The Maids offers tips on refreshing the laundry room

OMAHA, Neb., May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer traditionally begins on Memorial Day even though the calendar doesn't acknowledge a seasonal change until June. The day signals numerous transitions, including moving those heavy, dark winter clothes out of the closet and replacing them with lighter, brighter togs.

If your summer clothes are dull and grey and your whites are yellowing, part of the problem may be a dirty washing machine. To keep you and your wearables looking as fresh as a summer bloom, experts at The Maids (www.maids.com), the only franchised residential cleaning service to clean for health using environmentally preferable products, offer these steps for keeping laundry rooms ship-shape.

The Washer

* Clean out your washer every month or so by adding vinegar to the wash cycle. For top loaders, turn the setting to the largest load and fill the empty machine with hot water. Once filled, stop the cycle and add three to four cups of distilled white vinegar. Turn off the machine. After letting the water sit for about 30 minutes to an hour, restart the machine and finish the cycle. To eliminate odor, add one-half cup of baking soda to the vinegar-water mixture. For front-loading machines, place vinegar and baking soda into the empty machine and run through a wash cycle.

* Occasionally wipe out the inside of the machine with a damp cloth or soft brush and a tiny bit of detergent.

* To keep machine clean and eliminate residue, use less detergent. Oftentimes, you can cut the amount in half. Add a small amount of vinegar, about one-fourth cup, to the rinse cycle to replace fabric softener. Vinegar is less expensive and is a natural whitening agent, leaving white clothes whiter and colored clothes brighter.

* If you have a removable detergent compartment, let it soak in vinegar to eliminate sticky residue. If it is not removable, warm a cup of vinegar in a microwave then pour it into the detergent compartment. Let it sit for about 10 minutes before running a wash cycle.

The Dryer

* After every use, empty the dryer's lint trap. About once a week, get rid of all the lint residue on the trap by washing it in the sink or vacuuming it. Use a long, flexible brush to clean any stray lint from the housing that holds the lint trap. Occasionally clean the inside of the dryer by wiping it down with a damp cloth and a tiny dab of dishwashing detergent.

* Use the same method – damp cloth and dishwashing liquid – to clean fronts, sides and tops of machines.

The Laundry Room

* Sweep or vacuum the floor, launder any rugs and dust or vacuum under the washer and dryer, being careful to avoid hoses and cords.  

* Occasionally clean the dryer hose with a duster or long vacuum attachment. This will clear away lint stuck to the walls of the hose. Follow manufacturer's directions for detaching the hose.

* Clean the sink and deodorize the drain by pouring in one-four cup of baking soda followed by a cup of white distilled vinegar. After letting the mix sit for about 15 minutes, rinse with hot water.

About The Maids:

Known for its 22-Step Healthy Touch® Deep Cleaning System, The Maids is the only franchised residential cleaning service to clean for health, combining environmentally preferable cleaning supplies and state-of-the-art equipment with a methodical process to maintain the healthiest living environment possible for families. The Maids enjoys a 96 percent customer referral rate, distinguishing them as the residential cleaning service of choice. Visit The Maids (www.maids.com) for more information.

SOURCE The Maids