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Shoes get dirty just like any other item of apparel. Cleaning your shoes in your washing machine can be a great way to freshen them up. Read on for best practices when it comes to putting your shoes through a machine wash cycle.

Are Your Shoes Machine Washable?

Step one is to determine if your shoes can handle being put through the washing machine. The material the shoes are made of is the big factor here. You should only machine wash shoes if they’re primarily made of fabric or textiles. So, canvas sneakers are a “yes,” but leather boots are definitely a “no”!

Additionally, shoes that feature lots of detail or ornamentation are probably not well-suited to going through a wash cycle. The agitation of the washing machine can loosen glue or stitching, resulting in a ruined pair of shoes rather than a clean pair.

Give Your Shoes some Pre-Wash TLC

When you’re ready to wash your shoes, take some time to pre-treat any stains or marks. This will help make sure the cleaning process is a success!

You can use an eraser-type cleaning pad to address marks or scuffs. For spots or stains, you can pre-treat with stain remover products as needed.  

Get Ready for the Wash Process

As you’re pre-treating any stains, you should also strip the shoes down to the bare essentials. Remove the laces and insoles (which can be washed, but will clean up better on their own). Take out any inserts and orthotics—you can clean these by hand if they need a bit of a spruce.

Once your shoes are on their own, it’s helpful to put them in a wash bag of some kind. A lingerie bag will work for this purpose, as will a pillowcase. If you use the latter, just make sure you secure it so the shoes stay inside. A rubber band or a loose knot should do the trick.

Putting the shoes in a bag will keep them from banging around too much in the washer. This will reduce the wear and tear on your shoes and on your appliance!

If you’re washing shoelaces or cloth insoles, you can pop those in a separate lingerie bag. They can go along for the ride as long as they’re not attached to the shoes themselves.

Finally, try adding a couple of towels to the machine. This will help balance the load and reduce the noise quotient as well.

Choose the Right Cycle, Water, and Detergent Combo

When you’re ready to start the wash, pick the shortest cycle you can so that your shoes get the minimum amount of bouncing around. The gentle cycle is often the best bet, but check your machine since each one is different.

For water temperature, select “cold.” A warm or hot wash could damage your shoes by loosening the glue that holds parts together or shrinking different sections of fabric.

In terms of detergent, pick a liquid laundry soap (powdered soap can cake on different shoe surfaces). You definitely don’t need as much detergent as you’d use for a normal load. A small amount will go a long way!

Skip the Dryer and Air Dry

Once your shoes are done in the wash, take them out and let them air dry. The heat of the dryer could cause irreparable damage.

In order to restore the shape of your shoes, you can stuff them with old newspapers or rags. This will help keep any weird dimples or ridges from forming and brings the added benefit of soaking in some of the water!

You should be prepared to wait a while for your shoes to dry. Depending on the material they’re made of, it could take a few hours or even overnight for them to dry completely. Make sure you budget for that drying time before you make plans to wear your shoes again!

Cleaning your shoes in the washing machine can work miracles. Just follow these steps so that you can take care of your shoes and your washing machine in the process.

If you have questions or need assistance with your washing machine, call the team at Morris County Appliance Repair. We provide washing machine repair and general appliance services in Rockaway and the greater Morris County area. With over 50 years of combined experience, we’re ready to handle any appliance repair issue you might encounter. Morris County Appliance Repair—You Can Count On Us!

While convection ovens started appearing in our kitchens as early as the 1970s, the difference between a “regular” oven and a convection oven is still mysterious to many of us! Read on to learn what makes convection ovens unique and how they compare to conventional models.

How Conventional Ovens Work

Let’s start off with the traditional oven. This standard kitchen appliance works via two different heating elements and can be powered either via electricity or gas.

The main heating element is in the bottom of the oven and provides most of the heat for roasting, baking, and other types of oven cooking. The second heating element is at the top of the oven and is most typically used to broil or brown food.

Conventional ovens have done a great job for a long time, but they do require some finessing. Since the oven is heated just from the bottom in most cases, the heat can sometimes be unevenly distributed. Some ovens can even have hot or cool spots where the temperature varies distinctly.

In order to address uneven heating, it’s often necessary to rotate food that’s cooked in a conventional oven. Cooks also need to keep an eye on food to assess if there’s a hot or cool spot that they need to manage by adjusting the temperature, the position of the oven racks, or the position of the food.

Convection Ovens in Action

The primary difference between a traditional and a convection oven is that the latter uses a fan to circulate hot air through the oven. This results in a more consistent temperature, meaning that food cooks evenly without the need to adjust racks or food placement.

Many convection oven models even have a third heating element on the back wall over the oven. This helps the distribution of heat even more as it means that heat surrounds food items on the top, bottom, and sides.

The main thing to be aware of when it comes to using a convection oven is that cooking temperatures and times might need to be adjusted. This is because most recipes are created using a conventional oven. Since convection ovens distribute heat more evenly, they can cook some dishes faster than originally indicated!

Should You Choose Conventional or Convection?

When it comes to making the choice between a conventional or a convection oven, it all comes down to personal preference. Both types of ovens do the same fundamental job. Convection ovens can sometimes be pricier than traditional ovens, but they also are typically more energy-efficient and cut down on cooking time. If you like the familiarity of a standard oven, though, there’s nothing wrong with going traditional!

Whichever side of the oven debate you come down on, you can trust the appliance repair experts at Morris County Appliance Repair to be there for you if you need oven repair assistance. Our team has over 50 years of combined experience providing exceptional appliance repairs in Rockaway and the greater Morris County area. Morris County Appliance Repair—You Can Count On Us!

With summer coming to an end and cooler weather right around the corner, fall is the perfect time to check in with your home appliances and get them ready for the cold winter months. Follow these straightforward steps to maintain your appliances, check for any issues, and schedule necessary repairs if needed. 

Refrigerator Cleaning and Maintenance

This fall, get your refrigerator ready to handle holiday meals by cleaning both the inside and the outside. A little elbow grease in the fall can save major refrigerator repairs later on!

Cleaning inside your refrigerator gives you a chance to make sure you a) optimize the layout of your fridge and b) aren’t blocking any air vents. Blocked vents can lead to refrigeration problems, so it’s a good idea to clean out fridge contents on a regular basis. You can also take this opportunity to check the gasket around the door and examine it for any unusual wear and tear that might call for a replacement.

On the outside of your fridge, the condenser coils are the major element you need to address during your fall cleaning. Located on the back or sometimes the bottom of your fridge, these coils circulate and cool the refrigerant that keeps your fridge cold. Over time, the coils collect dust, pet hair, and other debris, which inhibits their ability to work correctly. Use a vacuum to clean the condenser coils so that your fridge—and your food—can stay cool all winter long.

Dryer Lint Roundup

Your dryer has a lint filter that you probably clean with every load, but that’s not the only place that lint can collect. While the lint filter catches most of the lint, some of it still makes its way into the exhaust ducting, also known as the dryer vent. Fall is a great time to check the duct work and remove any lint buildup.

Using a dryer cleaner kit, clean out any excess lint from the vent. This helps keep the dryer functioning well and reduces the risk of fire from excessive lint buildup. You should clean the vent both on the dryer side and the exterior vent side for best results.

Treat Your Oven to Some TLC

As the weather cools down, warm foods become a staple. Get your oven ready to go with some targeted TLC!

You can use an oven cleaner to loosen and remove any food particles. As you clean out the appliance, check for any visible damage to the heating element, oven walls, or door. You should also assess the door to make sure it shuts properly and observe if there’s any unexpected creaking or catching as it opens or closes. If you notice any issues, it might be time to call an appliance repair professional to review the situation

If you do find an issue with any of your appliances during your fall maintenance, don’t hesitate to contact an appliance professional. If you need appliance repairs or parts in Rockaway, NJ, call Morris County Appliance Repair today. Our team has over 50 years of combined experience and we’re here to help! Morris County Appliance Repair—You Can Count On Us!

Even though washing machines are used to clean your clothes, the appliances themselves are susceptible to getting dirty. Both front-loading and top-loading washers can develop an odor problem if not properly maintained. Read on to learn what the culprit of a smelly washer is and what you can do about it!

Causes of a Smelly Washing Machine

Mold, mildew, and bacteria are the microscopic causes of a smelly washing machine. But where do they come from?

The mold, mildew, and bacteria trifecta can form in a few different places in a front-loading machine. They usually grow when lint, soap scum, and dirt or debris from your laundry get trapped or left behind. This can happen under and around the door gasket, as well as around the drum.

For a top-loading machine, soap scum and water can collect in the bottom of the drum. If left there, this special concoction can become a breeding ground for smelly microscopic organisms as well.

Front-Load Washing Machine Maintenance

If lint, soap scum, and dirt are what cause mold, mildew, and bacteria to form, it makes sense the that trick to a fresh-smelling washer is to remove those culprits. Once you know how to fix the problem, it’s relatively easy to maintain an odor-free front-loading washer!

Follow these easy steps to keep your front-loading machine smelling fresh and clean:

• Only use a high-efficiency (HE) laundry detergent. Regular detergents produce too many suds, causing a buildup of soap scum in high-efficiency front-loading machines.
• Skip the fabric softener. Again, this will cause buildup and give mold and mildew a breeding ground to grow.
• Regularly remove any lint, debris, or soap scum from the door gasket and wipe it down weekly with a vinegar solution.
• Keep the lint trap clean!
• Remove washed clothes immediately so they aren’t sitting damp in the washer.
• Let the washer dry in between uses by leaving the door open. You can also use a fan or dehumidifier to help the process.

Just like you clean your shower or bathtub to keep it fresh, your washing machine needs some TLC in between uses as well. With regular preventative and maintenance steps, you can say goodbye to washing machine odor issues.

Top Loading Washer Care

While front-loading washers are more susceptible to smells caused by bacteria, mildew, and mold, top-loading machines can be at risk as well. If water, soap scum, or lint back up in the bottom of the machine, these same stinky visitors can form.

Luckily, running the rinse and spin cycle on your top-loader (without any clothes!) usually solves the issue. If it persists, you can also try running those cycles through with a vinegar solution to clear out any lingering buildup.

With regular care and attention, you should be able to keep your top-loading or front-loading washing machine free and clear of any buildup or odor. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of…well, fresh laundry!

If you’re having washing machine issues that go beyond an unpleasant smell, such as strange noises or incomplete cycles, feel free to reach out to the licensed and insured appliance experts at Morris County Appliance Repair. We’re your go-to appliance repair service company in Rockaway and the surrounding area.

Call us today and we’ll put our 50+ years of experience to work for you. Morris County Appliance Repair—You Can Count On Us!

Your refrigerator should keep your food at a safe, cool temperature—usually between 36°–38°—but it should never freeze your food. If that happens, something in the fridge’s system isn’t working correctly.

The good news is that many issues with a too-low fridge temperature can be addressed through some thorough DIY maintenance. If there’s a problem with a component or sensor, though, you may need refrigerator repair service. Read on to find out how to troubleshoot an overly chilly fridge so that you can keep your food cool, but not too cool!

Check Your Temperature Settings

If your refrigerator is freezing your salad greens or making your morning yogurt into frozen yogurt, the first thing to do is to check the temperature setting. There’s typically a dial near the top of the fridge that you can adjust so that your refrigerator cools to the correct temperature. Sometimes that dial gets turned accidentally, resulting in an unintentionally icy interior.

If you adjust the temperature setting and your fridge is still too cold, there might be an issue with the interior temperature sensor. You can check the accuracy of the sensor with a simple overnight test:

• Place a glass of water in the fridge
• Leave it for 24 hours
• Use a cooking thermometer to test the temperature

If the water temperature and the setting temperature don’t match up, you may have a sensor problem. In that case, it’s time to call your local refrigerator repair pro for help. They’ll be able to test the sensor and replace it if necessary.

 

Clear Your Refrigerator Air Vents

Part of your fridge’s cooling process includes cycling air through the interior of the refrigerator. To this end, there are air vents inside your fridge. If those vents are blocked, the cycling process—and therefore the cooling process—can’t take place properly.

If you’re experiencing an extra cold fridge, make sure that no food items are blocking the air vents. This is a simple fix that can, in some cases, solve the problem of an overly cold fridge!

 

Give Your Gasket Some TLC

The gasket, or seal, around the door of your fridge is also an area to check out if you’re having cooling problems. This is the element of your refrigerator that keeps the cold air inside. If that seal is compromised, then the cold air leaks out and your refrigerator has to work extra hard to maintain the interior temperature. In some cases, that extra effort results in over-cooling the fridge interior. 

Doing a quick inspection of your fridge’s door gasket can help you identify any trouble areas. If there’s a broken section or even a section that’s brittle or misshapen, that could be the culprit.

If you find any gasket issues, it’s advisable to call your local appliance repair professionals to assess the best way to repair or replace that element. There’s no sense risking more cooling problems when you’re already trying to solve a cooling issue!

 

Stumped? Call a Refrigerator Repair Pro

If you go through the above steps and you still can’t determine why your fridge is on an overzealous cooling streak, it’s time to call in the experts. Contact your local appliance specialist for refrigerator repair service.

These professionals will have the experience and the equipment to diagnose and solve your refrigerator issue. With their help, you can get back to enjoying your food and beverages at the correct, cool temperature without worrying about items freezing before you have a chance to use them.

If you need refrigerator repairs in Rockaway, Chatham, Hopatcong, and the surrounding area, call Morris County Appliance Repair today. We are licensed and insured and we have over 50 years of experience providing expert appliance service. Morris County Appliance Repair—you can count on us!

As appliance repair pros, the team at Morris County Appliance Repair sees a lot of different appliances out in the real world. From refrigerators to washing machines, we’ve come across most brands, models, and styles. So, when we say that we love Bosch appliances, you know that we mean it!

In this blog post, we cover what it is about the Bosch brand that puts it at the top of our list. To be clear, we’re not affiliated with Bosch. We simply appreciate the form and function of their appliances and we think others should too!

Appliances Made for Real People

Bosch is all about making appliances easy to use. They go out of their way to include features that prioritize modern functionality, like making the ice and water dispenser on a fridge big enough to fill a water bottle. That may seem like a small thing, but it’s pretty great when you don’t have to mop the floor every time you fill up before hitting the gym!

Many Bosch appliances are also designed to be ADA compliant. Some even offer enhanced features like voice activation in order to better serve people with disabilities.

No matter your situation, it’s nice to know that the people who designed your dishwasher or refrigerator actually considered how real people need those appliances to work on a daily basis! 

Elevated Aesthetics

There are no two ways about it—Bosch appliances look good! The function may be just as important as the form, but the form itself is something to write home about.

Bosch appliances are attractive without being showy, and their minimalist style means that they fit in just about anywhere. What’s not to love about that?

Efficient and Effective

It’s no secret that home appliances use a lot of energy in a modern household. That’s why it’s so great that Bosch designs appliances to do more with less. Whether you’re talking water usage for a dishwasher or electricity for an oven, Bosch models tend to have very high energy efficiency ratings. Not only is that good for the environment, but it’s good for your budget too!  

Build to Last: Minimal Appliance Repairs

Even though we’re an appliance repair company, we would much prefer that your home appliances continue working like they’re supposed to! Bosch is known for being a durable and reliable brand. That’s not to say you won’t ever have problems with a Bosch machine, but the brand’s quality materials and construction mean that problems aren’t the norm.

If you’re in the market for a new dishwasher, refrigerator, or other home appliance, it’s worth considering Bosch models. If you need appliance installation or repair assistance in Rockaway or the surrounding area, give us a call! Morris County Appliance Repair: You Can Count On Us!

Home appliances are some of the greatest innovations of the contemporary age. From clothes dryers to toaster ovens, they help save us time and keep our home lives running smoothly.

Even though modern appliances have numerous safety features, it’s still important to remember that they can be dangerous if not maintained or connected properly. Read on to learn about which appliances are most prone to fires—and to get a better understanding of how to avoid them!

Top Five Appliances that Pose a Fire Hazard

Due to built-in safety measures, appliance fires are the exception, rather than the norm. They do still happen, though, which is why you should be aware of the potential danger before it occurs.

The majority of appliance-related fires in the U.S. involve:

• Stoves (gas and electric)
• Clothes dryers
• Microwaves
• Refrigerators
• Toasters and toaster ovens

All appliances pose some degree of fire risk, but these are the main culprits when it comes to appliance-related home fires.

What Causes Appliance Fires?

In some cases, like with stoves and toaster ovens, the danger of fire primarily comes if a heating element is either left on or turned on accidentally. Clothes dryers, on the other hand, are susceptible to fires from accumulated (and highly flammable) lint.

Microwaves present a major hazard when they are turned on without anything inside, while refrigerators are a danger if they short-circuit or if the interior light somehow stays on even after the fridge is closed. There won’t necessarily be a fire every time these things happen, but the risk definitely goes up!

Appliance Repair, Service, & Maintenance

So, what can you do to decrease the risk of fire when it comes to these and other appliances? There are two key actions that you can take:

1. Operate appliances as instructed

and

2. Stay on top of appliance maintenance, service, and repairs

Using your appliance only as it’s meant to be used is essential when it comes to fire prevention. Keeping it clean and well-maintained is also vital.

If your appliance is obstructed with dust or debris or if there’s a faulty part, the danger of fire increases. That’s why it’s so important to keep your appliances clean and in working order. That also means calling for appliance repair service when you see an issue. In some cases, a timely repair can mean the difference between an appliance that’s helpful and one that’s a danger.

If you need appliance repair services in Rockaway, Chatham, or the surrounding communities, call the team at Morris County Appliance Repair. We’re your local appliance pros with over 50 years of experience—You Can Count On Us!

Food can be messy—there’s no way around that! However, this doesn’t mean that your refrigerator needs to pay the price. Follow these four key refrigerator cleaning steps from the Morris County Appliance Repair team to maintain a tidy, grime-free fridge and prolong its longevity as a key kitchen appliance.

Five Steps to a Sparkling Clean Fridge

1. Set a regular cleaning schedule

The key to getting your fridge clean—and keeping it that way—is to clean it regularly. The frequency will depend on your specific situation but doing a deep clean every three months or so is a good rule of thumb.

2. Prepare your space

Doing a refrigerator deep clean means that you’ll need to take all the things that are in the fridge out of the fridge. Set yourself up for success by arranging where you’re going to put everything once it’s out. If you don’t have a lot of kitchen space, you can work shelf-by-shelf instead of doing it all at once.

If you think you’ll have things out of the fridge for more than a few minutes, it might be a good idea to prepare a cooler to keep things chilled while you clean. You’ll also want to make sure your sink is clean and empty so you can use it to wash down containers and/or refrigerator fixtures if they need a little extra TLC!

3. Gather your cleaning supplies

It’s way easier to clean your refrigerator efficiently if you have all your cleaning supplies at your fingertips. You’ll want to have on hand:

• Sprayable cleaning solution
• Sponges, cloths, and scrubbers
• Drying towels

A white vinegar solution is a great food-safe choice to dissolve grease and grime from fridge shelves. You can make your own or buy a pre-made option.

4. Empty, clean, dry, and repeat!

Once you have everything set up, you’re ready to get down to some serious fridge cleaning! Let’s assume you’re working shelf-by-shelf. You’ll want to take everything off the shelf and move it to the staging area you prepared so that you can reach every nook and cranny of the shelf you’re tackling.

Next, clean the shelf surface by spraying on the cleaning solution. If the shelf is extra-grimy, you may even want to take it out to be able to scrub it down in the skink so you’re not leaving your fridge open for more than a few minutes at a time.

Give the cleaning solution a few moments to start dissolving any caked-on mess, then use your scrubber of choice to scrub it clean. Wipe down with a damp cloth, and then dry the shelf so that you’re not introducing any extra moisture into your fridge.

5. Triage your food

Next, it’s time to deal with your food items. Give them the same treatment as the shelf—cleaning solution, scrub, wipe down, and dry. Also, go ahead and toss anything that’s past its expiration date!

Once the shelf and the food are clean and dry, put the items you’re keeping back in and move on to the next section. This same process can be repeated for drawers, door shelves, and any other areas in your fridge. Don’t forget any seals or the door gasket either—those all benefit from a good wipe-down too!

A Clean Fridge is a Healthy Fridge

Keeping your refrigerator clean isn’t just about getting rid of those sticky rings at the base of your condiment bottles. It’s also about optimizing your refrigerator’s performance and extending its lifespan.

Regular refrigerator cleaning lets you keep an eye on any parts that might be acting funny so that you can get the appropriate refrigerator repair help you need before it becomes a major issue. Removing any extra grime or buildup also ensures that your fridge doesn’t end up working harder than it has to.  

When you do a refrigerator deep clean, you get a sparkling clean fridge and you get to feel great about taking care of your investment in that appliance. It’s a win-win!

Did you know your dishwasher can do so much more than wash dishes? 

In fact, here are four ways you can hack your dishwasher and make your life a whole lot easier right now. They might surprise you!

1. Disinfect Toys

If you have small children, then you have countless plastic toys that are covered in germs, dirt, and who knows what else. (Seriously, how did they get so sticky?)

Arrange the toys according to size: big toys on the bottom rack, medium toys on the top rack, and small toys in the utensil holder. 

Use the lightest wash setting possible, and avoid the heat/dry setting so nothing melts.

This also works for your pet’s chew toys!

2. Clean Tools

If you have any metal tools that are covered in dirt and gunk (e.g. trowels, shears, hand cultivators), you can clean them in your dishwasher.

As long as you don’t include any tools with wooden handles, feel free to use the highest and hottest settings to blast away all of that caked-on dirt. 

3. Rinse Fruits and Veggies

This dishwasher hack surprises the most people. 

When you have a lot of produce to wash (think: Thanksgiving meal prep), you can save precious time by tossing it all onto the top rack of your dishwasher! Simply use a setting with minimal heat, skip the heat/dry cycle, and definitely omit the detergent. 

4. Use as a Warming Station

This dishwasher hack will come in surprisingly handy when your oven is full (again, think about Thanksgiving).

Set your dishwasher to the heat/dry cycle with no water, cover your food nice and tight, and place onto the racks. Keep it there until you’re ready to eat!

You can also do this to keep your plates and bowls warm before the meal is served.

We hope you have fun trying out these dishwasher hacks on your own! If you come up with any new ones, let us know.

In our last blog post, we outlined the most common washing machine settings and their uses. This time, we’re going to do the same thing for dryer settings.

With the exception of the self-explanatory “regular” or “normal” setting, it may not be immediately evident which dryer setting you should use for a given load of laundry. That’s why we’ve decided to quickly break down the most common dryer settings and when you should use them. Keep reading for more details!

1. Delicate/Gentle

Using low to medium heat, the “delicate” or “gentle” dryer setting is meant for the same articles you washed with the “delicate” or “gentle” washing machine cycle. In other words, it’s for lightweight or sheer fabrics, sweaters, blouses, dress pants, activewear, embellished and/or embroidered fabrics, and so on. 

2. Permanent Press

Using medium heat, the “permanent press” setting is great for your everyday, casual clothing–the items you wouldn’t want to wrinkle, but also would never want to whip out the iron for. The secret to “permanent press” is that it switches off the heat a few minutes before the cycle finishes, so the clothes can cool down and better resist wrinkles. 

3. Timed Dry

When you use the “timed dry” setting, you get to manually select how long the dryer will run for and, usually, at what temperature. However, unlike the pre-determined dryer settings, it will not use dryness sensors and will remain at one consistent temperature the whole time. 

4. Heavy Duty

Using the highest heat, your dryer’s “heavy duty” setting is intended for sheets, towels, and other thick, durable linens that require extra heat to dry thoroughly.  

5. Air Dry

This setting is unique in that it uses no heat at all. Therefore, it should only be used for articles that are already completely dry. Ideal for blankets, pillows, and coats that have just been taken out of storage, it tumbles your articles in room-temperature air with the primary purpose of freshening or fluffing them up. 

6. Steam

If you have a few dry items that are wrinkled or musty, use your dryer’s steam setting to revitalize them. Instead of using dry heat, this setting will produce steam that releases wrinkles and refreshes stale clothes.