Teaching Children How to Do Laundry

Deciding what is the best age to teach children how to do laundry in LG washers and dryers largely depends upon the child. Some parents start their children off when they are still toddlers in diapers. Other parents put off teaching their children until they are tweens or teens. There is no right or wrong age to start teaching children how to do laundry.

Rather, it comes down to the maturity of your child and how well they can handle responsibility. In addition, you do not have to teach them every intricacy about doing laundry overnight, unless they are leaving for college the next day, and you put off teaching them when they were younger.

LG Washers
  1. Get them involved at a young age. Most five or six year olds are delighted to help with laundry. This is a great age to have them assist with loading the machine and starting wash and dry cycles.
  2. Teach them how to sort clothes. When your child is seven or eight, show them how to sort clothes. Have them sort their own clothes and practice this task until they are proficient. Remember to have them check pockets for items, as well as to turn whichever articles of clothing need to be turned inside out.
  3. Show them how to use the washer and dryer. An eight-year-old is perfectly capable of selecting wash and dry cycles, and adding detergent and other laundry products by themselves. Some adult supervision may still be needed to ensure they are using the right amounts and using the right cycles, until you are satisfied they have accomplished this task.
  4. Teach them how to hang and fold clothes. You may want to get them a folding board to help them learn how to fold shirts. It is equally important to show them which items are appropriate for the dryer, and what items need to be hung up and air dried. Nine or ten is the perfect age to teach children this task.

Teach them how to treat stains and wash items by hand. Showing your child how to treat for stains and wash items by hand is a task that is best learned between the ages of eleven and thirteen.

Washer and Dryer in One

If you follow these suggested steps for teaching your child how to do laundry, by the time they are thirteen they will be able to wash and dry their own clothes. Most teenagers enjoy the added freedom of being able to do something for themselves, and parents appreciate not having to sort through the piles of clothes that always seems to end up on teenagers’ bedroom floors.

For other laundry tips and suggestions, or to shop for a new washer and dryer in one, or laundry sets, please feel free to call FJS Distributors, Inc. at 800-875-1533. We are a factory authorized distributor of LG and ASKO washers and dryers.

Top Loader Washers vs. Front Loader Washers

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.

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 1-800-884-8635.

Laundry Basics: Sorting Clothes

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.

Date Night at the Laundromat

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.

Tips for Solving Common Laundry and Stain Problems

Dealing with laundry and stain problems is something everyone faces at one point or another, whether you use a stacked washer dryer or an LG washer dryer combo. Before you throw out clothing, there are several things you can try to restore your favorite items to their former condition.

  1. Grayish-Looking Whites: White fabrics can start to yellow or turn gray, even if washing them on the right temperature. Hang whites outside in the sun, or boil them in a large pot of water with cut up lemons to return them to a bright white.
  2. Undesired Shrinkage: If your favorite pair of jeans or top feels a little snug, chances are you washed and/or dried it on the wrong temperature. Take the piece of clothing, dampen it with water, and pull on it to try to restore it to its proper size.
  3. Dried-In Wrinkles: Clothes left in the drier too long tend to wrinkle. One effective way to remove wrinkles without having to rewash the load is dampen a medium sized towel, toss it into the dryer, and rerun the drying cycle or use the steam feature on your LG dryer.
  4. Ink, Blood, Wine, and Tomato Stains: Pretreat the piece of clothing with a stain booster and set it aside for a few hours before washing in cold water. Verify the stain is gone before drying the clothing, as heat sets the stain. If the stain is still present, hang the item in direct sunlight and allow the natural UV light of the sun to remove the stain.

To learn about other tips for resolving stain and laundry problems, or for assistance in selecting a new LG washer and LG dryer for your home, contact us at 800-875-1533.

How to Easily Eliminate Smells from LG Washers

One issue common with all front loading washers, including LG washers, is the smell they develop over time from continued use. The cause of this smell is from humidity and moisture being trapped inside the machine. It does not matter whether you use the machine on a regular basis, or if it sits unused for a short period of time: eventually a smell becomes apparent.

While there are commercial cleaning products on the market you use with the clean cycle on LG washers, these are not always the most effective in completely getting rid of the smell. There are other more cost-effective things you can do that work much better. The two primary areas causing the smell are the rubber gasket around the door and the washer drum.

  1. Wipe down the rubber door gasket and drum after each laundry cycle so they are completely dry.
  2. Clean any mold on the door gasket using a small amount of undiluted bleach. Wait about 5 minutes after applying the bleach on the mold before wiping it off with a damp cloth, and then completely dry the door gasket. You may also use a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda in place of bleach.
  3. Mix about 1 quart of warm water and ¼ cup white vinegar into a bucket. Wet a cleaning rag but do not wring it out. Wipe down the inside of the drum, and then dry the drum.
  4. Pour about ½ cup of white vinegar into the soap dispenser and run the clean cycle on the washer. Vinegar naturally kills any bacteria growing inside your washer and gets rid of unwanted odors. For stubborn smells, add ½ cup of baking soda to the drum before starting the cycle.
  5. Leave the washer door open for about two hours after the last cycle. This allows any humidity to escape from the machine.

By following these tips, you will have a fresh-smelling washer all of the time. Feel free to contact us at 800-875-1533 for other useful tips, or assistance in picking out new laundry appliances.

How to Get the Whitest Whites with LG Washers

Over time, you may start to notice your white clothing, towels, sheets, and other items are starting to turn a dingy gray or even have yellowish tints to them. Before you run out and replace these items with new ones, there are several useful tips and tricks for getting the whitest whites with LG washers. Part of the cause of the discoloration of the whites could be due to the type of laundry detergent you are currently using. You should have a high-efficiency detergent with stain lifting or brightening additives.

After obtaining or confirming you have the right detergent, you will also need high efficiency bleach and a stain booster product. You do not need to use a large amount of bleach, just a small amount, to help improve the brightening effects of the laundry detergent and stain booster product. Put the whites into the LG washer and select the “Sanitary” wash cycle. Add the right amount of detergent, stain booster, and some bleach, and start the wash cycle.

After the wash cycle is completed, dry the clothes in your LG dryer on medium heat. Once dry, look at the clothing or other whites. If they still appear discolored, you can place them in a location within the home where direct sunlight comes in, or hang them outside on a laundry line if you have one. Direct sunlight helps remove stubborn discolorations, because it slowly and gradually removes colors.

For more information about LG washers and dryers, or further assistance, contact us at 800-875-1533.