Happy DIY Saturday!  Yesterday, on Olioboard Inspiration – you saw how to keep your laundry room organized.  Today, we ensure your washer and dryer stay working in their best order. Are you having problems with your washer or dryer?  Your washer has an odor, your washer rattles, or your dryer won’t dry!? Today’s DIY Saturday is for you. You will watch a video to show you how to determine what is wrong with your dryer and then read on to troubleshooting washer tips.

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Video: How to Troubleshoot a Clothes Dryer

Link to video –> How to Troubleshoot a Clothes Dryer

Of all the appliances in your home, your washer and dryer are two of the hardest working and most often used.  If they are not properly maintained, they can cause major damage to your home. Some of the greatest potentials for flood and fire comes from your washer and dryer.

If a pipe on your washer bursts, gallons of water will flood your laundry room, causing serious water damage. Likewise, if you let lint build up in your dryer vent, your dryer can catch on fire. However, if you keep your washer and dryer in good condition, you’ll save yourself loads of money.

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Here is a list of things that could go wrong with your washer or dryer as well as some helpful solutions:

1. Your washer rattles during the spin cycle.

It’s normal for a machine to jiggle a little, but if your machine shakes or rattles during the spin cycle, it may not be level.

Leveling Your Machine:

• Use a carpenter’s level to figure out whether the machine is shaking from side-to-side or front-to-back.
• With the help of someone else, tip the washer and place a block of wood under the corner for support. Use a wrench or pliers to adjust the foot.
• To adjust the other feet on the washer remove and reposition the block.
• After you’ve adjusted all feet, remove the block and check to see if the washer is level. Run a load of laundry to make sure it is level.

2. Your filter screens are clogged.

Debris and sediment can slow the flow of water into your washing machine.

Cleaning your filter screens:

• Check the filters
• Clean any build up with a bristle brush

3. Your washer’s water supply hoses are worn out.

The hoses that supply water to your washer can become brittle and possibly cause flooding.

            Preventing Supply Hose Disasters:

• Check your hoses once a year for cracks, brittleness, or stiffness.
• Replace old, worn-out hoses with stainless steel hoses.
• Keep your washer about four inches away from the wall so supply and drain hoses don’t get kinks in them

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4. You Dryer Takes Forever To Dry.

If your clothes aren’t drying well, you may have a blocked dryer vent, this could pose a serious fire risk.

            Cleaning A Dryer Vent:

• Every three to six months, disconnect and clear out any lint from the exhaust pipe.
• Run a dryer vent brush or a vacuum hose through the pipe to remove as much lint as possible.
• Make sure the outdoor area where the tube vent is is free of obstruction.

5. Your Washer Has An Odor.

Prevent odors caused by bacteria:

• Top-loader: Leave the lid open for a few hours so your washer can dry out after the previous wash.
• Front-loader: Towel-dry the washer drum after removing laundry. Leave the door open to give the washer time to dry out.

These preventive steps should help you make sure your washer and dryer are running as efficiently as possible.

Trisha Banks is a blogger for Dry Experts Water Restoration, a water removal company in Austin, Texas. Trisha just bought a new washer and dryer and wanted to learn about how to maintain them. 

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