If you’re doing some spring cleaning this time of year, don’t forget your laundry room! Although it may not be a room most people see, your laundry room deserves some attention too. You’ll notice that the floor is cleaner, the appliances shine just a little brighter, and you’ll certainly notice when your washer and dryer work more efficiently after a good cleaning, even if no one else does.
In this article, we’ll give some of our top tips on the best way to spring clean this often-forgotten area of your home.
- Start with the washer. Your washer keeps things clean for you year-round so take this time to clean it for a change. First, take out any removable parts of your washer (think inserts for bleach or fabric softener). Next, use an old toothbrush or other detailed scrubbing brush to clean hard to reach areas like inside and under the washer lid, around the gasket or seal (especially on a front-loader), and any other areas specific to your machine. Finish off with running your washer on a hot, full, long empty cycle with some vinegar added to the water. If you don’t time for the full clean, focus on the gasket or seal if you have a front-loader and the empty cycle. Some all-purpose cleaner, a rag, and some elbow grease can also make the outside of your washer (don’t forget the knobs, dials, and buttons) look brand new.
- Clean the dryer. Now that the washer is done, you can move on to the dryer. First, remove the lint trap to soak and scrub it. Next, look inside your dryer for loose threads, trash, or other debris and remove anything you find that shouldn’t be there. Then, using some all-purpose cleaner and a rag, give a good cleaning to the inside, door, and outside (including the knobs, dials, and buttons) of the dryer.
- Move the appliances out of the way. Now that both the washer and dryer are clean, move them out a little from where they normally sit. Once they’re moved, you can unplug your dryer and clear it of any excess lint by vacuuming the back of it and removing any lint from the vent pipe. With the appliances out of the way, it’s a great time to look at all the other gaskets, hoses, and exhaust vents for signs of wear, buildup, leaks, and/or mildew. There’s also a decent chance that socks, underwear, trash, hangers, or other items could have slipped behind the washer and dryer since the last time you moved them so take time to remove them now. Before moving the appliances back, take time to clean the floor behind and underneath where the washer and dryer normally are really well.
- Don’t forget the extras. Depending on the size of your laundry room, there may be more to it than just the washer and dryer. Take this time to declutter any cleaning supplies, tools, laundry supplies, or anything else you might store in there. Put anything that doesn’t belong in the laundry room in its proper place and dust, wipe off baseboards, put up clothes, etc.
- Finish with the floor. Now that everything else is taken care of, it’s time to make that floor shine. Vacuum and/or sweep the area, being sure to move any rugs, clothes baskets or hampers, and anything else that might be in your way. If you’re not dealing with carpet in your laundry area, finish off with a quick mop, and your laundry room will feel brand new!