Washers & Dryers – Keep them Clean!

Washers & Dryers- Keep them Clean!

It’s easy to neglect the appliances that work the hardest for us, like our washers and dryers. At Southwest Appliance, we know that dependable appliances are essential! Southwest Appliance has been proudly serving Durango, Colorado since 1979 with delivery and installation, repairs, and more. We know that a well cared for appliance will work harder for you and your family, and longer. Wondering how to clean and care for your washer and dryer? Read on to find out!

Cleaning your Washer

It’s easy to think that your washer is clean because its sole purpose is to, well, wash things. This is sadly not the case! It’s important to take a little time every once in a while to ensure that your washer is clean, as it will guarantee that you’ll have wonderfully clean clothes too. Regina Yunghans from apartmenttherapy.com has some insights about cleaning your washing machine. She recommends using vinegar, baking soda, a toothbrush, and a microfiber cloth to clean your machine. Start by running an empty load in your washer on the hottest setting and largest amount of water. Once the washer is full of hot water, add about a quart of vinegar and a cup of baking soda to the load and let it agitate for a few minutes. Once the mix has moved around in your washer, Yunghans recommends opening the lid of the washer and letting the mixture sit for about an hour. While the cleaning mixture works in the washer, utilize the wait time to clean any nooks and crannies with the microfiber cloth and toothbrush. Once the hour has passed, finish the cleaning cycle. Follow up with one more hot, full wash with another quart of vinegar as a final rinse to your washing machine, and you’re done! You now have a squeaky clean washing machine.

Cleaning your Dryer

Unlike a clean washing machine, having a clean dryer is less about removing any gunk that may have built up, and more about ensuring that you dryer runs efficiently and safely. We all know that we’re supposed to empty the lint trap after each use, but what you might not know is that the lint trap is not the only place that lint collects. Craig Lloyd of lifehacker.com explains the importance of cleaning your dryer. The inside of your dryer accumulates lint and can eventually pose a fire hazard, and in the mean time require a lot more drying time to dry your clothes. All you’ll need to clean out your dryer is a vacuum and a screwdriver. Most dryers have a front panel that you can easily remove, all you’ll need to do is remove a few screws. Once the front panel is off, you’ll see the years of accumulated lint that has built up on the inside of your dryer. From here, all you’ll have to do is vacuum out the lint surrounding the drum and any other nooks and crannies. Replace the front panel of the dryer, and you’re set for the inside of your dryer! Now, to move on to cleaning your exhaust ducts. Cleaning out your exhaust ducts will make a dramatic impact on how efficiently your dryer works. Begin by unplugging your dryer and remove the exhaust duct tube connecting your dryer to the wall. Grab the hose from your vacuum cleaner and clean out the opening of your dryer and the opening on the wall, then the exhaust hose itself. Reattach the tube and your dryer will run much more efficiently. You can now rest easy knowing that your dryer won’t pose a future fire hazard!

At Southwest Appliance, we have an awesome selection of washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, ranges, and more. Whether you need repairs on an existing appliance, or you are looking for something new, Southwest Appliance has you covered! If you are looking for more information or troubleshooting tips, our website is an excellent resource. Come by on Black Friday to see our beautiful new showroom and deals in Durango, Colorado!