5 Ways to Creatively Hide Your Kitchen Appliances

Many of us have kitchen appliances in our homes to make our lives a little easier. These gadgets can be a great time saver, but they are not good space savers. Storing kitchen appliances can be difficult if you have collected a number of them over the years. A useful as they are, most of us want to use our gadgets, clean them and then store them out of sight until we need them again. Counter clutter can make your kitchen space less efficient to work in, so we need to find a way to store our gadget in a way that is discreet and functional. Let’s take a look at five ways that you can hide your kitchen appliances and gadgets.

  1. Get a Built-In Fridge and Freezer

Now, this may seem strange when talking about kitchen appliances as most people will be thinking of smaller devices, such as microwave ovens and coffee grinders. The largest appliance in most kitchens is the refrigerator, and it will consume a large chunk of your available space. This doesn’t have to be the case; an entire refrigerator can be concealed behind useful coverings that could match your cabinetry. This will create visual harmony, and it will make selecting a new refrigerator simple.

  1. Install an Appliance Hutch

An odd looking, mismatched set of smaller appliances, such as microwave ovens, blenders, and old toasters, will look far more unsightly than a single large appliance. If this sounds familiar, it may be time to consider installing an appliance hutch to corral your smaller devices into an easy to access area. Once this decision has been made the only remaining choice to make is what door you will use to conceal these items? A flip-up door that matches your existing cabinetry is a solid choice, or you could install a roll up door if space is tight.

  1. Place the Microwave in the Pantry

A microwave is not an aesthetically pleasing device and left out it will eat up counter space in your kitchen. A built-in microwave is a good option, but it will need a venting frame, and this can collect greasy dust. This is hard to clean, and you will soon be finding ways to avoid using your microwave oven altogether. Instead, consider installing the microwave in your cupboard or walk-in pantry. It will be easy to access, no venting is required, and it is hidden when not in use. The only caveat here is that you will need an electrical outlet installed if one is not already available.

  1. Install a Kitchen Island

When you install a kitchen island, your appliance storage capacity can double. A kitchen island can be added at any time if you have the kitchen space available. Some islands are available pre-built, and the configuration can be adjusted to suit your specific needs. Always consider your appliances, how they are used and where they are stored. Ideally, you want to use your appliances without moving them at all. A great addition that you could consider is a stand mixer lift that will conceal your mixer and then lift it to counter height when you need to use it.

  1. A Freestanding Armoire

A freestanding armoire is a cost effective storage solution for those that don’t want to renovate. Essentially, this is a closet for your kitchen that you can use to store your smaller or medium sized appliances. If you cut a cavity in the back, you could even wire your appliances and use them in the armoire. Group similar devices together to minimize chaos and create a dedicated space for the smallest appliances. Once you’re finished, close the armoire doors, and the kitchen looks nice and tidy again.

If you’re considering integrated appliances, you can explore your options with this online collection or speak to a home appliance expert for more specialist service.

 

Appliances and Features to Make Your Kitchen the Envy of the Neighborhood

The kitchen is more than a room to meet your needs; it is often the room that delivers the wow factor to any visitors. Whether you’re planning a dinner party or inviting a friend over for coffee, you’re likely to want a modern kitchen packed with cutting edge appliances to ensure that it is the envy of the neighborhood. So, here we’ll explore some of the appliances and features you need to include in your kitchen.

Commercial Inspired Range

These days, you don’t need to visit a restaurant supply store to get a commercial style range. Many manufacturers now offer ranges that are made in a commercial style to add functionality and flair to domestic kitchens. This is likely to be a result of cooking shows, but a commercial inspired range tends to be more powerful and can look great in any kitchen. They offer greater oven space, more burners and even additional features such as built-in griddles. There is usually a choice of fuel sources, but if you want the ultimate in cooking performance, consider induction.

Immersion Blender

You don’t need to waste space or time with a bulky blender. Immersion blenders take up very little space in a kitchen drawer, yet are easier to use with faster clean up. While you may still rely on your traditional blender for making smoothies, an immersion blender can be useful for soups, sauces and many other culinary delights. Just be sure that you unplug your immersion blender before you dismantle it for cleaning.

Refrigerator With Adjustable Shelves

Modern refrigerators are equipped with some fantastic features, but one limitation is fixed shelves. Fixed shelves can make it difficult to get the best use out of your refrigerator, as you may find that you have wasted space in some areas and little available space in others. Instead of trying to adjust to these limitations, opt for a model with removable shelves that can be adjusted to fit your specific needs and changing circumstances.

An All in One Coffee Maker

These days, a coffee maker can do more than make a basic black. If you choose one that can perform different functions, you can save time in your kitchen and enjoy a coffee house style cup. Ideally, your new coffee maker should be able to filter water and have manual control, but you can also buy models that grind coffee beans. An all in one coffee maker can not only look great on your countertop, but can ensure that you don’t need to meet friends at your local coffee house, as you can prepare fantastic coffee at home.

Kitchen Companion

Smart speakers provide a fantastic kitchen companion. These voice activated devices feature a sensitive microphone that responds to a wake word and can take commands. An excellent example of this is Google Home Mini or the larger Google Home system that emits a human like voice to respond to your requests. So, whether you want to listen to your favorite cooking songs, confirm a recipe or convert measurements, your kitchen companion is ready to help. Some devices can also be configured to adjust other smart devices in your home such as thermostats and lights. There are almost no limitations for the uses of a kitchen companion; whether you want to ask how many calories are in that brownie before you eat it, want to set an oven timer or plan to learn a language while you make dinner, you can rely on your new smart device.

If you’re interested in investing in some new appliances and features for your kitchen, you can explore the options with this online collection, or speak to a home appliance expert for a more specialist service.

6 Clever Solutions for Appliance Storage

The appliances in our kitchens can be great time savers and allow us to carry out a wide variety of kitchen tasks. Despite this, kitchen appliances can be a pain to store when they are not being used. Storage space may be at a premium, and each device will need its own space that is easy to access. Let’s take a closer look at six handy appliance storage solutions that will help you to get your kitchen organized.

  1. Some General Concepts

Find a spot where you can arrange some storage for your devices in their original packaging or an even better option is to use plastic bins. Stackable containers can be used if heavier devices are kept at the bottom. Each appliance box could have a label; this is especially useful if there are multiple smaller appliances in a single storage bin. The storage bins could be located in existing shelves or perhaps you even have enough space to add a freestanding shelf unit. If you want to use a new shelf unit, remember that some of the appliances could be heavy.  Make sure the shelves can handle the weight and that the shelf is secured to the wall for safety.

  1. Always Start High

When you’re looking for storage, always start high up on the top shelves of cabinets or high up in your pantry. Above the refrigerator may be a good spot and many of these high up areas are neglected and are not used for practical storage. Larger appliances may be too large for shelves, but they could be stacked on top of kitchen cabinets. This will allow you to make the most of your storage space and appliances can easily be reached with stool.

  1. Storage Below

Larger and/or heavier appliances need to be stored on lower shelves in a pantry or on a dedicated shelving unit. Clear space in lower cabinets, especially those that don’t seem to get used very often. If you keep your back straight, bending at the knee and lifting a heavier appliance is far safer than trying to lift the same device off a higher shelf.

  1. Consider Other Locations 

There are other rooms in your home that may be related to serving food or entertaining. These can act as an overflow for your kitchen appliance storage efforts. As an example: a buffet piece in a dining room could be used to store your linens and serving trays. This could free up valuable kitchen space for storage, and as a final resort, appliances that are used very rarely could be kept in the basement.

  1. Careful Storage 

Kitchen appliances can represent a significant investment, so it’s essential to protect them during storage. If you need to store appliances in the basement or garage, use the original boxes where possible or a plastic storage bin. Keep appliances off the floor to protect them from moisture and multiple appliances in the same storage bin should be wrapped to prevent scratches.

  1. Use Labels

Ideally, there should be a label for each storage bin displaying the contents of the container. This will help you to find the appliance you need and remind you where it’s stored when you want to put it away. If you have a lot of storage bins or bins that contain lots of smaller appliances you may need a master list. This will tell you at a glance where everything is, without hunting through shelves and reading lots of labels. A master list will be handy for reference when you’re planning a meal that requires a specific appliance. Getting this organized can be difficult initially, but it will be worth the effort later and save you a lot of time.

If you’re thinking about upgrading your appliances, you can explore your options with this online collection or speak to a home appliance expert for professional advice and guidance.

Green Tips to Use Less Water in Your Appliances

Most of us are keen to make our lives greener, and one of the most obvious ways is to save water in our homes, especially here in parched California. Between our washing machines, dishwashers, toilets, faucets and showers, according to EPA data, the average family in the U.S uses over 300 gallons of water each day. The good news is that it is simple to cut down on water usage; saving money and helping the environment in the process. So, here are some green tips to help reduce your appliance water usage.

Wash Full Loads

Unless your machine has a specific half load function, you’re wasting water if you don’t properly fill your dishwasher or washing machine. While you need to be careful not to overfill, as it can cause stress on the machine and inhibit cleaning, a full load will make optimum use of water and energy. So, plan your washing loads to ensure that they are full and don’t waste water.

Choose the Right Program Setting

If you’re washing a light load of dishes, there is no need for the high volume and temperatures of a pots and pans cycle. Choosing the wrong program settings wastes not only time, but also energy and water. Unless you have a machine with sensor technology that can assess the soil level of your dishes, you need to take care to choose the right program. The same applies to your washing machine. Not all clothing needs to be washed on a hot cycle, and you can save water by choosing a lower temp, faster wash program.

Don’t Guess Your Laundry Detergent

While it may seem strange, measuring your laundry detergent can save water. Using excessive amounts of detergent in a high-efficiency washing machine can extend the rinse cycle as too many suds are detected. Additionally, you should be using a HE detergent in your high-efficiency washing machine, or you’ll end up with suds GALORE. Using too much detergent can also leave a film on your clothing, which means that you’ll need to spend more energy and water rewashing.

Upgrade Your Toilet

An older toilet can use as much as 6 gallons every flush. When you compare this to the 1.3 gallons the average new low flow toilet can use, you can see how you can manage massive water savings. Think about how many times someone in your family flushes a toilet in your home and think about the 4 plus gallons that are being literally FLUSHED DOWN THE TOILET every time.

Smart Showering

Not only can you save water by upgrading to a low flow showerhead, but there are some other smart showering tips. A low flow showerhead can cut your water usage by half, saving gallons in the average shower. Additionally, there is no need to waste that water when you’re waiting for the warm water. Place a bucket in your shower stall and use this water for household cleaning or watering your plants. If you want to save even more water, think about turning off the shower while you wash and then turn it back on to rinse. Since the average showerhead uses 5 gallons of water per minute, you could save hundreds of gallons each month.  It adds up when you multiply it by a few million people.

Replace Your Old Appliances

Even if you purchased the best models, when your appliances reach 10 years of age, it is safe to assume that upgrading to a new model will save energy and water. Modern washing machines and dishwashers are designed to be far more water conscious, particularly if you choose an Energy Star approved model. New washing machines and dishwashers typically use as much as 40% less water compared to older models. Not only will you save energy and water, but you’ll also find that they are quieter and have the latest innovative features, to make your life even easier.

If you’re considering upgrading to more eco-friendly appliances, you can explore your options with this online collection or speak to a home appliance expert for additional help and guidance.

Tips for Choosing the Best Home Appliances for a Big Family

An overcrowded home can feel a little like the “Brady Bunch,” and while it can make a family dinner a real occasion, it can create some problems, particularly when appliance shopping. If you’re the head of a big family, you’re likely to be aware that every inch of your kitchen space is vital and functionality is an even more critical consideration. When you have an expanded family, your kitchen appliances are likely to see heavy use, so you need the best models to meet your demands. So, here we’ll explore how to choose the best home appliances for your big family.

Buy an Oversized or Second Dishwasher

A reliable dishwasher is essential for a big family. Since the average dishwasher only has the capacity to wash up to 8 place settings, you’re likely to find more than one load stacks up after every meal. A standard 24 inch dishwasher can be compact in your kitchen layout, but you may need to think about an oversized model that can accommodate more dishes. If an extra wide dishwasher is not an energy efficient option for your home, you could consider buying a compact model to use as a second dishwasher for those big holiday dinners or any special occasions.

Consider an Upright Freezer

While a chest freezer may be considered essential for a big family, there is an alternative; a modern upright. These models allow you to organize your family favorites more easily. You can even organize your family meals by day or week, so you can prepare a delicious, healthy dinner regardless of the stress of the day. An upright freezer takes up less floor space and means that you won’t need to dig around to find what you’re looking for when you’re busy trying to prepare a meal.

Install Dual Ovens

An oven is a must-have for most families, but a single oven is usually not sufficient for a big family. Dual ovens can help you prepare several dishes at once in portions large enough for the whole family. Many dual oven models also feature large drawers and separate settings, so you can adjust temperatures for different dishes. These types of appliance allow you to cook 3 or 4 foods simultaneously, without missing a beat. This is vital for any mom or dad with a large and hungry family.

Think About a Beverage Fridge

In a busy kitchen, it can cause a real traffic jam when you have family members coming and going to grab a water, soda or juice. When you’re trying to prepare a meal, this can really get in the way and increase your stress levels. To keep the harmony of your kitchen, you can use a beverage fridge stocked with everyone’s favorite drinks. You can have a beverage fridge in a dining area or have it built-in to your cabinetry far enough from the stove and refrigerator, but within easy reach.

Think 6 Burners

When you’re shopping for a new cooktop, don’t stick to a standard 4 burner unit and opt for a larger 6 burner cooktop. If you really want to speed up your cooking and improve the efficiency of your kitchen, consider a six burner induction appliance. Many great chefs use induction, as you can prepare food quickly and evenly; a must for a big family. Induction is also easy to clean and safer to use around small children, as the surround doesn’t get hot. The cooking heat is generated by magnetic energy, so the surface is cool as soon as the pan is removed, avoiding the risk of little fingers getting burned.

If you’re considering new appliances for your big family, you can explore your options with this online collection, or speak to a home appliance expert for a more specialist service.

Is Your Kitchen Complete Without a Range Hood

Range hoods are an essential form of ventilation for any residential kitchen. Whether you choose a range hood or opt for a downdraft ventilation system, your kitchen is complete without this vital equipment. So, here we will explore range hoods to help you determine the benefits of investing in a good one.

The Advantages of a Range Hood

There are a number of reasons why it is beneficial to include a range hood in your kitchen design.

  • A Shield For Your Cabinetry: During cooking smoke, odors, humidity, and heat along with ultrafine food particles can contribute to the discoloration and damage to your cabinetry. If an accident occurs and you have a fire on your cooktop, a good range hood providing proper ventilation will act as a metal barrier to prevent the fire from spreading to your cabinetry.
  • Provides Additional Light: Even if you’ve planned the lighting in your kitchen entirely, your cooktop can still benefit from the additional light. Many models of range hood provide extra lighting to illuminate your cooking area.
  • Cools Your Kitchen: If you’re cooking several dishes, it is very easy for your kitchen to start feeling swelteringly hot. A well-vented range hood can expel the excess heat out of your kitchen, so you can concentrate on preparing a great dish without getting hot under the collar.
  • Cleans Your Air: When vented properly, a range hood can collect any dirty, smelly cooking greases from your air and expel it outdoors. This should prevent a greasy film from accumulating on your kitchen surfaces.
  • Completes Your Kitchen Aesthetic: An attractive and impressive range hood can also provide a massive visual impact for your kitchen design. It is not only a functional appliance, but you can also use it as a statement piece to tie together all your design elements. For example, if you have chosen stainless steel appliances, a polished stainless steel range hood can allow these features to be showcased.

Choosing a Range Hood

The choice of range hood largely depends on your budget, personal tastes and the manufacturer requirements for your cooktop or range. Generally, the greater investment in a range hood you make, the better quality and more functionality While there are cheaper hoods, better models have built-in ventilation to help regulate temperature and clean the air. This an essential feature for any keen cooks.

Most range hood models are rated by CFM or cubic feet per minute. This defines the amount of air that will be circulated per minute. The higher the rating, the greater the ventilation provided. Just be wary of models that have a rating of more than 400 CFM as you will need an additional “make up air unit.”

How Should I Use My Range Hood?

Once you’ve chosen and installed a range hood, you need to know the best way to use it for optimum results. Many people assume that they should just switch a range hood on if it starts to get steamy inside the kitchen, but this approach does not provide the best results. A better idea is to switch on the range hood fan at least a few minutes before you begin cooking. You should run the fan while you’re cooking and leave it running for 10 to 15 minutes after you’ve finished. This will remove any unwanted heat or humidity. As the heat inside your kitchen and around the stovetop increases, you should turn up the fan power. It is best to err on the side of caution and use a higher fan speed than you think. This removes the risk of filling up your kitchen with heat and grease that can result from too low a fan speed.

If you’re considering a range hood, you can explore your options with this range hood collection or speak to a home appliance expert for a more specialized service.

 

Should You Choose a Metal or Glass Cooktop?

A cooktop is an integral component of a fully functioning kitchen, but while many people choose their new cooktop based on aesthetics, there are some other factors that need to be considered. There are a number of differences between metal and glass cooktops that are not just cosmetic. So, here we’ll explore these factors to help you choose whether a metal or glass cooktop is the right option for your kitchen.

Initial Price

While price should not be the only consideration, it can be a factor for most homeowners. Generally, metal cooktops are less expensive compared to their glass counterparts. There are other factors such as features, brand, length of warranty and quality that can affect the initial price, but generally, you can expect to pay approximately $100 more for a glass cooktop.

Efficiency

While the initial price might be something you’ve already looked at, you may not have considered the long-term costs. Generally, glass cooktops are more efficient compared to a metal top and coils. If you enjoy cooking frequently, you should consider a glass cooktop, which has a high energy rating as the savings on your energy bills in the months and years to come would more than cover the difference in the initial purchase costs. If you want to ensure maximum efficiency, opt for a cooktop that automatically adjusts your burner to the size of your pan or pot to save even more energy.

Cleaning Ease

No one enjoys trying to scrub baked-on food debris off a cooktop, and this is something you should consider when shopping for a new model. While a smooth glass top may look very easy to clean, you still need to be very careful. If you allow a spill to sit on the glass for a prolonged period, it will become very difficult to remove. Metal cooktops can also be a cleaning challenge, as you need to clean the heating elements and the surrounding surface. This tends to be quite labor intensive, but if a spill does sit for a while, it won’t be as hard to clean as a glass cooktop.

If cleaning is an important consideration for you, you may wish to consider an induction cooktop. Induction uses magnetic energy to heat your cookware, so the surrounding area does not get hot. This makes cleaning spills easy as nothing is baked on to the surface.

Additional Features

If you’re happy with a simple cooktop design, a metal model is likely to provide just what you’re looking for. Apart from the size and type of coil elements, the only additional features are likely to be adjustable burner sizes and rapid heating. On the other hand, glass cooktops tend to offer far more options that can enhance your cooking style. From automatic pan size sensors and touch controls to heat sensors, you can calibrate your cooktop precisely to suit the particular dish you’re preparing.

To ensure that you choose the right cooktop, you need to seriously consider what features are essential in your kitchen. If you’re a serious foodie, it is well worth investing in a more sophisticated cooktop such as an induction model. This type of cooktop allows precision cooking and rapid results. It is also safer, as there is no risk of burns from hot surfaces; the only heat generated is between the cookware and the induction element.

Although aesthetics are important in any kitchen, a cooktop needs to offer maximum practicality. Therefore, it is essential to consider these factors before making a purchase decision.

If you are considering a new cooktop, you can explore your options with this online collection or speak to a home appliance expert for a more specialist service.

Ideas for Convenient and Affordable College Kitchen Appliances

College can be a significant expense, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t be comfortable. No matter where you’re living, the kitchen is still likely to be at the heart of your home; fueling your body and mind. While you may enjoy the novelty of eating junk food for a couple of weeks, once you get down to some serious study, you’ll need all the conveniences of a kitchen. So, here we’ll explore some affordable ideas for your college kitchen appliances.

Think Size

Of course, a college dorm is likely to lack the space you have at home, so your first thought should be space. Dorm rooms are generally already small, so you won’t want to clutter it further with appliances. Unfortunately, regardless of how space saving it is, your college is not likely to be happy if you try and dig a hole in the wall to fit a built-in model. So, you need to be realistic. Fortunately, there are lots of appliances that are available for more modest locations. Assess the overall size of the unit against what space is offered inside. After all, there is no point in getting a tiny fridge if it will only hold two cans of soda and nothing else.

Be Realistic

While you may fancy yourself a gourmet chef, you only have so much space, so you need to be realistic. You’re not likely to be able to accommodate a stove in your dorm, so you may have to stick to just a microwave. A countertop microwave is simple to install and takes up minimal space, but allows you to create warm food. You can even reheat leftovers during those busy cramming sessions. You can even get creative with your microwave, making mug cakes and other treats, but if you want to get really gourmet, you’ll need to save it for when you visit your parents at home.

Consider Cleaning

No one enjoys scrubbing appliances, but this is even more difficult in a dorm. For this reason, you need to consider how easy to clean your new devices will be. Look for appliances that make cleaning easier, such as easy remove shelves in compact refrigerators and microwaves with easy clean surfaces.

Look for Multi-Use Features

When space is limited, you need to look for appliances that can fulfill more than one task. Search for a compact refrigerator that has a decent freezer section. While you may only use this for the odd carton of ice cream, but it has the possibility to allow you to stack up some ready meals, so you can enjoy a healthy dinner when you’re busy.

Other appliances provide multi-use features, such as microwaves with a grill function. This may negate the need for a hot plate as you can make grilled cheese and other snacks in the microwave rather than needing a pan.

Don’t Forget the Coffee Maker

Very few students can get through a serious study session without a cup of coffee, so don’t forget a coffee maker when you’re shopping for college appliances. Look for an appliance that can make a cup quickly and makes clean up easy. A good coffee maker will take up very little space, but can save you needing to walk to a coffee shop and pay out for an overpriced caffeine fix.

College can be a serious adjustment, and it can make it hard when you don’t have all the conveniences of home. Choosing the right appliances will help to make all your day to day tasks a whole lot easier to manage.

If you’re shopping for appliances for the new semester, you can explore your options with this online collection, or speak to a home appliance expert for a more specialized service.

The Benefits of Installing a Wine Fridge

Whether you’re an enthusiast or simply enjoy relaxing with a glass in the evening, a wine fridge can add class to any home. For many people, a glass of wine is the nicest way to cool down on a scorching summer day. If your bottles are sitting on a bar card next to your whiskey or scattered in hidden cupboards, you may need to think about getting organized by installing a wine fridge.

A wine fridge not only looks sophisticated, but it can be a great addition to your home even if you only store a handful of bottles. Depending on your geographic location, a wine fridge may be the only stable area for your bottles. A stable temperature is incredibly important when storing wine. So, if you experience drastic changes in temperature or live in a very hot area, you could be compromising the taste and quality of your wine.

Providing Stability

Wine is not only sensitive to light, but also fragile when it comes to humidity and temperature variations. The number one enemy of wine is heat. When wine is stored in an overheated apartment, it is at risk of drying out and will lose much of its delicious flavor. A wine fridge is designed to provide stability for your wine, keeping the bottles at a consistent temperature at optimum storage conditions.

While a typical home refrigerator may be fine for your wine in the short term, it is not a proper long-term solution. Most household refrigerators maintain a temperature of less than 45ºf, which is lower than optimum conditions for wine. Additionally, the lack of moisture inside your refrigerator may cause the corks to dry out. If your corks do dry, it will allow air to enter the bottle and damage the wine.

Choosing a Wine Fridge

Wine fridges are available in all shapes and sizes, making it easier to choose the ideal model for your home, but you will need to assess certain considerations.

The first thing you need to look at is the size and space offered. You’ll need to think about what space you’ll need in the future, rather than just looking at your current wine collection.

You will also need to look at what noise level the model operates. Unless you are planning on putting your wine fridge in your kitchen, noise may be a factor. Many people opt for a wine fridge in their living area, which means a low noise, compact option is preferable.

You will also consider the aesthetics of your new wine fridge. Many homeowners use their wine fridge as a feature, showcasing their collection. If you want your wine fridge to take pride of place in your home, you’ll need to look at whether you want steel or wooden racks and if you would prefer to be able to see your wine bottles. Some models have a solid door that provides maximum light protection, but it is still possible to have tinted glass doors that offer UV resistance.

Final Considerations

Finally, you need to look at whether your new wine fridge offers different temperature zones. This allows you to create optimum temperatures for both your whites and reds. Ideally, your new appliance will also have accurate humidity settings that will enable you to adjust the humidity for optimum conditions. Ideally, to preserve the longevity of your wine, you should fix the humidity levels at between 50 and 70 percent.

If you’re considering a new wine fridge, you can explore your options with this online wine fridge collection. If you need help with further questions or require a more specialized service, be sure to speak to a home appliance expert.

 

How to Prevent “Eaten” Socks in Your Laundry

Many of us have experienced the phenomenon of socks disappearing from our washer or dryer. Research has shown that people lose up to 15 socks each year, adding up to 1264 socks in the average lifetime. While you make joke about a laundry monster eating your socks, there are a number of reasons why your socks may have disappeared, which we’ll explore here along with how to prevent this happening.

Why Your Socks Go Missing

There is no definitive answer to why socks have a tendency to disappear during the wash. There are myriad explanations ranging from them getting trapped behind your washing machine drum to them merely being misplaced. Some of the other common causes of missing socks include your socks being stuck inside your washing machine pump because the machine was overloaded or even that dryer static has caused socks to cling to other clothing, and you don’t notice them. Contrary to the belief of some, your socks are not being sucked into an alternate dimension, and with a little care and attention, you can prevent the problem.

Don’t Overload

The first step to keeping your socks from entering the Twilight Zone is not to overload your washing machine. Overloading not only prevents proper cleaning and increases strain on the machine, but it can also allow smaller items such as socks to be pushed behind the drum or sucked into the pump.

Most washing machines specify a maximum weight capacity, but the easiest way to check if your machine is overloaded is by using one hand. Simply place your hand into the drum and check what space is left. If you can only fit your hand in, your load is full and ready to go, but if you can’t even squeeze your hand in, you’ve overloaded it, and you need to remove some items.

Keep Your Socks in Pairs

The reason socks tend to go missing in the laundry is that they are often the smallest item in the load. You can improve the chances of keeping them safe by keeping your socks in pairs. You can use binder clips or safety pins, but even rolling one sock sleeve over another will work. While this may take more time for your socks to dry, it should prevent them from going astray.

Use a Mesh Bag

Another way to protect your socks and all your smaller items is to use a mesh laundry bag. These bags are designed to allow water and detergent to pass through them while protecting your smaller and more delicate items. Just remember to zip the bag closed before you put it in the machine or you’ll still end up with socks dotted throughout the load.

Check for Missing Socks

Finally, if you do find that a sock has gone missing, don’t just ignore the issue. A sock trapped inside your washing machine or dryer could cause damage at put your home at risk of flooding. If you find you’re missing a sock when your folding your laundry, first check that it isn’t trapped in your dryer lint filter. This is the easiest issue to deal with, as while you may need to clean the lint and rewash the sock, it should just be a matter of opening the lint trap and emptying it as you should before or after each cycle.

If the sock isn’t in the dryer, check if you can see it in the drum. Often you may be able to see a piece of sock sticking out, and you may just be able to tease it out. Another thing to check is the pump overflow of your washing machine. Many models feature a small compartment on the front. This allows access to the pump trap. When you open the door, you’ll see instructions to turn a dial and release any trapped water. You may be surprised to see your rogue sock pop out with a small gush of water.

If your washing machine seems to be struggling to cope with your laundry and you’re considering an upgrade, you can explore your options with this online collection. Or you can speak to a home appliance expert for a more specialized service.