Repairs
Since the replacement costs of air conditioners has dropped so precipitously and the costs of repairs have risen so dramatically it is seldom economical to make a repair. There are exceptions, such as large units with high BTU ratings (such as 18,000 BTU’s and above), Units that are built in to a specific frame including in a transom above a window or through a brick wall, etc. Our rule of thumb in making any repair takes into consideration the cost of the repair, the condition of the air conditioner and the total replacement costs including installation. If the unit is in marginal shape, and the repair price is close to or more than one half of the replacement cost we would normally recommend replacing the unit.

Replacement
There are several key considerations required to determine the proper size of the air conditioner replacement: what is the specific square footage of the cooling area, what direction does the window face, is there any shading to that area of the house, is the kitchen part of the overall cooling area, and on which floor is the A/C to be installed. Don’t simply use the existing BTU rating to decide what size replacement unit you will purchase. Gather the data I’ve listed and allow the combined results dictate the replacement size. Air conditioners accomplish two specific tasks: they cool AND they dehumidify. Many people only consider cooling as their end goal and often oversize their air conditioners. The net effect of oversizing your air conditioner is that the cooling area will reach the desired temperature much too quickly, preventing the dehumidification process from taking place. When an air conditioner is properly sized for the cooling area, the unit will continue to run and over a period of time slowly remove the moisture while at the same time cooling off the temperature. The result is a comfortable environment, free of heat AND humidity!

General Tips: Treat the stain as soon as possible. If you can’t begin the total treatment at least soak the garment in cold water.

Never dryer a piece of clothing in a dryer unless the stain is fully removed or you are convinced that what remains will never come out. Once you dry a stain in the dryer it probably never will come out!

Here is what I thought were the best methods offered:

Chocolate Stain Removal:

Remove excess chocolate. Use a dull knife or a spoon to remove any excess bits of chocolate from the fabric. Work carefully to make sure you don’t spread the chocolate to clean parts of the clothing.

Rinse with cold water. Using cold water, rinse the back of the stained area. This allows the stain to travel back through the least amount of fabric possible.

Rub in some liquid laundry detergent. Gently rub liquid detergent into the chocolate stain. Allow the clothing to sit for 5 minutes. Next, soak the clothing for 15 minutes in cold water, Every 3-5 minutes, rub the stained area between your fingers and thumb to loosen the stain. Rinse thoroughly. Continue until no more stain can be removed.

http://housekeeping.about.com/od/stainremoval/ht/Remove-Chocolate-Stains-5-Easy-Tips.htm

Follow these steps to remove chocolate stains from washable fabrics such as Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Nylon, Modacrylic, Olefin, Polyester and Spandex:
• Wipe up as much excess as possible without driving the stain further into the fibers.
• Flush the stain with club soda.
• Sponge the area with a spot lifter or cleaning fluid.
• Apply a dry spotter to the stain and cover with an absorbent pad dampened with the dry spotter.
• Keep the stain moist with dry spotter.
• Let it stand as long as any stain is being lifted.
• Change the pad as it picks up the stain.
• Flush with a dry-cleaning solvent.
If any stain remains:
• Apply a few drops of dishwashing detergent and a few drops of ammonia to the stain, then tamp (the method of bringing a brush down with light strokes on stained durable fabrics and materials) or scrape.
• Keep the stain moist with the detergent and ammonia and blot occasionally with an absorbent pad.
• Flush well with water to remove all traces of ammonia.
• Allow to dry or launder as usual.

http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-remove-chocolate-stains2.htm

Chocolate is a combination stain – a bit of an oil stain, a bit of a dye stain. Begin by rubbing heavy-duty liquid detergent or a paste of powdered detergent and water into the stain. Wash garment as usual with an all-fabric bleach and detergent. Check for stain before drying. If it is still present, repeat steps BEFORE drying.

If the garment is dry clean only, point out and identify the stain to your professional cleaner. If you are using a home dry cleaning kit, be sure to treat the stain with the provided stain remover before putting the garment in the dryer bag.

http://laundry.about.com/od/stainremoval/f/removechocolate.htm

Appliance Trouble?
Check out our web site www.LandersAppliance.com for the helpful tips section to test basic functions of your appliances. Call us if you have more detailed questions concerning your appliances or if you want to schedule a technician to come to your home or business and check over your appliances for proper operation and safety. We are here to help! 410 682-3232

However, the single sheet types, when used in front load washing machines have been slipping between the inner wash tub and outer tub and clogging the lint catcher sump or making their way to the pump assm. In either case it prevents the washer from draining properly usually resulting in a service call to our repair company. I checked the Purex web site and found a warning posted under the “Frequently Asked Questions – Can You Use Purex Complete 3-in-1 in HE Washing Machines?” The warning says “Due to the design of some front-loading models, it is possible for small articles such as socks or laundry sheets to pass through the gap between the drum and seal into the internal workings of the washer. If your front-loading washer has a visible gap, we recommend using a small mesh bag to contain the laundry sheet, just as you would for other small items. Always refer to your washing machine owner’s manual for proper operating procedures.” http://www.purex.com/products/detergents/purex-complete-3-in-1
If you are hooked on using this product as many of our customers are, please take the advice of the product manufacturer and place the sheet in a small mesh bag to prevent having to have a costly service call to remedy the situation. In fact it may be wise to use a small mesh bag for all your tiny washables such as crew socks, underwear, gloves, etc. as these have also been known to get between the tubs and create a drain problem.
If you are currently experiencing a slow or no drain problem with your front load washing machine call our office and schedule a service call at 410 682-3232 or go to www.LandersAppliance.com. If you are handy and think you can tackle the problem yourself ask for our service manager Jim and he can give you some pointers on how to do access the clean out sump.