Here are Immediate Appliance, we love animals and are continually working with local shelters and veterinary organizations to help dogs who are in need. This month, we’re launching our inaugural “May For Mutts!” campaign, a program in which customers will be able to donate necessary goods we will deliver to local shelters at the end of the month, in exchange for special discounts from our company.

How to participate: 
Through the entire month of May, there are two ways YOU can get involved—either hand over donations to any of our technicians when they come to your home for service, or call our office (732-431-2004) and make an appointment to drop off donations. (If you’re in the area, just stop on by!)

What you can donate:
- fresh canned and bagged dog food
- blankets
- flea and tick treatment
- heart-worm medication
- some new toys and accessories

Questions? Shelter recommendations?
Just give us a call or drop us an e-mail!

Congratulations are in order for Immediate Appliance Service CEO and senior technician Rob Gerrity, who—as of May 2017—is officially HVACR certified by the State of New Jersey as a Master HVACR Contractor.

Per a new law recently passed in New Jersey, technicians who work on HVACR systems are required to not only be EPA-certified, but licensed through consumer affairs as well. With nearly 30 years in the business, Immediate Appliance is proud to announce our license and wish to encourage consumers to make informed choices when it comes to booking repair service on sealed systems.

According to Consumer Affairs, the State Board of HVACR Examiners licenses contractors by ensuring that:
1.) all heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration contractors meet all educational requirements for licensure
2.) heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration contractors who have broken the state’s consumer protection laws are investigated and
3.) all heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration contractors are required to be licensed by the state and to renew their licenses every two years

Chances are you either hate or love your refrigerator. It’s something you use every single day and can last for many years. Its longevity can also make it difficult to determine if you need a new one or just need the one you currently have repaired. If your fridge seems to be wearing out, here is a list of the five obvious signs that a refrigerator repair is in your future.

If it happens that you are in need of a refrigerator repair, don’t hesitate to give us a call at Immediate Appliance. We have served New Jersey for over 25 years with quality appliance service.

1. Food Is Spoiling - One of the most obvious signs that your fridge is starting to see the light is that your food is going bad quicker than it should or it’s taking longer than usual for your items to get cold. A fridge that takes longer to cool your food or cannot maintain the temperature has to use more energy. This translates into a waste of money due to energy bills and having to spend more to replace the food that went bad too early.

2. Over Freezing - The opposite of your refrigerator not being able to keep your items cold, if your freezer is turning into an iceberg, it’s a sign that your fridge needs a repair soon. You may think that it’s natural for a freezer to freeze items, but if you need to use an ice pick to help defrost the chicken for dinner, get your fridge inspected. A freezer that is over freezing everything is the most common sign of a faulty fridge.

3. Hot Motor - Feeling a blanket of warmth when reaching for something in the back of the fridge isn’t necessarily uncommon. But feeling an excessive amount of heat in your fridge is not good. The coils in the back that power your fridge are insulated, which should keep heat to a minimum. If you notice heat coming from your refrigerator, give us a call, and we’ll send a fridge repair technician out to inspect your coils.

4. Fridge Is More Than 10 Years Old - With proper maintenance, a good fridge can easily last 10 to 25 years. However, for a fridge that is over 10 years old and is showing any of the signs on this list, a unit repair may be in your future.

5. Condensation - The most obvious sign of a dying fridge is condensation. If your fridge looks like it just participated in a full-court pick-up game of basketball, you need to inspect the rubber sealing around your fridge immediately. Depending on how bad the damaged seal is, you may be able to fix the problem on your own, but having an experience technician repair the issue is your best bet for a long-lasting, proper repair.

If your fridge is in need of repair, let the experts at Immediate Appliance take a look and give you an honest and accurate assessment of your refrigerator. To learn more about all of the services we offer or to book an appointment today, you can reach us by calling (800)-323-3023.

When issues don’t exist, we tend to take our appliances for granted. It happens to all of us. But when something goes awry, it’s amazing how quickly we notice—and become frustrated by—a malfunctioning piece of equipment.

Our refrigerators are no exception.

Take a power outage for example. Normally when the lights are on, you open your refrigerator freely without a thought or care in the world. It doesn’t matter because you know the second you close the door it will continue to do its duty of supplying cold air to the perishable food items inside. The second the power goes out you have to choose very wisely if it’s absolutely necessary to open the doors because you know the second you do all of that cold air will come rushing out.

All in all, if your refrigerator is broken, getting it repaired is your top priority. Read on to learn about some of the most common causes of fridge malfunctions, then give your trusty appliance service in Mercer County, NJ a call and we’ll get the job done immediately.

Overload

Think about it this way: You wouldn’t try to install a trailer hitch onto an old two-door coupe and haul your motorboat down to the shore with it, would you? Of course not! That would be an overload and not only waste exorbitant amounts of gas, but probably cause serious damage to the car.

The same can be said about your refrigerator. It can only handle so many items, and when you overload it, you effectively force it to work harder than is reasonable. Once that happens, it won’t be long before it goes kaput.

Power Outage

Hey, who turned out the lights?

As obvious as this one sounds, it’s still a common cause of malfunction. Sure, the “what” is easy—the lights are off, and the cold air is gone; must mean the power is out. But the “why,” on the other hand, may be harder to determine. First things first, check the breaker. If that doesn’t solve the issue, you may have a bigger problem, so give us a call, and we’ll gladly assist!

Condenser Coils Need Cleaning

Your refrigerator’s condenser coils can become magnets for dirt and dust over time. These coils should be cleaned every six months to keep your fridge running efficiently and effectively.

Did you know that we offer a same day appliance service to our Mercer County, NJ area customers? Give us a call when your fridge breaks, and we’ll have back in working order in no time!

Your washer breaks, leaving you worrying about who to call and scrambling to clean your clothes elsewhere. What’s the first thing you do? Search online for a great appliance repair company to get your machine back up and running! But when contacting an appliance repair service, there are some things you need to know—most importantly, that you can easily fall victim to a scam. Yikes!

At Immediate Appliance, we believe that you should be able to receive trusted appliance repair service in the Mercer County, NJ region. We also want you to be armed with the knowledge necessary to discern whether a company is legitimate and safe to use. One popular instance of a scam is when a company uses call centers to send out unqualified people to diagnose your appliance issue at home.

Thankfully, there are ways to protect yourself. Here are some things to look out for to spot an appliance repair scam:

• Make sure the company is invested in itself. If a company does not have the resources to properly do their job or do it professionally, then they might not be legitimate. Ask yourself: Are they embedded in their community? Do they have a trademark brand?

• Car wrap and company car. Your repair company should have a company vehicle that has a car wrap describing their business and has their contact information on there. Their truck or van should also feature commercial plates—a legitimate technician will never pull up to your home in their personal car!

• Uniform. Another telltale sign that your technician is from a reputable company is by the uniform they wear. Do they look neat and professional? Does their uniform feature a name tag, brand logo, or other identifying information?

• Affiliation with trade associations. A good repair company should be affiliated with trade associations. For example, Immediate Appliance is a member of the United Servicers Association, the leading repair service support group.

• Reviews. A company should have reviews online. Offering clients the opportunity to give feedback about the level of service they received is a sign of transparency.

• Referrals. Similar to reviews, referrals are a helpful way for homeowners to scrutinize who they call for service. A company that is referred by members of the community and other businesses is one that is more trustworthy.

• Don’t be afraid to ask technical questions. Do you have questions for your technician? Don’t be bashful! Your technician should be able to answer your appliance inquiries, whether they are simple or complex, and put you in touch with an owner or manager at your request.

• Ask for EPA certification. Lastly, ask for the company’s EPA certification if they are working on your refrigerator or air conditioner. They should be able to show that they are qualified to work on your appliance.

These are just a few things you should keep an eye out for! Stay tuned for the second part of this blog series to learn more. You can also turn to our appliance service company in Mercer County, NJ for reliable and trusted work.

Interested parties can learn more about our company and schedule an appointment by calling 732-518-2249 or filling out a contact form on our website. We hope to hear from you!

So your air conditioner won’t turn on, and the temperature outside, and in your home, is rising fast. What to do?

Your first instinct should be to call for Immediate appliance repair (and yes, you should!) but before you pick up the phone, be sure to check these three potential causes for air conditioning failure.

1. Check for power
The first thing you should do is make sure that there is power in your home and neighborhood. If your air conditioning unit goes out in the middle of a sunny morning, you may be unaware if you’re actually experiencing a full-blown power outage. Check to make sure other appliances and lighting fixtures are able to turn on in your home.

2. Check the circuit breaker
Also called a fuse box, if the breaker to your HVAC unit has been tripped, just reset the breaker to check if activity will resume to your air conditioner. However, be aware that circuit breakers will usually trip due to safety reasons, so depending on the number of times it trips, you may want to have an electrician come out to take a look. This will help determine if there are any electrical-related issues present.

Similarly, check to see if the batteries in your unit’s thermostat are dead, and change them out if they are. Dead batteries will make it impossible to turn the air conditioning off and off, or adjust any settings.

3. Check the air filters
A dirty or old air filter may be impeding the flow of air to your air conditioning unit, resulting in a less powerful or less cold airflow. Be sure to change air filters regularly in order to ensure optimal efficiency and to avoid future issues.

There is absolutely nothing worse than a faulty or broken air conditioning unit during the scorching heat of summer. And yet, most of the time it’s so easy to avoid running into hot water — erm, air. These four simple tips will keep your A/C running effectively and efficiently, helping you avoid costly repairs:

Have a professional perform maintenance: Having a professional HVAC-licensed appliance technician to inspect your air conditioning unit can help you avoid unnecessary damage and repairs. A technician will make sure that the parts to your unit are working, as well as check the thermostat. They’ll also check and clear your air ducts, making sure cool air can flow through.

Change your filters: Filters collect dirt, dust and debris which ca get backed up and circulate around your home through your air conditioner. Changing filters can prevent damage and air pollution in your home before it occurs!

Make sure doors and windows are closed: Having your windows or doors open while running air conditioning in your home means your a/c unit will have to work overtime to cool down the hot air entering. This causes wear and tear on the parts, as well as increases your need for a future replacement.

Clean the area around the A/C: Dirt and debris can cause horrible damage to the internal structure of your air conditioner, and unfortunately your a/c pulls air into itself in order to create cool air. If the area around your a/c unit is dirty, it’s likely sucking in that debris, which means you’ll be breathing in dusty air as well as increases the likelihood of needing a repair.

If you have the luxury of owning a refrigerator in your garage, your appliance can prove to be both a blessing and a curse in the summertime: On the one hand, you have plenty of room for all that BBQ food and beer! On the other hand, the summer heat can wreak havoc on your garage fridge.

In a hot garage, your refrigerator will be up against the warm air and fluctuating temperatures while working overtime to keep your  food cold. It’s so easy for a malfuction to occur during the heatwaves of summer, but by following these three tips, you can expect efficiency and effectiveness from your garage fridge.

1. Keep It Stocked
Keeping the fridge stocked will ensure an even spread of cool temperature in the appliance, making it so your fridge doesn’t work overtime. Your fridge posesses a food sensor system that will adjust temperature as the contents of your appliance change. Keeping things consistently stocked is helpful to maintaining a steady internal temperature.

2. Keep It Cool
Manufacturers like GE recommend that refrigerators be placed in rooms where the temperature remains between 60 and 110 degrees. When the weather is warm, the fridge will run constantly, running the risk of burning itself out or overheating. If your garage does not have air conditioning, consider using insulation, fanss and proper venting to keep the area cooler. Keeping the garage closed as much as possible is also helpful.

3. Keep It Charged
Most kitchens are electrically wired for appliances like refrigerators, whereas your garage probably isn’t. Make sure that your garage fridge is equipped with a proper electrical hookup (115 volt, 60 Hz, AC-only outlet is recommended) so it can receive enough power and run its motor properly. If not, strain on the condensor can impact its ability to produce air cold enough to cool your food safely.

Extra tip: Be mindful of what you store in your garage fridge! Since any appliance used in your garage is more likely to experience a failure, it’s wise to use your garage fridge to store non-essential items like extra beverages, snacks and items that won’t perish as quickly in case of a malfunction.

It happens all the time: You run the dishwasher, expecting sparkling-clean, odor-free dishware and cups, only to have everything come out smelling faintly of wet dog. Yuck.

Did you think it was only you? That maybe you were imagining the smell? In actuality, the phenomenon is very common, with many folks talking about the weird “wet dog” smell on their favorite coffee mugs in forums and blogs online.

So, what’s causing this doggone smell? It’s highly likely that the odor is due to mildly contaminated water within your dishwasher which, as the lingering bacteria dries, activates a strange, faint “wet dog” odor. This can be caused by leftovers remaining in the machine, or just stagnant recycled water that’s been leftover!

While the scent probably doesn’t present much of a health risk (after all, everything has been washed at high temperatures and with detergents), the odor may deter you from using your plates, forks and cups… and we don’t blame you.

But don’t fret! There are plenty of ways to eliminate this lingering “wet dog” smell:

1. Add a little bleach to the tub below the dish rack after a full cycle, close the dishwasher and wait an hour before removing the dishes. Rinse them with cold water and dry thoroughly by hand.
2. Run a cleaning cycling with some white distilled vinegar in the unit to clean out any lingering odors and bacteria.
3. Make sure the dishwasher is running properly. You can also use rinse aids to increase the clean quality.
4. Clean out all filters and make sure no food particles or grime buildup is present at the bottom of the unit.
5. As a preventative measure, rinse your dishes and cups with cold water before inserting them into the dishwasher.

Also, be sure to clean out the dishwasher after the cycle is complete, which allows its contents to air out properly.

If the problem persists, don’t hesitate to call a qualified appliance repair company. As always, Immediate Appliance is here to provide same-day service, 365 days a year!

Immediate Appliance is expanding once more and looking to bring on enthusiastic, qualified, hard-working technicians to our growing team of service professionals!

Immediate Appliance is offering:

• Competitive pay
• Commission opportunities
• A dynamic team environment
• Team uniforms and company vans
• Paid time off
• Health insurance and 401K

Are you an experienced appliance repair or HVAC-certified technician looking to join one of New Jersey’s fastest growing, award-winning companies?
Get in touch with your resume today! We look forward to working with you.

It’s that time of year again! The Asbury Park Press is running their Best of the Best Awards for 2017 in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, and Immediate Appliance Service is once again in the running.

The 2017 Readers Choice Contest is well under way, and you can vote through August 11 in both the Ocean and Monmouth County categories.

To vote, simply click here, scroll down to “Shopping”>”Appliance Center” under category, and write in “Immediate Appliance Service Freehold” (or just copy and paste it in).

The post Asbury Park Press Best of the Best 2017: It’s Time to Vote! appeared first on immediateappliance.com.

Every day, scammers are finding new ways to trick consumers looking for appliance repair in Somerset County NJ and are giving legitimate companies a bad name. At Immediate Appliance, we take our award-winning business seriously, which is why we always staying up-to-date on how to spot scams.

After reading the first part of our “Ways to Spot an Appliance Repair Scam” blog, here are some other things to be aware of when looking for appliance repair.

• Unqualified workers. Hiring a company that employs unqualified workers can end in a financial disaster for you if their services aren’t up to par with the job. These workers can end up doing more damage, costing you even more money! Be sure to ask about your technicians’ training, technical education and experience.
• Not having cards or marketing material available. Legitimate businesses want you to call and tell your friends about them. Technicians will always carry a business card containing their contact information. If the appliance service company in Mercer County NJ has no calling card to give you, they may have something to hide.
• Broken social media. On the company’s web site, click on the badges for social media outlets to make sure that they’re working. If the badges are just pictures pasted on the site, or if their Facebook or Twitter pages have no interaction, they are either a very new company or a scam—neither of which you probably want to deal with.
• They’re not invested in their community. Fly-by-night business practices trick consumers by moving from town to town, searching for new customers. Before you hire a company, ask if they’ve done any charitable work or contribution in the past, and what specifically they are passionate about helping.
• They’re calling from a call center. A common technique for scammers is to use a call center instead of a physical location in case they need to skip town. When speaking on the phone, directly ask if the representative is calling from a call center, and if they are, take your business elsewhere.

If you are looking for reputable appliance repair services, contact our professionals at Immediate Appliance today!

The post Ways to Spot an Appliance Repair Scam Part 2 appeared first on immediateappliance.com.

Anyone can claim to be an “expert” at appliance repairs, which can make searching for an appliance repair company in areas like Somerset County, NJ a hassle.  

With the number of appliance repair scams on the rise, making sure that you only hire professionals who go above and beyond in their trade isn’t just a safe and wise choice; it’s a choice that will save you time and money in the long run.

With so many fraudulent companies out there, consumers are right to be skeptical when choosing an appliance repair company. However, there’s one source that will always provide the community with top-of-the-line, award-winning service and proven expertise: Immediate Appliance.

Rob Gerrity, owner of Immediate Appliance, has received his Master’s License for refrigeration, heating and air conditioning. Rob has invested time into not only his and his technicians’ ongoing education but also the community he serves, proving that Immediate Appliance is one of the most qualified services in the business. Rob works tirelessly to ensure that his company’s training on the latest advances are up-to-date, enrolling in programs like Master Samurai Tech. His clients can rest easy, knowing that their work is being put into the hands of a true professional.

A Master’s License shows that a company is qualified to handle repairs on sealed system appliances, whose complex mechanisms are constantly changing. In addition, licensing means that the person doing repairs knows the way to get the job done right and safely, and not just providing a temporary or unsustainable solution.

If you’re searching for an appliance service company in Mercer County NJ, make the qualified choice: Immediate Appliance.

The post Why You Should Trust Only the Most Qualified Experts to Work on Your Appliances appeared first on immediateappliance.com.

We understand that when it comes to calling for repair service, your budget is always an important factor. As a customer, you’ll want to get quality work done at a reasonable price.

However, while a service call fee should always be a fixed price and told upfront when booking your appointment, you should think twice if the company you’ve called if willing to give you a full job “estimate” over the phone.

Be aware: Any company that gives you a full estimate over the phone without diagnosing your appliance first is doing you a great disservice.

The diagnosis is the most important part of any appliance repair. When the technician physically looks at your appliance, they will be able to expertly determine the exact cause of the malfunction or faulty part. Appliances are made up of dozens of complex parts, some even computerized. This means that any number of parts maybe causing any single type of issue. Only a service diagnosis can determine the exact cause of the problem, as this requires a physical examination of the machine.

Without taking a look at the appliance, a “technician” over the phone would only be guessing… which means you may ultimately have the wrong repair done, and pay more out of pocket later.

The post Why You Should Never Get an Appliance Repair Estimate Over the Phone appeared first on immediateappliance.com.

You’ve been evacuated during a hurricane, leaving your fully stocked fridge with all your perishables behind. Twenty-four hours later, you’re back home and your lights are back on and everything is in working order. But how can you tell if your food is really still safe to eat?

During a stormy night or a power outage, the quarter-in-a-cup trick can potentially save you from eating something rotten and getting food poisoning—or worse.

Sometimes it’s hard to know whether or not you’ve lost power, which means you may have no idea if the food in your fridge is safe to eat or not. (Everything may feel cold, but what if the power went out in the middle of the night or while you weren’t home? How will you know how long things were geting warm or defrosting?) To avoid the unknown, all you’ll need is a plastic cup, a running faucet and a quarter.

First, fill the plastic cup up 3/4 to the top with water. (Tip: You’ll want to use a plastic cup since a paper cup may wear down and a glass cup could break.) Place the cup in your freezer and allow it to freeze fully. Once you’ve got a frozen cup of ice, place the coin on top of the ice, where it should sit sturdily.

Now, if your fridge has remained in working order, the penny will still be on top of the ice. But, if your fridge turned out and began to defrost, the ice will have turned to water and the coin will have sank to the bottom of the cup.

It’s a health-saving tip that’s quick, free and fool proof—and critical for hurricane season.

For more food and health saving tips, check out which temperature is perfect for your fridge, as well as FDA approved tips for Thanksgiving leftovers!

The post How to Tell If Your Food Is Safe After a Storm or Hurricane appeared first on Immediate Appliance.

Satin? Bathing suits? Nylon?

Figuring out what can and can’t safely be put through your clothes dryer can be complicated. The last thing you want to do is irreversibly shrink your favorite holiday sweater or damage a gorgeous silk blouse.

Below, check out our quick guide to find out how to dry your favorite fabrics.

Dryer Safe

Cotton: Loose woven cotton can shrink, so it’s recommended to dry on low heat. Materials that are 100% cotton are more likely to shrink.

Acrylic: Dry on low heat, and don’t over dry or it can cause static!

Linen: Use a low heat dry to avoid wrinkles.

Microfiber: Use a low heat or even cool setting for microfiber.

Nylon: Use low heat to prevent creases and to better avoid static cling.

Polyester: Polyester dries quickly, so you can use a low heat.

Silk: Some silk pieces can be dried on low heat, but always check the label.

Velour: Use a low heat tumble to keep velour feeling smooth.

Air Dry Recommended

Spandex, lace, rayon, wool and suede can technically be dried on a low heat setting, but depending on the delicate nature of the fabric and the label instructions, these items are best air dried to be safe.

Air Dry Only

Tights, bathing suits, fabric shoes and anything with crystal or rhinestone embellishments should be air dried only!

And if all else fails, check your label—always.

The post Here’s Which Clothing You Should Avoid Putting in the Dryer appeared first on Immediate Appliance.

One of the most important appliances in most people’s home is their dishwasher. After all, who wants to spend the time and energy cleaning their dishes by hand in this day and age? So when your dishwasher stops working, you want a reliable dishwasher repair service in Ocean County, NJ such as Immediate Appliance to get the problem corrected as soon as possible!

Here are three common issues that even the top-of-the-line dishwashers might run into this fall.

• Your dishwasher is flooding. If your dishwasher is refusing to drain, leaking or causing a flood in your kitchen, the problem is probably a blocked or partially obstructed drain pump. Your dishwasher may also require some hardware updates, as this problem is common with appliances that are beginning to wear down. Flooding or leaking is a big problem and requires a trusted dishwasher repair service in Somerset County, NJ such as Immediate Appliance to get it back up and running again.

• Your dishes are coming out dirty. Do you scrape and rinse your dishes before running them through a wash cycle only to find bits of food and residue still stuck to your plates and bowls after coming out? Having dirty dishes is a common sign that the piping in your dishwasher is lacking, and that the machine doesn’t have enough water pressure to scrub the remaining food from your dishes. Glasses with spotty white residue remaining on them can also be a symptom of hard water buildup.

• Your dishwasher handle won’t latch. The handle that closes your dishwasher is one of the most used pieces of your appliance’s exterior. Some electronic models will not even run if the latch won’t close. If you check and see that the handle is not blocked on the opposite side, there may be an issue with the electronic wiring of the dishwasher and will require a professional to fix.

If you are in need of dishwasher repair services, contact our professionals at Immediate Appliance today!

The post 3 Telltale Signs that Your Dishwasher Needs Repair appeared first on Immediate Appliance.

Immediate Appliance is proud to announce that we have once again won the Asbury Park Press Best of the Best Readers’ Choice Contest for appliance repair in Monmouth County!

Thank you so much to our wonderful customers who voted us the Best of the Best for 2017! Along with winning the top honor in appliance repair (appliance center) for Monmouth Country, we also placed third in heating and air conditioning.

This marks Immediate Appliance’s fifth time winning the esteemed Asbury Park Press contest (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017). We hope to continue providing award-winning service to Monmouth County, New Jersey for all the years to come.

The post Immediate Appliance Service Wins 2017 Asbury Park Press Best of the Best appeared first on Immediate Appliance.

If Halloween usually ends up playing a dirty trick on your clothing, don’t be frightened: Your clothes can be cleaned!

Fake blood, face and body paints, makeup and candy can all ravage your costumes or clothes, but unlike the things that go bump in the night, they don’t have to linger. Below, we break down the top three worst types of Halloween-related stains and how to get rid of them.

Fake blood: Don’t fret if Dracula did a number on you! Cold water, like a wooden stake against a vampire, is your friend. Place your (fake) blood-soaked clothing in a washer filled with cold water, baking soda and white distilled vinegar. Agitate for a few minutes to loosen the stains, turn the washer off, and let the items soak overnight. In the morning, finish the wash cycle and make sure all stains are removed before drying.

Face paint and makeup: Face and body paint can be a great addition to your Halloween costume… but not to your clothes. If the paint has already dried onto your fabric, use a hard-bristle brush (a clean, dry toothbrush will work) to scrape off the dry paint. Then, add a mixture of warm water and dishwashing soap and scrub. Finally, spray with cold water and blot with rubbing oil, repeating until the stain has been removed.

Chocolate: Did trick or treating play a trick on your clothes? Don’t worry—it doesn’t take an army of the undead to remove chocolate stains! First, gently scrape or blot up any excess chocolate from the stain, avoiding pushing the stain in further. Run cold water or cold seltzer through the back of the stain to loosen chocolate particles, and then soak in a laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid, saturating thoroughly.

Afterwards, soak the item for 20 minutes in cold water, gently scrubbing every few minutes and rinsing until the stain has disappeared. (You can also apply a commercial stain remover if the stain lingers.) Finally, wash as usual in the washing machine and repeat any steps to ensure the stain is removed before drying normally.

The post How to Get Halloween Stains Out of Your Clothes and Costumes appeared first on Immediate Appliance.

Thanksgiving is just on the horizon, and if you’re hosting the holiday at your home this year, you might be feeling stressed. Figuring out who to invite and who’s bringing what, going grocery shopping and more can get in the way of enjoying the holiday with loved ones.

One thing people often overlook is the condition of their appliances and kitchen equipment. What if your oven fails? You’ll be left with an undercooked turkey and a lot of hungry, disgruntled guests. Don’t wait until the last minute; prepare ahead of time. Avert disaster by following these steps, courtesy of our same-day appliance repair experts serving Princeton, NJ and other nearby areas.

• Use all of the appliances that you’ll be using on Thanksgiving including your oven, cooktop, fridge and dishwasher at least a week before the day. Therefore, if you notice something is wrong, you have several days to take care of it before your guests arrive.

• Do NOT use your oven’s self-cleaning feature the day before Thanksgiving. They have the potential to cause the oven to malfunction or lock up, so use this feature with more time to spare, in case a problem arises.

• Ensure your oven’s lock is functioning correctly. If your oven locks up, you’re in big trouble. It might trap food inside or lock you out, so you won’t be able to access your food or cook it properly.

• Be careful with your garbage disposal. There are many things that are not meant to be inserted into the disposal, including bones, grease, egg shells and other animal byproducts. They can get stuck and clog the disposal. Even worse? Depending on what gets trapped, it can fill your home with a nasty stench.

• Free up space in your refrigerator. Throw out what you don’t need, or anything past the expiration date. Leave room for what your guests are bringing. Also, if your fridge is stuffed, it might not close all the way which can lead to other issues.

• Last but not least, make sure your dishwasher is working properly. Having to handwash dishes is never fun, but it especially won’t be when you’re also trying to entertain guests and enjoy yourself.

We hope you take heed of our advice and have a happy Thanksgiving! If you require appliance maintenance prior to hosting company or you need emergency heating repair in Princeton NJ, contact our experts at Immediate Appliance today! Call 1-800-323-3023.

The post How to Prepare to Host Thanksgiving appeared first on Immediate Appliance.