Be careful in using laundry products not to spill them on the exteriorsurface of any washer or dryer. Wipe up any spills promptly with a damp soft cloth or paper towel. Most washer tops are porcelain enamel which is quite resistant, but will be damaged by acids in rust removers, and by long exposure to other chemicals. Sides and front of washer cabinets, and some tops, are synthetic enamel which will be damaged quickly by ammonia, chlorine bleach, abrasives, and solvents.

Do not spray pre-wash soil and stain removers onto garments on top of washer, for they can corrode painted and plastic parts such as the control panel, etc. Do not treat with rust removers on top of washer; use sink, and follow label instructions.

Turn off hot and cold water faucets going to tub between washdays to prevent water pressure strain on hoses. Check that hoses are not kinked or bent.

If away and no hot water has been used in house for 2 weeks or longer, open all hot water faucets and let them run several minutes before using the washer or any other electrical appliance connected to hot water. Do not smoke or light any flame while faucets are running; hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive may build up in water heater and hot water pipes if hot water is not used for a long time.

If house is to be unheated in cold weather, drain and winterize washer.

Be careful in using laundry products not to spill them on the exterior surface of any washer or dryer. Wipe up any spills promptly with a damp soft cloth or paper towel.  Most exteriors are painted synthetic enamel which can be damaged or removed by chlorine bleach, ammonia, solvents or other chemicals often used in laundering and stain removal. Do not use dryer top as work-top for stain removal unless it is protected by heavy plastic cover, or for rust removal. Use sink instead and (follow remover product label directions exactly including flushing sink with cold water!.

Do not spray pre-wash stain removers on clothing on top of dryer
unless top is protected completely; this may corrode plastic control
parts as well as paint.

Clean lint filter after each load for efficient drying. If load
is loaded with lint, clean filter part-way through drying cycle
also. Clean out exhaust vent system at least once a year, and
be sure it is not clogged at any time. NEVER vent dryer into house;
vent outside.

Check labels on garments and other textile items and never dry
with heat those items which warn against such drying lest a fire
start. Never dry items used with solvent or waxes for the same
fire hazard reason.

Check loads before drying to remove any crayons, or other items
which could soften with heat and stain clothes and/or dryer.

Follow manufacturers instructions in manual on using fabric softeners
in dryer, and do not use any type they warn against.

If crayon gets into the dryer and melts onto the drum, remove as much as possible with non-flammable household cleaner. (READ LABEL TO BE SURE). A flammable cleaner could cause a fire in the dryer. Apply cleaner to a sponge or cloth and wipe interior. Do NOT spray or pour on interior; it might get down inside dryer. Wipe off with rags or paper towels. Then tumble old rags to remove any residue left, until no more comes off. A colored stain may remain on the drum.

If a drum is spotted by starched or tinted articles, wipe the interior with a cloth moistened with a diluted bleach solution. Use a sponge or clean cloth, dipped in suds, to remove the bleach solution from the drum. Rinse well and dry.

If dryer is used to dry unlaundered clothing, such as children's snow pants between outings, wipe the drum with suds and rinse. This will remove any dirt before clean laundry is placed into the machine.

Wipe the door opening occasionally. Clean the exterior with suds and rinse. To protect the finish, polish with an appliance wax.

A case of white clothes coming out of a dryer blue! New jeans had been washed and then dried in that dryer just before. Sometimes dye will come off new blue jeans and dry on the inside of the dryer drum, and then transfer to the next batch of wet clothes put inside. Good to check dryer drum after load of brand new jeans. If dye coated, clean all inside with soapy water until no color comes off on the cleaning cloth. Wipe off all soapy residue with clean wet cloth.

Ink on the Dryer Drum: Use all purpose cleaner. After the drum is cool, put undiluted cleaner on a cloth or pad of paper towel, and rub area. DO NOT apply the solution directly on the drum. Wipe drum thoroughly with a damp cloth or paper towels to remove all solution. Let the dryer stand for several hours with door open before using, to be sure all the solvent vapors from the cleaner have evaporated into the air, as these are flammable. This should remove most ball point or felt tip marker inks.