clogged clothes dryer shows the following symptoms: long drying times, noisy operation, clothes that are still damp and hot even after drying, and non-functioning automatic sensors.

Most problems with clothes dryers are related to the heat source or the motor that tumbles the clothes. One way or the other, it isn’t a very good idea to just open up the machine and start poking the parts every which way-you need a professional repair man to do this. These guys will troubleshoot and repair the problem for a small price, free if covered by the warranty. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

By: Janice Perez

About the Author:
Want to know more? You can read more tips on Clothes Dryer Repair and Cleaning, plus other cleaning tips only at http://cleaningglow.com/



Retractable Clothes Airer – What to Know When Buying Retractable Style Clothes Airers and Dryers

Posted by on December 11, 2009 at 5:26 am in Home Improvement
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Retractable clothes airers are really great for people who want to make full use of their gardens. Unlike bulkier clothes lines you won’t notice the retractable clothes airer at all when it’s not being used.

As many peoples’ outdoor space becomes smaller, every square foot of back yard becomes precious, this is one reason a retractable style of clothes airer is gaining in popularity. It takes up very little space.

The other reason is that retractable clothes airers benefit the planet. Every time someone uses one instead of an electric drier the environment is kept a little bit healthier. This is something that is very important to most people nowadays and so sales of retractable clothes airers have gone up and up.

There are a few things you should consider when buying a retractable clothes airer. It is an investment and should last a very long time so make sure you make the right choice.

First of all, where are you going to put it? The two ends need to face each other. Have you got walls that sit at a convenient distance apart or do you need to get one or two posts? The posts are easily removable and can come in the same colour as your clothes airer.

Secondly, how big does you retractable washing line or clothes airer need to be? Some can stretch to 10 metres with 60 metres of line space! While others may only have 30 metres of line space for smaller washing needs. Lines should be spaced well apart from each other to allow clothes to dry properly. Make sure you get the right one and not just the first one you see.

Third, quality. Heavy wash loads can weigh the lines down causing bad quality washing lines to break. Plus a variety of weather conditions takes its toll on the retractable clothes airer box, make sure you get a good quality product with weather proof paint.

Retractable clothes airers can also be used in the house. Ultimately the advice for these is the same – make sure you get a good quality product that will last you a long time.

Now, armed with this knowledge you can get on with choosing the right retractable clothes airer for you.

By: Kelly Nickless

About the Author:
Writing is a love of Kelly’s and she writes for a number of eco-friendly organisations such as Eco Washing Lines in the UK who are specialists in Retractable Clothes Airers and also Retractable Washing Lines in the UK.



Clothes Washing Tips – Smell Good, Feel Good

Posted by on November 26, 2009 at 10:11 pm in Home Improvement
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Let’s talk about doing your clothes. Clothes-shirts, blouses, sweaters, jeans, socks-needs to be washed. There is no way out of it. It’s normal for a person to sweat and smell like the pits during the course of the day. So if it’s a shower or a bath he or she needs to freshen up, clothes deserve them, too. There’s no point in taking a shower if the shirt you’re going to wear smells like the garlic chili dog you had last Saturday.

Clothes-Washing Tips

Here are some cleaning products and solutions for clothes:

* Laundry detergent – A laundry detergent solution is essential. These days, detergents come in all shapes and scents and it’s important you choose one that suits your family best. For example, someone from your family could be allergic to a particular scent, so remove all detergents with that scent from your list of options.

* Stain removers – Stain happens. When it does, it’s time to pick up that bottle from the laundry basket with the label “stain remover”. Choosing a stain remover product requires some thought. For instance, you need to consider the type of fabric you’re going to be using the stain remover on. You can’t just blindly use every other brand and expect the results to come out right.

* Bleach – Bleach is a powerful cleaning solution and everyone who uses it on his or her dirty laundry should know that. Not long ago, there weren’t that many choices when it came to bleach. Not anymore. Nowadays, we have scented bleaches and concentrated bleaches and more as a result of many years of research on dirty laundry.

For Best Results, Follow the Instructions

Washing dirty laundry shouldn’t be too hard if you know what you’re doing. The important thing is to follow the instructions at all times. We understand not many people like going over the instructions on products, but if it’s a case of ending up with a faded t-shirt that you bought only a week ago, well then you better think twice about reading them.

By: Janice Perez

About the Author:
Want to know more? You can read more tips on Clothes Washing Tips: Smell Good, Feel Good, plus other cleaning tips only at http://cleaningglow.com/



Clothes Washer Repair and Cleaning

Posted by on October 21, 2009 at 9:12 am in Home Improvement
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Clothes washers, or washing machines, can get your clothes clean and ready to wear in no time. But what happens when you use a dirty clothes washer to wash some dirty clothes? It doesn’t take a genius to notice the absurdity of the question, and yet people fail or just neglect to get their clothes washers cleaned up time and time again.

Clothes Washer Repair and Cleaning Tips

Here are some cleaning and maintenance tips for your clothes washers:

* The first thing to do is check if grime and dirt have started to build up along the interior walls. If so, then it’s time for some clothes washer cleaning.

* Pour in hot water along with two cups of lemon juice and vinegar to loosen up some of the things that get stuck on the surface (ex. dirt, grime, dried up soap). Remove the textile softener receptacle, and soak it in a mixture of hot water and detergent.

* Next comes the bleach dispenser. Spray some cleaner on it, then scrub with some Q-tips and paper towels.

* Don’t forget to check the hoses for leaks while you’re at it. It’s natural for the hoses that came with the clothes washer to wear out and develop a leak over time. It’s a good idea to buy a replacement hose in advance.

Your clothes dryer now looks ten times better and is all set to do some cleaning of its own.

It isn’t a matter of whether or not you should clean your clothe washers, but when it has to be cleaned and maintained. It depends on how many clothes are washed in it each week. There’s no formula for this; you’ve got to figure it out for yourself. If the interior compartment looks like it needs cleaning, then clean it before you use it again.

By: Janice Perez

About the Author:
Want to know more? You can read more tips on Clothes Washer Repair and Cleaning, plus other cleaning tips only at http://cleaningglow.com/



Air Drying Clothes Is Better

Posted by on October 9, 2009 at 12:31 pm in Home Improvement
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Does it seem like it is time to buy new socks and underwear every few months? Are holes forming prematurely and elastics falling apart? If this is the case in your household, your dryer is the most likely culprit. Years ago it seemed like socks and underwear hardly ever wore out, as well as clothes in general for that matter, but this is not commonly caused by lesser quality (although some garments are obviously more durable that others). The age of dryers is simply tough on clothes.

The intense, dry heat produced by drying machines is actually bad for materials, and especially elastics. Have you ever considered why there is so much lent collected in dryer filters? People everywhere have come to accept lent as a normal byproduct of drying clothes, but think about what lent really is. Lent is made up of tiny fibers and pieces of your clothing that are being stripped away. No wonder your clothes are falling apart! Dryers can also shrink and stain clothing. Now does this sound like a healthy way to dry your clothes?

Electric dryers are one of the modern conveniences that Americans have built their lives around, corresponding to the need for speed in our busy lives. It seems that most people do not want to line dry their clothes because they think it will take to long and is inconvenient. In some cases, they just don’t know how to line dry clothing because they have never seen it done. With a few tips, anyone can hang dry clothes and enjoy long lasting, great smelling clothes.

Setting up a clothesline is simple. All you need to do is take a piece of line and attach it tightly between two stationary objects. Then simply hang each garment from one end to the other. Everyone has seen this in the movies, right? If your homeowners association will not allow clothes lines, or you live in an apartment, you can still hang dry your clothes with a single drying rack and a clothes rod. Drying racks are found at discount or hardware stores. Position the clothes hanger rod over the washing machine or somewhere in the laundry room. Two loads of laundry can be dried on one drying rack and one two-foot section of clothes rod.

The clothes rod is used to hang clothes that can be dried on traditional clothes hangers. Plastic hangers are the usually the best option. Dress shirts, blouses, dresses, slacks and anything else that is usually stored on a hanger should be neatly positioned on a clothes hanger and then hung on the clothes rod. The same is true for drying t-shirts, pajamas, bed linens, towels, etc. The garments on the clothes rod need to be evenly spaced or else they will not be able to dry.

A drying rack is designed to hang all of those things that can’t be hung on a hanger. Start at the bottom of the rack and hang socks, underwear, wash rags, and/or baby clothes. The middle usually carries hand towels and smaller garments, and the top rack is great for blue jeans, sweaters, sweats, pajama bottoms, etc. Any open space on the rack can be filled in with whatever is left over. Maybe there is some space between a sweater and some jeans and then a sock or two might hang there. The drying rack itself is mobile, so on those sunny days it can be hung outside, while in the cold winter months it hangs neatly in the laundry room.

Not only will your clothes be in better shape if they are hung out to dry, but you will also conserve electricity in your home. Dryers use an amazing amount of energy, and you are guaranteed to see a reflection in your electric bill. Try hanging out your clothes yourself, and see that it is really not very time consuming or inconvenient.

By: Ron Maier Jr.

About the Author:
About the Author: Ron Maier is the owner of OnlyHangers, a leading provider of wooden hangers plastic hangers and other types of clothes hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyhangers.com



Make Clothes Dryer More Efficient by Recycling the Heat

Posted by on September 23, 2009 at 1:29 am in Home Improvement
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As the cost of electricity continues to skyrocket consumers are looking for new ideas to help get the most value out of their appliances. This includes the electric clothes dryer.

Although consumption cannot be lowered there is a device to take advantage of the heat it produces. It is called a dryer heat recycler. It has proven to be a winner in the fight to be more energy efficient.

A heat recycler does just what its name indicates. It allows the warm air from the household electric clothes dryer to be redirected back into the laundry room. This is an added bonus if the laundry room is in a cold basement. Plus the heat is free.

The theory behind the recycler is simple. It uses the hot air from the electric dryer to heat the laundry room. In this way the room vent can be closed down. Hence lowering your heating costs.

The element in an electric dryer is approximately 5000 watts. This is equivalent to a couple of baseboard heaters. The temperature of the air leaving an electric dryer is about 130 degrees Fahrenheit. So why waste it – instead, put it to work for you.

For an investment of about $15 the hot air your dryer normally dumps outside can be directed back into the house. We have been successfully suggesting these to clients for years.

There is a plastic handle on the side to direct the air either inside or outside. In the winter months the handle is adjusted to direct the hot air into the house. In the summer the air is directed back outside.

The heat recycler is easy to install. It is usually mounted (screws are provided) to a wall or beam behind, and slightly above, the dryer console area. Once mounted the dryer venting can be cut and reattached to the device. Follow the instructions to maintain proper airflow direction. The recycler does have an “in” and an “out”. Always mount the recycler for easy access by all family members. If mounted in an awkward place no one will clean the filter.

Before purchase make sure the model you buy comes complete with two venting clamps. Some less expensive ones don’t include the clamps. Clamps are vital for a proper installation. Do not be tempted to attach the venting sections to the recycler with duct tape. It will dry out and cause the venting to fall off. If required invest in two good quality metal vent clamps. A couple of four-inch clamps will cost about three dollars.

The recycler has a built-in filter screen that needs to be cleaned just like the one inside the dryer. We prefer the type that has a mesh screen filter as opposed to the one with a sock-like filter. It is a couple of dollars more but the metal filter is more durable and a lot easier to clean than the cotton type.

So once the recycler is mounted and secured give it a test run. Set the temperature selector to hot and start dryer. Allow dryer to run a few minutes. Test that the air comes inside when the handle is in the winter position. Next, move handle to summer position. Air should then be seen to go outdoors. Go outside and confirm air freely escapes outdoors. If not the screen in the outdoor vent cap may be blocked with lint. Or the vent cap flapper valve may be sticking. Go back indoors and test all joints for air leakage. If leaking air, tape joints with duct tape.

From then on all that is required is to clean the heat recycler filter every few laundry loads. Plus, twice a year turn the handle to redirect the airflow. Not much work to get all that nice free hot air for your home.

Note that throughout this article I have been using the term electrical clothes dryer. The heat recycler cannot be used with a gas clothes dryer. The venting pipe of a gas dryer must not be opened or redirected. Small amounts of gas vapour and carbon monoxide may be present in the outlet air of a gas clothes dryer. Therefore, for safety reasons, the heat recycler cannot be used with a gas dryer.

TECHNICIANS HINT: Experience has taught us not to mount the recycler directly above the start switch of the dryer. This avoids the recycler giving you a blast of hot air in the face every time the dryer is started.

By: Donald Grummett

About the Author:
Copyright 2005 by Donald Grummett. All right reserved. Donald Grummett has been in the trade over 30 years as a technician, business owner, and technical trainer. Visit http://www.mgservices.ca to learn more invaluable information about your appliances.



The Washing Guide Secrets For Hand Washing Clothes

Posted by on September 19, 2009 at 5:05 pm in Home Improvement
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The care labels for some clothes specify that they should be washed by hand. But if you occasionally hand wash the clothes that you normally wash in the machine, you will help to prolong their life.

Tips for Best Results

Just as with machine-washing, the first thing to do is sort your clothes by colour so that you are washing whites, light colours and dark colours separately.

Check the care label to see whether your clothes require washing in cold or hand-hot water, and whether there are instructions about laundry detergent type (eg for delicate fabrics).

Make sure you add the right amount of laundry detergent. Check our dosing information. Make sure the washing detergent has completely dissolved in the water before immersing items in the wash solution.

Add your clothes to the water and, if they are heavily stained, leave them to soak.

After washing the clothes by gently squeezing the garments through the wash solution, rinse three or more times, until the water runs clear.

Try to avoid keeping your hands in the laundry detergent for too long. Wash and dry them immediately afterwards. People with sensitive or damaged skin should be especially careful to do this, and may wish to use rubber gloves.

Hand washing Particular Fabrics

Delicates

It is recommended that you use a pH neutral non-enzymated laundry detergent because they do not contain enzymes, bleach or brightening agents.

Modern Fabrics

Many modern fabrics can also be hand washed in a powder or liquid detergent, but check the care label carefully for instructions.

Woollens

Check that the care label on the article advises washing – some woollens are labelled ‘dry clean only’.

Use warm water (around 30 – 40°C).

Use a pH neutral non-enzymated laundry detergent.

Wash quickly, squeezing the garment gently in the suds. Give extra-dirty woollens two washes with a rinse between, rather than one long wash.

Add a fabric conditioner in the final rinse water, to ensure that the garment stays soft.

Gently squeeze out the excess moisture, then roll in a towel or spin dry in your machine to remove as much water as possible to prevent possible dye migration. Dry flat on a towel away from direct heat and sunlight to prevent white or light colours from discoluring. Do not tumble dry.

By: Chelsi Woolz

About the Author:
Follow the tips listed above in the washing guide and get the results that you are looking for.



Inferior Clothes Dryer Vent Installation

Posted by on September 15, 2009 at 3:08 pm in Home Improvement
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You’ve paid the builder big bucks to design your dream home so imagine your surprise when months later you discover a huge collection of lint in the attic because of an inferior clothes dryer vent installation.

First off let’s get something straight. Many builders will defend their practices claiming they are perfectly acceptable. But by law depending on where you live this is not generally not considered a legal install.

Code states that the dryer exhaust must vent outside and installing the vent near an attic vent does not meet code requirements. Using a proper exhaust vent and everything is fine but venting into the attic itself is unacceptable and yet it occurs far too often.

The way a clothes dryer exhaust is installed can cause serious problems in your home. Mildew can grow and cause illness in just a short period of time. In fact the moist humid atmosphere is perfect for mildew conditions. But worse yet is the fire hazard. The lint is highly combustible and any heat source could be enough to start a fire.

Dryer venting isn’t quite as simple as many think it is. So let’s unravel the mystery. As the dryer runs the blower motor pushes the moist air out but the problem is it can only push the air a limited distance.

If the run is too long the vent pipe itself will become clogged with lint and pose a fire hazard. The type of exhaust hood, the type of pipe, and even the number of bends affect how long the run can be.

The smooth metal pipe is much better than the plastic corrugated pipe that is so popular these days. It has the least resistance to air flow. If you use an exhaust hood you can make a run that’s up to 64 feet. The openings should be at least 16 square inches.

Reducing the number of bends is also important. For example that 64 foot run reduces to 27 feet if there are four bends. If you use the flexible hose it reduces even more to 15 feet.

You can vent through the roof providing you use an adequate exhaust hood to draw out the hot air. A one piece hood that has a wide flange is the best choice especially on an asphalt roof. Do not vent through the soffits.

If you live in a cold climate you must make sure your builder properly insulates the venting pipe. If you do not the pipe will chill with the cold air and you’ll get condensation which will run down the pipe, leak onto the joints and perhaps even pool under the dryer.

While you are checking you should also check that the pipe pieces are correctly joined using the correct joiners and that all seams have been taped to ensure that lint cannot build along the lip causing a potential fire hazard.

You’ve built the most beautiful house. You’re proud of your accomplishment and you should be so don’t settle for an inferior clothes dryer vent installation.

By: Timothy W. Mccraney

About the Author:
Timothy has owned and operated his own laundry mat for the past 25 years. Consequently, he is also a part-time washer and dryer repairman and with http://www.lcasurf.com , he gives reviews of portable washer and dryers and states common problems that he encounters with each one, with solutions!



Duct Tape Clothing

Posted by on August 23, 2009 at 11:54 am in Home Improvement
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Duct tape was manufactured for the first time during World War II. It was used to fix broken windows, seal canisters and tighten cracked gun magazines. Layers of waterproof polyethylene, strong cloth mesh and rubber based adhesive are pressed together under thousands of pounds of pressure to make duct tape.

Duct tapes are used extensively in domestic households, as well as large offices and industries. Apart from these new innovative products, handicrafts are also manufactured using duct tapes. Wardrobes for men and women made from duct tapes are a recent addition to haute couture.

The process of making duct tape clothing is time consuming. A piece of duct tape is kept on a flat surface with the sticky side facing up. Two similar pieces with sides facing down are placed over the single piece. The two pieces are laid side by side. This process is continued until the required length of duct tape fabric is made. This is then washed using lather and rinsed with water. It is cut into different shapes and sizes and joined together using duct tape.

Wardrobes designed from duct tape are strong and waterproof. Jackets, shirts, shoes, belts, ties, gowns, wedding dress and bikinis are a few of these products. These can be purchased from designer stores and from online stores. They are great attractions at school and college prom nights. Duct tape manufacturers sponsor duct tape clothing contests for school and college scholarships.

Manufacturers produce different varieties of duct tapes. They are available in a variety of colors. A little innovation is required to design different patterns of clothing that are more colorful and vibrant. People are attracted to the glossy look of duct tape clothes, and many have now turned to designing their own personal wardrobe using duct tapes.

By: Jimmy Sturo

About the Author:
Duct Tape provides detailed information on Duct Tape, Duct Tape Crafts, Duct Tape Wallets, Duct Tape Fashion and more. Duct Tape is affiliated with Electrician Jobs .



8 Energy Saving Tips For Your Clothes Washer

Posted by on August 17, 2009 at 4:34 pm in Home Improvement
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Everyone likes to save money. Since your household appliances are some of the largest electricity consumers, this is a good place to start your savings quest. The following is a collection of tips about how to save electricity when using your electrical clothes washing machine.

1 Sort clothes.
This is something everyone has been telling you to do since the first time you did a washing. It is not only necessary, but also the single biggest mistake made by consumers who do not believe it to be advantageous. Consumers often rush to complete the laundry chores and consider sorting to be a time-consuming idea. By sorting into the proper groupings the water temperature required becomes automatic. There will be no guesswork involved. For instance, by washing all dark clothes together the normal hot water wash temperature can be lowered to warm. Make sorting easier by providing family with multiple hampers. Individual hampers not only eliminate mixing of clothes but also allow them to be stored until each particular load type is enough for a full load.

2 Place near water source.
Place the washing machine near the hot water tank. Substantial amounts of heat can be lost as the hot water travels between the tank and washing machine. If the distance between them is greater than ten feet insulation should be added to hot water pipe.

3 Outside walls.
If the hot water pipe is attached to an outside wall the heat will be radiated out through the wall. Pipes should not attach directly to outside walls. Can be corrected by adding wooden spacers between the wall and pipes to insulate from each other.

4 Water level.
For small loads lower the water level accordingly. But, don’t lower water below half full even for very small loads. Too little water can result in clothes tangling and being damaged.

5 Don’t overload.
Overloaded washing machines will consume more electricity as the motor strains to move the excess clothing. It also leads to problems associated with poor removal of the lint from the machine. Persons who overload waste energy because clothes often have to be rewashed.

6 Auto Fill.
If your washer has an auto fill feature consider its use. The machine will automatically fill to the proper level. It compensates for load size and will use less water. Auto temperature will mix the cold and hot water as it enters the machine.

7 Clean filter.
For those machines will an accessible water filter, clean them after every second load. Proper water flow will lower time required to obtain a clean wash. If excess lint builds up in the filter it can re-deposit back into the clothes. This will require the clothes to be rewashed.

8 Level machine.
Any washer that consistently goes out of balance is wasting energy. Restarting the washing machine is usually accompanied by it being refilled with water by the homeowner. This wastes both water and electrical energy. An out of balance load may leave the clothes damp at the end of the cycle. This is energy inefficient because the clothes will have to by spun again. Also, excess water left in clothes will lead to wasting energy because the clothes will require extra time in the clothes dryer.

The above are some of the most common suggestions associated with energy savings. When striving for energy efficiency during clothes washing, always be aware of anything that interrupts, lengthens, slows, or disturbs the natural cycle of the machine. Any of them can cause unnecessary electricity being consumed

By Donald Grummett
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.

By: Donald Grummett

About the Author:
Copyright 2007 by Donald Grummett. All right reserved. Donald Grummett has been in the trade over 30 years as a technician, business owner, and technical trainer. Visit http://www.mgservices.ca to learn more invaluable information about your appliances.



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