How To Clean Stackable Washer And Dryer

Cleaning Routines for Stackable Washer Dryer Sets

There's nothing more space-saving than a brand new stackable washer and dryer unit for your laundry room. Even if you buy one of the best stackable washer dryer units, it's important to take good care of it to ensure you're getting your money's worth from your investment.

Because stackable washer and dryer units are typically front loaders, they require some routine cleaning and maintenance to not only work correctly but also smell fresh.

What Makes a Stackable Washer and Dryer Unit Smell Bad?

After lots of use, a lot of stackable washer and dryer units end up with the same problem: A foul smell coming from inside the doors. Because many stackable washer and dryer units are front loaders, many different brands and models develop this common problem.

Home Guides explains that the funky odors come from the doors of these front-loading stackable washers and dryers because of the way the doors on them are designed. To keep water and suds inside the machine during a wash cycle, the front loader's doors have rubber sealing rings around the insides (similar to the rubber seals used around the edges of a car door) to keep water from sloshing out of the door during a cycle.

Because of the front-loading design, it's easy to simply close the door after a rinse cycle, but this promotes bacterial growth. The inside of the machine and the rubber sealing rings don't get a chance to properly dry if you close the door immediately after a wash. That moisture stays trapped inside the machine and eventually leads to smelly bacterial growth.

How Can You Clean a Stackable Washer to Keep It Smelling Fresh?

Firstly, follow preventive protocols. When you finish washing a load of laundry, leave the door to the washing machine part of your stackable washer and dryer unit open so it has a chance to air dry.

Cleaning the unit requires some basic supplies. To get the job done, you'll need a mild dish detergent, some warm water, some soft towels, paper towels, white vinegar, and some bleach.

Regular Cleaning Routine

Begin the process by wiping down the entire outside of the stackable washer and dryer unit. Often, laundry detergent splatters and dries on hard to the unit's surfaces. Your stackable washer and dryer unit is likely touched often as well–take this opportunity to wipe away old detergent, fingerprints, water stains, and other day-to-day gunk.

Next, you can focus on getting to the root of the bad odors coming from inside the washing machine. Fill the whole basin of the washing machine with hot water on the largest laundry cycle your machine allows.

Add two cups of white vinegar to the water and let it sit for at least one hour. After the hour, run the washer on the shortest cycle setting.

Next, fill the basin on the largest laundry cycle setting again. This time, add two cups of bleach to the basin and allow it to sit for an additional hour. Allow it to run on another short cycle setting.

Use a towel to wipe away any remaining stains inside the washing machine. Allow it to run once more on a short cycle setting to remove any remaining dirt or debris.

How Can You Clean the Dryer Portion of the Unit?

After tackling the washer half of your stackable washer and dryer unit, it's time to give the dryer some attention. Besides the soft towels, dish soap, and warm water from the first half of your cleaning adventure, you'll need a vacuum with a nozzle attachment for the dryer.

One of the most important parts of cleaning your dryer is getting any hidden, excess lint out of the machine. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, dryer lint traps are one of the leading causes of house fires in America–keeping yours well cleaned is the best way to prevent one from happening in your home!

Begin the cleaning process by using the vacuum and nozzle attachment to remove all the bits of leftover lint from all the crevices and cavities inside the dryer. Pay special attention to the lint trap and the area where it rests inside the dryer.

Once you've sufficiently removed the excess lint, use the soft towels, warm water, and dish soap to wipe away any evidence of dirt, debris, or streaks on the machine.

Resources— Appliance Warehouse, Dan-Marc Appliance

About The Author

Sydney Smith (247 Articles Published)

My name is Sydney Smith, and I am currently a librarian in North Carolina. When I'm not at work, I spend my time writing reviews for ReviewThis, hanging out with my husband and our cat, reading, micro-blogging on my Instagram, and crafting. Both of my undergraduate degrees are in English and I am almost finished with my master's degree in library and information science. Writing has always been a big passion of mine, and I am thrilled to be able to do it in a way that helps people make informed choices about the products they buy!