Considering the amount of cleaning that’s done in the laundry room, you’d think it would be one of the tidiest rooms in the house. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Instead, our laundry rooms seem to become a place for trash and when we’re cleaning the house, we tend to neglect it. After all, it’s always filled with dirt and grime anyway, so why bother fixing it?
The thing is, laundry rooms are also a place where germs like to hide and mould loves to grow. And if you don’t keep it clean, it’s not just going to impact the aesthetics of your home, it could also impact your health. So, it’s time to get started. Here are some of the ways you can clean it, and why you should.
How To Clean Your Laundry
Start with the washing machine.
Cleaning your washing machine isn’t just about aesthetics. Your washing machine is a haven for germs, with our underwear being the biggest carriers thanks to fecal matter and the different types of bacteria it carries. Yuck! Here’s what you need to do: start by running an empty, standard cycle on hot, but replacing the detergent with two cups of vinegar. Next, with a water and vinegar solution, scrub the inside of the machine, then run another empty cycle in hot water (no vinegar this time). This will help to clear out the hoses and pipes as well. Finally, wipe down the sides and top of the machine as well.
Onto the dryer.
After each load, you should be wiping down the screen. But that’s not enough and you’re still likely missing out on catching particles of dust and lint. You need to clean the lint trap at least once a month, even every fortnight depending how often you use the dryer. Get out the vacuum cleaner and suck up any dust that might be in the trap. Brush down the entrance to the machine, then vacuum the inside and exterior to get any leftover dust. Then wipe down the outside with a cloth.
Counters and cabinets.
The counters in the laundry tend to get very dirty – it’s where muddy clothes are placed, where your laundry detergent tends to leak, and it’s bound to see water splashes on a regular basis. All of this can lead to mildew, mould and smells, so it’s imperative that you clean it well. Same goes for the cabinet doors (and inside). Try to clean this at least once a week, using an all-purpose cleaner and wiping everything down. At the same time, clean out your cabinets and get rid of any trash. If you have any bulky items, consider a rubbish removal company to come and take them away.
Sanitise appliances.
Irons and steamers are cesspools for mould if they’re not taken care of. While you’re doing your laundry clean, give these a good clean as well. For your iron, use dishwashing liquid, vinegar, baking soda and salt – mix these together with filtered water and turn on the iron to let it get hot. This will help remove dust from the vents. With your steamer, add vinegar and put it on high heat. Once it’s hot, remove the vinegar and heat it again with filtered water alone. Wipe down your washer and dryer, and any other appliances you have in the room.
Clean the floor.
Now that you have the rest of the laundry in order, it’s time to take care of the floors. Start by removing anything that’s small enough to lift, then give it a sweep to get up any dirt, rubbish and debris. Try to get under and around the washing machine and dryer as well. After sweeping, vacuum up any leftover dust, then get out the mop. Using a floor cleaner, or simple water, mop the room, starting at the back and working your way to the front – and out the door as you go. Don’t go back in until it’s dry, then move everything back into its regular place.
4 Benefits Of Laundry Room Organisation
Now that you have cleaned the room, it’s time to keep it maintained. If you can give it a good clean at least once a month, it will be much easier to keep it that way. There are other benefits as well, including the following:
- It’ll look better. Walking into a messy room in the house can be a bit of a downer on your mood. Keeping your laundry room clean will help you to enjoy the space more, and it might even make you keener to do the laundry if you’re in a space that looks great.
- It increases the home’s value. If you’re trying to sell your home, you don’t want people walking into a laundry that’s filled with rubbish and dust. By keeping it nice and clean, you’ll attract more buyers and they’ll be willing to pay more. Showcase your storage space and make the room look brighter and more inviting.
- It makes it easier to use. Your laundry room has one main function – doing the laundry. If the room is filled with rubbish, it makes it harder to find the space to sort through your clothes before and after a wash.
- You can design it to clean up the rest of the house. The laundry is often hidden away and as such, it’s a great place for storage. If you can organise it so that you have more space to store other household items, it’ll free up space elsewhere.
What To Do With Your Trash
While you’re cleaning up the laundry, remember to keep the 4 Rs in mind – Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle.
- Reduce the amount of waste you are creating – this could include buying your washing detergent in bulk, rather than smaller boxes or bottles; using solar hot water for your washing rather than electric, and switching to LED lights in the laundry room to save on energy.
- Reuse your laundry bags and baskets – if you’re heading to the beach or sports and you’re expecting to come home with dirty clothes, put them in a reusable bag rather than single-use. You could also get second-hand storage cupboards to put in your laundry, rather than buying new.
- Repurpose old furniture from inside the home to help you out in the laundry. Old bookshelves could easily turn into storage spaces for linen and detergents, and so on.
- Recycle your plastic bottles or cardboard boxes – just be sure to clean them out before you put them into your yellow bins. And also, when your washing machine or dryer goes on the blink, take it to your local recycle centre rather than landfill.
How Can Cheapest Load of Rubbish Removal Sydney Help?
If you have a large amount of rubbish you need to get rid of after your cleaning, or you want help to remove those old machines and appliances, Cheapest Load of Rubbish can assist you with rubbish removal Sydney. We’ll come and take a look and provide a quote for removal, taking it straight off your hands to into the best place for it – whether that’s the recycle centre, a charity if it’s still in good working order, or to landfill for your old trash. At Cheapest Load of rubbish, we manage all types of common waste and rubbish collection in Sydney, so give us a call today.
