Dryer

• done!Smudge petroleum jelly on a cloth.

  Rub it into the folds of the rubber ring around the door to remove sticky residue.

• done!Remove the lint trap.

  Clean it thoroughly.

• done!Wipe down the interior walls with a soft cloth.

  Dampen it with dishwashing liquid and water. Cover the opening of the trap with an old towel so that moisture does not get inside.

• done!Clean the exterior.

  Wipe down the enamel exterior, the front and the back of the door, and the area around the lint-trap opening with a cloth dampened with water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid.

Dryer Hose

• done!Turn off the gas or electric supply.

  Pull the dryer away from the wall, being careful not to stretch the hose. Disconnect the hose from the back of the dryer by unscrewing the screws or the brackets. Hold the hose horizontally so that dust doesn’t dump out the bottom.

• done!Pass an extendable duster through the hose to collect any lint clinging to the inside walls.

  If the dust isn’t too thick, vacuum it out with a crevice attachment. Do not skip this step; clogged hoses are a leading cause of dryer fires in homes. Reaffix the hose to the dryer when done.

• done!Shake out the lint into a wastebasket.

Iron

• done!Check the manual for instructions, which vary by brand.

  Most, however, can tolerate this method: Make a paste of two tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of water. Spread it on the soleplate. Wipe off with a damp cloth.

• done!Clean the steam holes.

  Dip a cotton swab in distilled water and insert it into the holes.

• done!Fill the reservoir a third of the way with distilled water.

  Turn on the iron. Make sure nothing delicate is underneath the iron, as sediment from broken-down mineral deposits will drip out the bottom.

• done!Press the steam button until steam flows freely.

  Pour out leftover liquid.

• done!Steam an old, clean rag to make sure all the mineral deposits have been flushed out.

  Wipe the soleplate with a cloth and distilled water.

Lint Trap

• done!Take out the trap insert.

  Remove the lint with a damp cloth or a used fabric-softener sheet. Or wet your hands and run your fingers over the mesh screen to scoop up the lint. Lint is highly combustible, so it is important to wipe the screen dry. Also, a clogged lint trap slows down the machine’s drying time, causing it to use up to 30 percent more energy.

• done!Vacuum the mesh screen with a brush attachment on a low setting.

  Or wash it in the sink with water and dishwashing liquid.

• done!Dampen a cloth with water and dishwashing liquid and run it across the plastic edges of the trap.

  Scrub with a toothbrush if the edges are sticky.

Shelving

• done!Empty the shelves.

  Dust with an extendable duster.

• done!Clean areas splattered with detergent or stain remover.

  Rub with a cloth dampened with water and dishwashing liquid, applying pressure as needed.

Washing Machine

• done!Fill the washer with hot water (130 degrees Fahrenheit).

  Add one gallon of white vinegar, and run a rinse cycle.

• done!Apply petroleum jelly on a cloth.

  Wipe it around the perimeter of the rubber ring to catch debris caught in the folds.

• done!Remove the knobs and the detergent dispenser, if possible.

  Wash them in the sink in warm water and dishwashing liquid. Or put them in the dishwasher. If the pieces are not removable, wipe them with a cloth spritzed with all-purpose cleaner.

• done!Clean the exterior.

  Wipe down the enamel exterior and the front and the back of the door with a cloth dampened with water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid.

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