The Importance of Cleaning the Laundry Room When Moving Out
There’s a lot to clean when moving out, and some spots can be overlooked in the whole rush. But have you thought that you might be neglecting an entire room?
Most of the time, we just hop into the laundry room and then leave, but over time it gets much filthier than you’d imagine, especially if we’re in the habit of procrastinating when it comes time to clean our home.
Giving your laundry room a proper cleaning is good for all the appliances and your health and could spell the difference between getting your full deposit back or facing deductions.
So if you want to learn how to take care of this room, read on!
Why and How Often You Should Clean Your Laundry Room
“But isn’t the laundry room the cleanest one in the house?” you ask.
At first glance, that idea doesn’t seem too crazy. All you do in that room is leave your dirty laundry, run the washing machine and dryer, and take out your freshly cleaned and dried clothes. That may be true, but it’s also not the whole picture.
All those dirty clothes you take into the laundry room bring the filth, odours and bacteria they carry into the room together with them.
The washing and drying process creates moisture that can lead to mould and mildew growth developing. The dryer accumulates lint that can clog the appliance and even lead to a house fire if left unchecked. Any detergents you spill can become a potential slipping hazard if you don’t clean up immediately.
Preferably, you should clean your laundry room every one or two weeks while living in the home.
If you’re moving and have yet to do that, now is the perfect (and last) opportunity to do so! Give the whole room a deep cleaning, or else you might face a deduction from your security deposit if your landlord is unhappy with the state of the room.
Check for Mould and Mildew
Cleaning dirt, grime, and dust is one thing, but one of the biggest dangers in your laundry room (besides a dryer fire) is the possibility of mould and mildew establishing and getting out of control.
Being the place where clothes are washed and dried, the laundry room is bound to be moister than most other rooms in your house. If your laundry room lacks any windows or proper ventilation, then that would create the perfect environment for fungi to flourish.
Mould and mildew are harmful to your health and could even lead to structural damage to the property. Check your laundry room carefully for any signs of moisture and mould. Look behind and under your appliances for any leaks and dampness.
If you find any damp spots, that could mean your appliance is leaking water, and the issue needs to be investigated. You should also check the room’s dark and cold corners for moisture and mildew.
How to Clean Mould and Mildew
If, during your check, you see that mould and mildew have already formed somewhere, then you should tackle the issue before it gets out of hand. You will need a stiff-bristled brush, chlorine bleach, a regular cloth, and some water.
- Make a solution of chlorine bleach and water.
Usually, one part bleach to three parts water will do the job. Alternatively, you can use a detergent with bleach as an active ingredient. - Proceed to scrub the affected area.
Using a stiff-bristled brush, scrub the blackened area vigorously and try to eliminate as much mould growth as possible without damaging the wall. - Rinse thoroughly and dry.
Rinse the treated area with a cloth and water and leave it to air dry.
If this doesn’t work, stronger products are available, formulated specifically for mould and mildew on walls. But be careful not to damage your walls in the process. Always test on an out-of-sight area before treating a visible spot.
Quick Laundry Room Cleaning Guide
- Start by decluttering.
The laundry room should be neat and tidy, just like the rest of your home’s interior, so remove any items that do not belong there, such as shoes, toys, books or decorations. - Dust and wipe down all surfaces.
Over time, quite a lot of dust can gather in the laundry room, mainly from the tiny little particles that clothes constantly shed. Wipe down all the surfaces in the room with a slightly moist microfiber cloth. Don’t forget to wipe any shelves, cabinets, and countertops. - Clean the washing machine and dryer.
Wipe down the exterior of both machines with your moist microfiber cloth. For the inside of the washing machine, run a cycle with hot water and white vinegar to remove grime, kill germs, and neutralise unpleasant odours. Next, remove the dryer’s lint trap and clean it thoroughly. You can also use your vacuum cleaner to suck out any lint left in the dryer vent. - Clean the floor.
Sweep or hoover the floor of the laundry room to remove any dust or debris that has accumulated. If the floor is particularly filthy, use a mop with warm water and detergent to make it shine. - Organise your cleaning supplies.
To conduct proper home maintenance, bring order to your collection of cleaning supplies and laundry detergents. Remove empty containers and store everything left in a designated area, such as a cabinet or shelf. - Optional step: Freshen up the air.
If you want to create an aromatic atmosphere, use an air freshener or place a cloth or cotton ball with a few drops of essential oil in the room.
Hire a Professional Cleaning Company
The end of tenancy cleaning can be daunting for any tenant, as it requires a lot of spare time and effort. Depending on your cleaning skills, the final result may or may not be up to your landlord’s standards, which could lead to a deduction from your security deposit.
Even if all this sounds like too much work, you don’t have the time, or are just worried you won’t clean well enough, fear not! You can always entrust your end of tenancy cleaning to a professional company with rigorous standards, exhaustive checklists, and a 100% deposit return guarantee.
Conclusion
The laundry room is one place that is often overlooked when cleaning your home. Skipping to clean this room can lead to potential health and safety hazards or, if you’re ending your tenancy, losing your deposit money.
But now that you’ve read our article, you know how important it is to keep this room clean and tidy.
Whether it’s a moisture problem, mould overgrowth, lint fire risk, or general filth in your laundry room, you can smoothly deal with all these issues and rest easy knowing that the room used for cleaning all your clothes is just as clean as your freshly washed laundry!
