Clean washer and dryer
Staying on top of your ever-growing pile of dirty laundry is annoying enough, but there are few things more frustrating than realizing your clean shirt still stinks. Keep your clothes smelling fresh by staying on top of monthly maintenance for your washer and dryer.
A build-up of soap scum and dirt in your washer and lint and mildew in your dryer can lead to a stinky situation pretty quickly. The easiest way to keep the MVP of your dirty laundry humming along is to complete this 5 Minute Friday task!
Grab your vacuum, vinegar, a clean cloth, and an old toothbrush or scrub brush then head to your laundry room.
Front load washers
Front load washers are great space and water savers but are notoriously stinky due to easy to mildew rubber seals. Keeping the door fully open between uses can go a long way to cut down on the funk.
If you have a washer machine cleaning packet, follow the directions for use. Otherwise, add 2 cups of vinegar to the detergent dispenser and run the machine empty on a cleaning or normal cycle on the hot setting. Once the cycle is over, wipe down the inside of the machine to remove any built-up gunk. Run another normal cycle with the machine empty.
Next, wipe down the rubber seal with a 1:1 vinegar and water solution before wiping down the exterior of the machine with a clean rag.
Top load washers
If you have a washing machine cleaning packet, follow the directions for use. Otherwise, run the machine empty on a cleaning or normal cycle on the hot setting. Once the wash tub has filled with water, add 2 cups of vinegar and restart the cycle. Once the cycle is over, wipe down the inside of the tub to remove any gunk. Run another normal cycle with the machine empty then wipe down the exterior of the machine with a clean rag.
Dryer
Before you get started de-stinking your dryer, be sure to unplug it. Next, remove and clean out your lint screen. It may be necessary to scrub the screen with a toothbrush or scrub brush if it’s gunky.
Next, use your vacuum with a crevice attachment to clean out your lint trap. In addition to vacuuming out your lint trap monthly, you should also do a thorough cleaning of your entire vent twice a year.
Now, wet a cloth with vinegar and wipe down the inside of your dryer. Leave open to dry and then replug in your machine. Don’t worry, the vinegar smell will dissipate and won’t stick to your clothes.
Please note: if your dryer ever smells like smoke, unplug it and call a professional.
Tips to keep the stink at bay
- Keep your washer lid open between cycles to keep mildew from forming, especially important if you have a front loader.
- Promptly remove clothes from the washer and dry to prevent mildew.
- Use a HE laundry detergent and only the minimum amount needed — it might surprise how little your machine actually needs!
- Clean the lint filter out after EVERY cycle.
- Be sure to fully dry your clothes.
