By Immediate Appliance – proudly serving Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex, Mercer & Somerset Counties
You count on your kitchen and laundry workhorses daily. They can also help with a few legit, low-risk extras that make home life easier – no stunts, no damage, no voided warranties. Below are verified, practical ideas tied to appliances we repair, plus a quick note on what not to try.
Refrigerator & Freezer: Cool storage… and clever helpers
1) Keep food safer with a $10 thermometer (and use your fridge as the “safety zone”).
Slip an inexpensive thermometer on a shelf and set the compartment to stay at or below 40°F; colder temps slow bacterial growth dramatically and protect groceries between shopping trips. The FDA specifically recommends a dedicated refrigerator thermometer for accurate monitoring. U.S. Food and Drug Administration
2) Make stain removal easier: “freeze, then scrape” gum.
If gum hits a sleeve or jeans, seal the garment in a bag and freeze it. The gum hardens so you can gently scrape it away before washing (following the care label). It’s a time-tested, fabric-friendly trick. The Spruce
Local help if cooling slips: If your fridge can’t hold temp (especially after a holiday rush or summer heat wave along the Jersey Shore), we offer same-day refrigerator repair across Toms River, Brick, Point Pleasant, Freehold, Marlboro, Manalapan, Edison, Princeton, Hillsborough, and nearby towns.
Dishwasher: Not just clean—sanitary when you need it
3) Sanitize baby bottles and silicone items labeled “dishwasher-safe.”
Many residential dishwashers carry NSF/ANSI 184 certification; on the sanitize cycle they’re tested to reach a 5-log (99.999%) bacterial reduction—great for bottles, pump parts, and silicone teethers that are top-rack and manufacturer-approved. Always check labeling first. NSF
What not to do:
You’ll see viral “hacks” about microwaving or dishwashing sponges to sterilize them. Research shows sponges can harbor diverse microbes and attempts to “sanitize” them this way are unreliable—often selecting for heat-tolerant strains. Safer move: replace sponges frequently and run a sanitize cycle on dishes/utensils instead. Ars Technica
Clothes Washer & Dryer: Beyond the basics
4) Wash reusable grocery bags (if the tag says machine-washable).
Reusable totes pick up drips and soil from produce, meat, and carts. Regular machine washing (then drying fully) helps cut cross-contamination in the kitchen; public-health and extension groups advise routine cleaning and separate bags for raw proteins. New York State Department of Health+1
5) Use your dryer for quick de-wrinkling.
Toss a clean, damp towel in with a few wrinkled garments and run a short, low-heat cycle, then hang promptly. It’s a gentle way to refresh shirts between irons—always honor the care label.
Dryer running hot or taking ages? We handle same-day dryer repair and vent cleaning throughout Ocean, Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer & Somerset.
Oven (Powered Off): A cozy, draft-free “proof box”
6) Proof bread using only the oven light.
On cool days, place covered dough on a middle rack with the oven off and light on. That mild warmth helps yeast work without cooking anything—an easy, baker-approved approach. Taste of Home+1
A few ground rules (so the “extras” stay safe)
- Follow care tags and manuals. If the maker says “hand-wash only” or “air-dry,” honor it.
- Skip risky hacks. No dishwasher “fish dinners,” no sponge-microwaving. Evidence doesn’t support them – and they can stress the machine. Ars Technica
- Keep temps honest. A simple fridge thermometer helps you spot problems early and protect food. U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Need a hand today?
From refrigerators and freezers to washers, dryers, dishwashers, ranges/ovens, and residential heating & cooling, our techs cover Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex, Mercer, and Somerset Counties with same-day options and fully stocked vans.