Lint Filter

The average household in America does 300 loads of laundry each year. This can add up to considerable water and energy usage. Fortunately, there are ways to conserve energy in your laundry room without compromising on cleaning performance. Look for ENERGY Star Label Appliances: The first step in creating an efficient laundry room is to look for ENERGY Star label appliances. ENERGY Star promotes the use of energy efficient products, and washers can only have a certified label if they use up to 40 percent less energy and up to 65 percent less water. These appliances can also remove more water from your laundry, so you can save energy when you put them in the dryer. Adjust the Water Temperature: Many people have their preferred laundry settings and tend to avoid changing them, but this can be a mistake. You should always adjust the water temperature to suit your laundry load. In most cases, you can wash clothing in cold or warm water and achieve the same results as you would with a hot water temperature. This can save up to 50 percent on your energy costs per load. If you are concerned about cleaning with cold water, you can use a cold water detergent. You can also treat any oily or ground in stains before washing to ensure the best results. Try to Only Wash Full Loads: Most washers use approximately the same energy regardless of the size of the load. So, try to avoid washing partial or small

Maintaining Your Major AppliancesHere are some tips to maintaining, cleaning, and inspecting your washing machine and clothes dryer. You can save time and money by following this advice, and avoid breakdowns, or hazardous situations.Washing Machine It's a good idea to periodically check and replace the fill hoses on your washing machine. If you have rubber hoses, you should consider replacing them with braided stainless steel hoses. It is recommended that you replace your washer hoses every 3-5 years. While you are back there, take a look at the electrical connection. The plug needs to be firmly in place, the cord connection to the washer should have a restraint, and should not evidence any corrosion or burn marks. Also, you should periodically clean the inside of your outer washer tub. Whirlpool makes a cleaner called Affresh for this purpose. There are also a variety of home remedies including using combinations of bleach, vinegar, and/or baking soda. You can discover these cleaning remedies online, or just look on the aisles of your grocery store for washer cleaning products. If you have a front loading washer, pay special attention to cleaning the front gasket, especially at the bottom where it's possible for moisture to settle and mold to grow.Automatic DryerMake a habit of cleaning the lint filter in your dryer once a week. It's also very important to regularly clean the dryer vent. If you're lucky you'll have a short direct vent pipe to the outside that you can clean with a vacuum