How to get sand out of a washer or dryer

Sand's a lot of fun until it gets into the wrong places. Undies. Phone charging port. Washer or dryer... These simple solutions can help you get your appliances sand-free in no time.

It just wouldn’t be summer without a trip to the beach. But fun as it may be, there’s nothing fun about sand getting lodged in difficult places long after the Esky and beach umbrella have been packed away.

One of the questions the Appliances Online team gets asked a lot in the summer, but actually also throughout the year, is 'How do you get sand out of a washer and/or dryer?'

Good question. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to this problem, but we can offer the following suggestions:

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1. Removing sand from a washing machine

Sand is bad for washing machines. Because it’s abrasive it can wear out your clothes and (over time) damage the drum. Also there’s the annoying factor of getting sand all over your laundry.

One solution is to let your washer dry out completely, and then vacuum the sand out with the nozzle attachment of your vacuum cleaner.

Another solution is to run a wet paper towel around the rim of your washer to remove the excess sand.

While you’re at it, you could take this opportunity to clean your washing machine. Yes, even washing machines need to be cleaned from time to time to maximise their lifespan. Check out our tips on How to Clean A Washing Machine using hot water and vinegar.

A washing machine in a desert setting with sand pouring out of its open door

2. Removing sand from a clothes dryer

Sand is equally bad for clothes dryers. As above, one solution is to vacuum all the sand out using the nozzle attachment of your vacuum cleaner.

You can also try to wipe the sand out of the drum with a damp cloth.

However in some cases the sand may have progressed further than the drum. This is a trickier situation, and may require dismantling the dryer to remove sand from the blower housing. However we do not recommend that you try to do this yourself – contact a licensed tradesperson or the manufacturer before proceeding.

And in both cases it is important to read the instruction manual for your appliance if you are unsure.

So now you know how to get sand out of your washer and dryer, you can go to the beach and enjoy the summer with peace of mind. Just remember to wear sunscreen!

Louise Carter

Louise is a writer with a passion for appliances, especially those that involve food. She is particularly fond of ovens because they enable her to make cake. Apart from baking Louise also enjoys listening to alternative music, dying her hair various unnatural colours and writing poetry that has been described (by her Nan) as 'quite nice'.