On January 20th, we all watched the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. Amid the global economic turmoil, we embraced a monumental moment in our history.

As we all watch what our new President will do to help our economy heal, we should all be doing what we can to help our businesses through this time of challenge. One of the easiest things we can do, as laundry owners, is to perform some basic maintenance on our equipment. Simple things, such as:

** Clean all of your dryer lint filters. Yes, your customers should be doing that as they use the machines, but a good over-all cleaning and inspection of your dryer's lint filters will only take a few moments of your time. Visually inspect the filter screens and make note of any torn or damaged screens that may require replacement.

** Rinse and clean the soap dispensers on your washing machines. Not only will this help prevent build-up and clogs, but will be more visually appealing to your customers!

** Finally, clean behind your machines. You will be surprised at just how much dust and lint can accumulate behind your machines. All of that dust and lint build-up restricts the airflow around your machines. Check your hoses while you're back there, too! Make sure they are secure and in good shape.

These are all very easy for the laundry owner to do and will help maintain the performance and efficiency of your equipment. They may even help prevent costly repairs down the road.

We will continue to bring you helpful hints like this from time to time, so ......... Keep Your Eye On The Birdie!

Sincerely,

K.P. Forrest