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Deep cleaning a laundry room sounds almost redundant. I mean, in theory, shouldn’t the laundry room be the cleanest room in the house? Its only purpose is to launder clothing and linens. Its job is to be clean. However, that’s not always the case. My laundry room has the audacity to even refuse to be efficient.
Aside from eating socks, producing the occasional sour-smelling towel, and not having the decency to fold and put away the laundry, now the washer and drier in my house are starting lint fires, amassing piles of Tide, and hoarding thongs. It’s getting to be as bad as cleaning the kids’ rooms. This means war, people. Time to show this laundry room who’s the boss — and it’s not Tony Danza! (Over-30 mamas, I see you.)
Supplies you need to deep clean your laundry room
The first step is to gather your supplies, so that you’re not wasting time hunting down what you need to complete a task. Here’s a basic list to start your cleaning frenzy:
- White vinegar
- Damp cloth
- Garbage bag
- Microfiber rag
- Dishwashing liquid or all-purpose cleaner
- Warm water
- Mop
- Vacuum
- Window cleaner
- Paper towels
- Baking soda
Laundry room deep cleaning checklist
1. The washing machine
To sanitize the inside of your washing machine and clear away soap scum, run white vinegar through the washer.
“Don’t forget to clean your machines,” mom and blogger Amber Vanloh told Mom.com. “Use 2 cups of vinegar in your washing machine on hot, then do another cycle on hot with a cup of baking soda. Your clothes and room will smell fresh. Then, wipe your dryer with vinegar and do a dry cycle with a vinegar-damp washcloth until the cloth is dry. This will get rid of any lingering smells from damp, moldy clothes.”
2. The dryer
Empty the lint trap. Wipe off fuzz with a damp cloth or wet your hands and run your fingers over the mesh screen to scoop out the lint. Wash the lint trap out in a sink or vacuum it.
Use a cloth dampened with dishwashing liquid and warm water to wipe out the interior walls.
3. Washer and dryer
Wipe down the outside of both appliances using damp cloth and all-purpose cleaner.
4. The sink
Wash the sink out with cleaner and a sponge.
5. Laundry room countertops
Clean countertop surfaces, cabinet fronts, and shelving by wiping them down with a cloth and warm water mixed with dishwashing liquid.
6. The floor
Mop or vacuum the floor. Wash rugs, if possible. Swiffer underneath the washer and the dryer. Lint can get underneath the dryer and create a fire hazard if it accumulates.
7. The dryer hose
Vacuum around the inside of the dryer hose.
8. Back of the washer and dryer
Clean behind the washer and dryer. On the lowest setting, vacuum the backs of the washing machine and dryer, and the floor underneath with the brush attachment. Be careful not to stretch the dryer hose.
9. Dryer vents
Using the brush attachment, vacuum the vents on high. Dust and lint can clog vents, reducing airflow in the room. Wipe the vent grates with a damp cloth.
Safety tip: A dirty dryer vent is one of the biggest home fire hazards. A thourough inspection and cleaning is best done by a professional, but CNET has some helpful tips for the DIY homeowner.
10. The windows
Spray glass cleaner on a cloth and clean windows. Using a damp cloth, wipe down the sill and the frame. Wash curtains.
Tips for deep cleaning your laundry room
- Fabric softener often leaves residue on clothes. “Residues from fabric softeners and their fragrances can aggravate allergies and sensitivities, and leave buildup on moisture sensors or lint screens, blocking air flow,” Martha Stewart reported on her website. “To remedy this, create your own: Add between one-fourth cup and one cup white vinegar to the final rinse cycle (never mix vinegar and chlorine bleach).”
- Baking soda is your friend. It can help deodorize and eliminate tough odors when used as a cleaning agent, both on surfaces and even in the wash.
- Essential oils, like lemon oil or lavender, added to the washing machine can also help eliminate odors.
- To help eliminate clutter, fold and put away laundry when it is done.
Use a storage organizer to store laundry detergent, fabric softener, and dryer sheets.
