Ruritans award scholarships
The Wheat Swamp Ruritan Club has presented scholarships to two North Lenoir High School graduates.
Club President J.C. Braxton and Scholarship Committee Chairman Roy Eubanks presented the checks at the annual family night program to Justin Shimer and Tori Howard.
Shimer is the son of Sandy and Jessica Shimer, and Howard is the daughter of Jeff and Lyn Howard.
Home Solutions: Prolong the lives of washers and dryers
Household appliances will stand up to many years of service to you and your family. Constant use — and sometimes misuse — can stress appliances that are used many times each week. Probably the hardest working duo in the home is the washer and dryer. Be kind to them, following these tips, and they will give you many years of service.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the correct detergent to use. This is especially important with high efficiency machines. Never overload because too much weight inside the tub can throw off the balance, directly affecting wash quality. “Off balance” can put additional wear and tear on the motor and stress other parts as well.
Washing machine knobs and buttons tend to be fragile and expensive to replace, so handle them gently when operating the machine. When shopping for a new washer, look for newer models that have push button technology.
Clean the inside regularly to keep it smelling fresh. Do this by running the machine, with no clothes, on an extra large cycle with 1/3 cup of baking soda.
Dryer knobs also are fragile and costly, if available, to replace. Newer models also have pushbutton technology that minimizes the problem of broken knobs.
Clean the dryer lint filter after every load. Not doing so will impede the airflow to the clothes. Regularly cleanthe lint filter with warm soapy water and a thorough rinsing to remove residue from fabric additives that can block the tiny holes in the screen.
Special dryer cleaning tools that make maintenance easier — including thin, flexible brushes and hoses — are widely available at home centers. Clean out the exhaust vent annually to ensure that the venting system is not clogged. Lint plus high dryer heat can easily spark a fire. After each load, check the drum for small items such as coins, hair pins, or small toys that could have been left in pockets.
Again, always follow manufacturer’s directions for any appliance, plus these tips, for many years of service.
Source: Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Trudy W. Pickett is extension family and consumer agent at the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Office, 1791 N.C. 11/55. Reach her at 252-527-2191 or trudy_pickett@ncsu.edu.
