The Easy Solution That Prevents Sand From Clogging Up Your Washing Machine

You just returned from a sunny, action-packed day at the beach and now your towels, swimsuits, and clothing are covered in leftover sand. Once home, it might feel natural to just toss your gear straight into your washing machine. Unfortunately, doing that can lead to some expensive repairs. How? Sand is abrasive and clumps together when it gets wet; this can settle into the crevices of your washing machine's drum. Not only could it show up in future loads, but debris like sand can also block the drainage pump. Before you know it, your appliance starts making grinding noises and struggles to drain water, and you're calling a repairman. So instead of risking destroying your washer and dryer, simply utilize the shake and dry method for getting rid of sand.

The shake and dry method is exactly what it sounds like. Before walking through your front door, give your towels and swimsuits a vigorous shake outside to get rid of the heaviest, loosest grains. Then hang them over an outdoor clothesline, patio chair, or deck railing and let them dry out completely, which will help to loosen any sand still clinging to damp material. Once your towels and clothes are fully dry, take them outside for one final aggressive shake. Only after this second shake should you put the items into the wash, as the majority of residual sand will be gone at this point. The shake and dry method is common sense, and gets the job done. Just make sure you empty any pockets before doing the laundry.

Even if you are meticulous with shaking out your clothes and towels, a few stray sand grains will inevitably make their way into your appliances over the course of your summer adventures. The best way to stop these leftover particles from causing problems, however, is to clean your washing machine. After finishing each load of beachwear, wipe your washing machine's rim with a wet paper towel and then leave the door wide open and let the drum dry out completely. Once it's dry, take a microfiber cloth or a handheld vacuum to grab any lingering grains.

Don't stop there, though. Take a moment to show some love to the rubber gasket around the door if you own a front-loading washer, too. That flexible rubber can easily hide small debris like sand; just peel back the rubber lip and wipe it clean. Additionally, make it a habit to regularly check and empty your washing machine's filter if you've run some extra sandy loads recently. By taking these small, easy steps, you can get your beach gear free of sand and be sure it won't mess up your washer or dryer.