How to Get Gum Out of Clothes That Went Through the Dryer
Courtesy of Samsung
Does your old clothes dryer leave you hot under the collar on washday? It may be time to give one of the new models a whirl. With sensors that automatically monitor the moisture in clothes to prevent over drying, extended tumbling, and even steam cycles to minimize wrinkling, today's smart machines offer more than fluff. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions, answered by our experts at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute.
What types of clothes dryers are available?
The major difference in dryers is how they're powered — either by natural gas or electricity. Although you won't notice a difference in how thoroughly they dry, there are price differences. A gas dryer costs roughly $50-$100 more than its electric sibling. But a gas unit is generally less expensive to operate and will often pay back its higher cost in energy savings within the first year (depending on usage and utility rates). In addition, dryers that offer steam cycles to de-wrinkle and freshen garments have become popular in the last few years. If you select a dryer with this feature, it may be necessary to have access to a water hook-up, as well.
Are there any rating systems like Energy Star for dryers that use less power?
Because you won't find significant differences between brands with respect to the amount of energy they use, clothes dryers do not carry the yellow Energy Guide labels nor are they a part of the Energy Star program.
Do clothes dryers differ much in price?
Full-size dryers range in price from about $350 for a bare-bones model to $1,000 and up. Most manufacturers in the $350-$450 price range offer white exteriors, mechanical controls and two to three temperature settings (low, medium, and high). You will also find timed dry, a cycle that lets you control the length of drying time (generally to 80 minutes) and air dry (no-heat settings). The drum size may also be smaller than that found on more expensive models.
Features multiply as you climb the price ladder. Many dryers have stainless-steel drums and extended tumbling cycles, which keep clothes tumbling without heat if they aren't immediately unloaded when a cycle ends.
For $600 and up, dryer manufacturers offer push-button controls, three or more temperature choices, adjustable end-of-cycle signals, cycle-time displays on the control panel, and drying racks. Many higher-end models come with drum lights, making it easy to spot those inevitable stray socks hiding in the back of the drum, along with specialty cycles for bedding, delicates, and active wear, steam and antibacterial cycles, LCD screens, control panel locks, speed dry cycles, high-fashion colors, and more.
What are the key questions to ask when selecting a clothes dryer?
How often do you use your dryer and what type of clothes do you dry weekly? If you have a family of four or more and regularly tackle jeans, sneakers, and heavy work clothes, you may prefer a large, heavy-duty dryer and one that offers a long warranty. If your wash load contains a wide variety of fabrics and garments, look for a dryer with the specialty cycles to give these items the care they require.
Where is your dryer located? If your clothes dryer will be installed in a dimly lit basement, look for a console that includes indicator lights and has large, legible type or a bright digital readout. Always consider how your dryer will be vented to the outside. Make sure the model you select can be vented in the direction your installation requires.
Do you often juggle wash with other chores? If you're a multitasker on washday, check out clothes dryers with moisture sensors in the drum. These sensors detect the moisture remaining in the load and automatically stop the cycle when your clothes are dry — reducing wear and tear on the garments. Extended tumbling is another option worth shopping for. It lets you dial up to a three-hour unheated, intermittent tumbling period to keep wrinkles from setting in until you unload the dryer. Dryers offering steam refresh cycles can freshen and dewrinkle garments that you have left in the dryer with a 15- or 20-minute steam treatment.
How long do you plan to keep your clothes dryer? If you're buying the appliance for a temporary home you plan to sell in a few years, you may not want to spend a lot if you don't plan to take it with you.
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What other dryer features are worth considering?
If you tend to pop clothes into the dryer in the morning before work (when you're time-pressed), the "favorite" cycle lets you quickly set your most-used dryer cycles with one touch. Another notable dryer feature is reverse tumbling. This is where the drum periodically reverses direction during the cycle to better keep garments and large items, like bedding, tangle-free. Any dryers that offer antibacterial or sanitizing cycles should be NSF-certified. This third-party certification gives you the assurance that the cycle will kill 99.9% of germs, as expected. For safety, we also recommend control panels that offer locks to keep children from accidentally starting the appliance or changing the cycle.
And some models have easy-to-read digital consoles, removable drying racks (for items such as sneakers and stuffed toys that can be harmed by tumbling) and hamper-style doors (which reduce the chance of clean clothes dropping on a soiled floor).
What are the pros and cons of dials vs. push buttons vs. touch pads?
Electronic controls are spiffier looking and allow certain conveniences, but they can be more expensive to service because of their circuitry. Dial controls are less expensive than electronic ones but can be difficult for some users to turn. When you're shopping for a dryer, be sure to give all the controls a test run for comfort and ease of use,
What should shoppers know about delivery?
Before buying your clothes dryer, consider the logistics. When will someone be home to accept delivery of your clothes dryer? Do you need your old unit hauled away or does your town allow curbside pickup of appliances? Will the new dryer fit through doorways and up or down stairs easily when delivered?
What type of warranty do clothes dryer manufacturers typically offer?
You generally get a one-year parts-and-labor warranty included in the sticker price. Limited warranties are also available for additional years or for parts like the motor, drum and electronic controls from certain brands.
For more buying tips, check out How to Buy a Clothes Dryer.
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How to Get Gum Out of Clothes That Went Through the Dryer
Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/appliances/dryer-reviews/a12761/clothes-dryer-faqs/