October 22, 2012
Day 22 – 31 Days to a Clean House
It’s Day 22 of 31 Days to a Clean House!
I made a printable for us to track our progress, you could just take it and run, but I think you’ll like the daily motivation and tips and tricks that this series will provide. So come back every day for the assignment and check off your progress as we go. You can go here to grab the free printable.
If you want to keep up on other daily cleaning tasks using my simple routine you can check out my free October cleaning schedule – to learn more about my cleaning routine and how I make cleaning a little bit every day an easy and manageable thing that we do. I have more free printables here too!
Yesterday we wiped down our laundry rooms and washers and dryers and today we’re going to clean the inside of our washer and dryer. This is something that should be done monthly (at least) if you have an HE washer to keep the smellies away.
Here’s a super simple cleaning trick to use – run your washer first with bleach (not safe or environmentally friendly, but it’s what is recommended for cleaning my HE machine and it works better than anything else for me) or you can use white vinegar instead. Follow your washer’s instructions for an amount – I use about a quarter to two-thirds of a cup per recommendations, but if you have a top loading washer you can use up to a cup of bleach or white vinegar. I recommend going with a quarter of a cup first and seeing how that works. Run your washer on ‘clean washer’ mode OR use the super hot/sanitize cycle.
Once your washing machine has cleaned your washer for you, while it’s still wet, wipe out the rubber seal on the door and the inside of your machine.
Always, always, leave the door open to keep air flowing in your washing machine when it isn’t in use – this will keep the bacteria and smell away.
Cleaning your dryer is quite a bit easier – clean out your lint trap (you should do this after every load), wipe down the inner seal and door, and you’re done.
SO tell me – how do you clean your washer and dryer? Any other tips and tricks?Stay tuned this week for a DIY makeover challenge that I’m part of through wayfair.com – I used one of their products as an inspiration for a little laundry room makeover. I can’t wait to share it with you!
New here? Check out my Etsy shop for printables that simplify everyday life.
Wanda Correll Says
Hello Becky,
I too have an HE washer & dryer and have learned a couple of things that will help clean it. On the washer: Absolutely leave the door open when not in use but before you use the vinegar in the wash cycle put a used fabric softner dryer sheet with some vinegar soaked on it, in the closed washer for 15 to 20 minutes (no longer it could harm the rubber seals). Then remove sheet and put in the dryer (put the dryer on air dry – it is combustable at this time so no heat and run for a few minutes). Now put the vinegar in the washer and run it thru the clean washer cycle. Then when the dryer is done, take the dryer sheet and clean the lint trap with the dryer sheet (only if the dryer sheet is dry – if it isn’t take another used sheet). Then use the same dryer sheet to whipe down the seals and door. In between the detailed cleanings, I clean the dryer trap with the used dryer sheets & wipe down the door when I do the towels. Makes for less mess and a clean washer and dryer.
Wanda
http://wandas-quilts-crafts.blogspot.com/
maria smith Says
Interesting. I had no idea so much went into deep cleaning a washing machine. I don’t know that I have ever done mine…I probably should!
Mindy Says
Hey Becky – long time reader first time writer 🙂
I try not to use bleach because its quite bad for the environment (or so my husband says) but do understand that sometimes its a necessity if its really dirty. I’ve had success using more general household cleaning products but the trick is to do it regularly. If its done every few weeks its a much easier job and you wont need such sever chemicals like bleach.
Thanks for the blog from a happy Australian reader 🙂