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Is your laundry room more of a dreaded space than a happy one? More than 85 percent of Americans reportedly do their laundry from the comfort of home. As technology has advanced there are more ways to make the laundry process hassle-free but this is not often the case. Among the frustration of getting your laundry washed and dried, it’s easy to forget about maintaining the space and managing a good laundry schedule. Hi I’m Michele Irizarry, CEO and Broker of Shore Prime Properties. You can find articles like this and others in our very own magazine, “Good to Be Home” which is mailed to our clients houses. If you would like to receive this magazine, reach out to us today to be put on our mailing list. Also please be sure to like our pages on Facebook and Linkedin and subscribe to our YouTube channel so that you can stay up to date with these videos and properties that are for sale in the Jersey Shore area. While you can never completely eliminate laundry, you can implement a few tips and tricks to make your laundry room a luxuriously organized and clean space that will encourage you to tackle laundry day with more pep in your step.
Create a schedule: The benefit of a household laundry and laundry room cleaning schedule is that everyone can pitch in helping to keep everything organized rather than waiting until things pile up and get too dirty. How often you wash your clothing is a personal preference based partly on how much laundry you and the other people in your household tend to accumulate. To find a good balance, consider the size of your household. Would it benefit you to have a designated laundry day or assign household members different days of the week? Whichever you decide, make a plan and stick to it and don’t forget to designate days for items like towels and sheets.
Store more: The key to maintaining your laundry motivation is to make your cleaning environment a polished and functional space. Utilize clear bins for your laundry room storage. If you don’t already have a laundry organization system in place, try implementing these suggestions: Washer items: Keep your regular detergent and softeners together in their own bin within arm’s reach of your washer. Store a pack of wet wipes in the same space so that you can wipe hands and the sides of the bottles to remove any leakage. Dryer items: Similarly, keep your dryer items within reach of your dryer products like dryer sheets. Help speed up the drying process but you should consider switching to reusable wool dryer balls as a more eco-friendly and economical option- just be sure to store them in a place where they won’t roll away and get lost. Stain removal items: Create a stain removal station near your washer with a small table or tray that you can grab in a pinch. Practical items to have on hand for common stains include bleach, baking soda. vinegar and any store bought formulas that you prefer.
Deep clean your machines: It is of the utmost importance to maintain your washer and dryer so that they can get the job done without damaging your clothing or your home. Implement the steps to prevent buildup and keep your machines running smoothly. Washer: It seems counterintuitive that you need to clean your washer however, even a washer needs a little bit of TLC after normal wear and tear and an accumulation of water, hair and mildew. Every few wash cycles run your machine on the hot water cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar. After that run it once more on the warm water cycle with a half a cup of baking soda You’ll now have a sparkling clean washer that can effectively remove more stains and odors. Dryer: You should always clean the lint from the lint trap between each load of laundry to prevent a fire. If you don’t have the space for a small trash can nearby, stick an empty tissue box or similar sized item on the wall next to your dryer using an adhesive strip and put the lint into the box. Remove the lint weekly and throw it away then make sure you or a professional clean your dryer hose annually. The inside of your dryer can get stained from loose pens in pockets and other forgotten objects which can often transfer onto your laundry. Remove the marks from your machine with a dry rag or depending on the type of stain with a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Hopefully these tips will keep your laundry smelling fresh and your machines in tip-top condition.
Homes for sale that include appliances are usually an added bonus for many buyers and keeping your machines in good condition will not only help your family look and smell their best today but can also help you bring in top dollar for your home when it comes time to sell. I’m Michele Irizarry selling prime real estate at the Jersey Shore.