CR Laundry Expert Reveals How He Keeps Our Washing Machines Clean
Our washers are so clean that we couldn’t test washing machine cleaners in them. Rich Handel shares easy-to-follow tips that can mostly be done at home.
When we set out to test washing machine cleaners, we came across what you might call a good problem to have: the washing machines in our laundry lab were so clean they hardly appeared to have been used at all.
The 4 Ways CR Maintains the Cleanliness of Our Washers
Handel says that the cleanliness of our laundry lab washing machines is a byproduct of our testing procedures. “We measure out the amount of detergent we use and don’t overdo it,” he says. Rich went on to say, “Overdoing the detergent has a few side effects. In some cases, the machine is unable to rinse out the excess detergent. The residual detergent ends up on your clothes and in your machine.”
The residual detergent lands on gaskets, inner drums, and internal channels. That residue attracts lint and dirt, which then become a great medium for mold and mildew to grow.
Next, if you’ve read any laundry advice from Rich, this next sentence will come as no surprise to you. We do not use any fabric softeners in our washing machines, because over time it can leave a layer of residue inside the washer, among other reasons
The next thing we do to keep our washing machines clean is rinse the drums out using a hose in between each test run. This helps remove any detergent residue that may remain at the end of a wash cycle.
After all the test loads have been washed for the day, we leave the door and detergent tray open until they are dry. A dark, humid space is a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Keeping the door open prevents moisture from getting trapped inside.
What You Can Do at Home to Keep Your Washer Odor- and Residue-Free
To recap, here are the practical things you can do to keep your home washer in the best condition.
- Measure your laundry detergent, and don’t overdo it. Our experts recommend about 1 ½ ounces for a normal load—about a shot glass worth of detergent.
- Skip the fabric softener. Instead, consider a dryer ball in your dryer, which leaves no residue behind and can help fluff up clothing and speed up dry cycles.
- Wipe down and dry the door, around the gasket, in the gasket, and the detergent tray with a microfiber towel after the last load of the day. Handel says he does this at home, and his 4-year-old machine looks like new.
- Lastly, if no small children and pets have access to your laundry room, keep the door and detergent tray open until they are completely dry. Leaving the washer door open could pose a safety hazard.
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