Home Care Challenge: Keep Your Laundry Smelling Fresh
Washing Machine & Dryer Deep Clean for a Fresher Home
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Do you have any mom friends who just rock it at kids’ activities? They have gifts or activities ready for every holiday, contribute to every class party, and always seem to be one step ahead.
I’m trying to get better at showing love through gift-giving and acts of service for my kids. A few weeks ago, I thought I was setting myself up for success by prepping little Valentine’s cards and candies for each of my boys' classrooms. I put them in a box, keeping one boy’s treats on one side and the other boy’s on the opposite side.
Well, when it came time to pull them out of their hiding place (because, if you have kids, you know you have to hide things), I looked at the box and instantly realized I should have left myself a note. I had no idea 1) which bags of candy belonged to which classroom or 2) how many I had packed.
While I saved myself some time upfront, I’ve now learned how to set my future self up for even better success—clear labeling and a simple checklist can go a long way!
Speaking of setting ourselves up for success, let’s shift gears to another home task that benefits from a little preparation—keeping our laundry appliances in top shape.
Washing Machine Cleaning
Regular cleaning is essential to prevent odors caused by mold and mildew. It also ensures your clothes come out genuinely fresh. Here’s how you can do it:
Exterior: Wipe down the outside and control panels with a damp cloth and all-purpose cleaner.
Dispensers: Remove them completely, scrub them with mild dish soap, rinse, and dry. Clean inside the dispenser housing with a damp cloth.
Tub Clean: Pour washing machine cleaner into the drum and run a clean cycle or the longest, hottest cycle available.
Keep It Fresh: After each use, leave the door open to allow proper drying and prevent mold buildup.
And if you have a front-loading washing machine:
Filters: Locate the filter on the bottom corner and pull out the hose to drain excess water into a bowl (don’t forget the bowl!). Then, clean the filter/lint traps with a brush and mild soap.
Rubber Seal: Spray with vinegar and wipe. Call an appliance repair tech to clean if there's significant mildew buildup. Avoid harsh chemicals on the rubber gasket, as they can damage the appliance.
I recommend throwing in a washing machine cleaner each month to keep your washing machine feeling fresh and clean.
Dryer Cleaning
Cleaning your dryer is super important to maintain efficiency, prevent fire hazards, and keep your clothes free of lint. Here's what you need to do:
Remove the lint screen, vacuum or scrub it clean, rinse, and air dry.
Unplug or disconnect from the gas, remove the ventilation duct, and then clean with a brush & vacuum.
Wipe inside the drum with a damp cloth.
Vacuum the lint trap housing with a narrow attachment.
Vacuum underneath and behind the machine.
Reattach the ventilation duct, ensuring there are no kinks or large dents.
We recently had a professional come out and clean our dryer vent – the first time it was professionally cleaned in five years. And surprisingly, it wasn’t too bad. But it felt great knowing the inner parts of the dryer vent were super clean. Highly recommend!
By following these simple steps, you’ll keep your laundry appliances running smoothly and your laundry smelling fresh.
Happy cleaning!
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Products I use to tackle this week’s weekly home care challenge:
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