Tips on How To Clean Your Laundry Room

You count on your washer and dryer to take care of your clothes. Clean, well-maintained appliances make for cleaner clothes. These five steps will boost your appliances’ health so they get your laundry cleaner and fresher smelling every time.

1. Give your washer the rub

Soak a cleaning cloth in liquid dish soap and water, and wipe the washer’s drum to remove any residue or sticky who-knows-what. If you have a front-loader, clean the rubber door gasket. Its nooks and crannies can trap moisture and mold. Then, take a look in your machine dispenser and follow these instructions to eliminate residue.

2. Tidy the surface

Revive your machine’s surface luster with a dryer sheet—tiny particles such as dust, lint, and pet hair will cling to it. Try using Downy® April Fresh Dryer Sheets to wipe them down. They’re not just great at fighting static in the dryer.

3. Schedule a deep-cleaning cycle

The inner workings of the washer can get sluggish. You can run a cup of white vinegar or bleach through an empty cycle (use the hottest setting), or purchase a product, such as Tide® Washing Machine Cleaner, specifically designed to zap residue and odors from washing machines. Consult your owner’s manual for manufacturer recommendations.

4. De-lint your dryer

No matter hwo diligent you are with the lint trap, the fuzzy stuff still works its way inside the vent, where it collects and makes the dryer less efficient (buildup creates a fire hazard, too). A dryer ductbcleaner has a long, skinny brush that’s perfect for the task. Stick it in, twirl it around, and you’re done! For safety, unplug the unit first.

5. Restock

New season, new laundry supplies! As you stock up on detergent, fabric conditioner, and scent boosters, remember this: There’s clean—and there’s clean-smelling. For a little spring fling, try Downy Liquid Fabric Conditioner. You’ll be treated to the fresh, irresistible scent of spring every time you do the laundry.