Why Your Clothes Take Too Long to Dry
The number one solution is a dryer vent cleaning. The cause of a clogged vent is the subject of conversation at many kitchen tables around the country. Some insist the vent is clear because the vent from the dryer to the wall is fine. Unless something crushed the vent and blocked all airflow, there is another reason. Let’s find out.
Of the two popular styles of dryers, the most forgiving type has the lint screen accessible from the top. The other type is inside the dryer at the front. Top mount lint screens perform better and have a lesser chance of a dryer fire because the heat source is at the back of dryer on the side opposite the lint screen and sits vertical and off the floor of the dryer.
The inside lint screen style sees the heater on the right side, mounted on the floor. Unvented lint falls on or hear the heater and can build up quicker, creating a higher likelihood of a dryer fire if the vent remains restricted or blocked. Note some dryers have their lint screen mounted to the dryer door, but they’re uncommon, so I didn’t include them in this discussion.
An Easy Way to Check for Blocked or Restricted Air Flow
Now is a good time to contact one of our certified techs here at Neli to guide you through this test. We can use our exclusive Virtually There™ camera sharing app to guide you through every step.!
Be VERY careful performing this test. Moving dryer drum! Do NOT touch! Perform this test at your own risk. We cannot be held responsible for pinched fingers or worse. Wear protective gloves. If you don’t think you can do this, please, skip it and read the section below about an alternative way to check for airflow issues.
I’ll let you in on a technique I’ve used my entire career as a technician. I call it the dollar bill test. (This test works only for inside-the-dryer lint screen style dryers) But, because I’m a tech and rarely have a dollar bill handy (😊), a piece of typing paper works great! The idea of the test is seeing how much vacuum or suction gets created when you run the dryer with the door open and place the paper over the slot for the lint screen (remove the lint screen before starting the test!).
You must figure out how to hold down the door interlock switch and turn the dryer on while holding the paper on the lint screen slot. Ask for help if needed. Place the timer or settings on “timed dry” or any cycle, kneel in front of the dryer, hold in the door interlock switch (the switch the door contacts when it’s closed), then press START on the dryer. Again, be very careful here because the dryer drum should be turning. Do NOT touch the moving drum for any reason!
Hold the paper in your hand and place it directly on top of the lint screen slot (remove the lint screen first) and observe what happens. If the paper gets drawn onto the slot, your air flow is good. If the paper doesn’t get sucked onto the slot and falls away, there’s blocked or restricted air flow. It’s causing your long dry times.
With a top-mount lint screen, the technique is easier. Remove the lint screen from the machine, turn the dryer on any cycle, then place your flat hand a few inches inside the slot while the dryer runs. There’s little danger of hurting yourself because there are no moving parts.
Feel for air flowing through your fingers. If it feels like a fan blowing on your hand, air flow is good. If you feel no or very little air flow, you have restricted or blocked air flow. You know what that means, right? Remember, blocked or restricted air flow is the number one cause of long dry times.
Alternative Way to Check for Air Flow Issues
If you don’t feel confident about using my technique outlined above, a simple and quick technique is finding where your dryer vent exits your home. Turn the dryer on and feel for air flow there. If there’s no air flow, it’s obvious there’s a restriction or blockage somewhere in the vent.
It may surprise you to find the vent screen blocked. Remove it by unsnapping it and clean. Check the air flow again. It it’s robust and flowing, you’re in business! If not, see below.
Isolate the vent by removing it from the back of the dryer and dry a small load of towels (two or three bath size). The dryer will run louder than normal but will have full air flow to dry the towels. Note: expect a fair amount of lint blowing around the laundry room until you reconnect the vent!
Less Common Cause of Long Dry Times
A clogged vent is by far the most common cause of long dry times, but other reasons cause identical symptoms. Here’s a list:
- If clothes can’t move, they will not dry and present symptoms similar to a clogged vent
- Intermittent dryer timer contacts
- Secondary heater or thermistor failure in some dryers
- Hold and assist coils (gas dryers only)
Many reasons for long dry times exist, but as I’ve said, a clogged vent is the likely cause in most situations. If you’ve done your best to solve the problem with no luck, don’t get frustrated. Go online to Neli and one of our certified techs would enjoy helping you. No stress, no mess. Just plain answers to your home appliance repair questions. We’ll talk soon!
If you liked this article, please fee free to leave a comment below. Do you have a special request for us to write about? Let us know and we might include it on this website! Also check out this article for more information on getting the most out of your dryer.
In Home Appliance Repair - There’s a Better Way
DIY appliance repair is gaining in popularity daily as people like you find out there’s a better way to repair your appliances. In home appliance repair costs too much, and the delay makes it almost not worth it. You want your appliance repaired now because without it, your home stops functioning.
At Neli, we get it. Do-it-yourself appliance repair and caring, personal customer service is what we’re about, and it’s all we do. Who wants a technician in their home if it isn’t necessary? Is it fair you’re forced to pay exorbitant charges for a tech to arrive, then more money for labor, and even more for parts? We don’t think so.
We offer professional service anytime, any day by seasoned technicians who specialize on your appliance. No worries about getting accurate advice and repair help because our experienced and friendly techs understand every facet of your product.
Doesn’t that sound better than having to wait hours for a tech to arrive only to find out you have to wait for parts? Or, would you rather make a phone call and chat with a pro who will give you an accurate diagnosis at a fraction of the cost?
A Better Way
The techs at Neli, me included, love what we do and all of us are eager to help you solve your appliance repair problems. We’ve taken the “field” out of technician and moved to online appliance repair. We know it’s a better way to solve problems, most of which are minor and easy to fix.
Also, we know when a repair cannot be done properly without on-site professional service, but it’s becoming rarer because of the increased number of do-it-yourself people willing to jump in and get the job done. If a repair requires an on-site technician, you’ll know ahead of time what the repair involves, and whether it’s worth the time and cost, saving you hundreds of dollars.
Neli’s approach to online appliance repair offers a service that sets us apart from the competition. Instead of chatting and leaving you with more questions, our technology is light-years ahead with our exclusive Virtually There™ camera sharing app, available for free for your iPhone, iPad, or Android phone.
As simple as a video chat, we can interact with your device camera while you show us what’s wrong with your appliance. We then direct you to aim your camera in places to help us diagnose visually. We’ll draw and annotate right on your screen virtually so there’s no question about the problem and the repair. This is “Repair Easy” in action!
Why DIY Appliance Repair is the Future
You might remember when cars were easy to fix and gradually became too difficult unless you were highly trained in electronics troubleshooting and advanced mechanical concepts. Advancements in technology touch everything in our lives. Smartphones, smart TVs, digital everything, including appliances of all kinds.
Electromechanical devices such as washers and dryers are becoming more complex with each new model. The good news is users won’t experience a maze of buttons and controls. Appliances are becoming easier to operate because they integrate common functions into the main controls of these technological marvels and do most of the thinking for you!
Inside these machines is where technology goes to work. Is a roast on the horizon? Just tell your oven what’s cooking, and it sets itself for you–temps, times, and options like browning. How easy is that? Here’s one you might love: Whirlpool’s latest popcorn feature in their microwaves counts how many seeds pop to determine if all have popped. It makes perfect popcorn every time. All you need do is tell the microwave the weight of the bag!
If you own one of these high-tech kitchen appliances and there’s a problem, what’s the first thought entering your mind about getting it working again? My guess is a technician who isn’t available for about a week. What if an online chat with a Neli certified tech helped you get it going in under an hour, and inexpensively? Many repairs don’t require an on-site technician.
We realize sometimes on-site repairs become necessary. On the chance a home visit is necessary, we arm you with information needed to understand what’s happening with your appliance. When the tech arrives, you won’t be at a disadvantage and can avoid unnecessary charges.
All of us at Neli hope you enjoyed reading how in-home appliance repair is evolving thanks to modern technology. We see the day soon when on-site technicians become the exception, and not the rule. As always, feel free to comment below and share this article on social media. We always appreciate your insight!
Handy Tips for Cleaning Your Appliances
Remember the day you first laid eyes on your new glass cooktop? Have you struggled to keep it looking like that? Your new oven shined inside and maybe you wondered how long it would look like that?
We love to keep our stuff looking its best, and you can ask 10 people how, and you’ll get 10 different answers. I know some are great ideas, and some are downright dangerous.
That said, I’ve put together the tips and tricks I've learned over the years for cleaning cooktops, stainless steel appliances, oven door glass, front load washers (the boot and the smell), and dishwashers.
Forget Polish to Remove Baked On Food
I don’t know who started this, but if your cooktop is dirty, polish won’t help clean it. Polish works great after the cooktop is clean to shine it up. It removes smudges and fingerprints, but not baked on food. You can struggle with a rag and try to scrub the stain off, but you won’t get far.
I think the best way to remove baked on food (food that forms a raised ring on the surface around the element) is a brand new straight-edge razor blade. This idea is catching on everywhere, but many people are hesitant. Their fear is scratching the glass. I can say from experience if you use a brand new blade, you won’t scratch the glass. Keep the blade flat on the glass with pressure.
After the cooktop is clean, it’s a good time to use polish, but it’s unnecessary. Glass cleaner works well, too. It removes smudges and stains that take away from the cooktop’s good looks. If you use polish, please don’t use too much. A little goes a long way and be careful around any knobs or edges where excess polish might build up.
Always remember to dampen your rag with polish or cleaner - never spray directly onto the cooktop. Getting your cooktop back to its old self takes practice, but it pays off. In no time it will snap back to life and look just like it did when it was new!
Don’t Use Liquid on Your Cooktop!
I’ve witnessed irreparable damage to electric cooktops after a person used too much liquid cleaner that ran down onto electrical connections and shorted out the electronic controls and two of four switches.
What’s worse, the breaker tripped and my customer tried to reset it before drying things up. More damage to the unit ruined it for good. This time, the cooktop cracked.
If ever you’re faced with a situation like this, it’s best to contact a professional before doing anything else. Make sure all power to the cooktop is off and if possible, locked out so no one can turn it on without permission.
For professional help, go online to Neli and let us help you diagnose your situation. We have a feature called Virtually There™, a camera sharing app allowing our tech to see your appliance in real time through your Android or iPhone and make any suggestions and give advice based on years of experience.
I understand most people are extra cautious while they’re cleaning, but seriously, using liquid on an electric appliance should never happen. A better way to clean your cooktop isn't difficult and takes only a few minutes. Like I mentioned earlier, spray the cleaner onto your rag to dampen it, then clean to your heart’s content!
How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances
This is one of my favorites because the results are amazing. I think anyone with stainless appliances has nagging doubts about cleaning them. Nothing they try works. The so-called stainless steel cleaners don’t help. The best you could expect is removing grease from fingerprints or food. The shine is elusive.
You might already know this one, but it works so good it’s worth repeating. Good Ole’ WD-40 is the best product for cleaning stainless steel appliances I’ve seen. Polish and cleaners leave streaks and dull spots. I know because I’ve used several brands with similar results.
Are you ready for a “like-new” appearance for your stainless steel appliances? Follow these steps:
- Clean the stainless with glass cleaner
- Spray a copious amount of WD-40 onto a soft cotton rag
- Starting at the top, wipe down the surface, covering every inch
- Wipe up any runs you see
- Continue to wipe the surface until an even coat is present and not runny
- Notice how it shines with no fingerprints or smudges!
- Allow it to dry until a light film remains
- You’re done!
Note: You can follow this up with a light wipe-down to remove any excess. Also, the odor from WD-40 should dissipate soon after it dries.
Clean stainless steel appliances look awesome in a kitchen when they’re shimmering and shiny, don’t you agree? Stainless needs TLC, but it’s worth the effort.
Clean Your Oven Glass Door Inside
Aside from removing and disassembling your oven door to clean it, you can easily clean your oven glass door inside with a nifty product called Scrubbing Bubbles. I’ve used it countless times on oven glass, oven doors, and inside entire ovens.
It’s a bathroom cleaner, but it does a fantastic job on built up grease on cooking surfaces and the door glass. Just follow the instructions about letting it sit for a few minutes, and you’ll be amazed how well it cleans!
The glass inside the door requires removal of the door from the oven and taking it apart on a flat surface. Separate the door and remove the glass panels. Be careful here because you can cut yourself. It’s best to wear gloves for this.
Clean the glass with Scrubbing Bubbles first, then follow up with glass cleaner for best results. Be extra careful reassembling the door with the glass panels. Align them carefully and don’t rest the door on either end before it’s back together. The glass panels with slip and you must start over.
Don’t forget we’re here to help you with this if you would like. We can use our camera sharing app, Virtually There™ to walk you through this to ensure perfect results!
Get Rid of Front Load Washer Smells
Front load washers are great machines and do their job very well. The trade-off is the dreaded smell emanating from it after a year or two of use. Lots of ideas and solutions to remove the smell are swirling around, but few are as effective as Washer Magic. I talk about why your front load washer smells and how to get rid of all the smell in my article, “How to End the Smell from Your Washer” here.
Dirty Dishwasher? We Have the Answer
What’s worse than having a smelly washer? Maybe a smelly, dirty dishwasher? Just like your front load washer starts to smell after a year or two of regular use, so does your dishwasher. I’ve discussed using Washer Magic to clean your washer and how well it performs.
Dishwasher Magic, made by the same company also does an amazing job on all dishwashers. It comes in a small bottle with a wax seal at the top. Take the top off and place it upside down inside the silverware basket and run an empty sanitize or hot cycle. The results will surprise you. Your dishwasher looks new inside and doesn't smell. A once-a-month treatment for a few dollars keeps it looking and smelling great.
I hope you enjoyed reading my list of handy tips for cleaning your appliances. I’ve used all of them and I know they work! Hopefully, you can save time and effort using them. As always, if you like what you read here today, feel free to leave a comment below. We always appreciate your thoughts and ideas! Contact us anytime for help with your appliances!
There is a Right Way to Dry Clothes!
I’m sure the first thing you thought was, “What!?” Please, hear me out. Drying clothes is a basic function of laundry day, but what if I were to offer a few tips that would save money and provide better results, as in fewer wrinkles and shorter dry times?
I think we can agree, drying clothes in a dryer gives the best results over line drying, but saving money is on your list, too, right? I’ve provided several tips about getting the best drying results. Some you might already practice and some may be new.
Today’s dryers use electronic moisture detection circuits to cut dry times to a minimum. Due to difficulties detecting different types and weights of fabric, precise detection sometimes triggers your dryer to stop before clothes are dry.
Restricted airflow is the main reason for unreliable moisture detection. Blocked vents have their own symptoms such as low heat or warm, moist heat. In either situation, clothes will not dry properly in these conditions. The picture is an example of a blocked outside vent. No air gets through, causing long dry times and faulty moisture detection.
Proven Tips for Better Drying and Fewer Wrinkles
#1 - Check the dryer vent for buildup.
If the dryer vent is blocked or has restricted airflow caused by excessive lint buildup, bent, crushed, or long vents, air cannot flow and causes long dry times. In fact, continued use leads to moisture buildup and defeats the purpose of moisture detection for efficient drying.
As you run the dryer with poor ventilation, the cost of running it skyrockets due to multiple drying cycles. It wastes energy and your time!
#2 - Check the clothes as they come out of the washer.
Do they seem wetter than normal? Clothes too wet won’t dry well and take much longer to dry. The washer may not spin clothes properly, leaving excess water in them, leading to drying problems.
Your washer might be the culprit without you knowing it. If you have a question about your washer and its performance, the techs at Neli will diagnose the exact cause and guide you to a quick solution.
#3 - Try shaking out your clothes before drying them.
This helps minimize wrinkles and allows clothes to breathe easier while tumbling. You’ll notice shorter dry times, too.
#4 - Keep dryer and washer loads reasonable.
Clothes need room to move for better and faster drying with fewer wrinkles. The washer basket size doesn't give you permission to fill it to the top. Halfway is the new rule for HE washers. As with dryers, washer loads need room to tumble for best results. Also, dry full loads for best efficiency.
#5 - I know it’s tempting to quickly add something to the dryer, but opening the door after it’s running and heating changes the moisture detection process and will likely change the estimated dry time.
#6 - Try line-drying!
Line-drying is still popular and several customers of mine have old dryers that look new! They won’t use the dryer unless it’s raining or some clothes won’t hang dry well. You can’t beat the fresh smell of clothes just off the clothesline! Remember to shake out the clothes to decrease wrinkles before line-drying.
We are here to help!
We hope these drying tips help you out. If you have more ideas, please let us know in the comments section below. We’ll add them in a future article with a shout-out to you (with your permission, of course)! We’re all about DIY and ways to save money for our loyal readers. As always, contact us with your DIY appliance repair questions anytime. We’d love to hear from you!
Why HE Soap Matters for Great Wash Results
The transition from traditional washers to high-efficiency (HE) meant soap had to change, too. Fortunately, millions of people got the message and used HE detergent instead of conventional detergent in their new washers. Before I explain why HE soap matters, I’ll point out the differences between HE and conventional washers.
Traditional vs HE
Many of us grew up with traditional washers without worry about load size, soap, or water. More seemed better because, well, it was. Standard machines easily washed large loads, and they did a good job for years. However, with the introduction of HE washers, much changed.
The old workhorse washers made way for new, cheaper, and energy efficient washers. Here, less is better, according to the manufacturers. HE washers use modern technology designed to reduce water consumption and lower energy costs.
The goal is a reduction of up to 80% less water and less energy consumption than traditional washers. Further, manufacturers touted more capacity and faster wash times. The reality is while the capacity is greater, the wash results haven’t met their goals. This is partly due to misinformation about amount and quality of soaps.
Overloading HE washers is common and contributes to complaints clothes aren't getting clean. Too much weight and wrong type and amount of soap leads to a majority of washability complaints I hear often. The solution is smaller loads and correct type and amount of soap.
HE soap is a different soap and must be used correctly. Often, it is isn't, which leads to over soaping and clothes not getting clean or rinsed well. In my experience, those who follow recommendations experience great wash results and softer clothes.
Less soap usage and lower water levels requires soap to work harder to clean. That said, a quality HE soap becomes important to produce great wash results. HE soap is a non-sudsing soap and helps prevent suds alarms many front-load HE washers show if it detects excessive suds.
The result is longer wash cycles due to increased rinsing. A suds alarm indicates over soaping or a mechanical problem with the washer. The easy solution is use less soap to eliminate it as a cause. Sometimes, the problem is internal to the washer. Neli stands ready to help you whenever situations like this arise and you need a quick answer or do-it-yourself appliance repair solution.
The True Effect of Too Many Suds
Instead of grinding clothes around an agitator as in conventional washers, the HE process gently moves clothes around and against each other to assist the cleaning process. Much of the wash cycle is soaking and gently rubbing which gets your clothes their cleanest.
HE soap is non-sudsing and prevents the effects of too many suds. If suds appear in the wash water, it’s an indication of too much soap (yes, HE soap will produce some suds if too much is used). Suds cradle the clothes and prevent them from contacting each other, reducing cleaning.
Whenever excessive suds are present, your washer likely extends the rinse, or adds another full rinse cycle to cancel the suds affect. If suds remain due to excessive soap, the spin cycle can’t remove all the soap from the clothes and end up not getting clean and might smell, too.
What Can You Do About Suds?
Always use less than the recommended amount printed on the label. After trial and error, I found approximately a tablespoon of quality HE soap is sufficient for most normal loads. The exception is an extra half-tablespoon for extremely soiled clothes.
I know it doesn't seem enough for an average load, but remember you’re using HE soap which is different from traditional detergent. If you use the right amount, suds won’t be a problem and you’ll experience clean and soft clothes.
If you’re using a water softener, you may experience suds in the wash water. Experiment with amounts of soap until the suds subside and your clothes are clean. Always remember to use quality HE soap at all times.
In Closing…
Today’s HE washers do a fine job washing clothes, and soap and load size determine the results you will see. Quality HE soap in the right amount with an average load size should give the outcome you’re expecting every time. If you’re experiencing difficulty with any of your home appliances, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help you, anytime or anywhere! If you like what you've learned here today, please drop us a comment below. We would love to hear from you!
DIY Appliance Repair or Done for You?
The cost of home appliance repair gets more expensive as other related prices increase. You still end up with the same service, same company, but higher prices. Is that fair? In a typical scenario that sees you with a broken five year old washer, you’re forced to make a decision. Can I fix it myself or should I take a chance with an appliance repair company?
The answer depends on your level of experience and confidence to do it yourself, or whether you can afford to spend what might be hundreds of dollars on your five year old washer. I’ll break down (no pun intended) my reasons for both approaches.
Home appliance repair isn’t rocket science, and if you can screw in a light bulb, you’ll do fine. If you need guidance along the way, we’re here for you. When people face the decision about repairing a home appliance, money is usually the deciding factor whether to attempt a DIY appliance repair or pay a professional.
Why You Can and When You Shouldn’t
Like I said, home appliance repair isn’t difficult and the majority of repairs require basic tools most people already own. Of course, there’s a course of action for best results. Following guidance from a professional technician makes the job much easier and faster, too.
If your washer goes kaput and seems like the end is here, a quick diagnosis of the symptoms will, in most cases, reveal a simple reason and an easy repair. The techs at Neli come to us from a professional background in appliance repair and it’s likely your repair is one they’ve seen many times.
The difficulty of a repair will determine if it’s one you should attempt by yourself. There are times when the repair is extensive or dangerous and needs attention by a professional on site, but the initial diagnosis determines the level of repair needed.
Don’t Let This Happen to You
I can’t blame anyone who tries to save time and money and takes the DIY approach to every repair. Sometimes, we get in too deep and before we realize it, it’s too late to save the vacuum cleaner, toaster, or coffee maker.
We all have our limitations and if you get stuck on the big stuff, you should pick up the phone or open your laptop and contact us before it’s too late, and leave the repairs to us. We can help you through major appliance repair, and you can hone your skills on the others.
Professional Help and Guidance
Neli techs enjoy helping homeowners struggling to keep their home functioning, and when a key appliance (a washer in this case) stops working, we want you to know you’re not stranded. Help is always within reach. A phone call or an online request at Neli gets you in touch with the help you need, anytime or anywhere.
Top Five Preventative Measures for Home Appliances
With cold weather knocking at the door, I think it’s safe to say most of us, me included, look forward to enjoying many warm and cozy nights in our homes. And at the worst possible time (is there ever a good time?), one of your appliances decides it’s time to upset the routine and make you think the entire world is caving in because it no longer runs.
Yes, sometimes it feels as if everything is going wrong at once, and a broken appliance just adds insult to misery. With some easy steps to follow before the cold weather arrives, you can ward off possible appliance failures, at least for now.
I’ll go through a list of things you can do quickly and to help get the most from the expensive but necessary appliances in your home. Here’s my list of the top five preventative measures (including common sense ones, too).
Laundry Appliances
Dryer
Your home won’t function if the laundry department fails. I’ll start with the dryer because they represent the largest percentage of early breakdowns. Many times the dryer runs, but it takes forever to dry clothes. The causes of long dry times range from failed internal components to blocked or restricted air flow.
Tip #1
Starting now, have your dryer vent professionally cleaned, and make sure the vent from the dryer to to the wall is clean and not bent or crushed.
A clean dryer vent allows the dryer to breathe and do its job. Just as important, a clean vent goes a long way toward preventing a dryer fire!
Washer
Next in line is the washing machine. Generally speaking, if a washer is properly set up when it’s new, it’s relatively trouble-free unless too much mechanical stress causes it to show signs of trouble.
Tip #2
The easiest and smartest way to prevent a mechanical breakdown is don’t overload the washing machine. Newer washers sense the wet weight of clothes to help determine if the load is too heavy, and the level of water best for the cycle selection.
Remember to use a small amount of soap. Today’s washing machines use only HE soaps. HE soaps are designed to clean clothes without using too much. Too much soap ruins your washer and your clothes.
Be wary of the instructions on the soap bottle label. I suggest using about half of their recommended level. You can thank me later when you realize your machine lasted far longer than you expected and your clothes are clean and soft!
Kitchen Appliances
Refrigerator
Many refrigerator complaints stem from improper operation and lack of recommended maintenance. The filter inside the fridge helps remove or prevent odors from foods to keep everything else smelling fresh.
Tip #3
Consult your User Guide for the location of the filter (if it has one) and change it. They’re not expensive and they do a good job.
A common issue with refrigerators with water and ice dispensers is not changing the water filter at the recommended time. The filter ensures clean water and ice. They eventually wear out causing slow water flow and ice maker problems such as small ice cubes. In other cases, they fail and block all water flow.
Oven
Your oven is a treasured appliance because some of the world’s best recipes come to life in there! Wouldn’t it be terrible if it failed on Thanksgiving day? Of course, no one can predict when or if, your oven will fail. A few tips here might put off the inevitable for now.
Tip #4
There’s an old saying in the appliance repair business. It goes like this: “A clean machine is a happy machine”. I know it’s silly, but it’s worth remembering because it’s true. A clean oven always works better when it’s clean. I don’t mean you have to perform a self-clean on your oven today. In fact, I suggest that you wait until after the holidays.
Your oven gets up to very high temperatures during a self-clean, in the area of 700 to 900 degrees. If the ventilation around your oven isn’t sufficient and can’t exhaust the extra heat, the internal high-temperature components designed to protect against an overheat condition could fail.
If either the thermal fuse or thermostat fails, your oven no longer heats. You must hire a professional to repair this problem. To prevent this scenario from ever happening, stick to cleaning your oven the old fashioned way. Oven cleaners designed to clean a cold oven work good, but may require a little more work.
One last tip for oven maintenance is never, ever use aluminum foil inside the oven to catch spills. The foil melts into the oven liner and most are not replaceable. Use other products designed for the purpose.
Dishwasher
This handy little gadget makes our lives easier by doing the dreaded dishwashing duties for us. But, did you know you can sabotage the dishwasher and force it to make you go back to hand washing dishes again?
Tip #5
I guess it depends on who you ask, but most people say you should rinse your dishes before they go into the dishwasher. Some also say dishwasher soap contains enzymes that clean when they contact food. While that’s true, how would anyone know how much food to leave on the dishes to create the best environment for soap to clean its best?
That said, I suggest rinsing all the dishes before they go into the dishwasher. The point is remove extra food that obviously won’t make it through to the dishwasher drain. If the dishes never get rinsed, all the food left on them will find its way to the drain but some food remains in either the drain hose or in the sump.
As food builds up, the dishwasher starts to smell and its performance gets worse over time because it’s forced to use water mixed with the built up food that has nowhere to go. Someday, the dishwasher won’t drain due to the buildup and ruin your plans for clean dishes! If you lightly rinse the dishes, you give the dishwasher a clean environment to perform its work, and for much longer.
I hope these tips help you keep your home appliances running their best. As much as preventative measures help, at times you’ll need the advice of a professional. That’s where Neli comes to the rescue.
If you need advice on any appliance related problem or a hand in repairing one, you have an ally in your corner! By the way, Thomas has a new article about getting rid of the dreaded smell from washers. It’s a good read! Check it out here. Remember, we always welcome your comments. Feel free to add yours below!
Still Have Questions? Book an Appointment Below!
New tech Company Helped Me Fix My Fridge
It was a scorching North Carolina afternoon when I expectantly pressed the ice dispenser button on my fridge door. The motor tumbled around as if it was going to send down some desperately needed ice. What? No Ice? Ok, well I still have the cooled refrigerator water to drink. I pressed the water button, and….nothing! I stared disappointedly at my ice-less, water-less empty, glass.
Frustration and annoyance grew quickly as I realized I’d have to live with tepid sink water, forever, if I didn’t want to shell out the money to fix the machine. As a mom with my husband gone on a military deployment for the next year, I did not need anything else to add to my list of problems.
It may seem like a small one, but when they pile up, they don’t seem so small. Like anyone, I just wanted my ice-maker and water dispenser to work! I spent quite a bit on my fridge a few years ago, and although the warranty period had expired, I didn’t want to spend more money to fix it.
Is a freshly filtered cold glasses of ice water too much to ask on a product that I had already spent a good amount on money on?
Ok, so what were my options? I called a few local repair places for the cost to send a guy out. The cheapest quote was no less than $85 for the in-home service call and that did not include the parts. He estimated the total to be $100 (not knowing the problem).
“Well, there goes that plan” I said aloud. It was over. Tepid sink water it was, or buying one of those pitchers that I would have to keep refilling. (You know your kids aren’t going to do it).
An alternate solution soon appeared. I was on Facebook and friends I trusted kept sending me shares and likes of a company called Neli, a DIY online appliance repair company for under 25 bucks.
Now, I was a bit of a skeptic. I am not a big DIYer and I did not know anything about appliance repair so up until now I didn’t even attempt the YouTube route. Still, I was willing to try it out, ice cold water was at stake in the hot NC summer.
I went to their website and was immediately impressed by how professional it seemed. The message was clear, the promises tempting, and the price an absolute steal. Just $35 dollars for a “diagnosis” to find the problem and $45 for a “repair”.
That I could afford, and who knows, my husband would even be impressed if I repaired it myself. I clicked on the site’s chat button and I was immediately connected to an appliance technician named John. His chat was very friendly and he started asking me questions about my fridge model and exactly what issues I was encountering. Yesterday, what seemed like an insurmountable problem, was solved in less than 5 minutes!
“With these LG fridges, the ice maker motors give out. I see it all the time,” he assured me. “You need a replacement motor and a water valve”, he explained. John emailed me the part numbers and a link to buy the parts I needed for the repair. I even ordered the parts through the Neli website and got a 10% discount on my order.
He let me know that if I wanted help with the repair when my parts came in, jump on the website or make an online appointment when I was ready and they could walk me through the process. I asked if it would be difficult to do myself. He said with the free Neli Virtually There™ camera sharing app he would be able to see my phone screen and draw on it to show me what to do! All that for less than $50 bucks.
As of this post I haven’t yet done the repair, but the part has been ordered and I’m actually kind of excited to try it out. This experience was a very pleasant surprise. There were no hidden fees, just the $35 up front, and I was connected to a real technician who solved my problem in almost five minutes.
Considering that I’m not exactly a handyman, I’m planning on using Neli again to help me through the repair. John really made the whole process so easy, and I’m still surprised by how affordable it was.
I didn’t have to play any games like trying to get a technician to come to my house or pay a ton of money for the repair. I really felt in control of the situation, almost like a true DIY-er! I will make another post about my experience with the repair when I get the parts.