How to Clean Your Washing Machine and Dryer
Published on 29 July, 2022
Why do the washer and dryer need to be cleaned?
It's crucial to clean the dryer and washing machine for several reasons. Minerals and chemicals are deposited on the machine's drum by detergents. This may result in a coating that draws bacteria and clogs the washer, making it operate less effectively.
Clogs, which can be quite dangerous, can be avoided by cleaning dryers. The buildup of fibers, dust, and lint in your dryer's mechanisms may, at best, make it operate more slowly, lengthening the time it takes to complete a load and raising your monthly energy costs. In the worst case scenario, a fire started by these clogs might endanger your entire house. Actually, according to the US Fire Administration, there are 2,900 home fires caused by broken dryers annually, which result in five fatalities, 100 injuries, and $35 million worth of property damage.
You can be sure that you are prolonging the life of your appliances and planning ahead for a replacement by cleaning them and getting a home warranty.
How Often Should Your Dryer and Washing Machine Be Cleaned?
You should clean your washer once or twice a week if you use it a lot. Clean the appliance once a month if you don't use it much.
There are specific sections of dryers that require cleaning at different periods. After every machine use, lint needs to be taken out of the filters. Similarly, clean the vent ducts once a year to keep lint from causing problems with your dryer. Some ducts can require less frequent cleaning because they can easily and quickly exit the house. Some could need more frequent cleaning because they have more intricate exits that go through the ceiling. You can get advice on the ideal dryer cleaning routine from an experienced technician. The drum is the sole component that doesn't require routine cleaning; it can be given a quick wipe down with a cloth after washing something really grittier or hair-filled.
How to Maintain a Laundry Equipment
A washing machine can be cleaned by adding a quart of bleach and half as much hot water to the drum as the machine would typically use during a wash cycle. Give it an hour to sit. Run the machine through its complete cycle after that. Once the cycle is complete, pour two cups of distilled white vinegar into the drum and fill it again with hot water. Let the vinegar and water settle for a few minutes, then repeat the cycle with the machine. Next, use an all-purpose cleanser or a vinegar-and-water solution to clean the washer's exterior. To get rid of mold and mildew, scrub the rubber gaskets and seals as well as the machine's outside cracks.
Guidelines for Dryer Cleaning
After every usage, remove any lint that has become lodged in the dryer filter. But your work doesn't stop there. To make sure nothing is left, run water through the lint trap. If it isn't working, use a brush and soapy water to clean the screen.
To clean the inside of the drum, mist it with a mixture of one part water and one part vinegar. Use a cloth to clean it. Let the dryer dry all the way through before you close it.
Before closing the dryer, let it thoroughly dry.
Take off the dryer's plastic cover and unplug it before cleaning the vent. Look inside for any lint or other debris. Using an extensible wand brush, lint can be extracted. You can get dryer vent cleaning brushes both online and at a lot of home improvement retailers. Alternatively, you can use the hose attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove the lint or an air compressor to blow it out. Once everything is gone, clean the area and put the dryer back together.
Vacuum the space and reattach the dryer after removing everything.
The dryer's exterior can be cleaned using a cloth and all-purpose cleanser. Just wipe the dryer's top and all of its sides.
Your washer and dryer may operate more efficiently with routine cleaning, but eventually they will need to be serviced or replaced. And when you do, you want an expert in the field to finish the job.
