[ad_1]
It can be easy to overlook the cleaning of things we use to clean other things, but major appliances such as washers and dryers need to be cleaned and maintained properly to optimize performance and ensure the safety of your home.
Cleaning a washing machine will prevent the build-up of laundry and dirt that can leave laundry dirty, even just outside the wash, and prevent odors from taking root in the machine and laundry. Dryers need routine maintenance to keep them running smoothly and safely; according to FEMA, 2,900 home dryer fires are reported each year, most of them caused by a failure to clean the machine.
We talked to experts about how and how often to clean top-loading washers, front-loading washers, electric and gas dryers, including how to clean the ventilation of a dryer to keep the machine running safely. .
Lindsay Jones, Maytag’s brand manager, provided step-by-step instructions for cleaning a top-loading washing machine. She recommends cleaning a washing machine regularly: “Staying ahead of the washing machine cleaning means you won’t give waste a chance to settle in your machine.”
Start by cleaning the tub, using a washing machine cleaner like Affresh, or using 1 quart liquid chlorine bleach. Run the washing machine cleaning cycle, followed by a rinsing and spinning cycle to remove the washer residue. Leave the washing machine door open to allow the tub to dry.
Important note: If you use bleach, do not use products that contain ammonia or vinegar, as they cause a dangerous chemical reaction when mixed with chlorine bleach.
Remove the drawers from the dispenser until you feel resistance or, if they are removable, remove them from the unit. Wipe them with a damp cloth and use a toothbrush to scrub any persistent build-up. Removable parts can also be soaked in warm water to loosen and remove waste; clean well after soaking.
Open the lid and wipe the door and the surrounding area with a damp cloth. Use a damp cloth or sponge to clean the outside of the machine. Avoid using abrasive or hard cleaners when cleaning exterior surfaces, as they may cause scratches and other damage.
Top-loading washers with a stirrer will need deeper cleaning: “To thoroughly clean a washing machine, you’ll need to clean the filter and the stirrer,” says Gina Perry, a senior cleaning dealer at The Home Depot. “This procedure varies from machine to machine”.
Refer to the machine owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to remove the agitator and filter from the washing machine and unplug the machine before removing any parts. Usually, says Perry, these are the steps to removing and cleaning the filter from a washing machine.
Use a wrench to remove the screw holding the agitator; from its base, lift the agitator out of the machine.
Place the stirrer and filter it into a bucket, sink, or tub filled with hot soapy water or a cleaning solution made with 2 cups of vinegar, ¼ cup baking soda, and ¼ cup of water.
Use a soft bristle brush to scrub the pieces. Rinse them well and dry them with a microfiber cloth. Replace the filter and stirrer in the washing machine.
“Because of their configuration,” Perry says of front-loading washing machines, “they tend to be more prone to bad smells than top-loading washing machines.” Perry provided step-by-step instructions for cleaning a front-loading washing machine to eliminate growth and unwanted mold and mildew odors.
Start by cleaning the tub, using an HE washing machine cleaner like Tide Washing Machine Cleaner in a normal cycle with the hot water setup.
Once the cleaning of the cleaner is complete, rub the door joint with an old toothbrush to remove buildup and debris, and then use a cloth to clean it with vinegar. Remove the drawers from the dispenser until you feel resistance or, if they are removable, remove them from the unit. Wipe them with a damp cloth and use a toothbrush to scrub any persistent build-up.
Clean the inside of the tub and the door with a microfiber cloth. Use a damp cloth or sponge to clean the outside of the machine. Avoid using abrasive or hard cleaners when cleaning exterior surfaces, as they may cause scratches and other damage. Return the detergent trays and parts to the machine and open the door to allow everything to dry completely.
How often you clean a washing machine depends on a number of factors, such as the size of the home and what the machine is used for. Households with many members, or those who use the washing machine to wash diapers, work clothes or other very dirty textiles, will need to clean a washing machine more often.
“If you start to notice unpleasant odors or remnants of detergent / film in your washing machine, it’s probably time to thoroughly clean your appliance,” says Perry.
The odor test is a great way to determine if your machine needs to be cleaned, but setting up a regular cleaning program can also be helpful. “Ideally, you clean your washing machine monthly,” says Jones, which is a good rule of thumb for large homes or machines that are used for heavy washing. For smaller homes that wash less often, Jones says you clean the machine every 30 wash cycles.
If you frequently wash very dirty items, Gary Childers, a tissue care scientist and home appliance expert at Procter & Gamble, recommends using the additional washing machine rinse cycle to help prolong cleaning time. “Households with above-average dirty clothes may experience machine odors that others may not,” he says. “Additional rinsing options on the machine can help reduce the rate at which this waste is formed which causes odors inside the washing machine.”
When it comes to cleaning a dryer, there are things you should do regularly to keep the machine running smoothly and safely, and a deeper cleaning and maintenance to do every 12-24 months.
According to Childers, routine maintenance includes:
- Removing the lint from the screen before or after each drying cycle.
- Clean the lint with warm soapy water every 6 months; larger households should clean the lint screen more often.
- Remove stains from inside the machine or door with a warm, damp cloth.
- Have a professional appliance repair technician check the inside of the dryer and machine ducts every 12-24 months, depending on the use and recommendation of the manufacturer.
Cleaning a hair dryer can be done without calling a professional. “Cleaning a dryer pipe is not difficult,” says Perry. “Remove the lint from the duct with your hand and then vacuum the inside of the duct.” He provided these step-by-step instructions for cleaning a dryer vent.
Unplug the dryer (for gas dryers, close the gas supply valve), move the dryer away from the wall, and disconnect the dryer pipe.
12 gallon Ridgid wet / dry shop vacuum cleaner with filter, hose and accessories
While wearing safety gloves, remove the lint from the hole in the back of the dryer with your hands. Then use the hose connection of a vacuum cleaner or a store vacuum cleaner to clean in and around the hole in the back of the dryer; if you can separate the length of the duct where it is against the wall, do so to facilitate access. Get out of the house and remove the outside vent cover and clean the outside of the dryer vent with a vacuum cleaner.
If the dryer ventilation is too long to use a vacuum cleaner efficiently to remove lint, purchase a dryer ventilation kit that contains flexible brushes that clean the inside walls of the vent. Insert the brush into the duct and move it back and forth while turning it slightly until the grids are free of dust and lint.
Replace the ducts and vent cover, sealing the duct sections with UL-approved metal foil tape if necessary. This is a good time to inspect the pipes to make sure they are not damaged and to comply with the safety codes, and to replace them if necessary. Replace the plug, plug it in, or turn on the gas valve again, and do a 15- to 20-minute test cycle with the lint or air-drying setup to make sure all connections are strong and to evacuate any remaining debris. .