Sanitizing and disinfecting a washer and dryer is an important step in laundry care.
A dirty machine can cause mold, mildew, odors, and potential bacterial contamination, leading you to call in an expert in disinfection to help you deal with the problem.
Mold growth can cause allergic reactions for those who are sensitive to it. Mildew leaves behind a musty smell that doesn’t go away with regular cleaning.
Bacterial buildup can increase the risk of exposure to toxic chemicals used in detergents or laundry products, which may be harmful if ingested or touched on your skin.
Read this guide before you start!
Set the Washer Water Temp
For the first step, you need to set the water temperature in your washer to a safe level.
Go into the “settings” section of your washing machine and find the setting you can change for water temperature, usually listed as hot or cold.
If you are unsure which is best for cleaning your machine, it’s best to go for hot because high temperatures are known to effectively kill germs.
Also, be sure to set the machine’s water amount to avoid having too much or too little in there to avoid overflowing.
Add Bleach and Chlorine for Disinfecting
Once your machine is ready, add in your bleach and chlorine for disinfecting your machine.
Bleach and chlorine contain oxygen-based disinfectants that are effective in killing mold, mildew, and bacteria.
Follow the recommended ratio for your machine to make sure you’re using enough bleach or chlorine. 20:1 is a good rule of thumb for a standard washer load size – 20 parts water with one part bleach mixed together before adding it in.
Bleach and chlorine can be purchased separately from stores or in a combo pack at most retailers, so you might want to check their first for convenience.
Be sure not to mix bleach with ammonia because that will create toxic fumes!
Let this mixture run in your machine for 30 minutes right before you drain it.
Scrub The Interior to Eliminate Remaining Germs
Once you have let the bleach and chlorine mixture set in your machine, it is time to scrub the interior of your washer.
This should be done with hot water and soap or detergent to get rid of any remaining germs left behind on these surfaces.
The best way to do this would be by using a long brush (like those used for toilet scrubbing) and using a mixture of hot water with detergent to scrub the surfaces to remove germs that haven’t been reached by bleach and chlorine.
Be sure you scrub crevices, creases, and corners to get rid of any germs that may have been lingering.
Do a Final Rinse to Remove Dirt and Bacteria
When you have scrubbed the inside of your washer, it is time for a final rinse to get rid of any dirt and bacteria that may be left behind.
Start by pouring more bleach or chlorine into the washing machine drum before adding warm water to create an extra-hot mixture.
This will ensure that everything on the surfaces has been killed off as well as possible while also minimizing future bacterial growths from occurring – which can cause mold, mildew, odors, etc.
Run this cycle for 5 minutes with a low setting and then close up the door when you’re done! This should remove all germs from your machine and leave it smelling fresh again!
Clean Your Washer’s Exterior
Since your interior is clean, it’s time to get rid of all the bacteria on your machine’s exterior. To do this, you will need to scrub with a mixture of warm water and detergent or soap.
Make sure that you are using a brush at least every inch around the outside to ensure any germs have been removed before rinsing off your washer.
Wipe down any surfaces as well, both inside and out for maximum cleanliness. Rinse with water and you’re all set!
Conclusion
The importance of clean laundry cannot be stressed enough. Dirty clothes can harbor bacteria, which is what causes unpleasant odors and stains that are hard to get rid of.
Learning how to sanitize your washer and dryer will help you eliminate these problems for good!
Be sure to keep all of our given tips in mind so you can ensure each of your family members’ safety!
Jamie Wong has years of experience in the field of disinfection services. As a result, he is able to provide her clients with excellent service and advice on disinfection and sanitizing.