How to Trick your Washer into Filling with more Water

Kieth is here today to show you an awesome hack with you washer. Some people talk to us about wanting to have more water in the drum when they do a load of laundry. If you have a top load washer, this is a great hack for you.

Before we dive into this hack, lets first talk about the amount of water that your washer uses. Some might think that the washer is not using enough water, but in reality, it probably is using just enough water especially with the new Energy Star High Efficient washers. There are only a few reasons why you would want to add more water to your load. If your cotton fabrics come out dirty or nearly dry straight out of the washer, or if you are washing a big comforter. These are indications that your machine needs more water.



Before you do a load follow these steps to have more water in your washer:
1. Load your washer with the clothes that you want to clean.
2. Pick any cycle and have the drum fill up with water.
3. Drain the water out and leave your clothes in the washer.
4. Turn off the machine and turn it back on.
5. Select the cycle that you would like to run and let the washer complete the cycle.

By following these steps, you have tripped the amount of weight of the clothes by making them wet. The agitator at the bottom scenes the weight and will fill up the washer with water depending on the weight of the clothes.

This hack only works for top load washers and cannot be done with a front load washer. Front load washers have a limit on how much water it can hold and if it goes more than a certain amount it could leak and cause other issues.

Always use the recommended amount of detergent every time.

Other tips that you can do before you add more water to your washer:

• Have smaller piles of clothes in a cycle to allow more room for the clothes to move around and get clean.
• Use a more aggressive cleaning cycle like heavy-soil or heavy duty cycles.
• Try using the steam settings if you have them.
• Pick a better laundry detergent, but use the recommended amount.
• Pre-treat tougher stains before putting the clothes in the washer.

High Efficiency Front Load VS Regular Top Load Washer

Keith is here to show you the difference between the new technology of the high efficiency front load washers and the older technology top load washers.

New HE Front Load Washers

With the new front load washers, one of the first things that you will notice is that there is a HE symbol where the soap dispenser. The HE symbol stands for high-efficiency. This tells you that the machine does have the new technology and that you need a certain type of soap with the HE logo. You will use less soap and use soap that is less dense. 

Front load washers use less water, your clothes will come out more dry after a cycle, and will ultimately save you money. Each cycle with a top load washer will use between 3-5 gallons of water. There are usually 2-3 cycles per load making the total amount of water used to about 10-15 gallons. People tend to use the extra rinse cycle as a way to really wash out all the soap in the load. This is good for people who tend to use too much soap. 

One question that we hear a lot is, will this amount of soap really clean my clothes? The answer is YES! Using less water means that it requires less soap and that you should stick to the manufacturer's maximum amount of soap.

 One other great benefit of using the high-efficiency washer is that it uses less electricity. The drum does spin faster, but with the newer technology, the appliance unit will use less electricity.

Old Top Load Washers

These washers have been around for 40- 50 years with really no new technology. These are the same washers that you grandma has used for years.

The big tub can hold from 10 to 30 gallons of water in each cycle filling it to the top. Each load takes about 2-3 cycles similar to the new technology. But when adding up all of those cycles, you are using about 60-90 gallons of water per load. That is a huge difference! With more water requires more soap to evenly distribute it out. This is why you use more soap.

Because of how much water you are using, requires more soap, more electricity, and costs you more money with this option in the long run. The convenient thing about the old top load washers is that the cost to buy them is going to be more affordable.

The Comparison

After comparing the new top load washers with the old front load washers, you can see a big difference between the two.. These differences are more clear when thinking about how much laundry you do, especially with a family. If you are looking at having to use less soap, less water, less electricity and want to save money in the long run, it is worth the upgrade to the new high-efficiency front load washes. 

What are your thoughts? Leave them in the comments section or contact our store.

Washing machine hoses- stainless steel vs rubber

You just picked the perfect laundry pair for your home and family. There's one more thing that you should purchase before you are ready to install and test out your washer and dryer, the washing machine hoses. Not all of them are made the same and it's important to not go the cheap route with these. Burst hoses are a common cause of water damage in the home. Follow these tips to avoid issues in the future.

It might seem simple, but do not go with the rubber hoses. It might seem standard to just go with them because that's what our parents used, but don't do it. They are the cheaper hose option and are easier to find, but don't be fooled. These types of hoses are the most likely to burst and cause water damage. Some might even say that they are reinforced, which means that they are reinforced with braided rayon or polyester mesh. This material inside makes the rubber stronger, but there is still chance for leaks and bursts.

The middle option is stainless steel braided hoses. This is what we recommend that you get. They are a little more expensive than the rubber hose, but hands down it's worth the upgrade. With this choice, there is still a layer of rubber in the inside, but is surrounded by stainless steel string that is braided together. This adds strength and will make it way more burst-resistant. Make sure that the hose does not become bent or kinked as the stainless steel can dig into the rubber hose.

Here are additional reasons to go with stainless steel water lines:

• Stainless steel hoses are more resistant to heat
• Stainless steel hoses are more resilient to pressure
• Rubber hoses lose flexibility over time and become rigid, causing the hose to burst

The next upgraded option is to have a auto-shutoff hose. This hose is braided with stainless steel, but also has the feature of having a shut-off valve on one of the ends of the hoses. This is an extra safety persuasion just in case there would ever be a burst. The mechanism can sense a water pressure change and will stop the flow of water from entering into the tube. This can save you from having a huge water or flood damage in the room or your whole house.

You can never be too safe with braided stainless steel hoses for your washer. Take the extra persuasion and make the upgrade today, before it's too late and you have water damage in your home. Remember to check your hoses periodically for signs of aging before it becomes an issue! Let our team know if you have any questions on this topic.

Laundry Pedestal Options and More Innovative Technologies

Today, I would like to introduce the latest accessory innovations with the LG Side-Kick Laundry Pedestals and Samsung Flex Wash. But before we go into details, let's first start with the basics and explain what a pedestal is in the first place.

Traditional Pedestals

With front load washers, it can sometimes be daunting for people to bend down to place and remove laundry. Pedestals were made to make things a little bit easier.  A pedestal goes underneath the washer and dryers. It raises the appliances off of the floor of about 12-16 inches. This makes it easier to place and remove clothing inside the washer and dryer.  This will put less strain on your back by not having to bend down as much without a pedestal.

The other convenient thing about pedestals is that  it is a great storage area to make your laundry room not seem cluttered with it being in a drawer and almost blended into the look of your washer and dryer. You can keep your detergent, fabric softener, bleach, dryer sheets, and other supplies in here. 

Just remember that not all pedestals are the same and that you will need to make sure that you get ones that is the right size, shape, and color as your appliances.

You can find traditional pedestals in every brand of appliance. Find one for your laundry set here. or you can call one of our stores to make sure that you get the exact one that works with your washer and dryer. 

LG Side-Kick Pedestals

   This innovative washer mounts neatly beneath your LG front-load washer is a great alternative to the traditional pedestals. This pedestal option enables you to wash two separate loads of laundry at the same time.  This unique washer is specifically meant to handle your smaller, more delicate items in a smaller load.  You can now do a giant load of towels, and a smaller load of hand-wash items at the same time.

    This new idea can be a real time, water, and energy saver for you and your family when it comes to laundry day or when you need to do an emergency small load.

Take a look at theis LG SideKick Pedestal: WD200CW

Samsung Flex Wash

Samsung makes Flex Wash which is similar but is actually a 2-in-1 machine instead of a separate machine in a pedestal form. The Flex Wash has the small washer on the top of a front-load washer at a 1.0 Cu. Ft Capacity and can do faster cycles than a traditional washer and has the option of steam wash and dryer options.

Check out this Samsung model: WV60M9900AV.

See these options yourself at Appliance Factory & Mattress Kingdom. We can help you find the perfect pedestal option for you. We can take it  one step further by showing you the LG Side-Kick and Samsung Flex Wash options to optimize your washing and drying experience. Ask our team questions that you may have bout laundry and we can show you the best laundry innovations that are available and find one that fits your needs.

Give your laundry day a kick, with the new LG Sid- Kick laundry pedestal or become a little more flexible with Samsung Flex Wash. The choice is yours, but we can help you through the decision.

Why Buy a Top-load HE Washing Machine

Let’s start with the question what does HE mean? HE stands for high-efficiency in washers. In order for a washing machine to be considered high-efficient, it must follow meet certain criteria and guidelines in regards to how much water, electricity, and detergent it uses. Look for the HE symbol on the machine indicating that it uses less energy, water, and detergent.

HE washers can be found on front-load and top-load washers. Both HE washer styles are efficient with the clothes cleaning performance. Here is a look at why you should consider a top-load HE washing machine rather than a traditional top-load or front-load washing machines.

Better Cleaning, Less Water

Most HE top-loaders are better at cleaning, gentler on fabrics, quieter, and use less water than traditional agitator washing machines.

Lower Cost

Front-loaders, which is a newer technology and more popular, are usually your most expensive option. HE top loading machines give you the benefit of significant water savings as opposed to a standard efficiency top loader, at a fraction of the cost of front load HE units.

Larger Capacity

HE top-loaders do not have agitators which increases the capacity of the unit. You can do less loads of laundry by having more clothes in one load. An agitator top-load washer varies in sizes from 3.2 Cu. Ft. to 4.5 Cu. Ft capacity. A HE top-load washer ranges in sizes from 4.5 Cu. Ft. to about 6.2 Cu. Ft. capacity. Their extended wash cycles allow the machine to provide clean clothing with minimal water use.

No Vibration Problem

Top load HE units spin faster than standard efficiency top loaders leaving your clothes dryer with less time. Their final spin speed is significantly slower than a front-load unit, which decreases the possibility of vibration.

No Mold Issue

Unlike a front-load unit, the door does not have an air tight seal. By leaving the top open, and using an approved washer cleaner once a month, you can virtually eliminate the possibility of mold or mildew better than a front-load washer

ENERGY STAR Qualified

Because HE washers and dryers meet strict energy and water guidelines the machines are considered to be ENERGY STAR Certified. This can save you more money and energy throughout the life of your appliance.

HE washers and dryers are more common now, which makes them a little more affordable compared to when they first came out. They are still more expensive up-front than traditional agitator washers. With the many benefits of HE washers, it will save you energy, water, and time in the long run making it worth the upgrade.

How To Clean Your Washing Machine

Keith, one of our technicians, is here today to share with you how to clean and maintain your washer so that it will last longer and save you money.



Surprisingly, your washer needs to be cleaned frequently throughout the year. For front-load washers we recommend to clean it 3-4 times per year. If you do more loads, roughly once a day, we recommend that you clean it about 6 times per year.

Affresh Washer Cleaner and wipes are what we recommend to clean your washer. Especially for front load washers, bacteria can build up and cause your washer to smell and even have your clothes not clean as well.

For top-load washers, you do not have to clean them as often. This is because there is more open space by the lid for water to evaporate. You can use bleach to kill bacteria, but it won't actually remove the bacteria which is why using professional cleaners like Affresh is better because it will kill and completely get rid of the bacteria.

Let us know if you have any questions about cleaning your washer or other appliances. You can give one of our stores a call to order your cleaner today.

What to Know About Buying Stack-able Washer & Dryer

There are so many different types of washers and dryers. One of the best features about front load washers is that you can stack the dryer on top. This is very convenient when you have little space for your laundry pair as it takes less floor room.



In this video, Richard goes into detail about the different types of washers and dryers that are stackable. Watch out for the depth of the units and how they stack on top of each other. Some washers and dryers actually slope backward at the top. This makes the weight of the unit move to the back. This option does require more depth in the back. Make sure that you have enough room for this features. If you do not have enough room in the back, make sure to get a laundry pair that has a flat front.

Wash Two loads at once with this Washer!

Joe is here to show you the amazing features of a new innovative washing machine. With this Dual Flex Washer from Samsung, you can do two loads at once. Using this washer will save you time, energy, and give you the flexibility.



Here are a few great features of this washer:

• Flexwash- Wash two different loads at the same time.
• Faster Cycles- You can do a load in 30 minutes.
• Steam Wash- This features allows you to remove stains easier.
• Quiet Wash- With the VRT Plus technology, it reduces the vibration of the drum.
• Total Capacity- More space means that you can wash more at one time and do less loads over time.
• Connected- You can start your wash from your phone, monitor the cycle, and have a timer go off when it's complete.
• Energy Star Raited- This is an eco-friendly and energy-efficient machine.

Love the look of this washer? Click here to see more or stop by one of our stores to see it for yourself in person.

High Efficiency Top-load Washers vs Front-load Washers

Chuck Ewing, the CEO of Appliance Factory & Mattress Kingdom, is here to help you understand the efficiency in top-load washers and front-load washers. You will also find out which one is more efficient than the other. Watch the video to get information.

Top-load Washers
To get the highest efficiency, you need to use less detergent, less water, and less hot water. The washer will spin the cloths fast making clothes go up. This is not the most efficient way to wash your laundry.

Front-load Washers
Because the drum sits on the side, there is less water need to wash clothes. Clothes spin more evenly making sure everything gets wet. Because there is less need for water, you use concentrated detergent as your soap.




We hope that this video helps you make the best decision for buying your new washer and dryer appliances.

Let us know if you have any questions about efficiency in appliances. Leave them in the comments section.

Kiss Ironing Goodbye with These 5 Great Laundry Tips

Hate to iron clothes? You’re not alone! Pressing blouses, shirts and slacks can be a very tedious, time-consuming process, but you don’t want to be a wrinkled mess at work and it can cost a fortune to have the dry cleaners handle it! What to do? Luckily, we have some tips that can take the wrinkles out of clothes without the assistance of an iron, so you can look great without having to spend a lot of time dealing with them. Now you can enjoy wrinkle-free clothes without the hassle of ironing- everybody wins!

Set a Timer

It can be tempting to load clothes into the dryer, walk away, and forget about it until it’s time to fold. But this method can make clothing even more wrinkled, especially if you’re doing a large load. Set a timer for 20 minutes. When it goes off, pull out all the items you normally would need to iron, and lay them flat to continue drying, or hang them on a drying rack in your laundry room. They’ll be naturally wrinkle-free when you’re done! If you have a connected appliance, you can sink your dryer time to your phone and either stop it at any time or have the alarm go off when your clothes are ready. 

Use Dryer Sheets

Besides the added bonus of making your laundry smell fantastic, dryer sheets can make clothes come out of the dryer less wrinkled by softening the fabric. Nothing could be easier than throwing a dryer sheet into the laundry, and it is a good first step to an ironing-free lifestyle. Try Downy April Fresh dryer sheets for a nice, light scent that is not overpowering.

Release the Wrinkles!

After your clothing has dried, spray it with a wrinkle releaser and hang it in the closet. A wrinkle releaser does just what it says on the label- releases wrinkles by making the fabric hang straight. We like Downy Wrinkle Release in April Fresh, so the scent can match your dryer sheets!

Know When to Fold ‘Em

Leaving your laundry in the basket unfolded after it’s been taken out of the dryer is a great way to get many wrinkles on all your clothes. By folding the laundry the second it comes out of the dryer, you can smooth any wrinkles that would have needed to be ironed out. Bonus: you get to touch nice, warm clothes fresh out of the dryer!

Hang Up

No matter how careful you are with your clothing when you take it out of the dryer, it can all be for nothing if you don’t hang things up as soon as your laundry is done. Let gravity work for you by hanging your items on a hanger to naturally release the wrinkles. This will make your garment look great for a very small amount of work!

Got any more ironing tips (namely, ones that allow you to opt out of ironing)? Let us know in the comments section.

Save Energy this Summer with These 13 Appliance Tips

With the weather getting hotter during summer, it can “shock” you when you receive your electricity bill. There are a few things that you can do to make sure your appliances are running efficiently to save you money and energy consumption.

1. Make sure to have ENERGY STAR- rated appliances. These devices are ranked by the U.S. Department of Energy as using less energy than the standard amount. ENERGY Star-rated appliances use about 20% less energy and can save you more than $270 in your energy costs.

Refrigerators:

2. Make sure not to overload the amount of groceries in your refrigerator. Having tons of items in your refrigerator will require more energy to keep it cool.

3. Don’t keep your refrigerator door open for a long period of time. Also make sure to not open your door repeatedly in a short period of time.  Opening the door will cause the cool air inside to escape and makes the refrigerator motor work harder.

4. Keep your refrigerator temperature in between 32- 40 degrees F. Your freezer temperature should be set between 30-0 degrees F.

Washing Machines:

5. Using cold water when doing most of your washes can save you money and still have your cloths perfectly cleaned.

6. Just like dishwashers, you should make sure that you run full loads because most washers will use the same amount of electricity.

7. Have a front-load washing machine. Front-load washing machines use two-thirds less water than top-load washing machines, reducing electricity and water.

Drying Machines:

8. Selecting to have a faster spin cycle can help reduce less time to dry your cloths.

9. When the weather is hot, you can dry some of your cloths outside on a clothesline or a drying rack to save energy costs.

10. Place your washing machine in a room that is warmer than a cold location like a cold basement. The warmer air going into the dryer will use less energy to heat the air up.

Dishwashers:

11. Make sure to load your dishwasher fully for each cycle. Most dishwashers use the same amount of electricity and hot water for each load whether it’s a full load or half of a load.

Ovens or ranges:

12. Don’t open your oven door frequently to check on your food. The temperature can drop about 25-30 degrees and requires more energy to regenerate the set temperature.

13. Use glass baking dishes as much as possible. Glass retains heat better than other materials. This can cook your food faster and you can even decrease the oven temperature.

What other things do you do to consume less energy in your home? Leave it in the comments section.

To Steam or Not To Steam

In recent years steam technology in laundry has become the latest sensation. You may be wondering, what exactly does it do? The average consumer does not fully understand or even are aware what the benefits are. Some do not even know that it is an option. Here is an overview of what steam technology can do in washers and dryers:

Washers

• Earth-friendly attributes boosts cleaning power with steam and it requires less water to do the job.
• Steam washers utilize a combination of water and steam in a variety of cycles to for a better wash for your laundry.
• Steam boosts the temperature inside the washer drum, causing fibers to relax and more efficiently absorb water, releasing deep-down dirt and stains.
• Wrinkles are reduced by high-heat steam softening fabrics, which allows wrinkles, deeply embedded during spin cycles, to flatten out.
• High temperatures will also sanitize clothing by reducing allergens, such as dust mites and pet dander.

Dryers

• Steam dryers provide similar benefits to clothing steamers while the clothes remain in the machine
• Steam setting also removes some resistant odors that wash cycles may not remove also helping to kill bacteria that cause them.
• Based on that information a consumer can determine now whether or not steam has useful benefits for their situation and laundry needs.

Have we got you hooked onto why you should look into steam technology? Check out the LG
TurboWash Washer with Steam Technology now, but stop by and check out all the other washers and dryers that offer steam technology. 

TOP LOAD VS. FRONT LOAD WASHER

So your washer has just run its last cycle in its long and prosperous life and now you are, for potentially the first time, shopping for a brand new one. You walk in to an appliance store and you see an overwhelming selection of washers to choose from. There are top load with the agitator, there are top load without the agitator in the middle, and finally there are front load washers. What is the major difference between the three? Well I’m here to answer exactly that.

Lets begin with top load washers with

agitators. This is your traditional washer set up and generally at lower price points. The first thing to mention is that very few top load washers are built in the old school manner where they will last 15 to 20 years. Most modern washers on the market going to last 8 to 10 years, regardless of set up. The reason they don’t last as long is because the savings on energy efficiency over the 8 to 10 years of its life is enough money to warrant purchasing a new set. The down side of this washer design is water efficiency while the benefit is you don’t have to bend down to put clothes in. A great example of a top load washer is the LG 5.7 Cu.Ft. Mega Capacity Top Load Turbowash Technology Washer.

The top load without the agitator in the middle is a curious study. The lack of the agitator in the middle to pull clothes through the water to clean them means that the manufacturers had to get creative with the way the tub rotates. The benefit of these is that your clothes can’t get tangled around the agitator or get frayed, plus the capacities tend to go higher on them as well. The downside on them is water efficiency.

Now we get to the front load washers. The number one complaint I’ve heard customers have is that they tend to develop a smell over time. The manufacturers have fixed that issue by using anti-microbial material on the interior of the washer. The other thing to keep in mind is that front loads require ventilation, so keeping the door cracked is necessary. Now front loads are the best at cleaning clothes and here is why, the tub will spin out much faster than the top loads plus the tub itself is stainless steel on the interior. Now while they are generally more pricey, the amount of water savings you will have on front load vs. top load will pay itself off in two to three years. Check out the LG 5.2 cu.ft. Mega Capacity with On-Door Control Panel & TurboWash.

So in general, front load washers will clean the best and are the more efficient. The downside is having to bend down to load and unload, but they do have pedestal or stacking options. 

Exploding Washer - Spin Cycle Madness

Ever wonder what happens when you overload your washer without the safety sensor? Watch this video to find out!



Avoid overloading your washing machine with these three helpful tips:
1. Cloths should be distributed evenly and loosely inside the machine
2. Do not fill the washer more than 3/4s full
3. For top-load washers, do not load cloths above the agitator

We hope that this demonstration can help you to avoid damages to your washer, cloths, and home.

* Do not try this at home. This is for demonstration purposes only.

Your Guide to Smart Home Devices- Part 3

This is the third installment of our 3-part series about smart home devices and appliances. Today we focus on appliances that are changing the meaning of the word “efficiency,” one technological breakthrough at a time. Check out parts 1 and 2 for more recommendations on the most brilliant smart home innovations of 2016!

Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator, starts at $5,599 - Samsung, leading pioneer of smart home appliance integration, has done it again with its beautifully-designed Family Hub refrigerator. Unlike previous iterations of Samsung smart fridges, this one is fully compatible with Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant, and will work in conjunction with your smartphones and even stream TV! (Oh, yeah, and it does a great job of keeping food cold too.) Marvel at the 21.5-inch touchscreen that allows you to send and receive messages from your family and friends’ smartphones, share your calendars so your appointments are always handy for viewing, and display family photos (you can take snapshots of your kids’ artwork for a futuristic spin on the old refrigerator magnet!) Dazzle your friends with the efficiency of ordering groceries right from your fridge, courtesy of Alexa. If you have dreamed of talking to your refrigerator (oh, is that just me? Awkward.) this is the refrigerator for you. Of course, all this technology and innovation doesn’t come cheap- the Samsung Family Hub starts at $5,599 for the standard depth stainless steel model, and a counter-depth black stainless model will cost you in the neighborhood of $5,999. You can find one here for a better deal.

LG Smart ThinQ Washer and Dryer, from $1,599.99 each-Wouldn’t it be nice if you could check the status of your wash or dry cycle from your smartphone? With the LG Smart ThinQ washer and dryer combo, to the energy-efficient capabilities designed to optimize your usage of power, Smart ThinQ washers and dryers are a game-changer for the way we will do laundry in years to come. The gorgeous stainless steel construction and sleek design make this a washer/dryer combo you’ll want to show off, and the WaveForce washing technology and TrueStream drying technology help to make each load come out perfectly every time, with no hassle. Best of all, it was recently announced that the entire line of LG Smart ThinQ appliances will soon be adding Alexa (via a Smart ThinQ hub, sold separately), which means your washer and dryer will be able to seamlessly integrate with the rest of your smart home in the very near future. Here is one that we recommend.

GE WiFi Connect Free-Standing Convection Range, starts at $2,099- Turn your smartphone into a remote control for your stovetop and oven with a WiFi Connect range from GE! The appliance giant has gotten into the smart home arena in a big way with a line of free-standing ranges as well as cooktops and wall ovens that can be turned on, off, preheated and more via a smartphone app! Using an IFTTT (If This Then That) “recipe,” Alexa can even be used to trigger on/off verbal commands. Best of all, none of the cooking efficiency is sacrificed in the name of technology- the GE free-standing convection range boasts the largest integrated griddle on the market, as well as a gas convection oven that circulates heat for maximum cooking results every time. Check out all the details here. 

Looking for appliances to help you upgrade your smart home? Check out part 1 in the smart appliance series. Appliance Factory has a wide range of smart appliances at unbeatable prices. Check out one of our 16 locations today or visit our website. We look forward to helping you create your home of the future!

Newest Washer and Dryer Features and How They Can Make Quick Work of Your Dirty Laundry

Check out this video from Rich, it shows some of the coolest new features in laundry from Samsung and Whirlpool. 

Ewww- What’s that Closet Smell?

It’s happened to all of us- on the first warm day of spring, we go to put on that fun summery sundress or pair of linen pants, only to discover that musty, “closet-y” smell emanating from us shortly thereafter. Even if you launder your clothes before hanging them back in your closet at the end of a season, the smell still seems to invade. Over time, remedies such as mothballs and cedar chips have come into existence, but neither is really appealing if you don’t want to smell like chemicals or a hamster cage all day. What are we to do?

Fortunately there is a solution. Follow these steps to keep your clothes smelling springtime fresh, even when you haven’t worn them since last spring:

           Give your Closet a Good Cleaning- First things first, right? To stop the stinky-closet-smell cycle, you must first clean out the closet itself. Purge any items you haven’t worn in one year, and space out hangers for your remaining clothes so they have room to breathe in there. Launder all the clothes you have elected to keep, so you can be sure they start out fresh. If your closet is carpeted, vacuum the floor and get in corners with the crevice tool to remove any dust. If your closet still has that old library sort of smell to it, you may even consider painting to give it that “new” smell.

      Shoo out the Shoes- How many of us really wear all the shoes we currently have in the closet? Since shoes often can be the cause of a musty closet smell, whittling down your shoe collection to only the ones you actually wear can help cut down on odor-causing factors. Once you’ve given the boot (HAHA) to the shoes you don’t wear, wipe down the ones you do wear and sprinkle the insides with baking soda or baby powder. Fresh shoes=fresh closet!

      Absorb the Odor…Naturally- I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to walk around all day smelling like an air freshener dangling from the rearview mirror of a taxi. This is why I elect not to use air fresheners in my closet. Absorbing odor, rather than simply masking it, is a key component of the war on closet stank. Try a natural odor-absorbing agent like coffee grounds, white vinegar, or our good friend baking soda, in a small container with holes punched in the lid. Tuck the container in your closet and you’re all set!

You can take the clothes out of the closet, and you certainly CAN take the closet out of the clothes! Once you’re done making your closet odor-free, you’ll notice a big difference in the way your clothes smell, which can really make a difference in the way you feel!

Household Hint: How to Get Mildew Smell out of Towels

We’ve all been there- wiping down our countertops or drying off pots and pans with what we believe is a fresh dishcloth, only to have a moldy, mildew smell rise up and smack us in the face. Gross! According to laundry experts, that smell occurs in towels, washcloths and other linens when dirt and grime gets trapped in their fibers, along with detergent buildup, and then left wet for too long, either in a hamper or the washing machine. Before you give up and buy a whole new set of towels, know that there is a cure! Follow these easy steps to restore your towels to their original, mildew-free glory:

Wash towels in special vinegar load- Round up the offending towels and throw them into the washing machine on the hot setting, along with one cup of white vinegar. Make sure to wash like colors together to minimize the risk of bleeding. DO NOT add detergent or bleach. Once the cycle completes, toss into the dryer as usual and get ready to enjoy folding some delicious-smelling towels. If a little bit of stank remains, don’t fret- just repeat the steps above, this time using ½ cup baking soda instead of the vinegar. This step is necessary for severely mildewed towels.

 

Wash your washer- Now that you’ve cured your towels, you want to prevent the mildew from ever coming back. One of the ways to accomplish this is to wash your washing machine. Running a monthly cleaning cycle with one of the many specialty washing machine cleaners on the market, such as Tide and Affresh, is effective, but running a normal cycle with hot water after adding bleach to the dispenser can kill just as many germs for a lot less cost.

 

Improve your laundry habits- OK, so now your towels and washer are both clean, fresh and free of odor-causing bacteria. Now all you have to do is keep them that way! One quick and easy way to remedy the mildew issue is to remove clothes from the washer promptly, rather than letting them sit there for hours before putting them into the dryer. Additionally, consider hanging wet towels and damp washcloths over the shower curtain rod or towel rack to dry before tossing them into the hamper. And always leave the lid or door to your washer open to allow air to circulate and dry out any moisture. These preventive measures are especially important if you live in a humid climate, where everything takes longer to dry properly.

Get Ready For the First Energy Efficient Dryer!

You’ve seen and heard about HE washers; shoot, you probably have one! But Whirlpool has gone above and beyond to create the first HE dryer.

What does it mean for a dryer to be Energy Star-qualified? To be considered energy efficient, these HE dryers need to use approximately 20% less energy on average than dryers that meet the federal minimum efficiency standards for 2015. Dryers have been adapted to this by including advanced moisture sensors which prevents over drying and is easier on your fabrics. HE dryers are also advanced because of the Ecoboost setting which improves the method for turning the heaters on and off during the cycle depending on the load. This is where you can save most of your dryer’s energy!

Great it saves energy, but “How much money does it save?” is what you really want to know. Energy Star says to expect to save about $18 a year in electricity costs. Over 12 years, that’s more than $200 – it doesn’t seem like a lot but consider saving that amount of money on top of saving the life of your clothes. The Whirlpool Duet WED87HED electric dryer is the ‘ying’ to your HE washer’s ‘yang’ – it may not seem like you’re saving much now but using these high efficiency laundry sets  not only save you money in the long run but can take better care of your clothes and in turn, take better care of your wallet.