In this post, we’ll show you how to get foul smells out of your refrigerator.

Shown: LG Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator, LFX25974ST. Click for our locations

How to Get a Foul Smell Out of a Refrigerator

1. Clean! Remove all items from the refrigerator. Check expiration dates and and throw away any spoiled food.
2. Get thorough. Take any removable refrigerator drawers and shelves to soak and wash separately with hot water and soap. Then wash the interior of your refrigerator with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water. This solution works better than soap because it doesn’t leave any strange-tasting residues.
3. Clean some more! Wipe down all surfaces inside the refrigerator including any remaining shelves and racks along the doors.
4. Organize. Organizing your food makes it easier to see, and harder to forget about—so no more spoiling!

Organize your favorite foods at eye-level so nothing goes to waste.

Bulkier items like comforters can be washed at home easily with the right washer capacity.

Remember when Mom would make a trip to the laundromat and stuff all of the bedding in the house in one of those super-capacity machines? Today’s laundry sets now make it possible to wash bulky comforters at home, thanks to larger capacity and better water efficiency. But with so many of these new models, choosing one that’s right for your home can be difficult. Find answers to your questions

Your comforter should fit snugly without overflowing.

Q: What capacity washer do I need for a king-size comforter?
It’s possible to wash a king-size comforter at home with the right-sized washer capacity.  A washer needs a minimum of 3.7 cu. ft. capacity (enough room to fit roughly 11–14 lbs.) to properly clean a king comforter.

TIP: If you aren’t sure whether your comforter will fit in your current washing machine, test it out first. If it fits without overflowing and doesn’t require cramming, you’re good!

Q: What capacity dryer do I need for a king-size comforter?
A king-size comforter at full volume can fit in a 7 cu. ft. capacity dryer. Check your comforter’s care instructions for drying instructions, as some fabrics are more delicate and require special care.

Q: What is the largest-size washing machine and dryer?
One of the largest washing machines on the market is the LG WM8000HVA, which boast a whopping 5.1 cu. ft. capacity. These “mega” capacity washers and dryers not only hold a king-size comforter and a full bedding set, but their performance recently got high marks from a leading consumer magazine. Check it out (and find out how you can win a set of your own!):

This month, we’re springing big on our customers with a giveaway worth over $50,000 in LG kitchen and cleaning appliances! Enter by stopping into any of our 12 locations for an official entry form. No purchase necessary. Click here for complete contest rules.

Prizes include:

• LG French Door refrigerators, valued at $1,979 each (4 available)
• LG Dishwashers, valued at $1,209 each (14 available)
• LG Kompressor Lightweight Vacuum cleaners, valued at $439 each (30 available)

In Colorado, we never know what kind of weather we’ll get in March. One day it’s 75 degrees and sunny, the next day it’s snowing 10 inches. Our crazy weather makes gardening plans a littletrickier than in most areas, but we’re Coloradans so we’re used to adapting to crazy weather patterns!

Below are some gardening tips that will help your family’s garden get an early head-start:

• Get in “the zone.” Make sure you know your garden’s hardiness zone before you order your seeds. Colorado is generally in Zone 5, except for the mountains, which are largely in Zone 4.
• Order your seeds. The best part of having a garden besides the harvest is flipping through seed catalogs! March is the perfect time to start ordering your heirloom seeds so they’re shipped in time for planting. For herbs that are harder to grow from seed, purchase young plants from your local garden center.
• Plant or prune trees and shrubs. If your garden includes trees, now is the perfect time to plant them.
• Save containers for seedlings. Use peat pots or recyclables to sprout your seedlings. Recyclables can include egg cartons, Styrofoam coffee cups, milk cartons, cans, or any other old container that can be rinsed with hot water.
• Start planting summer bulbs.
• Set up your composting area.
• Prepare your soil. This is easiest if you know your gardening zone. If you live in Colorado Springs, make sure your soil is properly aerated so your plants get enough oxygen.
• Ready your gardening tools and stock up on new ones.

 Kitchen appliances work their hardest over the major holidays and spring time is no different. An appliance “spring cleaning” will give homeowners peace of mind on their investments.

With Easter and Passover fast approaching, many Colorado homes are gearing up for large family dinners. However, many homeowners forget about the items that make their kitchens tick through recipe after recipe – the appliances. Simple, regular maintenance will keep your investments running course after course, meal after meal.

Here are some tips on how to keep your appliances in top shape for the upcoming holidays:

• Self-clean early. If you’re using your oven’s self cleaning function, do it a few weeks before the big meal. Most oven problems occur during the self-cleaning process, so allow plenty of time for a possible service call.
• Clean your dishwasher. Every few months, your dishwasher can get clogged by food particles or other small items. Cleaning out these items will help extend the life of your appliance.
• Vacuum your refrigerator. Not the inside, but outside! Vacuuming your refrigerator’s condenser coils, located behind or on the bottom of the unit, will help keep your refrigerator running more efficiently. Here are more tips on cleaning your refrigerator.
• If you need repairs, get them done as early as possible. Some appliance parts must be ordered, and some can take several weeks to arrive.

Front loading machines can be stacked for optimum space-saving capabilities and style. Photo from decorati.com

When purchasing a new washer or dryer for your home, it’s crucial to measure your space (similar to buying a new piece of furniture). Getting the right measurements will save you a ton of time in returns, phone calls and overall general headaches.

Below, we’ll go over the steps on how to take measurements and make installation plans for your new washer and dryer.

First, here are a few things you should know about standard washer and dryer measurements:

• Compact washers are 24” wide and can handle 4–8 lbs. of laundry.
• Conventional washers are 27” wide and can handle 8 lbs. of laundry.
• Large capacity washers, mostly front-load machines, are 27” wide and can handle 8–12 lbs of laundry.
• Matching dryers are almost always the same width as the washing machine.
• Front loading units can be stacked to save space, if the ceiling allows.
• Pedestals can be purchased for front-loading units, if units are not stacked, for extra height and added extra storage space.

• You don’t have to do it all at once. Start with the smaller changes while you save for the big ones.
• Plan ahead. Have at least an idea of measurements and color scheme of your new kitchen before forging ahead—this will save you many headaches.

As with most goals, we often get too impatient—especially those involving the most popular area of the house. But where we lack in cash,we can make up in time. Here are a few low-cost changes you can make yourself while you save for the big-ticket purchases like new cabinets, counter tops, flooring and appliances.

Paint

Build a Backsplash

Lighting

Paint

Neutrals are always preferred, but contrasting paint colors gives this traditional kitchen more "pop."

A new paint job is one of the most inexpensive changes you can make to your kitchen. Opt for quality paint and adequate prep materials, as a quality paint job will go a long way with the daily grime accumulation in the kitchen. A semigloss latex paint will allow you to easily clean up splashed food and beverage stains. If you’re painting kitchen cabinets yourself, aim for a professional gloss finish. It’s a little more work, but you’ll love the results and so will potential buyers if selling is in your near future.

Build a Backsplash

The tile backsplash in this kitchen bridges the neutral paint colors and deep wood tones in the cabinets. (Click for larger view)

The beauty behind a backsplash is that they’re functional and materials are on your side — you can customize a backsplash to fit any budget. Some tips:

• Ceramic tile comprise the most popular kitchen backsplashes because the material is the most inexpensive, low-maintenance and versatile. Ceramic tile comes in tons of colors and patterns.
• For less than $50 in materials, you can opt for a sponge-painted backsplash that looks similar to tile.
• Glass and stone tile are the bigger-budget options, but provides an easy-to-clean dramatic look.
• Really anything can be made into a backsplash, from rocks in your back yard to wooden palettes to chalkboard paint.
• If you want to install a kitchen backsplash yourself, check out a helpful video tutorial.

"Layering" lighting creates warmth and functional versatility.

Lighting is another inexpensive option in a new kitchen remodel that can fit most budgets. Choosing kitchen lighting may sound like an afterthought, but keep in mind customized lighting makes a world of difference in a home remodel. Layered lighting (example pictured above) can be applied to any style. While under-the-cabinet lighting is considered one of those budget-breakers, there are inexpensive options with a little elbow grease and the right tools.

Here’s a great guide on other DIY projects according to your budget level. Ready to tackle that resolution?

Our store in Parker, Colo. got a much-needed face lift in the form of a new location in one of the busiest intersection of the South Denver community.

2012 was an exciting year for Appliance Factory Outlet & Mattresses. Not only did we grow to become the 34th largest independent appliance retailer in the nation, but we also opened our newest location in Parker, Colo. (pictured above). Below is a list of some of our proudest moments from this year:

• AFO was named the 34th largest independent appliance retailer in the nation by TWICE Magazine.
• In honor of the Olympic games, we featured our own Olympic athlete, Mehdi Addadi.

• Appliance Factory Outlet & Mattress’ corporate office and 12 stores doubled its food donations to Metro CareRing.
• Colorado wild fire relief organizations receive aid from Appliance Factory Outlet stores.

• Appliance Factory Outlet & Mattresses starts carrying the Serta iSeries mattress lines.
• Appliance Factory Outlet & Mattresses marks the 10th anniversary of its popular “Denver Vs. Oakland” promotion.
• Appliance Factory Outlet introduces its new Price Guarantee.
• CEO Chuck Ewing speaks out on how big-box retailers affect local business traditions.

…And then there were dirty cooktops.

Your kitchen appliances work their hardest over the holidays, so a deep clean is necessary to keep them working well. Cooking several dishes at once means there’s probably food in places you never thought possible. A thorough cooktop cleaning will help prolong its lifespan.

For all ranges with removable parts, fill your sink with hot water and a small amount of dish. Soak all removable parts, except electric burners, while cleaning the surface.

In this article we’ll go over how to clean:

Electric cooktops

Gas cooktops

Ceramic cooktops

How to Clean an Electric Cooktop, Burners and Surface

• Lift up the coiled burner element and unplug it.
• Remove the drip pans from the stove and soak.
• Take a damp, soapy sponge or and wipe down the surface with warm water—be careful not to wet the wiring inside and underneath of the cooktop.
• Scrape off crusted food with a dull blade like a putty knife (sharp items will damage the surface.) Do not use steel wool or similar products as these will damage the surface over time
• Clean drip pans with warm water, sponge and baking soda. Some people cover drip pans in tinfoil and replace after each use.
• Replace drip pans and plug in burners after they’ve dried.

How to Clean Gas Cooktop, Burners and Surface

Shown: Electrolux EI30DD10KS

• Soak grates and burner caps.
• Wipe down the surface with warm water and soap or baking soda.
• Scrape off crusted food with a dull blade like putty knife—do not use steel wool or similar products as these will damage the surface over time!
• After soaking burner grates and caps, clean them with warm water and soap, then rinse. Replace after they’ve dried.

The best holiday meals come from great recipes and creativity—not kitchen size. Most cooks crave counter and cupboard space, but the best ones know how to make do with what’s available. After all, it’s not the size of the kitchen, but who’s running the show.

After having lived in a few apartments and houses with tiny kitchens and even tinier counters, I’ve learned how to whip up big dinners through a little extra planning. Here are a few of my own tips on how to manage a holiday meal in a small space:

• Make a few dishes ahead of time. Pick a few recipes that can be made the night before the big day.

  Pumpkin pie can be made a day ahead.

• Potluck it. Invite guests to bring their own favorite side dish or beverage. You’ll get more variety, plus you’ll free up time to focus on the main course and table settings.
• Set up a drink station in the dining area so your guests aren’t poking around the kitchen.
• Get someone else to make the turkey. It’s not a total travesty to pick up a ready-made turkey or ham from a specialty shop, especially if it means it’ll free up oven time. A turkey needs hours of attention defrosting, brining, seasoning and roasting.
• Embrace the slow cooker. Slow cookers work great for sides. There are plenty of traditional recipes that can be modified for them, and they’ll keep dishes warm throughout dinner.
• Plan out setting and seating. Sometimes we get so caught up with the food that we forget about presentation. Table settings and seating are just as important as the recipes, so make sure you’ve got plenty for everyone, plus a few extras for last-minute stragglers.