Laundry and Washer Care

Laundry checklist

From the guide’s own laundry checklist. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

• Lint filter cleaned every load
• Right detergent, HE if the washer needs it, in the amount the label suggests
• Loads sized so clothes can move
• Front loader door and drawer left open to dry
• Door seal wiped now and then
• Washer hoses checked for bulges, cracks or drips
• Water valves found and tested
• Behind and under the washer checked for damp spots
• Pods and detergent stored closed and out of reach
• Dryer never run while asleep or away
• Clothes moved promptly in shared laundry rooms
• Leaks, burning smells or a hot dryer shared in writing right away

All done. The machines and the laundry room thank you.

A few things to avoid

• Please don’t run the dryer when no one is home or while everyone is asleep. Dryer and Laundry Safety covers dryer fire safety in more detail.
• Please don’t overload either machine or wash items the label says not to.
• Please don’t leave laundry pods or detergent where children or pets can reach them.
• Please don’t dry items stained with gasoline, oil or cleaning solvents.

Before you ever need them, find the two water valves behind the washer and make sure they turn. In a leak, turning them off stops the water in seconds.

If the washer leaks or overflows

1. Take a breath, and stop the machine. If water is near outlets or cords, stay out of the water.
2. If it is safe, turn off the water valves behind the washer, usually by turning them clockwise.
3. Unplug the machine only if you can reach the plug from a dry spot without touching water.
4. Soak up water with towels and move rugs, boxes and belongings out of the way.
5. Take photos of the water, the hoses and anything that got wet.
6. Share what happened in writing right away so it can be repaired and dried. You did exactly the right thing.

Signs a machine needs service

These are common examples, not a complete list. Please share water around the washer, a hose that bulges or drips, a burning smell, a dryer that is hot to the touch, or clothes that take much longer to dry. Loud banging or grinding, a washer that won’t drain, or a musty smell that won’t go away are also worth a technician’s look.

Sharing a laundry room kindly

• Set a phone timer when you start a load, and move your clothes promptly when it ends.
• If someone else’s load is done and you need the machine, setting their clothes neatly aside on a clean surface is a kind compromise.
• Clean the lint filter and wipe up any spilled detergent before you go.
• Follow the posted hours and share any machine problem with whoever the posted notice says to contact.

Before move in and each year

From the guide’s list for owners. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

• Inspect washer hoses for wear, and replace older rubber hoses with sturdier ones as needed.
• Make sure the washer drains properly, and consider a drain pan and an inexpensive water leak alarm where a leak could cause damage.
• Have the dryer vent duct cleaned from the dryer to the outside, and make sure the outside flap opens.
• Check that machines are level, outlets are in good shape and the area is clear of clutter.
• Show everyone where the washer’s water valves are, and leave the machines’ manuals or a link to them.
• In shared laundry rooms, post simple house rules, hours and who to contact with a problem.

All done. The laundry room is ready for another year.

When a machine problem is shared

• Treat active leaks, burning smells and a dryer that runs very hot as urgent, and handle them as quickly as possible.
• Use a qualified appliance technician for repairs, especially anything involving gas or wiring.
• Dry wet floors, walls and cabinets within about 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold.
• Replace damaged hoses, and check the floor beneath the washer after any leak.
• Write down what was reported, what was done and when, and follow up kindly to make sure all is well.

Keep pods out of reach

Laundry pods are colorful and can look like candy, so please keep them closed, up high and out of reach. If someone swallows or bites into one, call Poison Help at 1 800 222 1222, and call 911 if they have trouble breathing.

Guides that go well with this one

• Dryer and Laundry Safety
• Water Shutoffs and Leak Detection
• Appliance Care Basics
• Leaving Home for a Trip
• Mold and Moisture in a Rental Home

Helpful resources

ENERGY STAR: Clothes Washers and U.S. Fire Administration: Clothes Dryer Fire Safety. Please follow the maker’s instructions and use a qualified technician for repairs.