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Garbage disposals are a place people dispose of garbage, so it is only natural for unpleasant odors to emanate from them at some point in time. When this occurs, there is a simple solution. There are a lot of DIY solutions floating around, although a simple solution can alleviate this issue.

A trick to fixing this issue is to fill a large cup with ice and drop the contents into your kitchen sink. Then, run the garbage disposal. When the ice is broken down into smaller-size chips, it acts as a type of cleaning solution that scrubs out the garbage disposal. They are small enough to get into areas of the disposal that are difficult to reach with a conventional method of cleaning. This will get rid of any food particles that are creating any foul smells.

For those who want to take additional measures in removing all traces of garbage disposal odors, add some vinegar in your ice cube trays before the water freezes into cubes. The vinegar will attack any lingering bacteria and keep smells from recurring.

And don’t worry about having the cubes cause damage to your blades. The ice is not hard enough to the point where it will dull the blades. Coincidentally, the cubes will have a positive effect by actually sharpening the sink disposal blades. It is a way to not only get rid of foul smells and odors, but to ensure that you have a well-functioning garbage disposal.

This ice cube method can be considered a form of regular maintenance. Professional plumbers typically recommend the use of cold water when running a garbage disposal, which speaks to the effectiveness of ice cubes. Cold water also helps to prevent drain clogs.

The ice cube method does not negate the basic rules that should be followed when running a garbage disposal. Homeowners should still avoid putting certain items in their garbage disposal and should also practice proper protocol.

The use of ice cubes is also simple enough that everyone can do it. There is no need to run out and spend money on any products that claim to keep a clean garbage disposal. In fact, some chemicals may have an adverse effect and wind up harming your garbage disposal.

If you encounter any garbage disposal issues that cannot be fixed through this ice cube method, contact the team of professionals at Plaza Appliance Service for the best garbage disposal repair Charlotte, NC has to offer.

 

Rinse your dishes because most dishwashers do not have cutting blade.

Most people have their own method for washing dishes. Some people provide a quick rinse, while others spray their dishes down thoroughly before putting them into the dishwasher. There are also people who do nothing and simply place dishes into the appliances without giving them a simple once-over. Here is a look at how and which method is recommended.

There has been a lot of efforts made to prove there is no need to wash or even rinse dishes before putting them into a dishwasher. The fact is that the pre-washing portion will provide the same service as rinsing dishes in the sink. Modern dishwashers can even recognize the presence of some residue and resort to a stronger wash cycle. But that does not mean they are a garbage disposal.

It does not take an experienced appliance technician to recognize that dishwashers are not equipped with any cutting blades that will break down food. That is why it is a good idea to scrape off all remnants of food before putting dishes in the dishwasher. A failure to do so could slow down the entire process. The dishwasher could become clogged and be forced to work harder in an attempt to clean your dishes.

It is also no secret that too much food left on a plate is not guaranteed to come off in the dishwasher. Plenty of people have pulled out dishes that are not fully cleaned following a wash. But this is not the only issue that could be caused by leaving food on your plates.

Most dishwashers contain a trap for food particles that are too large to pass through their drains. This is good for keeping your dishwasher from becoming clogged, but means that your dishwasher may contain ancient, waterlogged food after a while. Gross.

At the bottom of every dishwasher, there is a trap. Since there are no cutting blades in a dishwasher, this is where all those remnants of food wind up. The trap should be cleaned every so often. But even if you clean it regularly, that is not an excuse to drop chunks of food in with your dirty dishes.

And there is also another filter which serves the function of separating the small particles of food that are not caught in the trap. This also needs to be cleaned out every so often. Needless to say, too much food in your dishwasher is going to clog this filter as well.

There are plenty of occasions when dirty laundry can build up and the logical solution would seem to toss as much into your washing machine as possible. However, that method is counterproductive and could create more problems than you may expect.

Additional strain
Overloading a washing machine causes an additional strain to its major components. The strain is a result of packing too many clothes into the drum. What happens is the size of the load will force the machine to work harder than usual. That can lead to a decreased lifespan and an increased need for repair. This could also cause a significant amount of strain on the washing machine bearings. That could eventually lead to an appliance shutdown.

Poor washing
Washing machines function by tossing clothes around and allowing enough room for detergent and water to penetrate the clothes. When clothes are packed into a washer, it will result in an uneven wash. Some clothes may get cleaned, but others will not reap the benefits of a wash cycle. Loading a washer with too many clothes will also force you to load up on more detergent as a regular dosage will not be enough to clean the extra clothes. The more detergent you use, the more residue could build up on your clothes.

Leaking
When too heavy of a load is inserted into the washer, it will actually leak out of the front part of the appliance. Leaks in other parts of the washers are typically the product of another issue. Overloaded washers leak because of the load imbalance and the simple act of reducing the load will usually solve the problem.

Drainage problems
Putting too many clothes in your washer can actually create drainage problems. This is caused by smaller garments becoming lodged in the drainage line. It should be noted that this can happen with small garments from time to time, but sizeable loads increase the chances of this occurring.

Damage to clothes
Fabrics are prone to tearing in an oversized load. This can be caused by accessories latching on to clothes and causing a tear. Things like zippers and buttons may not seem problematic, but when they are wedged between clothes, they could wind up doing their share of damage. Allowing plenty of room for your clothes to circulate in the washer is a much safer method when it comes to the integrity of your garments.

Already having an issue with your washing machine? Call Plaza Appliance for top-quality repair service. We have experience with all major brands and will have your appliances performing like new again in no time.

It seems like there is always laundry to do as hampers are rarely empty. The laundry process has become part of our weekly routine and many times we go about it so systematically that there are important aspects we overlook. One of those aspects is checking the lint filter before drying our clothes.

The purpose of cleaning a lint filter is to ensure the necessary amount of airflow to complete the drying process. Drying clothes depends on proper airflow. This is another reason you should not overload your dryer. Too many clothes will impede the drying process. The same premise applies to a lint filter

Using a clean lint filter during every drying cycle will also allow your clothes to be completely dry after just one cycle. In the event that your clothes are not dry when a cycle concludes, there is a good chance that the lint filter has not been cleaned. It is always a good idea to check it before starting a drying cycle.

Regardless of what kind of clothes you are drying, there are always going to be traces of lint. Some loads may contain more lint than others, so it is best to be prepared. It is also important to remember that the lint filter does not capture every shred of lint. The lint filter only captures about a quarter of the lint and the remaining lint is dispersed through your dryer vent system.

It is also a good idea to have that vent checked and cleaned on a regular basis. A buildup of too much lint could be dangerous and even cause a fire. Remember that lint is extremely flammable, so it is important to always keep a clean dryer vent as well as a clean lint filter.

Lint filters can also deteriorate due to continual wear and tear. Filter replacements are available and can be purchased at a variety of appliance stores. It is an inexpensive fix, but one that could keep your home and family safe from a potential dryer fire.

Cleaning your lint filter before every cycle will also extend the life of your dryer. It will not force your dryer to work overtime or create any further complications. Therefore, it is a good idea to get into the habit of cleaning the filter before drying a load of wash. Do it to the point where it becomes embedded into your psyche and it will also reduce the amount of time you spend doing your laundry.

Refrigerators are considered a major appliance and often demand a sizeable investment. That means that regular upkeep will protect that investment and bring longevity to your refrigerator Part of regular upkeep involves vacuuming the unit’s coils.

There are multiple benefits of keeping your coils clean. The most glaring benefit is energy savings. Over the course of time, dirt and dust will accumulate on the coils. This increases the difficulty level that comes with the coils release of heat. Consequently, it puts more strain on the compressor and the result is a monthly increase in your energy bills. People can save anywhere from $10-15 per month with clean coils.

Other benefits include increased productivity and a longer lifespan. Three-fourths of refrigerator service calls pertain to issues with refrigerator coils. This can also save you money as you will not have to pay an appliance service to come out and fix your refrigerator.

The process of vacuuming coils is not very complex. The first step is locating the coils as they are found on the back, bottom, or top of the unit. Most refrigerators place them on the back of the unit, opposite the door.

After unplugging the refrigerator, begin vacuuming the coils by using the brush attachment component of your vacuum. There are actually attachments designed specifically for cleaning coils and those who are serious about maintaining clean coils may look into this additional purchase. The vacuuming process is pretty straightforward.

Vacuuming your refrigerator coils is not an everyday chore. It only takes about five minutes and should be done about twice a year. If you have pets, you may want to increase the frequency as the fur will cause more frequent clogs in your coils.

Most refrigerators last about 15 years on average. However, that life expectancy can be increased or decreased depending upon the regular upkeep. Vacuuming your refrigerator coils is an important form of upkeep and that could allow your unit to last an additional number of years.

With many new refrigerators priced on the higher end, it is wise to invest some time into maintaining the appliance. This is also a task that anyone can do and does not require any special type of training or skill. Refrigerators are designed to function by relying on clean coils and without abiding by that directive, units start working overtime and that ultimately leads to an early demise.