7 Important Steps to Cleaning Your Washer and Dryer

Your washers and dryers are essential appliances regularly forgotten to be cleaned. These appliances work nonstop to clean numerous fabrics and linens, but how do we know if the washing machine and dryers keep the linens clean or slowly ruin them? Keeping them clean maintains productivity and cleanliness and allows for the longevity of both the machines and the fabrics. For hospitality properties, it is imperative to keep these appliances for the betterment of the guests, staff, and company. But what do you have to do to clean these appliances? This blog will give you the possible steps for cleansing and detoxifying washing machines and dryers.

Why Cleaning is Necessary

Cleaning is necessary to keep everything in tip-top shape. Without regular cleaning, these machines experience an unhealthy build-up of materials. Some materials include detergents, dirt, minerals, and molds which reduce productivity and create an unsafe environment. With this build-up, staff cannot fully clean the fabrics, the machines rust, and the air quality decreases. By cleaning these appliances more often, there is a higher performance for extended periods, and the air quality improves!

How to Clean the Washing Machine

Bleach should not be used as part of the cleaning process due to the product’s more potent ingredients.

1. Remove and soak the detergent dispensers in soapy water or water and vinegar for a couple of hours.
2. Start with an empty washer.
3. Pour 2 cups of baking soda into the washer, and not where soap would go normally.
4. Have the washer rinse for a cycle on its hottest setting.
5. Once the procedure is done, insert 2 cups of vinegar, and run the washing machine at its warmest setting. Do not put the vinegar into the soap or fabric softener dispensers, those you can clean separately.
6. Rinse with a hot water cycle.
7. Sanitize the outside of the washer.

Different Cleaning for Different Washers

Now, there are two types of washing machines: a top-loading washer and a front-loading washer. The deciding factor between these two appliances is where the laundry load is placed: the top or front door. For each type, cleaning is somewhat the same, but there are a few differences. A front-loading washer has a higher possibility of mold inside the door seal. So, besides the vinegar and baking soda washer cycles, clean the door with a small cleaning brush using water, vinegar, or ­baking soda, and scrape away at the areas that collect mold. Also, avoid l­eaving wet clothes in both types of machines overnight and try to keep the door open when not in use. Lastly, wiping down and frequently cleaning both types of washers is essential. The front-loading washer requires more weekly cleans than the top-loading washer, so wipe down the seal weekly with a mild cleaning solution to prevent mold build-up.

How to Clean the Dryer

1. Unplug the dryer for your protection.
2. Detach the lint from the lint-trap and clean with a soft bristle brush and soapy water.
3. Vacuum with a nozzle attachment inside where the lint trap sits to remove any excess lint and dirt.
4. Remove the hose from the back of the dryer’s exhaust and clean off the dust and lint on the hose and exhaust using your glove-covered hands, a brush, or a vacuum.
5. With a cloth, wipe the inside of the dryer with vinegar or a mild detergent.
6. Scrub the machine properly with steel wool, a scotch-brite pad, or emery paper to remove lingering residue thoroughly.
7. Clean the outside of the dryer.

Clean Appliances Regularly

The upkeep of these hospitality properties is fundamental. Ensuring all appliances are in shape will allow other products to remain clean. To keep everything as clean as possible, try the Linen Stain Remover Powder, which will help remove tough stains from fabric and allow the cleaning cycles in both the washer and the dryer to remain spotless. Stains and other materials removed from your fabrics make cleaning the washer and dryer easier. To keep the washer, dryer, and linens in top shape, regularly clean, detoxify, and wipe down your washing machine and dryer. This will keep fabrics, linens, the washer and dryer, and other appliances safe for staff and guests.

InnStyle is Here to Help

InnStyle offers various products and wants property managers to know how to care for their properties. Clean appliances will result in longer lasting and higher quality products used on the property. Some recommended cleaning products are the Spor-Go Cleaning Product, the Mesh Laundry Bag, and the Pillow Storage Bags.  InnStyle has also written a number of other blogs that have laundering tips including a one on whether you should or should not be using fabric softener. If you have any questions, please call InnStyle and speak with one of their account managers. They are always happy to help! InnStyle can be reached at 267-354-6020 or 800-877-4667. Their website is https://www.innstyle.com/.