Few appliances are more critical to a modern household than clothes washing and drying machines. Whether you’re single, a couple, living with a room-mate, or caring for a large family, dirty clothes can pile up in the hamper with unimaginable speed. You need appliances that can handle the size of your laundry loads without damaging garments and other washables. At the same time, you want energy-efficient and water-saving appliances that will help keep the utilities down.
At Atherton Appliance & Kitchens and BSC Culinary, we offer premium washers and dryers, as well as irons and drying centers. We can show you appliances ranging from Asko’s built-in appliances to Maytag’s high efficiency top load laundry pairs or Iron-A-Way’s built-in ironing centers. Visit our showrooms so we can talk you through the many options for premium, appliances that will be perfect for your home.
Once you’re set with your machines, you might find that you have more than clothes to launder. So we’ve put together the following list of hard-to-clean items, along with tips for how to get them clean.
Sleeping Bags: Read instructions carefully on the sleeping bag’s label. There are numerous types and brands of sleeping bags manufactured with different materials, so the manufacturer knows best. If possible, use a front-loader washing machine, and always zip the bag before laundering. eHow.com offers more instructions here.
Blankets: Before you launder your blankets, check them for colorfastness. Non-wool blankets can usually be laundered in cool water on the gentle cycle of your washing machine, and either dried on the “low” setting of your dryer or hung to line dry. For wool, dry cleaning is usually the safest option. Look for a dry cleaner in your community that uses eco-friendly dry cleaning methods.
Shower Curtains: Use the gentle cycle of your washing machine and all-purpose laundry detergent to wash plastic and cloth shower curtains. Realsimple.com suggests adding a few soft items, such as socks, to absorb some of the force during the spin cycle. Plastic shower curtains should be hung to dry; follow directions on the tag to dry cloth shower curtains.
Stuffed Animals: A small amount of laundry detergent and a wet scrub brush can do wonders to clean a soiled stuffed animal. If you decide to wash the toy in your laundry machine, zip it into a pillow case just in case the stuffed animal bursts during washing, to avoid getting stuffing all over your machine (and be ready to purchase an exact replica to avoid having a heartbroken child). Use cold water and the gentle cycle. Dry the stuffed animal, still inside the pillowcase, on the lowest possible temperature setting available for your clothes dryer. If necessary, run the toy through the dry cycle twice, or set it outside in a dry environment to complete the drying process.
Silk Sheets: According to Silksheetsguide.com, you avoid harsh detergents and soaps when laundering silk sheets. The site recommends Charlie’s Liquid Laundry Soap, a non-toxic and biodegradable cleaner that can be purchased online. Hand wash the first few times, and then, if you choose to use the washing machine, set the machine on the “delicate” cycle for washing. Use an extra spin cycle to remove as much water as possible before drying, and never use bleach. Also, resist rubbing the material to remove a stain. Silk sheets should hang dry if possible, away from direct sunlight. If you decide to use a dryer, set it on the lowest possible heat setting above “air dry.”
Ski Jackets: Summer is here, but if you still have winter coats hanging near the door, and they look a little dirty or are beginning to smell a little stale, eHow.com offers detailed tips on how to clean your ski jacket. Some tips: open all zippers and empty pockets before washing; wash your jacket alone; and use the gentle cycle and cold water.
Footwear: If possible, check with the manufacturer before washing footwear. RealSimple.com suggests washing canvas or leather sneakers in cold water with an all-purpose detergent, placing them first in mesh bags to keep laces from wrapping around the agitator in the washing machine. Dry on low for 10 minutes, then air dry. But take note: some manufacturers do not recommend washing footwear or insoles in washing machines.
No matter how tough the stain, or how delicate the item, successful washing and drying relies on excellent machines. Be sure to stop by one of our showrooms so we can help you choose the best appliances for your home and lifestyle.
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