What to do When Your Laundry Room Needs Deep Cleaning

By
Karen Saunders
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7506

Although many consider doing laundry to be a dreaded task, someone’s got to do it! On the other hand, some individuals enjoy laundry day and don’t just pop in and out of the room as quickly as possible! For those of you that belong to the latter group of people, your laundry room is likely to be clean and organised while those who don’t stick around long enough to put the detergent bottle back in place, it’s safe to say that your laundry room needs cleaning! 

With that said, it is important to also mention that all laundry rooms require deep cleaning from time to time because mould and mildew thrive in damp and humid environments. Moreover, during the initial stages, mould spores are not always visible to the naked eye; therefore, the fungus may be affecting you or other household members without you realising it.

So, regardless of when you last cleaned your laundry room, it’s time to give it a deep clean! Use the guide below to help you get the job done one step at a time.

Step 1: Get Rid of Dust

Like any room in your home, dust settles on surfaces and begins to accumulate when you don’t clean as often as you should. In the laundry room, fine fibres and dust particles join forces to coat the shelves and counters in the room and hence, require a thorough wipe down to remove. Apart from this, you need to pay attention to the ceiling and ceiling corners for a truly thorough, top to bottom clean. 

Here is a list of things/areas you need to clean in your laundry room to remove dust:

      1. Ceiling
      2. Ceiling/exhaust fan
      3. Cabinet tops
      4. Shelves 
      5. Lighting fixtures
      6. Washer & dryer exteriors
      7. Countertops
      8. Around windows
      9. Baseboards

It is advisable to use a duster with a handle for a quick and convenient dusting of these surfaces. Something like the Swiffer Duster or a microfibre duster with a handle is very effective in picking up dust in one quick swipe.

Step 2: Clean Behind Washer & Dryer

You don’t know how dirty it is back there until you accidentally drop a sock behind your washer or dryer and need to fetch it out. Along with clumps of dust, lint, and dirt, you may find mould growing on the wall and/or the back of the appliances. For these reasons, cleaning behind your washer and dryer is an important part of deep cleaning your laundry room.

How to Clean Behind Your Washer & Dryer:

      1. Pull the unit in front (as much as the drain pipes allow).
      2. If there is any dampness present, absorb it with an old rag.
      3. Vacuum the back of the washer and dryer, as well as the walls, corners, and floor.
      4. Use a germ-fighting solution to sanitize the area. Dampen a clean cloth in the solution and wipe down the wall, all sides of the units, and the floor (or use a mop for this).
      5. Push the washer and dryer back in place after the area dries up.

NOTE: When dealing with mould or mildew, it is advisable to wear a face mask to prevent inhaling spores.

Step 3: Remove Buildup on Countertop

Detergent drips and spills on the countertop tend to harden and attract dust and dirt in the process. These are unsightly stains that ruin the overall appearance of your countertop and become tougher to remove as time passes. Therefore, a deep clean to remove countertop buildup is definitely advised. 

To begin, make a cleaning solution consisting of 2-part warm water, 1-part white vinegar, and a few squirts of liquid dish soap; pour this into a spray bottle and shake it up to mix the ingredients well. The use of vinegar helps to kill bacteria and sterilise surfaces without the use of harsh chemicals. Spray the counter generously with the cleaning solution and allow it to sit for at least 2 minutes before you clean it with a scrubber. Next, take a clean damp cloth and wipe over it to rinse off the solution. Repeat if needed.

Step 4: Clean Out Cabinets

More often than not, cabinet fronts are wiped to keep them looking nice while the interiors are left dirty and messy! Neglecting the insides of cabinets in your laundry room can also lead to mould growth because it is a confined space in a humid environment. With regular cleaning (as well as decluttering), you won’t have to worry about this happening in your laundry room cabinets.

The best way to deep clean the interiors quickly is by taking out all the contents; this is a good time to check the expiration dates on bottles and dispose of empty ones. If there are shelf liners, take them out and keep fresh ones ready to replace them after you’re done cleaning inside. Use a multipurpose cleaner or surface-appropriate cleaner to wipe down the interiors of your cabinets; finish off with the exteriors. 

Step 5: Clean the Sink

Laundry room sinks are also prone to dirt, stains, and bacteria buildup. Over time, this can become a very unsanitary area which requires a strong disinfectant to sterilise. We advise the use of undiluted vinegar to kill bacteria safely and effectively. Simply spray or pour vinegar over the interiors of your sink and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes.

Next, dampen a scrubber or sponge and wipe down the sink before rinsing it off. Don’t forget to clean the faucet and other fittings. For this, mild soap and a scrubber are all you need to get the job done quickly and effectively. 

Step 6: Wash the Window

There are different methods of cleaning windows; some include the use of soap and water while the fastest way involves glass cleaner. Whichever method you are in favour of, it’s important to first remove dust and dirt from the window panes before you begin. In our laundry room deep cleaning guide, this step has already been taken care of; hence, you may proceed to clean the rest of the window.

Before you get to washing or cleaning the glass, however, vacuum up the window tracks to remove accumulated dirt and debris. Skipping this cleaning task will lead to a bigger mess if you wash the windows and allow water to soak the tracks. Finish off by cleaning the window panes and wipe the handles thereafter. 

Step 7: Vacuum and Mop the Floor

Like most rooms in your house, the last thing you need to clean in the laundry room is the floor. By now it is likely to be covered in dust and have a few ugly stains as well. So, let’s get right to deep cleaning the laundry room floor in the following manner:

      1. Vacuum the floor thoroughly; pay close attention to corners and narrow spaces where dirt accumulates. Move things around such as baskets or trolleys in order to vacuum behind them.
      2. Spot clean stains with a scrub brush and a diluted solution of floor cleaner. For stubborn stains, heat up the cleaning solution to break them down. If the stain breaks into bits, be sure to pick the pieces up with paper towels so that they don’t get pushed around.
      3. Finish off by mopping the floor and allowing it to dry quickly and completely by increasing ventilation in the room.

 

Whether you enjoy doing laundry or not, the importance of deep cleaning your laundry room remains the same. Preventing mould and bacteria buildup is a must in any room of your home and the guide above can help you do just that with a thorough deep clean of the laundry room!

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Karen Saunders
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