There are many simple ways to prolong the life of your new washer dryer, to ensure that your money is well spent and your machine has as long a life as possible. None of these tips will cost money, and most take only a small amount of time to do, although they will need to be performed regularly to get the most out of your washer dryer.

Important Washer Dryer Tips

It's always important to make sure that the filter screen is not clogged, so that clothes are always at their cleanest. You can make your own lint screen to fit over your washers drain hose, simply be securing the foot of a stocking to the end of it with a rubber band. When the washing machine drains, the sock will collect all the lint, and it can be cleaned easily by turning it inside out.

The washing machine itself needs cleaning as well. Simply pour a gallon of vinegar and a bit of bleach into the machine instead of detergent and run at least a 60 degree wash cycle (hotter is better). This will clear build-up away and also remove any odors the machine might collect. It also kills bacteria, removes soap scum that can build up and lead to mold and mildew, especially around the door seal. A maintenance wash should be done on average once a month, and is especially important if you regularly do washes under 60 degrees. Leaving the machine's door slightly open also allows the drum to dry completely and will lessen the chance of mold growing in damp conditions.

The soap drawer on the machine needs to be cleaned regularly as well - simply slide it out and rinse it in hot water to remove the soap and soap scum buildup. When you remove the soap box, make sure that you use a toothbrush or small wire brush dipped in bleach to clean out the space on the machine that the soap box fits into.

Check the hoses at the rear of the machine periodically to make sure that the rubber is still in good condition. If it is not, they will need to be replaced. These are very inexpensive to replace and are easily found in builders merchants, DIY shops, and online. They come in a standard size, so all washer dryers should be able to use the same hoses. As an added precaution, if you are going away from home, or not using the washer dryer for an extended period of time, shut the water line off completely, so there is no water running into or out of the machine.

Elisabeth Kirsch owner of Website WD440

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The growing propensity for British and other north European golfers to seek golf properties in sunnier climes has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of golf courses and associated real estate developments being constructed around the Mediterranean and in Portugal.

Most famous amongst these are probably the superb Vale do Lobo complex near Faro in Portugal and La Manga, just south of Alicante in Spain.

But whilst there can be no denying that these two resorts, along with the opulent Sun City in south Africa, represent the cream of golf resorts in the sun, real estate in and around these venues has experienced a simply phenomenal growth in values and does come with a rather hefty price-tag attached.

These days of course, golf properties of any description represent a healthy investment potential due to the exclusive nature and scenic surroundings of most golf resorts. And so, most prospective buyers looking for a golfing investment in the sun are trooping to Spain and Portugal in search of the perfect property, when other locations still offer far better value for money, as well as a much greater potential returns on invested capital.

One such location is the Republic of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

With only four fully-fledged courses currently operating on the island, the sport is still very much in its infancy in Cyprus. However, having recognised the growing demand for golf properties, the Cypriot government, in association with the CTO (Cyprus Tourism Organisation) have given the green light for the construction of a further eleven to fourteen golf courses alongside the already existing facilities in an effort to firmly establish Cyprus place on the international golfing circuit.

Whilst this construction programme of new courses is spread right across the whole Republic, its crowning glory must surely be the Secret Valley Golf Course and Country Club near the fabled Rock of Aphrodite on the islands west coast.

First opened in 1996, two years after the Tsada golf Course north of Paphos, Secret Valley has been a favourite part of the Cypriot golfing scene for many years. In light of the forthcoming expansion plans for golf in the Republic of Cyprus however, the Secret Valley resort has become the subject of a huge expansion programme which, once complete, even the likes of Vale do Lobo and La Manga will struggle to compete with.

Aside from the complete remodelling of the existing course, Secret Valley will see the construction of a further two 18-hole courses, as well as a par-3 pitch & putt course, golf academy, practice greens, multiple driving ranges, football & tennis academies and a host of other associated amenities.

Accompanying Secret Valleys ambitious course expansion programme is the construction of many exclusive golf properties, ranging from hilltop villas overlooking one or more of the splendid courses to apartments set on the hillsides above the newly remodelled clubhouse.

Property prices in the resort do of course reflect its exclusive nature, but they are - as yet - far lower than their equivalents in Spain, Portugal and South Africa. Most experts and analysts do however predict that real estate in and around the Secret Valley golf resort is amongst the finest property investments currently to be found in the Republic of Cyprus.

As you can see, when it comes to golf properties in the Med, it does not necessarily have to be Spain or Portugal. In fact, the smart money is in Cyprus.

brian Rettendon has lived and worked in the Republic of Cyprus since 2001. As a senior investment consultant for Aphrodite Property Sales Ltd, he benefits from an intimate knowledge of the Cypriot property market and its current and future trends. Visit the Aphrodite web site for more information about golf in Cyprus and investment hotspots in the Republic.

The golf swing is a dynamic movement that demands precise coordination of muscle contraction and relaxation, postural stability, strength, balance and body awareness. That is not to say that we cannot swing a golf club without these elements. The body does a great job in compensating for weakness and faulty movement. However, there is a downside to this compensation. The downside is inconsistency, loss of power, and muscle and joint pain. A well developed golf fitness program will help you develop the physical skills needed to consistently repeat a good golf swing, add power and distance to your shots, and help prevent, reduce and possibly even eliminate golf related pain and injury.

Since countless PGA professionals have proven the benefit of strength and conditioning, the demand for golf fitness trainers and training programs has increased tremendously. When looking for a trainer or golf fitness program beware all programs and trainers are not created equal. A sound golf fitness program should be built on the foundation of postural stability, muscle balance, and efficient movement. many golf fitness programs put the cart before the horse by focusing on strength without addressing stability. Be very cautious of programs that advertise they will strengthen your golf muscles. Due to the repetition necessary to master the golf swing those targeted golf muscles are often already over developed and over tight in relation to the rest of the body. This common muscle imbalance causes inefficient muscle recruitment that leads to inconsistency, loss of power and increased incident of pain and injury. A qualified golf fitness professional knows that it takes practically every muscle in the body to complete a golf swing. Performing exercises that mimic the golf swing prior to establishing a strong foundation and good muscle balance will only strengthen the imbalance and lead to further inconsistency and greater chance of injury. As well as a strong foundation in exercise science a good golf fitness trainer or program should have a good understanding of biomechanics as they relate to the golf swing.

It is important to note that it may take a little time for your swing to adjust to your newly efficient body. The best way to see consistent improvement in your game as you train your body is to develop a relationship with a qualified PGA teaching Professional. Integrating the play better longer fitness program with quality instruction will allow you to get the most out of your practice and playing time. A sound golf fitness program will help prepare your body to perform at its optimal level. Increased muscular efficiency and flexibility allow you to increase power and consistency while drastically reducing chances of pain and injury. You will not only be playing better, but you will be playing better longer!

Bill Scibetta, RN, NSCA-CPT
Bill is the founder and President of Precision Fitness Personal Training Centers in the Charlotte, NC area and co-author of the book play better Longer! Peak performance and Injury Prevention for golf. Bill is a licensed Registered Nurse as well as a national Strength and Conditioning association Certified Personal Trainer. After spending years practicing in the specialty of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Bill has dedicated his career to helping individuals identify and overcome obstacles that stand in the way of optimal wellness and peak physical performance.