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How Electric Vented and Ventless Dryers Work

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You might be wondering if there is a difference between how electric vented and ventless dryer dry clothes. Both types of laundry appliances dry clothes, but the main difference is in how they dry them. Understanding how dryers work is beneficial, especially whenever you are shopping for a new dryer or considering a washer and dryer combo.

Electric vented dryers have several key components which are essential to getting clothes dry:

  1. Air Intake: There are openings in the dryer at various locations, depending on the make/model where air is drawn into the dryer and passed over the heating element.
  2. Heating Element: Electricity passes through coiled wires and heats them, much like a burner on a stove. The heat warms the air and dries the clothes.
  3. Fan: A blower fan circulates the heated air through the dryer and into the drum.
  4. Dryer Vent: Once the air leaves the drum, it has cooled slightly and is vented out a pipe to the exterior of the home.

This basic processes repeats until a dryness sensor determines the clothes are dry. The main drawback to electric vented drying is the majority of the heated air is lost as it exits the dryer through the dryer vent. As such, operating an electric venter dryer is not energy efficient, when compared to ventless dryers.

Electric ventless dryers have similar components with a few differences and no dryer vent. The two basic drying methods are air-to-air condensation drying, and cold water condensation drying. With air-to-air drying, the dryer has two separate air circulation systems: one for hot air and one for cold. Rather than the air leaving the dryer through a dyer vent, the heated air is constantly recycled until the clothes are dry.

As the air leaves the drum, it passes through a condenser, where it is cooled with room temperature air and moisture is extracted from the cooled air. The water is then pumped down the discharge drain. The air in the hot air circulation system is passed back over the heating element, and the process continues until the clothes are dry. With cold water condensation drying, cold water is used to cool the heated air and extract moisture in place of the cold air circulation system.

Since ventless dryers do not have a dryer vent, they are more energy-efficient than electric vented dryers. The air is constantly recycled and reheated, anywhere from 20 to 30 degrees, compared to vented dryers drawing in room temperature air and heating it 80 to 90 degrees. As a result, the biggest energy savings is due to ventless dryers only having to reheat the air a small amount.

Even though dry cycles tend to take a little longer, ventless dryers are still using less electricity than vented dryers. To learn more about ventless dryers, or washer and dryer combos, feel free to contact LG Washer Dryer FJS Distributers, Inc. today at 800-875-1533.

Laundry and the Hospitality Industry: How to Save Money on Laundry

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In the hospitality industry, laundry is divided between front of the house and back of the house services. The front of the house services are those where the property either features access to an onsite laundry room, or laundry service for guests who want to wash their clothes while on vacation. The back of the house services are those utilized by your housekeeping staff to launder towels, sheets, and linens used in your guest rooms and guest areas.

For front of the house services, install coin operated, eco-friendly stacked washer dryer sets in a laundry room. Energy Star certified appliances use less water and electricity, and allow hotels and resorts to put more earnings in their pockets from the paid laundry that guests do. In addition, sell eco-friendly detergents and laundry aids, either in vending machines or in the hotel’s gift shop. If a guest would rather take advantage of a laundry service where you launder their clothing and return it to their room, consider purchasing a washer and dryer combo, since loads are normally smaller and do not need to be run in commercial washers and dryers.

For the back of the house laundry, hotels and resorts run numerous loads every day. As guests check out, sheets, bedding, towels, and other linens have to be washed. One of the biggest operational costs is related to the amount of water and energy used by hotels to do laundry. If your commercial appliances are older, you could be paying more than if you invested in new, energy-efficient commercial washers and dryers.

It is possible to save more money with new equipment and negotiate with the supplier for a pay-per-use agreement. There is no lease agreement or purchase of the equipment with a pay-per-use agreement. Some of these agreements include lifetime warranties, where all service calls and parts are covered. The only out of pocket expenses are having to pay on a per-load basis. If you only do five or six loads a day, you only pay an agreed-upon amount to the equipment provider for each load. This type of agreement makes back of the house laundry more like a utility expense: You only pay when the machines are used.

To see if a pay-per-use agreement is beneficial for your hotel or resort, you will need to know approximately how much laundry is done over the course of a year. Compare the costs of paying for the loads to the costs of purchasing new energy-efficient equipment. Then decide which option is the most beneficial for your hotel. Regardless of the option you choose, remember you are going to be saving additional money on water and energy costs, too, with the new equipment.

Updating your hotel’s laundry equipment with new laundry pairs can help save you money and create additional capital to be used elsewhere. For more information about energy-efficient laundry appliances and solutions for your hotel, feel free to contact LG Washer Dryer FJS Distributors, Inc. today at 800-875-1533.

Date Night at the Laundromat

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With people constantly on the go and with busy schedules juggling work, kids, and other activities, the laundromat in some cities is becoming a popular date night destination. While doing laundry in washer and dryer sets with someone you just met might seem like TMI (too much information) about your unmentionables, for others the idea of getting to know their new partner better and faster through their dirty laundry sounds appealing.

Back in the mid-1980s, laundromats were trying out new concepts and ideas to attract singles, like incorporating a café inside the laundromat, or obtaining a liquor license to sell beer and other alcoholic adult drinks. Initially, people responded positively to some of the concepts and spending a Friday night doing laundry became fun and enjoyable, since there were plenty of single people to converse with, and this opened up possibilities of finding someone to date. Unfortunately, many of these “modern” laundromats did not last long, but some have managed to survive by adapting to their customers’ needs.

Two of the most popular laundromats where people spend their date nights are The Wash House in New York City and the Brain Wash in San Francisco. Both of these laundromats offer a wide array of dining, drinks, amenities, and laundry options for their patrons. For example, The Wash House allows guests to drop off their laundry and enjoy an artisanal sandwich, coffee, or beer while their clothes are washed, dried, and folded for them, or they can utilize one of the numerous self-service machines and do their own laundry while dining. In addition, upscale laundromats like these two feature free Wi-Fi access and other amenities to turn the tedious task of doing laundry into a romantic date night.

What Laundromats Can Do to Promote Date Nights

People from all over are catching onto the resurgence of date night at the laundromat. Thanks to free Wi-Fi hot spots, people can post pictures of their date on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and other such social media sites. As a result, social media shares, likes, and comments are quickly spreading the word that the new “in-thing” to do on a rainy weekend night, instead of standing in line at a nightclub, is to take your special someone and dirty laundry, and visit one of the laundromats in your area.

As a laundromat owner, you will want to promote date nights for your clients. Do not be afraid to use social media sites to promote your event. Remember to ask your customers for their feedback, as they are a great source of information to help create fun date nights. For instance, you could come up with a themed date night, like one based on a popular game show. Consider establishing relationships with nearby restaurants, so you can offer food at your laundromat other than the snacks in the vending the machine. If delivery service is not available, hire a wait person to take people’s orders, call them in, and go pick them up.

Feel free to experiment with different concepts and themes that do not cost a lot, until you find the ones which work well for your area. Do not hesitate to contact LG Washer Dryer FJS Distributors, Inc. for your laundry appliance needs and laundry tips by calling 800-875-1533 today.

How to Eliminate Dryer Venting Issues When Building New Multifamily Units

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One of the biggest obstacles architects face when developing plans for a new multifamily housing project is where to place the laundry room, because of dryer venting rules and regulations. There are limits to the length dryer venting can be run from the laundry room to the outdoors. Additionally, if there are corners to go around, the length is further reduced. The easiest and most cost-effective way to address this concern is to use ventless dryers instead of conventional vented dryers.

With ventless drying, no dryer vent is required or needed. As a result, architects have more flexibility and freedom in creating floor plans for multifamily housing units. The builder will also appreciate not having to worry about running dryer venting for every single unit. In addition, construction costs will be less for the owner of the new units. Not to mention, the insurance rates are lower because the fire hazards associated with vented dryers are eliminated.

Where Can Ventless Dryers Be Installed in New Multifamily Units?

There are several different locations where architects are able to place laundry in the floor plans for the new units they are developing. One option is to use a combination washer dryer and install it in the kitchen next to the dishwasher under the counter. The only connections required are access to a standard 3-prong outlet, hot and cold water lines, and a discharge drain. A washer and dryer in one could instead be installed in a bathroom under the countertop.

If there is a laundry room created as part of the floor plan, the architect only has to make it large enough to accommodate a compact washer and dryer combo instead of side-by-side appliances. If the property owner desires separate appliances, consider recommending stacking the appliances to save on space. Again, no dryer vents are necessary, since LG combination models use ventless drying and LG also offers stand-alone ventless dryers.

In cases where there is not sufficient room in the unit for a separate laundry room or space under a countertop, combination compact models can be converted into a portable model on wheels with a kitchen sink conversion kit. The only space required would be somewhere to store the unit whenever the tenant was not doing laundry, like a small closet or storage area near the kitchen.

For ADA (handicap accessible) units, a LG washer dryer combo is the best solution. The combination appliance is front loading and meets ADA requirements. If the washer dryer needs to be elevated, there is an optional laundry pedestal available to raise it off of the floor.

As a multifamily architect or builder, you can easily see the benefits of eliminating dryer vents and using laundry appliances with ventless drying technologies. To learn more about LG ventless dryers and model options for your new multifamily building, call LS Washer Dryer FJS Distributors, Inc. now at 800-875-1533 to speak to a friendly and knowledgeable representative.

cold water condenser graphic

How Often Should I Wash Bedding in My LG Washer and Dryer?

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One frequently asked question people have is how often they should wash their bedding in their LG washer dryer combo or stacked washer dryer. Since most people spend a good portion of their time in their beds, it is recommended to wash the bedding at least once a week. If you enjoy snacking in your bed while watching the late night news, late show, or reading your favorite book, then it is better to wash bedding twice a week or have an extra set of bedding you can use until you are able to launder the bedding.

Washing bedding less frequently can result in several problems which are easy to prevent. Every night when you sleep, you shed dead skin cells. It is easy to accumulate millions of dead skin cells in the bed over the course of the week. The dead skin cells are the primary food source for dust mites. Dust mites cause allergic reactions in people who suffer from dust allergies, as well as breathing problems for asthmatics. Laundering the bedding weekly helps control dust mite populations.

Further, if you snack in the bed, small bugs can be attracted to the leftover crumbs, especially ants and roaches. It is not much fun to be woken up in the middle of a night because you feel something crawling on your feet, legs, arms, hands, or face. Washing and changing the sheets a few times a week eliminates the crumbs and prevents these unwanted insects from invading your bed.

Bed bugs are another common problem caused by infrequent washing of the bedding. Bed bugs are a growing concern in recent years as populations have started to soar, largely due to people not being as cautious when they travel and bringing them back into the home. These small insects are most active at night while you sleep. They will bite you since their primary food source is blood. A good way to check for bed bugs is to pull back the bedding and look at the base of the bed for small reddish colored spots on the sheets and small black pellets that look like dirt. If you notice either of these, and have bites on your feet and legs, chances are there are bed bugs in the bed.

For dust mites and bed bugs, the easiest way to combat these problems is wash bedding in the hottest water temperatures and use either chlorine or color-safe bleach. You can also vacuum the mattress, box springs, and under and around the bedding. Make sure to vacuum along seams, since these are areas where bed bugs and dust mites like to hide.

Keeping your bedding clean not only gives you fresh, clean-smelling sheets, but also gives you peace of mind about preventing unwanted guests in your bed. If you are in the market for a new washer and dryer or want other laundry tips, contact LG Washer Dryer FJS Distributors, Inc. today by phoning 800-875-1533.

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Keeping Your Clothes Clean at the Laundromat

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People who have to visit their local laundromat to do laundry, and to use its washer and dryer sets, may be spreading bacteria, germs, and dirt, and bringing it home with them. You might be thinking, “How is this possible, since the clothes have been washed, dried, and appear clean?” Your laundromat could even wipe down machines frequently after someone is done with them, too. However, what you and your laundromat are not always aware of is what the previous person washed in the washer before you arrived and decided to use the machine.

One of the biggest contributors to bacteria and germs found in washers and dryers comes from our undergarments and other unmentionables. Our underwear is home to a variety of bacteria and germs, which gets washed out and deposited into the machine. Even though the clothes go through a rinse cycle, there could be bacteria and germs left over from the previous load, which are redeposited right back onto your clean clothes.

Before you start to blame your laundromat, this problem occurs even in homes with washers and dryers. One culprit is using cold and warm water wash cycles, as these water temperatures are not high enough to kill germs and bacteria. Another culprit is the leftover water at the bottom of the machine at the end of each cycle.

The easiest way to ensure your clothes are coming home clean from the laundromat is to adjust your laundry habits. While it is handy to do all of your laundry in multiple machines and get all of your laundry done in one load, it is better to only use one or two machines. The first loads of laundry should be your whites and other items for which you intend to use chlorine bleach and hot water. The bleach and hot water kill germs and bacteria, including those left over from the previous load by another person.

After your bleach loads are completed, use the same machines to wash your other clothes on cold and warm water cycles. It is suggested to use a color-safe bleaching product with these loads, as the chemicals used in color safe bleaches do kill bacteria and germs, too. While your cold and warm water loads are washing, you can dry your whites and hot water loads.

Before tossing the clothes into the dryers, take an antibacterial wipe and wipe down the dryer drum and door. The wipe kills any bacteria left by the previous person. Now put your clothes in the dryer and dry as normal. In addition, use antibacterial wipes to wipe down laundry tables before putting your dry clothes on them and folding them. You may also use these tips at home if you have in-home laundry.

Contact LG Washer Dryer FJS Distributors by phoning 800-875-1533 for more laundry tips or to learn about how you can have in-home laundry with a combination washer dryer even if you do not have washer and dryer connections.

What to Do When Bright Whites Cycle Not Getting Whites Bright

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Over time, your white clothing, towels, sheets, and bedding might not seem as clean or bright as they once were. You could start to notice a dingy yellowing occurring, even though you wash these items on the bright whites cycle on your LG washer and dryer combo or other LG washer model. The bright whites cycle helps remove dirt from the clothing, sheets, towels, or bedding, so, even if it starts to take on a yellowish tinge, it does not mean there is something wrong with your washer.

The reason some whites start to turn yellow is due to the materials they are made from and from using chlorine bleach in the wash cycle. Bleach is a great laundry aid, as it kills germs and bacteria, as well as helps get out certain stains. However, the chemical composition of bleach can and does react with the materials in whites when part of the chemical particles are left in the material after the wash cycle. To help reduce the number of particles left in the clothing, make sure your LG washer is set to run a second rinse cycle. Do keep in mind, even with a second rinse cycle—eventually, clothes could still yellow.  

To get your whites bright and restore them from a dingy, yellowish color, your wash cycle needs a boost. Add about a ¼ cup of lemon juice to the bright whites wash cycle by pouring it directly into the washer drum before loading the clothes and starting the wash cycle. Lemon juice helps pull out the particles from the material and restore the original bright white color.

For extremely difficult yellowing problems that will not come out in the wash cycle, there is another simple and easy solution using lemons.

  1. Take a large Dutch oven and put the clothing into it and fill it with water. Be careful to not put too many pieces of clothing in or overfill the pot.
  2. Cut 6 lemons in half, squeeze the juice into the pot, and place each lemon half into the pot with the clothing.
  3. Bring the water to a boil.
  4. Remove the pot from the heat and cover.
  5. Let stand for one to two hours.
  6. Rinse the clothes out using cold water.
  7. Wring out and extract as much water as possible.
  8. Dry in your dryer.

After trying both of these remedies, if your clothes are still not fully restored, the next step is to use Mother Nature to return the clothing to a bright white color. Wash the whites in the washing machine or use the Dutch oven method. Afterwards, instead of drying the clothes in the dryer, hang them outside on a clothes line in direct sunlight. The UV rays of the sun naturally and slowly brightens whites.

For other laundry tips, or assistance in shopping for a new washer and dryer, call LG Washer Dryer FJS Distributors now at 800-875-1533.