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.

Why You Should Clean Your Dryer & Vents

Keith is here today to talk to us about cleaning your dryer and vents. You might not think that cleaning your dryer is a very big deal, but is actually very important and can even save you from having a fire start.

Cleaning out your vent trap after every dry is a great habit to have an keep. If you don't already, start cleaning it every time! This is important because build up lint can actually get under the cabinet of the dryer and ruin the machine.  

Even when you clean your lint catcher every time, lint can still pass through and carry to the back of your machine and into the vents that lead to the outside of your home. A ton of buildup in these areas can be very bad. Lint is a cluster of small fibers, dust, and debris which is very easy to ignite. If the lint builds up with the 150 degree or so hot air flowing through can actually cause it to catch on fire. Many of us have heard of dryers catching fire. The lint is actually what starts it. This can be avoided by checking and cleaning your dryers.

It is very important to check and clean the back of your dryer and vents once a year. If it's not too clogged, you can clean it yourself. If it's really bad or if you don't want to deal with it, we recommend to have a company come out and professionally clean it for your safety. A local Colorado company that we would recommend is Brand Source Appliance Service & Repair.

We hope that you have learned why it is so important to clean out link in your dryer and vents. Go check and clean them today!

5 Benefits of a 3rd rack in a Dishwasher

More and more appliance companies are starting to make a dishwasher with a third rack. From a first glance, it might seem silly to have a third rack; but in reality, the third rack is very helpful. The third rack was first seen in more high end brands like Bosch, but the rest of the industry is integrating this in a lot of their models. Once you go to a third rack, you will never go back.  Here are some benefits of why this dishwasher feature is so amazing.

1. Your spatulas, whisks and tongs have a special place in the dishwasher. The third rack is super convenient in that you know exactly where those extra cooking utensils are. You won’t have to worry about them falling to the bottom and melting. You also won’t have to dig around the dishwasher hunting for where you put your favorite whisk. It can now be organized and all be in one secured place.

2. Third rack dishwashers increase efficiency by providing more space to wash more utensils, dishes and glasses. On average, the third rack gives you 37% more room to utilize in your dishwasher to the fullest.  Without the random utensils in the way, you will have more room in your first and second racks to wash even more dishes. Your mind will be at ease knowing that you only have to do one load at a time.

3. The extra rack can be a great safety tool. You can place your cooking knives flat on the third rack. No one will have to worry about reaching around the utensil basket being overly cautious avoiding cutting themselves. Having a more secure place to put pointy objects is much more convenient and safer for the whole family.

4. The ability to fill your dishwasher with more kitchen items will cut down on the number of times you need to run your dishwasher. This means that you get to save on dishwashing soap, water, time, and energy. Over time, you will find your water and energy bill will be less which is also helpful for the environment.

5. Some of the dishwashers that have a third rack are removable so you can load tall glasses or pitchers on your second rack. This makes it convenient for holiday events all year round. After your special events with your extra large wine glasses or oddly shaped serving bowls, you will be able to wash them in your dishwasher rather than doing it by hand.

With the third rack becoming more popular in the appliance industry, you can find this feature in more brands and models than ever before. With these 5 reasons, the little extra cost of the third rack dishwasher is worth it. Let’s thank the engineers who invented this washing game changer!

Check out the dishwashers now and see which one you like for your kitchen.

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.

Stay Safe This Fourth of July

The celebration of our nation’s independence is upon us once again, and with it comes the promise of food, fun and fireworks! Make sure you and your family stay safe this Independence Day weekend by following these tips:

Firework Safety- Nothing like a gorgeous display of fireworks lighting up the night to celebrate our country. However, most parts of Colorado prohibit purchase and use of any fireworks that leave the ground, such as Roman candles and bottle rockets. If you live in a county that has a ban on fireworks, go and enjoy a professional fireworks display in your area. If your county allows personal use of fireworks, make sure to practice safety measures such as maintaining a safe distance from buildings, vehicles and people, keeping a bucket of water nearby in case of emergencies, and making sure to protect your eyes with safety glasses.

Drink Responsibly- With the abundance of BBQs and pool parties flowing with beer and wine, the 4^th of July is a great holiday to let the good times roll. Just make sure you rein in your good time to avoid harming yourself as well as others. If you plan on drinking at a party, make sure to appoint a designated driver to get you safely from Point A to Point B. One bad decision could literally cost you your life!

Protect Your Pets- Sure, you might love the bright lights and loud bangs of fireworks, but your pets may not be as keen. To help keep them calm during one of the loudest nights of the year, keep them in a safe space they are used to, such as a crate or small bedroom, and resist taking them along with you to fireworks displays and loud parties. Also, if you plan to set off your own fireworks, make sure your pets are safely out of the way to avoid tragic accidents.

Everyone at Appliance Factory & Mattress Kingdom wish you all a very happy and safe Fourth of July weekend! Share with us what your plans are.