Six Laundry Tips to Save Money and the Environment

Posted on October 29, 2015 by jenmertz

American families do a lot of laundry. The Environmental Protection Agency calculates that the average American family does more than 400 loads each year. This adds up in energy, water, detergent, and other costs, even if they’re using efficient combination washer dryers.

With a little time and effort, consumers can avoid this unnecessary expense. Households can save money and lighten their environmental footprint by following these convenient money-saving tips:

Wash in cold water – Using cold water to wash your clothes will cut down on the energy required to do your laundry. Use hot water only for clothing types requiring that setting or for deeply stained clothing or circumstances when you need to kill germs or bacteria.
Air Dry Your Clothes – If you have the space, you can save a lot of money on laundry by hanging your clothes out to dry. Electric dryers consume a lot of energy, while using the sun and wind are free. Experts estimate the average household can save around $60 per year just by air drying half their laundry.
Cut back on detergent – Unless your clothes are heavily soiled, a full cup of detergent just isn’t necessary. Water containing laundry detergent often ends up in our lakes and streams, and, even if it is treated at a wastewater treatment facility, it can have a negative environmental impact. Use a little less and make your detergent bottle last longer. By cutting back, you can save up to $80 per year on detergent.
Brew your own detergent – Consumers can save big bucks on detergent by mixing their own detergent. With just a little borax, washing soda, and soap, households can easily make their own safe and reliable laundry detergent. This method costs just five pennies per load, whereas the average cup of detergent costs 20 cents per load.
Eschew the fabric softener – Households can use a less expensive and more eco-friendly solution to stiff clothes by replacing fabric softener with a dash of baking soda in the final rinse. Baking soda should not be used with bleach, however, as it can cause a reaction creating a toxic gas.
Invest in a new washer and/or dryer – Older model washers and dryers can be incredibly inefficient compared to newer models. If you’d like to reduce your power bill and do something to help the environment, invest in an Energy Star-rated washer or dryer. These new models are incredibly efficient and can greatly reduce the amount of energy you consume doing laundry.

By following these money-saving tips, you can help reduce your impact on the environment, while also lightening laundry’s load on your finances.

FJS Distributors, Inc. sells LG Electronics washer dryer combos and Asko washers and dryers. A factory-authorized distributor, FJS Distributors has been connecting customers with top quality laundry machines for the past 15 years. LG and Asko washers and dryers are innovative products that help make doing laundry a joy rather than a chore. To learn more, call LG Washer Dryer at 1-800-884-8635.

Top Loader Washers vs. Front Loader Washers

Posted on October 22, 2015 by jenmertz

It’s a debate raging in household laundry rooms across the country – top loader washing machines vs. front loader washing machines. Partisans of both types of laundry machines are surprisingly passionate about their washing machine of choice, and discussions about each can become quite heated. The debates concerning device type are often even more intense than those regarding brand quality like LG washers vs. Maytag, or Whirlpool vs. Samsung.

The truth is that each device has its pros and cons, and some will fit certain lifestyles and households better than others. When making that fateful choice between top loading and front loading washing machines, consider these facts:

Many front loading washing machines allow their users to add steam to the wash cycle to help remove stains. For households with soccer uniforms and baseball leggings to wash, this feature can be a great help.
Front loading washing machines are stackable, making them helpful in homes where space is at a premium.
Front loading washing machines use less water than top loaders, making them more energy efficient. As inflation rises and wages remain stagnant, families need every option they can get for cutting costs, including monthly power bills.
Because of the advanced technology incorporated into their design, front loading washing machines are often much more expensive than top loading machines. This may be a big drawback for young consumers or first time home buyers seeking a washing machine.
Top loading washing machines don’t require users to bend to put clothes in and take them out. This is a helpful feature for older users or those with back or hip problems.
Water can get trapped inside of front loading washers, causing a musty smell to develop.
Wash cycles for top loaders are not as adjustable as those for front loading devices.
Front loading washing machines have a faster spin cycle. This wrings more moisture out of clothes and will often result in a shorter time needed in the dryer.
Top loading washers are easier to fix and maintain than the more technologically complicated front loading washers.

When front loading washing machines hit the market a few years ago, they quickly blazed a trail toward sales dominance, but that momentum has faded in recent years as top loaders have remained highly cost competitive. Technology enthusiasts are passionate about the front loaders, however, giving them a strong reservoir of goodwill from which to draw.

Consumers have a lot of variables to consider when purchasing either a front loading or top loading washing machine. Smart consumers will consider their needs and their lifestyle, and also research specific brands of washers before settling on a choice.

Tips for Doing Laundry at College

Posted on October 13, 2015 by jenmertz

Exerting you independence is something young adults get to experience firsthand when they leave home to attend college. If you are like most students, you cannot let stacks of dirty clothes pile up and haul them all home for your parents to wash in their LG washer and dryer. At some point, you are going to have to wash your own clothes and figure out how to do laundry. With these easy tips, you are sure to avoid explaining how you turned all your socks and underwear pink.

Buy laundry supplies. Pick up a laundry bag or basket, detergent, color safe bleach, and fabric softener. Keep in mind, chlorine bleach is for solid whites only, and color safe bleach can be used with all your dirty laundry. You are free to choose from liquid and powder detergents—though liquids work better in cold water—as well as liquid or dryer sheets for your fabric softener. Tip: Purchase the same products your parents have at home, because you know you are not allergic to these products.
Get plenty of quarters. You cannot rely upon change machines or other people to supply you quarters all of the time. Some colleges allow students to use their student IDs in college laundry rooms in place of quarters, as long as they have cash in their student account.
Sort your clothes. Sort whites, lights, and darks, and jeans into separate loads. Whites are best washed in hot water, lights in warm water, and darks and jeans in cold water. Refer to the use and care tags in your clothing to see what the manufacturer recommends, too, if you are in doubt.
Select the correct washer and dryer settings. Stuffing a washer full will not get your clothes clean. Ideally, only fill the washer about two-thirds full. Select the right water temperature and size of the load. Add detergent, bleach, and fabric softener, and start the machine. With dryer cycles, never use high heat, as it could shrink your clothes. Remember to check the link screen and clean it before and after the dryer cycle.
Fold clothing as soon as it comes out of the dryer. Taking the time to fold your clothes prevents wrinkles. It is also easier to smooth out any wrinkles in the clothing while it is still warm, which eliminates having to iron your clothes.
Be mindful of others. Whether you are doing laundry in your dorm room or at a local laundromat, everyone has to share the machines and help keep the laundry area clean. In addition, never leave clothes sitting unattended in washers or dryers.
Select the best time to do laundry. If it is busy, you may be stuck with only one washer and dryer or waiting for a machine to become free. Learn when the laundry room or laundromat is the least busy to be able to have access to multiple machines.

Doing your own laundry is not difficult, even if you have never done a load of laundry before arriving at college. For other laundry tips and suggestions, feel free to give LG Washer Dryer FJS Distributors, Inc. a call at 800-875-1533 today.

Reduce Business Laundry Expenses with a Washer and Dryer in One

Posted on October 6, 2015 by jenmertz

From doctor’s offices to hair salons, there are numerous businesses which rely upon clean towels, face cloths, and other items in order to conduct business. Most business operations outsource their laundry needs through a laundry service. The laundry service takes care of washing, drying, folding, and returning clean items on a preset schedule. However, using a third party service is not always the most affordable solution for your business.

What if you could do your own laundry and eliminate the service? How much money could you potentially save? To determine your projected savings, you have to compare the annual costs of the laundry service to the estimated costs of purchasing and installing a LG washer dryer combo. In addition, you need to include the costs for laundry supplies, water, and electricity, as well as the labor expense to pay your employees to do loads of dirty laundry.

One thing to remember is investing into a new compact washer and dryer could qualify you for the Section 179 deduction from your business taxes. Do not forget to take this into consideration when comparing the costs between using a service and switching to an in-house laundry solution. Further, after the initial expense of purchasing and installing the appliance, your ongoing monthly costs are water, electric, laundry supplies, and labor, with occasional routine maintenance.

Routine maintenance is recommended since the combo washer and dryer is being used for business purposes. Maintenance should be performed once or twice a year, depending upon the volume of laundry you do. A professional laundry technician inspects the parts and components, verifies they are operating correctly, and thoroughly cleans the interior sections of the machine.

Do I Need Dryer Venting with a Washer and Dryer Combination Appliance?

There is no dryer venting required or necessary with a washer and dryer combo. The dryer relies upon ventless drying technologies to dry wet laundry. Since no dryer vent is needed, you do not have to worry about the construction costs of installing venting, not to mention the fire hazards and increased insurance costs. You do need access to plumbing and a standard 110V three-prong electrical outlet. Since access to hot and cold water lines and drain pipes are limited in business environments, some owners have their new appliances installed next to their bathrooms or in a break area with a kitchenette.

How Many Loads of Laundry Will a Combo Washer Dryer Do a Day?

With a combo machine, both the washing and drying cycles are done in the same machine. As such, total cycle times are about two and half to three hours long. This means, for a typical “9-to5” operation, you will be able to get two or three loads of laundry done each day. If your laundry volume is more than a single appliance can handle, consider investing in more machines. Call LG Washer Dryer FJS Distributors, Inc. at 800-875-1533 for further assistance and additional information.

Laundry Options for Homes without Washer and Dryer Connections

Posted on September 29, 2015 by jenmertz

If your home does not have any washer and dryer connections, you might think visiting your local laundromat is your only solution for doing laundry. You would be surprised to learn this is not the only option you have available. Whether you rent your home or own it, you have other solutions which allow you to do laundry at home and stop making regular trips to the laundromat.

Options for Homeowners

One of the easiest ways to get in-home laundry is to install a LG washer dryer combo or stackable washer dryer with ventless drying. Ventless drying eliminates having to run a dryer vent through the walls and to the outdoors. With a washer and dryer combo, both the washing and drying functions are combined into a single appliance. It is one of the easier solutions to add in-home laundry with the least amount of work.

The only connections a combo laundry appliance needs are hot and cold water lines, discharge drain, and 110V standard outlet. Since these are the only connections required, it provides greater flexibility and a wide array of areas within the home to install the new appliance, such as in a bathroom, under the counter in your kitchen, or by converting a closet into your new laundry room. With a stacked washer and ventless dryer solution, the only additional connection required is a 220V appliance outlet.

If you do not have easy access to an 110V standard outlet or need to have a 220V appliance outlet installed, it is highly recommended to utilize the services of a qualified electrician to ensure the work is completed according to current building and fire codes. Tapping into existing water lines and discharge drains is not difficult for most experienced DIYers. However, if this is beyond your skill set, hire a professional plumber.

Options for Renters

When you rent an apartment or home, your landlord may prevent you from making major modifications to the home, like tapping water and drain lines and installing or moving electrical outlets, but this does not mean you cannot still have in-home laundry with a combination washer and dryer. All that is required are a few accessories added to the existing appliance to turn it into a portable washing machine on wheels. Any time you need to do a load of laundry, you simply roll the machine up to the kitchen sink, attach the quick connect hose attachment to the faucet, plug the all-in-one washer dryer into any 3-prong standard outlet, and you are ready to wash and dry your clothes.

Getting in-home laundry is not difficult, whether you own or rent your home and lack existing washer and dryer connections. To learn more about combination washers and dryers or assistance with selecting the best model for your home, contact LG Washer Dryer FJS Distributors, Inc. by phoning 800-875-1533.

Laundry Basics: Sorting Clothes

Posted on September 22, 2015 by jenmertz

Sorting clothes before you do laundry is an essential step. There are various methods for sorting clothes, but the most commonly used one is to sort clothes by color. While it might be tempting to just toss all of your dirty clothes into LG washers, there are several reasons why you should take the time to sort your laundry. It allows you to use different wash temperatures and wash cycles, as well as certain laundry products, like bleach.

Sorting by color helps reduce the likelihood of a darker colored piece of clothing bleeding and that color being absorbed by a lightly colored article of clothing. For instance, reds are notorious for bleeding and turning whites a nice shade of pink, especially if washed on hot or warm water cycles. Rather than risk accidently dying your lightly colored clothing, take a few minutes to sort your loads, as follows:

Whites: Underwear, t-shirts, socks, and other sturdy white cottons fall into this group. Most people want to use bleach and hot water, especially to ensure their undergarments are clean.

Lights: Light colored clothing includes light blues, greens, beiges, and more. It is recommended to sort warm colors (i.e. various shades of oranges, reds, and yellows) from cool colors (i.e. greens, blues, and purples).

Darks: Dark shades in both warm and cool colors, as well as blacks fall into this group. You can sort them into warm and cool colors, but normally it is not necessary, since darks are typically washed on cold water cycles.

Besides sorting clothes by colors, there are four sub-groups for sorting certain articles of clothing: delicates, jeans, towels, and sheets. With each of these sub-groups, sort them by color, too. For instance, if you have both light and dark colored towels, separate them and do two different loads.

So far, sorting clothes sounds simple and easy. However, before you pat yourself on the back, there is something else you need to know when sorting clothes. After you have your piles all sorted, the next thing you have to do is sort each pile of dirty laundry by fabric weight. For example, if you have several pairs of heavier cotton shorts or pants and lighter shirts, you have to separate them. Otherwise, you run the risk of the heavier clothing damaging your lighter-weight apparel. If you are not sure how to sort a particular article of clothing, read the use and care tag, since it provides details on the recommended wash and dry cycles.

With today’s high efficiency washers, there is no reason to do smaller loads sorted by color and fabric weight. Front loading washers automatically detect the volume of laundry in the machine and adjust the water level to match. In addition, it will be easier on your dryer, since drying times are different for heavy and light weight fabrics. If you are shopping for new LG washers and dryers, call LG Washer Dryer FJS Distributors, Inc. now at 800-875-1533 to speak to a representative.

Different DIY Ways to Organize Your Laundry Room

Posted on September 12, 2015 by jenmertz

The laundry room, in most homes, is typically one of the least organized rooms. You might have piles of dirty clothes on the floor, laundry detergents, and supplies sitting on top of the washer, and an iron board standing in a corner. With a little bit of planning and DIY work, you can turn your laundry room into one of the most organized rooms in your home with any of the following ideas:

Build Laundry Pedestals: Most people have front loading washer and dryer sets. Elevating them on pedestals allows you to utilize the space under the washer and dryer. You can build your own using high quality wood and at least two supports. This leaves three open areas where you can either install pull out drawers or use plastic totes that easily slide in and out.
Stack the Washer and Dryer: If space is tight in the laundry room, you can stack front loading appliances with a stacking kit and place the dryer on top of the washer.
Use a Wooden Ladder to Make a Clothes Hanger: Take a short three or four foot wooden ladder and suspend it from the ceiling with supports on both sides at both ends. You can connect the supports together on the left and right sides of the ladder, with a single support secured into a beam in the ceiling. Now, use the rungs of the ladder to hang up your clean clothes.
Use a Door Rack for Laundry Supplies: For small laundry rooms with a door, pick up a wire door rack and hang it on the back of the door. Door racks have several shelves that are perfect for detergents, fabric softeners, and more.
Build Shelves above the Washer and Dryer: Create storage above your appliances by building shelves. Just remember to use extra supports if you intend to use them to store laundry supplies, to prevent the shelves from sagging.
Build a Fold-Down Drying Rack: Build a rectangular wooden frame with about four cross sections, which looks similar to a very short and small ladder. Secure this to a solid piece of wood using hinges with an attached support arm and mount to the wall.
Build a Portable Laundry Basket Sorter: You are free to build the sorter as big as you want, to hold from two to four laundry baskets. Using plywood, cut three sections for the height and two sections for the depth to build a cabinet. At each level, use one-by-twos to create shelf supports so the baskets can be pulled out for sorting. Lastly, install wheels onto the bottom to roll it throughout the home and presort laundry as you pick up dirty clothes from each room.

By taking the time to organize your laundry room, doing laundry becomes easier and more efficient. For more laundry room tips and suggestions, or for assistance in selecting a new washer and dryer, call LG Washer Dryer FJS Distributers, Inc. at 800-875-1533.