How to Clean a Washer and Dryer

Co-authored by Chris Willatt

Last Updated: March 29, 2022 References Approved

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.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Clean Your Washer

1
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]
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Expert Source

Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 1 July 2019.}
2
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.

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3
Clean the top of the lid and underneath the lid of the washer with a damp sponge.^{[3]
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4
Pull out the lint trap (if your machine has one) and rinse it under running water.
5
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]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Clean Your Dryer

1
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]
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Expert Source

Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 1 July 2019.}^{[6]
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2
Vacuum or wipe down the interior of the dryer, including the door seal.^{[7]
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3
Detach the dryer lint duct and clean it out, or vacuum it out.
4
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]
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5
Wash down the top and the exterior of the dryer. Use warm, sudsy water and then rinse the soap residue off.^{[9]
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6
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]
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- 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.

Community Q&A

Question

I have ink stains from a pen on the inside of the drum. What can I use to remove them?

Community Answer

Acetone (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.
Question

How do I get smells out of my dryer?

Community Answer

Run the dryer on empty a few times and then add dryer sheets.
Question

What do I use if there is rust on the outside of the dryer?

Adrian

Top Answerer

If it is surface rust, sand it off. Make sure the vent pipes are not leaking, as it may lead to moisture, causing corrosion.

Warnings

Clean the lint filter from your dryer before you dry every load. Lint build up can cause a fire.

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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.

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