HAVE YOU CLEANED YOUR WASHING MACHINE FILTER?
Most of us may know that after you dry a load of laundry in the dryer, you should clean out the lint filter to ensure everything continues to work properly. But did you know your washing machine has a filter you should clean as well? What is a washing machine filter, and where is it located? When you throw your clothes into your washing machine, they can have lint, loose hair strands, and other particles on them that could clog your washing machine. But your filter will catch these items and ensure your washing machine continues to work correctly. Since all washing machines are different, it’s best to consult your owner’s manual or search your unit online for more information. Common places where your filter could be located are in front of the unit behind a hatch, at the end of a drainage hose, under the center agitator, or in the drum’s lid. Why and when should you clean it? If you don’t clean your washing machine filter, your appliance won’t work as effectively. Your clothes can smell musty, and you may notice detergent or DROWSY DRIVING ALMOST KILLED ME!
lint residue on your clothes when you take them out. In addition, the filter can develop mildew and mold, which can seep through your clothes.
Professionals recommend cleaning and inspecting your filter every three months. But be sure to consult your owner’s manual for more information. However, if your machine is draining slowly, or you smell strange odors or notice lint or detergent residue, it may be time to clean the filter. How do you clean the filter? You first want to remove the filter from your unit and wipe away any lint, hair, and debris with a damp washcloth. Then, use the cloth to wipe the inside of the filter housing unit. Next, fill a bowl with hot water, add a teaspoon of dish soap or laundry detergent, and soak the filter for 10 minutes. After soaking, use a soft-bristle toothbrush to scrub the filter and remove additional buildup. Finally, place the filter back in the washing machine and run a short wash cycle. If you notice your washing machine is still having issues cleaning your clothes, contact your local technician for more assistance. They can do a diagnostic test on your unit and come up with a solution. The bill flapped like crazy in the wind, almost taking off without me! But my strategy worked. I had to stay awake to keep the paper from sliding between my fingers — and I managed to keep my eyes open all the way to our hotel. This was an absolutely horrible idea. Looking back now, it turns my stomach to think how close my family came to a deadly car wreck, all because I was too stubborn to pull over into a Walmart parking lot and take a nap. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving kills hundreds of people every year. In 2020, 633 people died in drowsy driving-related crashes, and thousands more were injured, and according to NHTSA’s website, “in 2017, 91,000 police-reported crashes involved drowsy drivers. These crashes led to an estimated 50,000 people injured and nearly 800 deaths.” Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving, and it’s just as preventable. The most reliable way to stay safe is to get a good night’s sleep every night and encourage other drivers in your family to do the same. You should also stay off the roads during what NHTSA calls “peak sleepiness periods” (late afternoon and midnight–6 a.m.) and avoid driving after taking medications that cause drowsiness. As a last resort, pull over for a 20-minute nap and/or load up on caffeine.
How to Stay Awake on the Road
Almost 20 years ago, I made a driving decision that could have injured or even killed my family. We were on the way to Florida for spring break, and because of a string of bad luck involving a missing purse and some very important traveler’s checks, we were running hours behind schedule.
It was long after midnight. I’d been awake for almost 24 hours. Everyone else in the car was asleep, and the view out my windshield was nothing but endless, flat Georgia highway and perfectly spaced palm trees. It was hypnotic! I could feel myself nodding off, so I did something desperate: I rolled my window down, dug a $20 bill out of my purse, pinched it between my fingers, and stuck my hand out into the breeze.
Don’t make the mistake I did all those years ago. Avoid drowsy driving!
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