Download Article
Download Article
Have your clothes been feeling less clean lately? One possible culprit could be a dirty washer and dryer. It seems like washers and dryers should keep themselves clean—after all, they're constantly exposed to detergents, fabric softeners, and heat—but they actually need to be cleaned regularly like any other appliance. Fortunately, cleaning your washer and dryer is a breeze, and we're here to show you exactly how to do it.
Steps
Get Product Support Solve Any Problem
Try Asking:
We’re sorry we don’t have the product, brand, or model you are looking for. Please enter its name below so that we can add support for it.
Thank you! We’ll review your request and add support for this product as soon as possible. In the meantime, you can ask more questions about the products we currently support.
-
Get rid of mold and mildew odors, as well as a built up of soap and fabric residue by running the machine empty with hot water and about 2 cups of white vinegar. (You can use 1 cup of bleach instead of vinegar, but bleach can damage the rubber gaskets). [1] X Research source [2] X Expert Source Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional Expert Interview. 1 July 2019. -
Run a cycle of hot water and 1 gallon (3.8 L) of white vinegar if you have hard water once a month or every 10 loads. The vinegar will help to dissolve the mineral deposits caused by hard water or well water.Advertisement
-
Clean the top of the lid and underneath the lid of the washer with a damp sponge. [3] X Research source
-
Pull out the lint trap (if your machine has one) and rinse it under running water.
-
Clean out the soap, bleach and fabric softener dispensers. If these cups are removable, take them out and rinse them under running water. Otherwise, use a pipe cleaner or some cotton swabs to remove the residue. (If you do this after each load, they won't get an accumulated build-up of gunk and grime). [4] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Clean the lint filter thoroughly. Use the narrow wand attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove as much lint as possible that has built up underneath the filer itself. If you don't have a vacuum, insert a duster into the filter well and wipe up the lint. [5] X Expert Source Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional Expert Interview. 1 July 2019. [6] X Research source -
Vacuum or wipe down the interior of the dryer, including the door seal. [7] X Research source
-
Detach the dryer lint duct and clean it out, or vacuum it out.
-
Check the outside vent. Lift the flap and make sure there isn't any debris or lint blocking the vent, preventing air from escaping freely. [8] X Research source
-
Wash down the top and the exterior of the dryer. Use warm, sudsy water and then rinse the soap residue off. [9] X Research source
-
Remove melted crayon, ink or dyes by applying an all-purpose spray cleaner on the drum and wipe it up with a damp cloth or paper towel. [10] X Research source
- For extra measure, toss a few old towels into the dryer and run it on the high setting for about 20 minutes—any color residue not removed with the spray cleaner will transfer to your old towels.
Advertisement
Video
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionI have ink stains from a pen on the inside of the drum. What can I use to remove them?Community AnswerAcetone (Nail polish remover) will remove ink, but it is highly flammable. Put it on a cotton-ball and wipe the spots. Then wipe it down with soap and water and rinse thoroughly.
-
QuestionHow do I get smells out of my dryer?Community AnswerRun the dryer on empty a few times and then add dryer sheets.
-
QuestionWhat do I use if there is rust on the outside of the dryer?AdrianTop AnswererIf it is surface rust, sand it off. Make sure the vent pipes are not leaking, as it may lead to moisture, causing corrosion.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
- If your washer empties into a large sink, make sure you have a strainer in the drain to catch any debris that might be on the clothing you wash. It will help keep your pipes from getting clogged.Thanks
- If possible, keep the lid to your washing machine in an open position when you aren't using it. If you have a front loading machine, try to keep the door open between washings. Keeping the lid or door open between washings will help prevent mold and mildew from forming on the inside of your washer.Thanks
- After washing a particularly dirty or grimy load of clothes, be sure to wipe the inside of the washer immediately after removing the clothes so that the residue doesn't dry on the inside of your machine.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Warnings
- Clean the lint filter from your dryer before you dry every load. Lint build up can cause a fire.Thanks
- Change the hoses connecting your washer to the hot and cold water faucets every 3 to 5 years, or as soon as they start to show wear. The hoses can split if they get old or brittle, causing a serious flood.Thanks
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZD1f8miAvM
- ↑ Chris Willatt. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 1 July 2019.
- ↑ https://www.today.com/series/how-often-should-you/how-clean-washing-machine-t20131
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/tips-checklists/how-to-clean-washing-machine/
- ↑ Chris Willatt. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 1 July 2019.
- ↑ https://housewifehowtos.com/clean/clean-your-clothes-dryer-for-faster-drying/
- ↑ https://www.ahs.com/home-matters/repair-maintenance/how-to-clean-your-dryer
- ↑ https://www.today.com/series/how-often-should-you/how-often-you-should-clean-your-dryer-right-way-do-t77396
- ↑ https://www.today.com/series/how-often-should-you/how-often-you-should-clean-your-dryer-right-way-do-t77396
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To clean your washer, start by wiping the top and bottom of the lid off with a damp sponge. Then, remove the soap, bleach, and fabric softener dispensers and the lint trap if your machine has one and rinse them under running water. Finally, add 2 cups of white vinegar to the dispenser and run the empty machine on a hot setting to remove any residue.To clean your dryer, start by vacuuming or wiping down the interior of the drum. For stubborn grime, use an all-purpose cleaner. Then, remove the lint filter and vacuum out as much lint as possible. Finally, detach the dryer lint duct and vacuum that out as well. For more tips, including how to clean the outside of your washer and dryer, read on!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 272,063 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "All of the steps helped, especially about checking the outside vent."
Advertisement
100%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
"All of the steps helped, especially about checking the outside vent."
"The measurements of the vinegar and water were great."
"Thanks, this made my life easier."
