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Ever found yourself wondering how do you clean a laundry room? Or wanted to know what tasks are involved with spring cleaning your laundry room area? Well, we’ve got your back with these 11 spring cleaning chores for the laundry room area, along with plenty of in-depth tricks and tips for cleaning novices, intermediates, and even more seasoned cleaners.
In this post…
Regardless if your laundry room is in its own room, the backyard, garage, or a small closet or corner in your home, these 11 laundry room spring cleaning chores are designed to help you deep clean your laundry room for spring cleaning and year-round.
The steps cover some the following topics:
Spring Cleaning the Laundry Room
You can proceed with these 11 laundry room spring cleaning chores in any order that feels right for you.
These deep-cleaning laundry room steps aren’t in exact order and the best way to go about it may vary on your specific setup. You can also break steps into smaller pieces and use a timer to motivate yourself, even if it’s just for 5 to 10 minutes at a time.
We also strongly encourage making it fun by turning on some music or even your favorite video, podcast, or audiobook as you clean. Remember: you’re doing this for yourself and to make life easier, more manageable, and, hopefully, more enjoyable after the fact.
Note: Some parts of this post allow you to expand or collapse sections to control how much content you read. If you’d like to read more information or tips, you can expand. Collapse to read less.
1. Declutter the space.
Try to take some time to declutter your laundry room or space before starting your spring cleaning chores for the laundry area. This usually means cleaning up any trash and getting rid of items that you no longer need or have a use for, which can certainly pile up in the laundry area.
If you plan to clean your laundry area in one day, this would also be a good time to remove items from the area so that you can clean the space properly. You can choose to do one of our later steps, cleaning off items you plan to keep, during this stage or later on.
Common Items to Declutter from the Laundry Area
Note: Always make sure to properly dispose of any laundry products or cleaning products properly, usually through your local waste management facility. The same goes for any batteries, light bulbs, or other items that you might get rid of that come from your laundry area and that are considered hazardous household items.
Tip #1 Refill.
Consider purchasing refill products instead of entirely brand new bottles. Refill pouches, such as laundry soap, are usually more environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and easier to dispose of when the time comes. Refill bags are also a lot easier to store and tend to be more space-saving than full-sized detergent bottles.
Tip #2 Know where to take unwanted items.
If you plan to get rid of items such as fabric softener, laundry detergent, batteries, lightbulbs, or cleaning products that you may be keeping in your laundry room, make sure to dispose of them properly.
You can do this by donating them to a friend or family member who might have use for them or take them to the appropriate drop-off location at your local waste management facility. You can usually find information for each kind of item and where to take it by referring to your local waste management’s website or contacting them directly.
Some trash companies may also offer pick-up services, which might be free, usually once or twice a year, or with a service fee charge.
Tip #3 Be prepared.
Before you start decluttering, make sure to have spots to put the items you plan to do something else with or plan on keeping, especially if you’ll be cleaning the room on the same day.
For instance, it’s good to have a donation box, a trash or recycling bag, and a box for items like batteries or light bulbs that you need to dispose of at your local waste management facility. You may also want a box or bin to house items you want to keep but need to clean off and/or have out of the way as you clean the laundry room. That way, you’ll make fewer steps back and forth.
Helpful Habit
If you have a little detergent leftover in a bottle and a new one ready to go, consider combing the two inside the newer bottle so that you can properly discard the older one. Making this a habit each time you bring home a replacement bottle or refill is a good way to reduce clutter automatically.
2. Deep clean the washing machine.
Taken from our 16 Important and Often Missed Spring Cleaning Chores for Your Home post (new tab).
Cleaning your washing machine a few times a year can be crucial to keep it working well and prevent things from breaking.
Deep cleaning your clothes washer will also help you avoid mineral build-up and odors in the future, along with other potential issues.
Method for cleaning a washing machine.
There are usually several ways to go about cleaning your method. To keep things simple, we’ll just stick to explaining lighter cleanings vs. deeper cleanings. However, we generally recommend doing a deeper cleaning as part of your washer’s miscellaneous or general spring cleaning and light cleanings for monthly or bi-monthly maintenance.
The proper method or cleaning product to use can also vary on your unit and its type, such as front-loading vs. top-loading options. It’s also typical for any issues that you might be having with the washing machine, such as mold or odors, to factor into choosing the best cleaning option.
When in doubt, always check your instruction manual or view the manufacturer’s website.
Typical Washing Machine Cleaning Methods
Note: Please use bleach with caution and only if okayed by the manufacturer. Always double-check with your instruction manual or ask the manufacturer first before using any cleaning method. We recommend bleach for only severe cases, such as excessive mold or mildew buildup and foul odors that don’t seem to quit.
Lighter washing machine cleanings.
Lighter cleanings usually involve tossing in a machine-cleaning product or a quart of vinegar on the hottest setting (or Tub Clean mode), generally for descaling and deodorizing. Some wiping out of the tub may be required to remove residue.
Deep washing machine cleanings.
And then there’s more in-depth cleaning, which generally means running bleach, vinegar, or a cleaning tab through the washer, wiping it out, and scrubbing any removable parts such as soap or bleach dispensers.
Vinegar is the most common method, followed by store-bought products, though some individuals like to use bleach in situations with mold or severe build-up and odors.
Deep-cleaning a washing machine may also involve more in-depth steps, such as cleaning the rubber seal or door gasket, cleaning beneath agitators, and making sure the filter trap at the hot point is free and clear of debris.
Common steps to deep-clean a washing machine:
Because this can be an extensive process and might vary based on the machine, we’ll be covering this topic with more in-depth instructions soon. Either way, try to do light cleanings for maintenance at least every month or two, which should help with odors and mineral build-up.
We also recommend cleaning the tub, gasket, and dispensers during light cleanings as well. Deep cleanings can be done twice a year or as recommended by the manufacturer.
3. Deep clean the clothes dryer.
Taken from our 16 Important and Often Missed Spring Cleaning Chores for Your Home post (new tab).
Several times a year, particularly for general chores or doing spring cleaning chores for the laundry area, you’ll likely want to inspect and clean your clothes dryer thoroughly.
Cleaning the dryer usually involves cleaning out the lint trap filter and the filter’s crevice. It also often entails checking the vent ducts that lead to the outside to prevent fire hazards.
In the end, keeping your dryer vent, lint trap, and the rest of your unit clean can help to prevent fires. It’s also great for keeping the machine running well and ensuring that your clothes dry on time.
If you find your laundry doesn’t dry as fast as it used to, then it’s probably time to at least clean and vacuum out the lint trap, if not clean the duct system as well. We should have more detailed instructions in upcoming posts. Stay tuned!
4. Dust and clean inside the interior and exterior of any storage space.
Take the time to properly and thoroughly clean the inside and outside of any laundry room storage pieces. This can include cabinets, shelves, utility carts, baskets, and so forth. You can use your favorite cleaning method or consider using a microfiber cloth and a little bit of warm water, depending on the mess involved or how dirty things are.
Tip #1 Work from top to bottom.
Make sure to work your way top on down to avoid getting places you’ve already cleaned dirty again later.
Tip #2 Make sure your microfiber cloths are rinsed.
If you use a microfiber or cleaning cloth to clean up laundry-related spills and messes, make sure to clean it when you’re done. It may also help to soak the cloths in warm vinegar water for a bit of water to remove any fabric softener or soap buildup. Repeat as necessary. Check out our 14 Tips on How to Wash, Use and Maintain Microfiber Cloths, Towels, and Pads post for more tips.
5. Dust your laundry room.
Before you set about doing any major cleaning or polishing, it’s good to dust and vacuum the space as much as possible. Try to take your time when dusting since laundry rooms are notorious for attracting dust. In fact, if you’ve ever wondered why is my laundry room so dusty? It’s mainly due to lint from clothing and your electronic appliances acting as dust magnets, along with other environmental factors.
The better you dust, the easier cleaning with any wet product or cleaner will be, regardless if you use a microfiber cloth and some water or traditional paper towels and spray cleaner. This can be more so the case after deep cleaning the dryer and dryer vent ductwork, which is sometimes why it helps to do this step after working on the dryer.
Tip #1 Dust first; ask questions later.
Always try to dust before you use anything wet to clean a space. More so in lint-prone areas like the laundry room. This will help you avoid the dread moments where lint smears as you try to wipe things clean.
Tip #2 Prevent dust as much as possible.
One good rule of thumb for dusting is to prevent it as much as possible in the first place. Unfortunately, where the laundry room is concerned, that’s not always easy to do, especially if it’s a garage, on a balcony, or someplace where environmental factors may come into play besides lint from clothing.
You can, however, use things like air purifiers in the space to help reduce lint. Shaking things out outside before washing and brushing your pets regularly are also steps you can take.
6. Deep clean your laundry room.
Working your way from top to bottom, try to spend some time cleaning the actual room or area, such as any walls, fixtures, baseboards, trim, furniture, decor, or storage items.
It’s also helpful sometimes to work in the same direction, such as clockwise or counterclockwise. The more you stick to it and develop a pattern, the more likely you’ll be to get faster and better at it. You’ll also avoid making a 2nd mess and having to clean things up twice.
You can clean around and on the outside of your washer and dryer units at this stage or earlier.
7. Sweep and mop the laundry room.
If you’ve already vacuumed during the dusting stage, you can skip this stuff if you want to. We like to do a second vacuum pass to ensure fine dust is picked up and anything that might have settled or been kicked around while cleaning.
If it’s been several days since you’ve dusted or cleaned the area, then you may want to vacuum again anyway. Mop well when finished.
Also, make sure to vacuum and clean the floor that’s usually underneath the washer and dryer and clean the area around them thoroughly (i.e., fixtures, ductwork, baseboards, etc.).
8. Clean, refill and restock items you plan to keep in the space.
Before you return any items to your laundry area, try to assess what you need to refill and restock. Clean off the items and refill what you need to.
9. Return and organize items.
Return the items to their appropriate spots and organize them in whatever manner you see fit. This is also a great time to think about things you can add to the space, such as bins and organizers, which can be ideal if you have trouble keeping the area clean or find that you might be lacking space.
You can find affordable bins and organizers at Target, HomeGoods/TJMaxx/Ross, Amazon, Walmart, K-Mart, dollar stores, garage sales, and many other places.
You also don’t have to get it all done in one go or having it looking Instagram-ready right off the bat. Take your time. Sometimes the best organization comes from testing the space out first to see what works and what doesn’t.
10. Consider a routine to keep things simple.
While spring cleaning your laundry room is something you can do once a year, it’s something you’ll want to keep up on throughout the year in order to maintain it properly.
One way to do this is by doing a deep clean it every quarter and then perform a monthly maintenance cleaning to keep it as tidy as possible.
Monthly or Weekly Maintenance
Monthly or weekly maintenance cleaning is pretty easy to do. You simply give things a quick wipe down, such as wiping out the gasket, exterior, and dispenser trays of your washing machine and wiping the outside of your dryer after you’ve vacuumed out the trap and filter monthly.
Then do a deep cleaning, such as what we have listed in Steps 2 and 3. Maybe you only move the appliances twice a year, but it’s better than not doing it at all. However, we do recommend checking your vent’s ductwork, vacuuming out the room, and making sure to dust and clean the area often., both for the sake of safety and convenience.
Set reminders
Setting reminders for yourself to keep on cleaning beyond just spring cleaning chores for the laundry area can be a great way to not only stay consistent with maintaining your laundry area.
You can also set several reminders if you don’t like doing a big day’s worth of cleaning, such as for deeper cleanings. Consider penciling in a task or two into the rest of your daily and weekly schedule until you get the job done.
You can set reminders in your planner, on your calendar, or on your devices.
11. Inspire good future laundry habits.
Set helpful or hilarious visual reminders and signs, convenient gadgets, and other kinds of inspiration to keep up your laundry habits. Maybe that would entail decorating or renovating the space to suit your liking so that you’ll want to keep on it. It can also be something as simple as some small decorative pieces, plaques, a cute or funny rug, or clever-looking laundry pieces.
Conclusion
This post covered 11 spring cleaning chores for the laundry room that you can do all in one sitting or break up as needed. We also provided some tips and information on some of the following to help out folks who are newer cleaning or spring cleaning their laundry room and plenty of helpful habits and tips.
