How to Keep Your Laundry Room Clean

Our laundry rooms and appliances do a lot of unseen heavy lifting for our households, cleaning our clothes and storing dirty laundry behind the scenes. Without proper maintenance, however, washers and dryers are prone to developing unpleasant odors, as well as unwanted mildew and mold.

To keep your laundry room looking and smelling fresh, our cleaning experts at Merry Maids® can provide one-time or regular cleaning services for this important area of your home. From wiping down counters to emptying wastebaskets, we’ll help with all the light ongoing maintenance so that you can focus on more important tasks.

In this quick guide to laundry room cleaning, we’ve put together some cleaning tips and tricks for the more difficult-to-clean areas, as well as a basic laundry room cleaning checklist for your convenience.

Eliminating Mold and Mildew from Your Washer

Many people assume that washers and dryers are self-cleaning because they wash soiled clothes. While you won’t have to worry about dirt or dust accumulating inside your washing machine, however, all kinds of bacteria can thrive on the combined moisture and laundry detergent residue – especially if it’s been a while since you cleaned your washer. Although it’s unlikely that mold and mildew will present an immediate safety hazard, they can still cause bad odors to permeate your clothes and the entire laundry room area. Certain types of mold can also be toxic when ingested or inhaled.

If you have a front-loading washing machine, make sure to check inside the airtight rubber gasket covering the front, as mold tends to gather in this part of the washer. You should also check your detergent dispensers, as high-sudsing detergents and fabric softeners leave behind a mold-friendly film.

To combat mold and mildew, it’s recommended that you purchase a specialized mildew cleanser approved for commercial use, as these solutions will act as a preventive measure against future mold spores. Then spray all affected areas (including the gasket or detergent dispensers) and use a damp cloth with hot soapy water to wipe them down. Finally, make sure that you clean out the entire system by running a wash cycle on the hottest setting and letting the drum air-dry.

Here are some tips for preventing mold and mildew in your washer:

· Never leave your wet clothes inside the washer for long. The faster you can remove your wet clothes after a wash, the less moisture will build up inside the drum.

· Avoid high-sudsing detergents. Aside from causing issues for the environment, high-sudsing detergents can leave behind too many cleaning product particles – creating a film of soap scum and inviting mold and mildew to return.

· Always leave the door to your washer open. When you leave the door open, both front and top-loading washing machines will have the chance to air out, reducing the risk of mold.

· Clean the gasket weekly. Even a single weekly wipe-down of the gasket and other high-risk areas may reduce mold and mildew growth.

How Do I Get the Smell Out of My Dryer?

Washers aren’t the only laundry room appliances that can become musty and moldy over time. Dryers are exposed to moisture from wet clothes too, so they should be deodorized roughly twice a year to avoid mold growth and unpleasant odors. Additionally, lint clogs in the ductwork can present a fire hazard if unchecked.

Before cleaning out the inside of your dryer, make sure to unplug it first to reduce the risk of an electrical shock. Then remove all lint traps and screens from the front and back of your dryer, making sure to clean them thoroughly and vacuum out the dryer’s inside crevices. If your dryer continues to smell “off” after cleaning out the ductwork, you may need to seek professional help to examine your dryer and exhaust vents, especially if there is a burning smell.

Weekly Laundry Room Cleaning Checklist

· Clean laundry room windows using glass cleaner and a damp cloth.

· Dust the window sills and tops of the machines, as well as other surfaces.

· Wipe down countertops, shelves, and cabinets using a damp cloth and all-purpose cleaner.

· Remove all lint from traps and screens.

· Vacuum dryer vents using a brush attachment and a high vacuum setting.

· Vacuum behind the machines, using a low setting and avoiding the dryer hose.

· Spray the utility sink in your laundry room with an all-purpose cleaner and rinse.

· Empty trash bins and waste receptacles as needed.

· Sweep and mop the laundry room floors.

Need Help with the Housework? Give Us a Call!

When you call on Merry Maids® for regular cleaning services, we’ll make sure that your laundry room stays spic-and-span, even when life gets busy. From helping you organize your items to delivering a top-notch clean, our experts can free up your time for more important things. With over 40 years of experience serving homeowners across the country, we can create a customized cleaning plan to keep your entire living space spotless.

Call (888) 490-4227 today for a free estimate. Or contact your local Merry Maids for more information about our cleaning services!