Tips All Homeowners Should Know About Washer and Dryer Maintenance

Washer and dryer maintenance not only ensures clean, dry clothes, but it can help prevent flooding or and fires. Luckily, maintenance doesn’t require any special skills or tools. Here’s what you need to know to maintain your washer and dryer so they run efficiently and safely.

Wash your clothes the right way

Most of us think we know how to wash our clothes, but common mistakes can lead to the washer breaking down or, worse yet, to leaks that cause costly water damage. Before you start your next load of laundry, make sure you’re doing it the right way.

Start by checking that there is at least four inches between your washer and the wall. If your washer is any closer, it could put kinks in the hoses and eventually cause cracks and flooding. Next, test the washer by putting pressure on its corners to ensure it is level. A washer that is not balanced can vibrate, jump or even move across the floor during the spin cycle, damaging the unit, the floor or both.

You’ll need to take care when you’re ready to start a load, too. Avoid putting too many clothes in the washer—never fill the machine more than three-quarters full—and use the appropriate amount of water for the size of the load. Overloading the washer can cause flooding, and filling it with too much or too little water can hinder its efficiency.

Finally, use the right type of detergent for your washer. If you own a high-efficiency machine, use high-efficiency detergent (look for brands marked HE). Your owner’s manual should specify the types of detergent your washer requires to perform at its best. It will also tell you how much detergent to use. Don’t deviate from the specified amount. Too much detergent can cause wear and tear, leave residue behind and even cause the washer to flood.

After each load, remove wet clothes as soon as possible to prevent mold, mildew and musty odors. You’ll also want to leave the washer lid or door open between loads to dry the unit out. If you have a front-loading washer, wipe down the rubber seal to remove any water and residue there as well.

Clean your washer regularly

Your washer can’t clean your clothes if it’s dirty. Regularly clean your unit, starting with the lint filter. Usually located in the center column (the agitator tube) inside the washer, the lint filter can accumulate gunk that impedes your machine’s efficiency.

Once it’s clean, move to the drum. You can purchase a washing machine cleaner, follow the product’s directions, or use vinegar and baking soda. If you choose the DIY method, add two cups of vinegar to your empty washer (no clothes) and run a normal cycle with the hot water setting. After that cycle is complete, add one and a half cups of baking soda into the drum, and run another cycle with hot water. Wipe the drum when the second cycle finishes and let it air dry.

Either method works well regardless of whether you have a front-loading or top-loading washer. However, if you have a front-loading washer, you’ll need to take the extra step of cleaning the gasket, the rubber ring that runs along the opening of your washer’s drum, with a cloth dampened by vinegar.

To prevent mold and mildew and keep your washer smell its best, repeat the process once a month.

Get proactive with your washer

Cracked and faulty hoses pose the greatest risk for leaks that lead to water damage. To minimize your risk, inspect your washer’s hoses once a month. Replace any with cracks or bulges and look for leaks around the hose ends. Even if they appear to be in good condition, replace all the hoses after three to five years as a proactive measure.

Want some additional protection? Place a drip pan under your washer, especially one on the second floor, to contain leaks. And if you’re not going to be using your washer for an extended period of time—for example, during the winter when you visit family—turn off the water flow to the washer. The constant, unnecessary pressure can cause leaks.

Dry your clothes the right way

Yes, there’s a right and a wrong way to dry your clothes. Using the wrong settings can cause wear and tear to your dryer. To protect your clothes and your dryer, save the high heat setting for towels, blankets and other heavy fabrics, and opt for the delicate and permanent press settings for lighter fabrics.

Overloading and underloading your dryer can cause unnecessary wear and tear, too. If you overload your dryer, it will have to cycle longer to dry the load. Conversely, if you run it without a full load, the dryer still has to go through a full cycle to dry the clothes, but theoretically, you’ll be drying more loads because you’re not filling the drum.

Finally, consider skipping dryer sheets, which can leave potentially flammable residue behind. As it collects, a spark can ignite the residue and start a lint fire, especially if you haven’t been cleaning your lint screen. Dryer sheets can also get stuck in the dryer vent, posing yet another fire hazard. Instead of store-bought dryer sheets, make your own by dampening a washcloth with vinegar.

Keep your dryer clean

Every year, approximately 2,900 dryer-related fires cause, on average, five deaths, 100 injuries and $35 million in property loss, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. More than a third of those fires result from lint buildup in the dryer or its vent. You can reduce your risk by spending a few minutes after every load to clean your lint screen.

To do this, remove the screen from your dryer and simply wipe away the accumulated lint with your fingers. Add a step and rinse the screen with warm, soapy water every month. Or, run it through your dishwasher. Over time, potentially flammable residue from dryer sheets or fabric softeners can collect on the screen, creating a fire hazard and reducing the dryer’s efficiency. Washing it frequently eliminates the residue.

At least once every three months, give your dryer a deeper cleaning by removing the lint screen and vacuuming the slot where it sits. Additionally, vacuum your dryer’s trap if it has one.

Clean the dryer vent

In addition to removing lint from the lint screen, the most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of a dryer fire is clean the dryer vent. Plan on cleaning it at least once a year, more often if you have to use the dryer frequently. The task is fairly simple, doesn’t require any special tools and can be completed in less than an hour.

• First, pull the dryer away from the wall, making sure to leave yourself plenty of room to work behind it. Next, unplug the dryer. If your dryer is gas-powered, turn the gas valve off before going any further. Before you continue, you may need a screwdriver to loosen the clamp that holds the air duct from the back of the dryer. Get one if you need it.
• Remove the duct from the dryer and the wall by unscrewing the clamp or removing the UL-listed metal foil duct tape holding it in place, and inspect the duct for any tears or damage. Repair any small tears with UL-listed metal foil duct tape. If you find larger tears or damage, replace the duct entirely. Assuming the duct is in good repair, use a vacuum with a crevice attachment to suck out the lint and debris, taking care not to damage the sides of the duct.
• Once you’ve finished, flip the duct and vacuum from the other end. If the vacuum doesn’t seem to be sucking all the debris out, use a scrub brush to loosen it gently. You can also purchase dryer vent cleaning kits to help reach stubborn areas. Don’t forget to vacuum where the duct attaches to the dryer and the wall. You’ll also need to go outside and clean the dryer exhaust.
• Reassemble the unit by reattaching the duct to the dryer and the wall, plugging it in and turning the gas valve. Finish the task by running the empty dryer on the fluff setting to test airflow.

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