How to Clean a Washing Machine the Cheap & Easy Way!

We count on our appliances to clean our things. Dishwashers clean our dishes, washing machines clean our clothes…but do we ever consider that maybe those machines need a little TLC too?

Without regular cleaning, the basins of a washing machine or dishwasher can become dirty with soap scum and mineral deposits that reduce the effectiveness of the machine. And over time, the wear and tear leads to premature Dallas appliance repair. In order to avoid washing machine issues, and to get your clothes as clean as possible, follow these cheap and easy tips for cleaning your washing machine from Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas:

Step 1: Grab Your Supplies

You ready for this; you only need two things: bleach and vinegar. Don’t worry – we’re not going to ask you to mix them (because that could be bad!). You may also want to grab a magic eraser to wipe down the inside.

Step 2: Fill the Basin with Bleach Water

Set your washing machine on the hottest wash setting and begin filling the empty basin with hot water. As it begins to fill, add 1 quart of bleach to the water. Close the lid to let the cycle begin for a few minutes and mix the bleach, then open the washing machine’s lid and let the hot bleach water sit and soak for about an hour. After an hour, close the lid and let the cycle run its course and drain.

Step 3: Fill the Basin with Vinegar Water

For Step 3, you do exactly what you did in Step 2, but this time you use vinegar instead. This step will further disinfect the inside of the basin and break down residue. 

Step 4: Wipe it Down

Once all the water drains, inspect the interior of the basin and see if there is any remaining buildup on the agitator in the center. If so, grab your magic eraser and wipe it down.

And just like that, your top loading washing machine is now sparkling clean and more effective! We hope this cheap and easy washing machine cleaning tutorial helps extend the life of your appliance, and should your washing machine ever have any issues, be sure to call Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas – the best appliance repairman in Dallas!

4 Ways to Make the Most of Your Appliance Service Call

At Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas, we’ll be the first to acknowledge that anything related to maintenance and repairs is a hassle. It’s just one more thing to worry about, coordinate, and schedule.

This is why Appliance Rescue Service – the best appliance repair company in Dallas, Texas – strives to make the process as painless as possible. Our technicians genuinely want to make the repair process as painless as possible so that you can get back to life. In the event that you do need to call a Dallas appliance repairman, here are 4 ways that you can make the most of your appliance service call:

1.  Clear the Path to Your Appliance

This may seem like a no brainer, but our technicians have often shown up and waited as a customer cleans up and removes stuff from around the appliance so that we can diagnose the repair. By cleaning up around the appliance before, you are helping us get our job done more quickly and efficiency.

2.  Ask Questions to Understand What Went Wrong

Having our appliance repair experts in your home is like being in the room with your doctor. It’s your chance to ask any questions about what went wrong, how to avoid future issues, etc. while you have a captive audience. This gives you the opportunity to take preventive measures to avoid issues in the future – saving you time and money. 

3.  Request Maintenance Tips

On that note, it’s also a good idea to ask our team for maintenance tips that will prolong the life of your appliance. Our appliance repairmen in Dallas are expertly trained and can provide a wealth of information on how to get the most out of your refrigerator, washer, dryer, dishwasher, etc.

4.  Understand Your Warranty

At Appliance Rescue Service, each and every job we do is covered under our exceptional appliance repair warranty: 90 days on parts and 30 days on labor. Take time to ask any questions you may have about the warranty, and should you have issues after we leave, do not hesitate to call us so we can make it right!

Beat the Heat with these 5 Summer Cooking Tips

Summers in Texas are brutal!

The weather is already heating up, and sometimes it can be difficult to manage the heat in your kitchen from cooking. Not only can it get uncomfortable, but it raises your energy bills. No bueno.

Appliance Rescue Service is a top appliance repairman in Dallas, Texas, and we know that those kitchen appliances – ovens, cooktops, etc. – can really raise the temperatures during the summer months. Try these 5 tips to keep it cooler!

1.  Add a Fan

Adding a fan will circulate air and keep your kitchen cooler with minimal effort. No need to install a permanent one (unless you really want to!), a tabletop fan will work just fine.

2.  Lean on Small Appliances vs. Large Appliances

Dig through your cabinets and get out the small appliances that are taking up room – but you never use. Griddles, Panini presses, toaster ovens, etc. are all great appliances to use when making a quick, simple meal on a hot summer evening.

3.  Change Your Cooking Time

If you have the opportunity to cook and prep in the morning before you leave for work, then take that opportunity to do so before the hottest hours of the day arrive in the evening. It will be less taxing for your air conditioner, and you’ll have everything cleaned up by dinnertime!

4.  Skip the Oven

Your oven is the biggest culprit for adding heat to the kitchen, so rely on small appliances or no-cook meals to get you by. Salads make a wonderful summer dinner and require little effort.

5.  Take the Cooking Outdoors

Start up the grille, outdoor cooktop, or smoker and take the cooking outdoors! It’s an easy, fun way to stay cool in the home and enjoy those beautiful summer evenings.

If you notice any issues with your appliances this summer and suspect appliance repair in Dallas is needed for your refrigerator, oven, cooktop, microwave, washing machine, dishwasher, etc., call us at Appliance Rescue Service! Our fast, friendly technicians will have your issue resolved in no time! 

3 Ways Summer Temps Can Affect Your Appliances

The weather in North Texas is heating up, and it’s a sign that summer is on its way. School will soon by out and it will be time for vacations, pool parties, and cookouts with friends. 

The last thing on your mind is likely your appliances, but did you know that the hot summer temperatures can also affect them? Here are 3 ways those higher temps can wreck havoc on your home appliances:

Overworked Washing Machine & Dryer

All of those dirty beach towels and sports uniforms don’t clean themselves! In the summer you might notice extra loads of laundry due to the kids being out of school, extra practices for sports, beach towels from the pool, etc. Those extra loads can affect your washing machine and dryer’s performance levels and lifespan. Keep an eye on them and if something seems off, be sure to call an expertly trained Dallas appliance repairman.

Refrigerator Could Struggle

Did you know that more refrigerators die during the summer months than any other time of year? This is likely due to the higher temperatures. When temperatures outside creep up into the 90s – and even 100s – internal temps creep up too. Today’s refrigerators are typically built to battle the heat just fine, but keeping your home cool is a must for helping your refrigerator not to work overtime.

Water from the Water Heater Gets too Hot

Just like everything else during the summer months, water temperature in the pipes will heat up too. And as that water is transported through your water heater, it could come out the other side a little too hot. If this happens, lower your water heater’s temperature slightly during the summer months.

If you sense that the summer heat is affecting the performance of your refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, washing machine, or any other home appliance, be sure to call the appliance repair experts at Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas! 

Top 5 Mistakes You’re Making When Loading Your Dishwasher

A dishwasher is like an extra set of hands in the kitchen. It perfectly washes and dries your dishes with little effort on your part….or does it?

When you notice that your dishwasher isn’t cleaning properly, it could be because you aren’t loading it efficiently. Here are the top 5 dishwasher loading mistakes we’ve noticed here at Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas:

1.  Sorting Silverware by Type

When loading forks, spoons, knives, and other cutlery, it may seem orderly to organize each one by type. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always work for getting them sparkling clean. One of the best ways to do it is to evenly distribute the silverware, with knives facing downward, forks facing up, and spoons going up and down so that they don’t nest.

2.  Pre-Rinsing Everything

According to Consumer Reports, modern dishwashers are designed to clean stuck on food and do an “very good” to “excellent” job of getting htem clean – even when they are caked in food particles. Go ahead and remove the big stuff, then let your dishwasher do the rest.

3.  Putting Last Minute Cups on the Bottom

You’re trying to use every last space – so why not put the extra cups on the bottom? Seems logical, but most dishwashers are designed to clean cups best when they are on the top rack. Read your user manual to learn about optimal placement and bottle jets that can reach hard-to-reach places in tall glasses or bottles.

4.  Dishes Don't Face Center

Another common mistake when loading your dishwasher is cramming plates and bowls into the bottom in every which way. In order to get the maximum clean, all plates and bowls should be facing the center of the dishwasher, so arrange them accordingly.

5.  Skipping the Pod Detergents

The leading detergent companies have spent millions perfecting the usage of pods, and research shows that they are more effective at getting dishes clean than the traditional powder and liquid detergents. Skip this common dishwasher loading mistake and buy the pods next time!

If you feel that your dishwasher is not cleaning properly after following these tips, call us at Appliance Rescue Service – your leading appliance repairman in Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and the surrounding areas. We’re happy to take a look at your dishwasher and give it the necessary dishwasher repair to get it up and running beautifully.