Words of Wisdom to Cut Down on Appliance Repair Service Downtime
Did you ever realize that of all the calls made to appliance repair service shops, the need for a large number could be obviated if people would just use a little common sense in the way they used their appliances and other labor saving devices? All of us learn to use our appliances, our washing machines, dryers and dishwashers growing up watching our parents use their first machines. If we think we observed and learned our lessons correctly, why is it that we are always still constantly assailed with all kinds of little doubts - the same ones as always - like should I really rinse out all the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, or surely 3 scoops won't do for this load like the soap guide says - should I add in an extra measure?
The thing is, the old-school home appliances we grew up with were first- or second-generation ones. They were inefficient, used a lot of water, and as a consequence of that, a lot of soap as well. Appliances have evolved so much since then, as any mechanic at an appliance repair service shop will tell you. These machines today take in a lot less water (environmentally friiendly and all). But we still remember the amount of soap we are used to using - habits from before. And on top of that, soaps are ten times more powerful and concentrated too now - than the ones we used to know. When we use the same amount as we used to 20 years ago, we end up putting in maybe ten times as much as we need to. And we end up damaging our clothes, our dishes, and our appliances.
Apparently, we are all quite too shy to actually admit we need instructions, and we don't ever even crack the manual. But reading the instructions on the detergent carton is a great way to begin. Those soap manufacturers have washed hundreds of loads on dozens of machines, to determine how much you need to use. Taking their advice is a way to not go wrong. As they make better and better soaps, they revise on the instructions, the quantities they recommend you need to use. What you used to use five years ago even, no longer applies. If you would notice, the liquid laundry detergent bottles have different kinds of caps now, to better help you see the new levels you need to fill them to. Put in too much soap in a dishwasher or a washing machine, and you get stiff and dull clothes that are more prone to mildew, or dull glassware.
But really, you would do a lot better to use only half what the soap box says. If you have a front loading washing machine for instance, chances are, that it has the label HE on front. That stands for High Efficiency. They use less soap than ever before. If the porthole doesn't show any suds at all, that's a good sign. As any appliance repair service man will tell you, basically, if you see any suds at all in any kind of washing machine, that does show you that you used at least a little soap more than you needed. Here's a way to test. Put four or five clean-washed items of clothing in your front loading washing machine, and use the hot water setting with no soap or anything at all. Let it wash with plain water. Chances are, you'll soon see a certain quantity of suds. Those are from the last time you over soaped your laundry. It isn't uncommon that people have to wash and clean water several times, just to get the soap out from last time's wash.
It's pretty simple with the dishwasher. You never fill the soap receptacle all the way. And rinsing your dishes mostly clean before you put them in only wastes all the water, and makes your machine less efficient. The soap in the machine needs to see some dirt before it will work properly. All you need to do is remove large bits of food, is all. When you load the machine, make sure that the largest dishes are at the center where they will receive more water pressure. And put the large dishes away from the center, towards the back.
Did you know that most appliance repair service centers get their busiest days during the holidays? That's because most homes feel that the holidays are a great time to get the oven self-cleaning feature turned on. The self-cleaning feature heats the oven up to impossible temperatures to get all the gunk out. If your oven isn't in top condition, this is about the time it is going to fail. So if you don't want to see your holiday dinner plans crash and burn, a great idea would be to leave the self-cleaning, until after everything is done.