I get it.

By Tristan on 3/2/2010 3:34:09 PM

Why are people so rude on here? Let me explain this for those of you who don't get it. First off, dirty clothes are obviously crawling with bacteria and germs that spread over ten feet in a matter of seconds. Therefor, your washer is surely crawling with germs. Alsoi, since the germs and bacteria spread so rapidly, while your taking the clean clothes out of the fitlhy contaminated washer (believe it or not) the clothes will very quickly gather the germs and bacteria crawling all over your washer whitch in turn sprweads all over your dryer also. Since there are so many deseases going around right now like the H1N1 virus, you can never be to carefull. I personally think this is a wonderfull tip. One more thing, for all of you who want to act like children and degrade someone else, grow up and find something else to do with your time.

By Jodie on 1/15/2010 12:47:22 PM

After I am done with laundry, I spray the inside with vinegar and leave the lid open to air out.  There have been reports that you should run a tub of hot water with bleach (no clothes) after you are done washing to "clean" your washer of e-coli bugs.  I don't like using bleach so that is why I use the vinegar spray.  I am also with Trish - just wash your hands with soap and water.  I do not fear germs at all.  Not with 4 kids and 7 grandkids, cats, dogs, worms in pockets, etc. 

By Maggie on 1/6/2010 9:24:03 AM

Well, I have certainly learned something new.  Thank you!

By Yvette on 1/5/2010 1:04:59 PM

Wow.. such rudeness from the uninformed! first, washers and dryers are FILLED with nasty germs. Think about the things you are washing. You are washing them for a reason -because they are dirty. If you are touching dirty clothes, the washer lid, and dryer lid without washing your hands, you are spreading germs. Second, using hand sanitizers that are 65% alcohol based will not create super bugs. the alcohol KILLS the germs. The benzochloride or whatever it is called is the one you have to avoid because it can cause super bugs. Third, the body does NOT protect us completely from germs and the use of cleaners is necessary.
And yes, I have OCD (clinically diagnosed) and I wiped down my washer and dryer with clorox wipes. I use cloth diapers and wash my diapers in the wash. I use a touch of bleach regularly to cut down on the germs.
I would appreciate a little sensitivity towards those of us with a mental disorder we did not choose to have. Believe me, if I could stop this, I would. And yes, I have saught threatment for my disorder and it has helped. However, there is NO cure, just coping abilities.

By Chris on 12/29/2009 2:29:30 PM

Ummm, this won't make my todo list either.  I'm just happy to get clothes washed and dried.  I would flunk laundry room inspections for certain.

By Mindy on 12/28/2009 9:18:05 AM

You'd all be suprised about the germs that live on your washer and dryer lids and even inside (even after washing and drying). Washing and drying does not kill everything. There was a study conducted by Dr Chuck Gerba at the University of Arizona. He asks: What happens to the bacteria in laundry when it’s washed? To answer it, he swabbed the insides of 100 washers in Arizona and Florida to identify if they contained residual “bugs”. Are you ready? He found more than 60 percent of the machines tested positive for coliform bacteria, an indicator of fecal contamination. Another 20 percent contained staph. Dr. Gerba also confirmed the laundry bacteria is primarily from underwear, but also included bacteria often found in dishcloths and sponges.That's not to mention the germs that are in your air that land on your washer and dryer. And you put your hands on them. I'm sure a lot of people put dirty clothes on top of the dryer at least once. Now how would you feel if you got sick because you put your hand on your washer lid that was contaminated with fecal matter. That is just digusting.

By Danielle on 12/28/2009 12:44:59 AM

Seems kind of silly to sanitize a washing machine since its sole purpose is to CLEAN things.  Also, am I the only one who puts only Clean wet clothes in the dryer???

By Pat on 12/15/2009 9:17:15 PM

I just joined Vocalpoint but now I'm rethinking. You don't have to be RUDE just because you don't agree with or understand why people do things. I thought this was for grown women to give helpful tips not act like school girls. If you don't like the tip, does it really require a comment?

By Landy on 12/15/2009 8:27:04 PM

OCD

By Stephanie on 12/15/2009 3:34:17 PM

I have to agree with Trish on this one.  Our bodies really are built to fight off germs and all.  Its the makers of these nonsense products (seriously, made only to make the company rich) that make people think that they "NEED" them!  Sad if you ask me.  But being a nurse, I know that our bodies need to be able to fight off these everyday germs or we will develop these "SUPER BUGS".  And yes, there ARE areas that benefit from this sort of sanitizing.  ie kitchen counters, bathrooms, etc.

By Joyce on 12/3/2009 10:51:12 AM

I think this is two seperate tips... ie, Sanitizer and paper towels to not pass on germs from hand towels. And a totally sererate tip to sanitize the washer and dryer lids. The lids... im not so sure about unless its used to fold on, but even so, a little more than I'd be.

By Adrienne on 12/1/2009 5:50:32 PM

I do know that you can use the sanitizer to clean the outside of a grill (the outside top of the lid) to get it shiny again and to remove stuck-on grease. Maybe something like that???

By Lesley on 11/28/2009 12:16:15 AM

why??

By GALE on 11/26/2009 9:23:23 AM

I'm confused by this tip, too.

By Paula on 11/23/2009 5:17:51 AM

YAY TRISH!! Thank you for your post!!

By Rachel on 11/21/2009 7:44:10 PM

Overuse of sanitizers and antibacterial soaps are bad for your immune system and the environment, not to mention a factor in creating "super bugs". Your body isn't that weak, people. Don't let fear-mongering marketing lead you to believe it is. Your body is an amazing system that was DESIGNED to fight off pathogens; it does so successfully all day long, usually without you ever being aware of it. Any reasonably healthy person shouldn't be so paranoid. Washing your hands with regular soap and water before and after handling food, after playing with a pet, after using the restroom etc., is all you usually need to do. You should always keep food prep areas clean, of course, but you don't need to sanitize every surface in your house. Cutting down on the paper towels would also do the environment a HUGE favor.

By Trish on 11/20/2009 5:01:50 PM

I have used hand sanitizers in situations where I did not have soap and water.... being outdoors, grocery store, department stores, etc. Even cleaning things in the car when I am out somewhere but not on my washer and dryer lids. Those get the Lysol treatment or bleach if it is "bleach day" for laundry.

By Danielle on 11/19/2009 6:31:51 AM

come on, dont be mean. things that we touch often and things that do come in contact with not so clean things, should be sanitized regularly. im personally not a germaphobe, however, i have a sister who is. i do believe that the more you sanitize, the less you are actually doing to protect yourself. however, this is a common problem with millions of people. and when i do clean my laundry room, i DO, use clorox wipes and wipe down the washer and dryer. at least but only once a week.

By Brandy on 11/17/2009 5:41:30 PM

I agree with the tip. Germs are in the strangest places. I never thought of the washer/dryer but if your who knows what kind of germs could be on the bottom of your pant legs if they touch the ground! ew

By Stephanie on 11/17/2009 5:40:06 PM

WHY?????

By Carol on 11/17/2009 5:17:41 PM

i don't understand it either. and don't you know that being overly clean is bad for your immune system? our body needs a little germ so that it can build up resistance!

By Jennifer on 11/17/2009 3:36:06 PM

Boy, I guess I'm a real slob!  I prob won't be doing that.  But thanks for the tip.

By Kay on 11/17/2009 1:31:32 PM

thats actually a good thing! ok. i so i am a bit of a germaphob, however, i recently saw on the news (cleveland) that the clothes dryer is the 3rd germiest place in the house. dont understand why. apparently some people dont wash their hands before taking the clean clothes out of the washer to put them into the dryer. or wash before taking clothes out of the dryer. hence, you the germ ridden dryer handle and now the tainted clothes. i already think of these weird things so Aim, thats why Chickie. i lysol my garbage  handles cans even the  one that goes to the road. then i lysol the door knobs inside and out that and anything in between that i may have touched after touching a garbage can. and yes that includes the faucet i turned on w/ my dirty hands. Remember it takes a full minute for lysol or the like to kill the germs. obsessive -yep. weird- oh, yeah.   amy, ohio

By Amy on 11/15/2009 10:38:43 PM

By Amy on 11/15/2009 10:25:28 PM

and you do this because.......?

By Judy on 11/14/2009 10:20:21 PM

Families would benefit from using paper towels and a good hand cleaner in bathrooms.  Using a cloth towel spreads bacteria from person to person as individuals use the same towel(s).  And, many people just rinse their hands, not wash them.  With paper towels each person throws away the soiled one after use - any bacteria on their hands ends up in the trash can and not on a towel to be passed on to others.  Some people perfer hand sanitizer to soap and water and are more likely to clean up using the sanitizer.

By Patricia on 11/14/2009 4:09:09 PM

Humm?  before you use the lids for what?  A table to prepare food?  Confusing?

By Brie on 11/14/2009 3:46:58 PM

MAYBE THE ALCOHOL IN THE HAND SANITIZER GETS THE LID CLEAN IN JUST ONE SWIPE.  YOU KNOW HOW SOMETIMES THE DUST BUILDS UP AND CAN BE HARD TO CLEAN ? THATS THE ONLY THING I CAN THINK OF IN RESPONSE TO THIS TIP. ????????

By Carol on 11/13/2009 9:38:25 PM

I think I may understand the point to this tip. With dirty washcloths from showers and underwear, etc. when we touch these to put them in the wash, since they are dirty from being near our tushes, then if anything with germs are our our hands when we go to touch the lids or handles after loading the washer, at that point could be where germs could be present. Just a thought.

By Anna on 11/13/2009 9:10:06 PM

Yeah, a big Y?

By Angela on 11/13/2009 4:47:39 PM

Huh?

By Mary beth on 11/11/2009 9:08:38 PM

I could understand wiping down the lids..like for lint..because my laundry room is so small i usually fold on the dryer..but germs? and hand sanitizer..

By Lindsey on 11/11/2009 8:03:03 PM

What?  Why? 

By Connie on 11/11/2009 12:02:56 PM

Wow... I'm sooooo glad I'm not the only one who is TOTALLY CONFUSED by this!!

By Nikki on 11/10/2009 9:51:20 PM

I can see doing this at the laundromat but not in my own home, I'm the only one that touches them.  I do like that they have sanitizing wipes at the entrances to the supermarket to wipe down the cart handle and the kiddie seat.  Every one around me seems to be getting H1N1.

By Mel on 11/10/2009 8:47:45 PM

I was a bit confused too.

By Debbie on 11/10/2009 7:29:40 PM

I don't understand this either.  Should I be worried that my washer lid is crawling with germs.  To add a little bit of a real tip I take a wash cloth that I am throwing in washer, wet it then wipe the dust off of the washer and dryer.  Maybe I do need to be concerned with germs. Well I will start using one from the dryer and rewashing it.  I certianly do enough laundry with 3 little ones.

By Kristeen on 11/10/2009 2:30:50 AM

This is poorly written. I don't understand what the tip is. What does hand sanitizer and paper towels have to do with one another? Usually hand sanitizer is rubbed in the hands and no paper towels are needed. I also don't understand sanitizing the lids of your washer and dryer. Why??  Not a great tip of the day. 

By Aimee on 11/9/2009 10:51:13 PM

Could I ask Why?

By Audrey on 11/9/2009 8:59:52 PM