Appliance Information: December 2008

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Laundry: Pointers and Helpful Hints

How can you enhance your laundry experience? There are a number of accessories to consider that can make life a little easier. Installation is also an area that requires some thought, as many styles require professional installation.

Soap and Suds
The proper detergent is the final element in getting your clothing clean and perfect. While trial-and-error will help you determine what brand is right for you, avoid the temptation to skimp and try to save a few pennies. Quality detergent will help give you a quality result. Since you've already put a lot of thought into fabric care and cleaning your clothing, make sure this final piece of the puzzle complements your diligence, hard work and spotless attention to detail.

If the water is too cold, liquid detergents may not perform well and powdered detergents may not dissolve
Avoid adding chlorine bleach too early, as it will be less effective - a good rule of thumb is to wait at least five minutes into the wash cycle
HE (High Efficiency) detergents should be used with HE (High Efficiency) washers, because they use less water than traditional washers. Regular detergents are less concentrated and can give poor results, even when used in small amounts and can also make too many suds
ENERGY STAR rated washers operate at lower temperatures, but that won't impact your detergent's cleaning power; in fact, most fabrics don't recommend a high temperature wash and most stains don't need hot water for removal

Tips for Great Laundry
Whether you have washed a thousand loads or have yet to pour your first cup of detergent, anyone can produce clean clothing that looks, smells and feels wonderful. Here are some suggestions that can optimize your laundry time and take the worry out of washing and drying.

Don't overstuff the washer or dryer; clothing needs room to be washed properly and to achieve sufficient drying
Always check labels and follow any instructions for fabric care
Separate items by fabrics, keeping delicates and loose knits away from items that are a little more rough
Sort laundry by color so that lights and darks are not in the same load, which safeguards lighter items from becoming colored by darker dyes
Turn garments inside-out for added protection during the laundry process
Making sure a washer is level will minimize noise and vibration
Expect different sounds from your washer, and if you've purchased an HE3/HE3t/HE4t, keep in mind that during drains and final spin, it's normal for the sound level to shift as the water is removed from the washer by the pump, and that as the washer gets up to the final spin speed, it may experience a shudder during the transition from wash-and-tumble mode to high speed extraction mode
Actual cycle time may be different from what you see on the Estimated Time Remaining display, depending on the size of your wash load, the time it takes to heat water (for models with an internal heater), the water pressure and temperature at your house, or rebalancing the load for maximum water extraction
Use the cycle that matches the clothes being washed -- using an aggressive cycle on delicate items may cause fabrics to tear
With conventional Top-Load washers, you'll notice a yellow shipping strap sticking out of the back of your new washer. It secures the tub and basket during transport; remove it before use or the washer will malfunction. Remove when within 3 feet of the washer's final destination
Proper ventilation is essential for good drying; check the exhaust hood on the outside of your house for any lint build-up and have the dryer vents cleaned at least every two years (HVAC duct cleaners or chimney sweeps can do the job)
Clean the lint screen before every load -- a clean lint screen provides faster drying and lower fabric temperatures
After removing items from the dryer, immediately fold them or place them on hangers to avoid wrinkling
Check the pockets before beginning, in case of pens, lipstick, gum or other items that can ruin your clothing

Laundry: Installation

Installation and Accessories :

Cords
Electric dryers (220v) require appropriate cords. either 4-wire or 3-wire, to allow for safe and effective operation. 4-wire is 2 hots, a neutral and a ground. 3-wire is 2 hots and a ground.

If your house was built before 1996, and you have not had any wiring done since then, you probably have 3-wire. Newer houses and mobile homes probably have 4-wire. CHECK TO SEE. If the plug is grey, it's 3-wire. If the plug is black, it's 4-wire.

Cords are available in 4' and 6' lengths. The cost for either is the same, $19.99 as of this writing.

Venting
Hookup kits are also available, which include both a cord and the items needed for proper venting: a 5' flexible METAL tube and a 90 degree elbow.

DO NOT use plastic or foil-covered plastic tubing. Plastic is designed to ventilate steamy shower air and stinky bathroom air using bathroom vent fans. Plastic is a fire hazard when hooked to a dryer and DOES NOT MEET FIRE CODE. Don't cheap out! Watch the videos I have posted on this site on dryer safety.

Installation
Installation is often performed at the time of delivery. Electric dryers require a 240-volt outlet. Gas dryers require a 120-volt, 3-pronged grounded outlet, as well as a gas hookup. Washers require a connection of drain and supply lines. Before your washer or dryer is delivered, consider the following suggestions:

Measure the space where your machines will be installed, so you are sure that the doors will open fully and you'll have plenty of space to access with ease
Measure the clearances of doorways, entryways and hallways for hassle-free installation
If the dryer runs but there is no heat, check the 2 circuit breakers or fuses -- if only one is tripped, the dryer can still run with no heat
Your dryer must be level front to back and side to side for Auto Dry sensors to work properly; refer to installation instructions for details on leveling
Dryer doors are reversible, but washer doors are not; this is so you won't have leaks caused by improper reversal. Utilize longer fill hoses, drain hose extensions and venting extensions if you wish to modify the washer/dryer set-up in your laundry area
If you have limited space, look for compact models or a stacked washer and dryer unit

Pedestal
Pedestals raise a dryer 10-15 inches off the floor, so that you don't have to bend over to take out your dried items. These are especially useful for people with health concerns and other issues that make it difficult to reach down. You may NOT use a pedestal under the washer and then stack a dryer on top. Well, you CAN, but you shouldn't.

Stacking Kit
These kits allow you to stack your washer and dryer for out-of-the-way convenience. Not all models are available to be stacked, so check to verify compatibility for specific types. All Kenmore branded dryers come with the appropriate stacking kit. Other brands are extra cost, anywhere from $15-35

Laundry: Dryers

Dryer Operation :

How can you make sure that all of your clothes, from your Saturday party outfits to your Sunday best, look great? The right settings will help all kinds of garments keep the just-from-the-store appearance and give you the right amounts of power and finesse. Moisture sensors prove invaluable at alerting the dryer that the load is thoroughly dried, thus preventing damage and shrinking. Wrinkle Guard technology gives you a cleaned and pressed look without requiring a great deal of fuss.

Automatic Moisture Sensing (AMS)
Dryers equipped with moisture sensing strips can sense the dryness level of the clothing from wet to damp to bone dry. Most models will also allow you to select which dryness level you would like each load to be. If you need to pull out a piece of clothing you do not want to be overdried, set the dryness level to its "damp" setting. Once you have pulled out that one garment, set the dryness level to "normal" to finish the rest of the load. Using cycles equipped with AMS takes the guesswork out of drying clothes and protects your fabrics for longer wear.

Door Type / Swing
Dryers come in many sizes and have different types of doors and openings in which you load the dryer. Each door type comes in different sizes, and again, bigger is always better when it comes to loading and unloading your clothes.
Side swing doors swing out of the way, so you can get close to the dryer opening while being right in front of the washer. Some models allow you to reverse the door to swing to the opposite side, but not all do, so consider which side your washer is on and if the door will be a problem.
Drop down or hamper door styles drop down and act as a shelf for clothing to be caught if dropped when being transferred from the dryer. The door can also be used for folding clothing while the dryer is being unloaded.

Drum Material
The drum material on a dryer is typically a special painting or powder paint process. Because there is no water in a dryer, the material does not need to be as rust resistant as the washer. Some dryers do offer stainless steel, but it is normally surrounded by other painted parts.

Dry Damp Signal
If getting your jeans or other garments out early is important to you, consider a model that has a Damp Dry signal. This signal alerts you when the contents of the dryer have reached a "damp" level of dryness, freeing you up for more important things.

Lighted Drums
For dryers in a dimly lit area or a dark basement, go with a model that features an interior light. Interior drum lighting illuminates the entire drum, supplies you with easier loading and unloading, and helps you see small pieces of clothing, such as socks, anywhere inside the dryer.

Lint Trap
Lint traps filter lint and debris to keep it from sticking to your clothing. Some models feature sensors that alert you when the filter is blocked. Filters should be checked regularly to prevent the risk of fire. The lint screen will either be located on top of the dryer or inside the door of the dryer. This is again one of the choices that is strictly up to you, and will not impact drying. If the screen is located in the door, it is right in front of you as a reminder when loading or unloading clothing and frees up the top of your dryer for other items. The lint screen on the top allows cleaning without bending.

Settings / Systems
When you select the right setting for your clothes, you've given them the best chance for an increased lifespan. Why, you just might prolong their use so much that they go out of style and then back in before you have to replace them! Let the detailed settings help you find the heat level that is right for any piece in your collection.

The Normal cycle is designed for everyday items that can stand the rigors of standard drying without showing any harm or damage
Permanent Press / Casual is designed for permanent press and wrinkle-free garments by helping reduce wrinkles with a cool down cycle
Delicates / Knits supplies a mild heat that lets you confidently care for items with specific needs
SmartHeat monitors the temperature of the dryer based on the type of clothing being dried
EvenHeat features automatic temperature control that eliminates hot spots and cool patches
SoftHeat reduces heat at the end of a cycle, so clothing gets dry but not dried out
Damp Dry is a shortened cycle that leaves items slightly damp for immediate ironing

Top Material
A feature that may be of interest to you if you like to use your dryer as a worksurface for other tasks is a porcelain top. Porcelain is a coating that is put on the top, similar to some wash baskets, that is as strong as steel but as smooth as glass. This protection keeps your dryer looking as good as new for a lifetime of use, without scratches.

Tumble-Free Drying Racks
Some dryers come with tumble-free dryer racks which can be used for those items that you might normally have to hang dry. If you like to wash your tennis shoes, hats, sweaters and other items which require non-tumble drying, you will want to have a dryer rack to save you the time it takes to have these special items dry by being left out all around your house.
Some brands of dryers come with a special type of non-tumble dryer rack called a heated dryer rack. The heated dryer rack directs the airflow toward and through the item. By pulling the air through the item, the heated dryer rack can dry an item three times as fast as the normal dryer racks.

Wrinkle Guard
If you do not like ironing your clothes to get the wrinkles out, consider the Wrinkle Guard feature. It periodically or continuously (depending on model) works at the end of the cycle while alerting you that the cycle is done. This will continue for up to two and half hours on certain models, giving you the freedom to come back when it is convenient for you.

Dryer Type :

What do you need to know about selecting the best dryer? Gas models will have a premium in cost over their electric equivalent, but in some cases will repay this cost in lower utility bills. Full-size and space-saving models are both available, allowing consumers of all needs to arrive at clothing that is warm, fresh, bright and comfortable. Let your clothes feel the heat while you stay calm, cool, collected and clean.

Capacity
Capacity is very important when considering a dryer -- the more you are able to dry in a single load, the less time and money you will spend doing your laundry. Larger capacity provides more room for clothes to open up and move around inside the drum and often results in less wrinkling. Typical dryer capacity ranges from approximately 3.4 cubic feet (for a compact model) to up to 7.5 cubic feet (for a king size capacity model). Try to plan around the needs and size of your family before you purchase, to ensure that you will have the proper size for years to come. Larger capacity models allow you to conveniently dry large amounts of clothing without having to shuttle specific items in and out, as well as generally providing faster drying times. As a rule of thumb, more capacity is always better.

Shop for a dryer with roughly twice the cubic foot capacity of your washer
Larger capacity provides more room for clothes to move around inside the drum and often results in less wrinkling

Electric
Electric dryers can be a good choice for consumers who have a smaller budget to spend on a dryer purchase. Electric dryers require a dedicated 240-volt power source. These models will also provide steady drying performance that can be counted on for many years.

Less expensive on initial purchase
Compact dryer models come exclusively electric
Requires a dedicated 240-volt power hookup

Gas
Gas dryers use natural gas to power the drying action. Gas dryers require a gas hookup and can lead to increased savings in terms of fuel bills and energy consumption. They offer reliable, long-lasting drying that will make it easy to get the best from your fabrics.

Provides long-term saving in fuel costs
Features a quicker drying time on average
Requires a gas hookup

Space-Saving Modes
Compact models take up less space while still providing effective drying power. These models are best suited for households with a smaller number of people and for places where space is a concern.

Laundry: Washers

Basics of Buying :

You will be pleasantly surprised by the current state of laundry care and the ease with which you can take care of your laundry needs. As you move closer to buying a new machine, there will be several choices to make. For instance, are you looking for a high efficiency washer or a conventional washer? Which cycles, options, and features are most important for your family? It will also be important to think about how your choices will fit with your home. For example, what type of dryer will you need, a gas or electric? Keep in mind that cleaning your clothing and caring for your fabrics is of paramount interest, and that finding units with energy-saving abilities will reap financial dividends down the road.

Energy Efficiency
With energy bills on the rise, it makes sense to minimize the amount of power being expended. You can stretch your energy dollar farther by choosing machines designed to conserve energy while still providing optimal laundry care. The high-quality engineering of today's models means you won't have to sacrifice power for performance, and the extra dollars you save will show off your smart financial sense. The best way to select an energy efficient clothes washer is to look for the ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR is the national symbol for energy efficiency. Clothes washers that have earned the ENERGY STAR label save energy and prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. ENERGY STAR qualified washers also save water, and less water is key to energy savings as well. Overall, ENERGY STAR can save you around $600 in energy and water bills over the washer's life, which on average is 11 years.¹
Clothes washer lifetime: 11 years (2004 Appliance Magazine's Portrait of the U.S. Appliance Industry)

Laundry Room Location
Where will your washer and dryer be located? Will the noise-level of the units be a consideration for you? If noise is a concern, you will want to keep noise-related issues in mind as you make your selection.

Space Considerations
You need to consider the width, depth and height of your new laundry units and how they fit into your laundry room. You may find that you are interested in a washer/dryer set that is designed to be stacked, or a set that has storage capabilities associated with it. Keep in mind that these options impact the space that is required, so it is important to know upfront what space is available.
Washers and dryers come in several different sizes. Washers range from 24" to 27.5" wide, whereas dryers range from 27" to 29.5" wide. Both washers and dryers range from 26" to 32" deep and 42" to 51" high. Some models are designed to sit on pedestals that range from 10" to 16" high. If your space is limited, there are compact options as well as stackable washer/dryer combinations.

Where to Begin
Before you can make an intelligent purchase, you have to assess your needs. Thinking ahead to what suits your family, your clothing and your lifestyle will make it easy to arrive at smart decisions that provide long-term happiness. Here are some questions to consider:

Will you be doing laundry for a large or small number of people?
Will you do laundry nearly everyday or only once or twice a week?
Do you have a wardrobe that requires special care?
Do you wish to save money by utilizing energy-efficient features?
How much space do you have available in your laundry room?

Cycles and Options :

Just as you wouldn't cook an apple pie in a frying pan, you wouldn't want to put your clothes in the wrong cycle at the incorrect setting. Your clothing means a lot to you, so you need to decide which cycle options will best care for that great new sweater, favorite old shirt, or trusty pair of khakis. Use the following descriptions to help you choose which cycles are right for your family.

Delicates / Handwash
The Delicate cycle provides a constant wash motion and a shorter or slower wash speed. Use this cycle to keep fine items, such as sweaters, undergarments, and more in the best possible condition.

Simulates hand-washing to provide soft cleansing of delicate fabrics
Gentle wash motion with less speed maintains optimum appearance and fit

Extra Soak / Extra Rinse
For clothing articles that are extra dirty, a longer soak time and/or more vigorous rinse may be just the solution. These options are for sports uniforms, work shirts and any other items in need of additional cleaning or rinsing.

Extra soak time breaks up stains and dirt and makes them easier to wash away
Extra rinsing removes more detergent and ensures clothing is clean and fresh without a layer of detergent residue
The Skin Care Rinse option is ideal for people extremely sensitive to soaps and detergents.

Normal
The "Normal" cycle setting is designed for items that can be washed without needing special attention. These items include T-shirts, denim jeans, cotton items and many everyday basics, leaving you to just toss in your laundry and move on to other business.

Designed for items that can be easily washed without fear of harm or damage from normal wash motion
Use warm water when washing these items, unless there is a chance of bright / dark colors that might bleed or run

Permanent Press / Casual
Permanent press garments have been permanently shaped and treated to guard against wrinkles -- these may even be called "Wrinkle Free". Choose the Permanent Press / Casual cycle to keep wrinkles at bay and achieve a dynamic look that requires little effort.

Minimizes the hassle of ironing wrinkled garments
Can be used for business casual clothing
Maintains the shape and look of your clothes

Sanitary
The Sanitary cycle uses the built-in heater to heat water to more than 150 degrees Fahrenheit to safely deep-clean stains and thoroughly clean heavily soiled colorfast fabrics. The Sanitary cycle is an ideal setting for washing bed linens because the water reaches temperatures more than 30 degrees Fahrenheit higher than typical washers, helping to kill dust mites.

Specialty Cycles
Additional options and features abound for consumers looking not just to clean their clothes well, but also save time and money. Finding just the right setting to suit your lifestyle can help you gain more satisfaction from your laundry care.

Express Wash / Quick Wash cycles supply a shorter wash time for pieces that may only be slightly soiled or needed in a hurry
Bulky Bedding cycle is designed to help you effortlessly clean sheets, blankets, comforters and other sleep-related items
Kids Wear cycle is designed for the special needs (and stains) of children and is a great help for Moms and Dads
Extra / Super Delicate cycles supply an especially light touch for clothing that requires extreme care
Catalyst cleaning mixes the detergent with the water, creating a lather that really gets clothes clean

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Laundry: Dryer Safety

Dirty Dryer vents can cause increased drying times and are a potential fire hazard. Do you have increased drying times? You may need your dryer vent cleaned. Regular cleaning of the dryer vents will increase dryer efficiency and reduce fire risk. Improperly installed dryer vents are one cause of house fires. Please watch these videos to help you prevent a fire in your house. Don't believe me? Then just ask that leading consumer magazine, Consumer Reports.

Do you have plastic or foil-covered plastic dryer venting? You shouldn't! This video demonstrates the fire hazard of a dryer vent. This dryer vent is made of white vinyl, which is against fire code. It also wasn't cleaned for about 10 years. This dryer vent could have burnt a home to the ground within 15 minutes.