Before you put your new washer and dryer in your house you should install a washer outlet box if it’s not already there. Not only does it make the laundry room look nicer, it helps keep all of your hoses organized. The washer outlet box is very simple to install by following these instructions.

• First off, you should decide what type of washer outlet box you would like. There are many out there but the basic ones are a square.
• Next you should measure the back of the box that will be going into the wall so you will know the proper size hole to cut.

If you are in the market for a new washer and dryer, you have a lot of factors to consider. Your main concerns are probably cost, energy efficiency, and performance.

Tips for buying a washer and dryer

Historically dryers outlive their counterparts. So chances are you will just be replacing a washer. It should be noted that washer performance has changed recently due to the fact that U.S. Department of Energy requires new washers to use 21% less energy than older models. This is their way of conserving energy, saving the environment and going green.

The Department of Energy has announced that consumers can expect record-high energy costs this winter. Tips for saving energy and money will be in high demand, especiall low-to no-cost tips.

Q.Why can't I use the original product on a cold water setting?
A.You can use regular Tide in a cold water wash; however, Tide Coldwater has been specifically designed for use in cold water to provide even better cleaning.

Q.How will this product save energy/money for me?
The product will not require warm/hot water which needs to be heated by a home hot water heater.

Q.Is this product good for whites as well as colors?
A.The product can be used with both whites and colors; however, as with traditional laundry, sorting by color is highly recommended prior to cleaning, as some garments may bleed even in cold water conditions.

Q.Can I use this product on my delicates?
A.Tide Coldwater can be used on any garments that are considered machine washable. Some garments can be more susceptible to color loss and bleeding, and as with all detergents, it is recommended that a small hidden area of the garment be tested for colorfastness if there is concern.

Q.Why can't I use the original product on a cold water setting?
A.You can use regular Tide in a cold water wash; however, Tide Coldwater has been specifically designed for use in cold water to provide even better cleaning.

Q.Can I use Tide Coldwater for all my clothes?
A.Tide Coldwater can be used on all machine washable clothes.

Q.Will Tide Coldwater work on heavily soiled clothes?
A.Tide Coldwater will work great on heavily soiled clothes.

Q.Do I need to add anything else (bleach/ laundry aids/ pre-treat) to get my clothes clean?
A.Depending on the level and type of soil, you may still have other laundry additives that you choose to add. For typical laundry, nothing else will be required for cleaning.

Q.What happens if I use warm water by mistake?
A.Tide Coldwater can also be used in warm and hot water washes.

Q.Can I use this product in my machine?
A.If you have a High Efficiency (HE) washer, we recommend using Tide High Efficiency (HE) for best results.
Q.Can I use Tide Coldwater to pre-treat/pre-soak?
A.Yes

Q.What is the shelf life?
A.The product was designed to have the same shelf life as traditional detergent.

Q.Can I mix Tide Coldwater with chlorine bleach?
A.Yes, chlorine bleach can be used in conjunction with Tide Coldwater.

Q.Can I use Tide Coldwater on my baby's clothes?
A.Yes

Q.Can Tide Coldwater be used with the Tide Kick/Rollerball?
A.Yes. The liquid version can be used.

Q.Can Tide Coldwater be used on flame-resistant items?
A.Yes, as long as the label recommends machine washing.

Q.Can I hand wash with this product?
A.This product is designed for use in an automated laundry machine.

Q.Are laundry additives needed with Tide Coldwater?
A.Laundry additives such as Downy or Bounce can be used with Tide Coldwater.

Take the Alliance to Save Energy/ColdWater Challenge: Wash your clothes in cold water and save up to $63 a year.*
Do not over-wash clothes. Delicate clothes don't need as long a wash cycle as dirty work clothes.

Presoak or use a soak cycle when washing heavily soiled garments. You'll avoid two washings and save energy.

Clean the dryer lint filter after every load to improve air circulation and quicken drying.

Today's washers and dryers come with so many different options that at times it can be confusing to the consumer to determine what exactly meets their needs. Because the laundry needs of any family are different, and so many styles are available today, it is wise to consider all the options available on the market.

This article will discuss the many options, and help you to determine what will meet your needs.
Basically here are two types of washing machines - top loading and front loading. Each has its pros and cons. A top loader is not as energy efficient as a front loader. A front loader generally has a very long wash cycle. Let's look at the facts we need to determine our choice.

First, we should determine what we need in terms of capacity, water efficiency, energy efficiency, volume, length of wash cycle, programs, controls, and filtering systems.
Capacity should be your first consideration. Choose a machine that will meet the needs of your family. Most washers measure in kilograms. A machine that can handle 6-7 kg (10 lb approx.)is large enough for a family with a couple of children.

Water efficiency is measured by how efficient the machine is in terms of energy usage. Because each area of the country has different water usage figures, check with your local water utility to determine savings in your area. Again, a top loader is not as energy efficient as a front loader.
Volume is determined by the amount of noise a machine will make during the spin cycle. Obviously, you do not want a shrieking machine next to the family room.
Length of wash cycle is determined by the length of the washing cycle. If you are always on the run, you don't want a machine that takes forever to run a load. Here, front loaders come out the loser.
The programs available on a machine are the bells and whistles that you should determine whether or not you can live without. Many are available, such as spin speed, gentle cycles, and hand washing cycles. It helps to know how much you wish to interact with the machine. Some modern washers can determine the size of the load, the proper cycle to use, and even how dirty your laundry is.

Controls should be easy to understand and easy to reach. Old machines use knobs, newer touch type controls.

Q. Can anyone advise how to correct a methane gas smell coming from my washing machine when the machine is filling with water?

A. Is your washer a top or front loader? A cup of bleach is fine, but may not get to all parts of the drum. If this is a front loader, you probably need to clean the door seal it by hand. We use a mild bathroom cleaner that can be sprayed on. If this is a top loader, you may need to remove the top (or whole case on some machines) and clean the top of the splashguard around the tub.

Q. I have an Admiral Design Series Washer that won't agitate. It spins fine but had a thumping noise during agitation. Any help is appreciated.

Q. My washer leaves rust stains on clothes. How can I prevent this from ruining my clothes?

A. The irst thing to do is figure out where the rust is coming from. It may not always be the washer. Water can leave rust marks if it is high in iron deposits. It may need a filter or water system checked. The inner and outer basket, or tank cover may have started to rust. You have to remove the agitator, inner basket to check properly. If tanks are rusting, these possibly need to be replaced. The washer can leave marks on the clothes; most look more like black marks but some washers can leave a rust stain. Chemical reactions between soaps and hand or acne cream can leave a rust-like stain. After all that being said, you may want a service technician to come out and check all of the above. If you have rust stains on clothing, do not use bleach, as it will set the stain and usually make it worse. A product like "Rover-Rust and stain remover" may be able to help clean the washer and laundry.

Q. My washer seems to be working except for the agitator, which will not work back and forth. I have been looking for a parts manual and have been unable to find one. What is the part that may be in need of replacement? The space where the washer is placed is very limited and I really do not want to have to take it apart more than once.

A. Chances are the cogs in the agitator have worn down. Take off the agitator's cap. This should just pop off. You may need to remove another cover on the inside. The cogs should be in that. It will be obvious if they are worn. Then, write down your model number, go to the local appliance parts store, and tell them what you need.

Q. My washing machine is not going into spin cycle or emptying water. It goes completely through all its steps on the timer, and then I come back to a full tub of water. Spin does not work in any setting. I have checked the door switch and looked at the timer, but that did not seem to be the problem. The first time it happened I turned the timer directly to spin and it worked, but that did not work this time. Am I overlooking a sensor or something?

WasherTips:

Locate the washing machine close to the hot water tank, if possible, to reduce the heat loss in long pipe runs. Insulate exposed pipes.

Keep your hot-water heater thermostat setting at 120°F. Each 10°F reduction in water temperature will cut the cost of washing clothes by up to 13 percent.

Washing machines are taken for granted in most households. If someone had to name which appliance loss would hurt them the most, the majority would say their oven. But if the oven goes, you still have the microwave oven. If the dryer goes, you can still hang the clothes on the line. But if the washer goes, we're back to caveman times, banging clothes on rocks. Well, maybe not so dramatic, but the washing machine has indeed become a necessity for convenience's sake.

Today we're going to go over some of the more common problems that many people face with their washing machines. Hopefully, if you're in a dilemma, this article will help you out of it. Take a minute and read our article on how washing machines work before we get started. It will give you a better idea of where everything is and how it works.

As always, an important rule is to turn the power OFF before troubleshooting unless otherwise noted. Another tip is to keep a notebook nearby so when you remove wires, you can write down the "what goes where" details - you'll thank yourself later. The testing of some parts may require a VOM (volt-ohm meter), which can be picked up at most hardware stores.

Problem: The washing machine won't run at all.
Solution: Make sure it is plugged in. If it is, then check the outlet with the VOM for voltage. Check the power cord for any damage. If they're all satisfactory, then here's a run through of potential causes:

Lid switch may be bad -- You will need to open the control
panel, and find the harness plug that feeds the lid switch. Disconnect the harness plug. With your VOM on RX1, probe the terminals on the wires leading to the lid switch. There are three wires; probe the two that are not green. With the lid open, the reading should be infinity and with the lid closed, the reading should be zero. If not, replace the switch.
Timer may be bad -- Take the leads off of the timer. Set your

VOM to RX100. Probe the leads and you should get a reading of 1,100 to 3,000 ohms. If not, replace the timer.

Problem: The washing machine won't fill with water.

Solution: Check the inlet hoses to make sure there are no kinks in them. The lid switch and the timer may be at fault here as well. Check them as detailed above. The water level switch could also be the problem. The water level switch is located in the

control panel - it's the one with the clear tube attached to it. With the VOM on RX1, probe the three terminals by probing all the optional pairings. You should get a zero reading on one pair and an infinity reading on all the others.
Problem: The water won't drain from the tub.

Solution: Check the drainage hose to ensure it's not kinked or clogged. If it's clear and in good shape, here's a few other potential causes:

The pump could be clogged -- On the side of the motor, you will see the pump with the drainage tube attached to it. Place a towel underneath the unit to catch any water. There are retaining clips holding the pump to the motor shaft. With a screwdriver, pry off the clips to remove the pump. Check it for any obstructions.