Wednesday Weekly Stock: Washing Machine Related

Every week at W.L. may we have several items we feature as good parts to consider adding to your stock. These parts also have special pricing available. For pricing details, ask your account representative for more information. This week we return to the laundry room to look at a few things for washing machines.

48368

Perhaps the most essential ingredient in doing a load of laundry would be the water. Obviously, the washing machine needs to be connected to a water supply and fill hoses are how the water gets to the machine.

As it turns out, fill hoses can also be the cause of a lot of damage and expense. A burst hose can release a lot of water, which is a problem when there is someone in the home to deal with it. The thing is, hoses seem to like to burst when there is no one around do deal with the problem. This  can lead to standing water and extensive property damage.

A good recommendation to prevent problems from burst hoses is to use a hose that is wrapped with stainless steel mesh. These hoses do cost a little more, but only a little, and the protection they provide greatly outweighs the expense. One of the most popular lengths is 5 foot and we stock it under part 48368 from EZ-Flo.

20752

In the event that a hose does burst, or a leak occurs, a drip pan under the washing machine can help to minimize damage. This drip pan from Camco is 30"x32" and can capture a lot of water. It comes with a 20 inch drain attachment that can be connected if there is an available drain.

W10135699

High efficiency front load washers have been popular sellers for a while now. The efficiency in water and power usage is the big draw. Due to the front load design, a door boot is used in front of the drum to provide a tight seal since the door is below the water line. Unfortunately water has been known to collect in the folds of the boot causing the growth of bacteria and a funky unpleasant smell.

Affresh is the Whirlpool endorsed solution to the problem. A "hockey puck" tablet of cleaner is run through a cycle on the machine to clean out those nasty smells and their cause. The most popular version of Affresh is sold for consumer use with three tablets to a package. Its part number is W10135699.

W10549846

If you wanted to stock up, you can get a 5 puck box and a lower per unit price. Just ask for part W10549846.

W10189713

There is a triple strength Affresh that is also available. This is not intended for consumers, but rather for technicians who have been called out to service a, let's be delicate, fragrant washing machine. Being a stronger concentration it will do a very good job of getting rid of the source of the smell. When the consumer sees how well Affresh took care of the problem, it is a no-brainer to suggest they might like to purchase a 3 or 5 pack of Affresh for ongoing maintenance.

24002

Some people have concerns about powders residues from using a dry product. For those folks, Washer Magic provides a liquid solution to clean door boots and other parts of the washing machines interior. It is in stock at W.L. May right now under part number 24002.

00089

Finally this week, we look at a laundry product that is not for the machine, but is for the clothes themselves. White clothing can be hard to get clean and bright. Bleach works well, but can be damaging to colors.

White Brite is engineered to bring out the white in your clothing and really make your clothes "brite". A nice side feature is that the formula is friendly to colors and will  generally not cause fading, Also, if you are like me, and a little on the clutzy side, White Brite won't leave spots behind like bleach will if you accidentally get some on your colored garments.

Naturally, we keep White Brite in stock and you can order it under part number 00089.

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Kelly's Korner - Pest Control

Hey, All,

Mice and rats - shudder! - are often the main reason I get calls for hoses for washers and dishwashers and insulation and wiring for stoves.  The little buggers are thirsty and will chew through all kinds of stuff to get to water or to find a nice warm place to raise their young.

If you live in a rural area where rodents are prevelant (and you can get them in the city, too!), this may be a particular problem. Their front teeth grow continually and plastic, pvc pipe and rubber is perfect for them to help wear them down.  And if your area has been short on rain, or areas where they normally get water from are dried up, then they can kill two birds by chewing on your hoses and getting to the water in your hoses and pipes.  They can also get in the insulation in your stoves and make nests and chew on electrical wires - such a nice warm place to raise babies but the smell - ugh!!!

What to do?  Cats, while some are good mousers, can't get into walls where they hide.  Ferrets (they are not rodents and mice and rats are naturally prey for them) can get into the walls and hidey-holes but unless you have them trained well, they might get outside then you will have a merry chase getting them back.

Creative Commons license on image.

You can also resort to traps and/or poison bait, or hire a pest control company to come take care of the problem.  I've baited traps with peanut butter and that works way better than cheese (won a $20 bet on that once!).  Store bought poisons will work but then you have the issue of carcasses decomposing in your walls (my stomach just turned - bleck!).  Or call your local pest control company.  But be really careful using these especially if you have pets and small children.

Pest control companies will come and assess your pest problem.  Not only rodents but ants, spiders, termites and other creepy crawlies.  They usually put you on a service contract and come out periodically to check traps, spray for what is active at that time, and for general check up.  You will probably get the best bang for your buck here, not to mention the peace of mind of having all your pest problems taken care of.

Face it, they ain't called "pests" for nothing - and where you may see one or two, there could be colonies hiding in your walls or crawl spaces.  Getting on the problem now will definately save you bucks later!

Have a great week (if you can after this post - eeuuwww!!!)

Truck Stock Thursday - Whirlpool Braided Fill Hoses

Truck Stock Thursday - Whirlpool Braided Fill Hoses