Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026, which means one bonus hour on the calendar. It usually disappears into sleep or scrolling. Give part of it to your laundry room instead, and you'll head into the busiest stretch of the year with a washer that smells fresh, a dryer that dries faster, and a routine that runs itself.
What's the best way to use the extra hour when the clocks fall back?
Spend it on a one-time laundry reset: five small tasks that most people skip all year, each taking about 10 to 15 minutes. Here's the whole list:
- Wipe down your washer's door seal and run an empty cleaning cycle (per your manufacturer's instructions).
- Clear the lint trap and check the dryer vent.
- Wash the things nobody remembers: hamper liners and mesh laundry bags.
- Set a rhythm: sheets on Sundays, towels midweek.
- Restock laundry and dishwasher pods so you don't run out mid-week.
Here's why each one matters and how to do it.
Why does my washing machine smell musty?
Usually it's the rubber door seal. On front-load washers, water and leftover residue collect in the folds of the gasket after every cycle, and that warm, damp spot is where mold and mildew grow. A cleaning cycle alone won't reach inside those folds, so it needs a quick wipe by hand.
How to do it:
- Gently pull back the gasket and wipe inside the folds with a damp cloth, then dry it completely.
- Run an empty cleaning cycle (often labeled Clean Washer, Tub Clean, or Self Clean). Major manufacturers recommend doing this about once a month.
- Going forward, leave the door slightly open between loads (if it's safe in your home) so the drum can air out.
Top-load washers are less prone to gasket mold, but they still collect residue in the tub, so running the cleaning cycle is worth it there too.
Why should you clean the dryer lint trap and vent?
Because lint buildup is a fire risk and an efficiency drain. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, failure to clean is the leading factor behind clothes dryer fires in homes. Lint is highly flammable, and when it builds up in the screen or vent, it restricts airflow, so your dryer runs hotter and takes longer to dry each load.
How to do it:
- Clear the lint screen now, and make it a habit after every load.
- Head outside and check the exterior vent flap. With the dryer running, it should open and you should feel air flowing out. If it's blocked or barely moving, the vent likely needs cleaning.
- If loads are taking noticeably longer to dry than they used to, schedule a vent cleaning.
Which laundry items do people forget to wash?
Hamper liners and mesh laundry bags. They spend all week holding sweaty, damp, or dirty clothes, and they can hold onto odors that transfer back to freshly washed laundry. Toss them in a regular load (check the care label first) and let them dry fully before putting them back to work.
How often should you wash sheets and towels?
At least once a week for both. Cleveland Clinic recommends washing sheets weekly to clear out the sweat, skin cells, and bacteria that build up as you sleep, and washing bath towels at least once a week (washcloths at least twice a week).
The easiest way to stick to it is to give each one its own day:
- Sheets on Sundays. Start the week in a freshly made bed.
- Towels midweek. Splitting them up keeps any one laundry day from snowballing, and washing towels separately keeps their lint off your sheets.
Between washes, hang towels spread out flat on a bar instead of a hook. Cleveland Clinic notes that the longer a towel stays damp, the longer germs stay active on it, so faster drying matters.
How do you avoid running out of detergent mid-week?
Take stock now, while you're already in the laundry room. Count what's left of your laundry and dishwasher pods, and restock before you hit the last few. It's the step that keeps the rest of the routine from falling apart on a busy Wednesday.
If you're restocking, Dropps Laundry Pods use enzymes to lift odors and stains, from cozy scarves to pet beds, and Dropps Dishwasher Pods handle the other half of the house. Setting up a subscription means pods show up on your schedule, so restocking is one less thing to remember.
FAQ
When does daylight saving time end in 2026? Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2 a.m. local time, when clocks move back to 1 a.m. Hawaii and most of Arizona don't observe daylight saving time, so clocks there don't change.
Do I need to run a washer cleaning cycle if my machine doesn't smell? Yes. Residue and moisture build up before you notice an odor, so a regular cleaning cycle helps prevent smells rather than just fixing them. Check your washer's manual for the recommended cycle and frequency.
How often should you clean a dryer vent? Check it at least once a year, and sooner if clothes are taking longer to dry, the dryer feels unusually hot, or the outside vent flap doesn't open when the dryer is running.
Should sheets be washed in hot water? Cleveland Clinic recommends hot water for bedding to help remove dust mites and bacteria. Always check the care label first, since some fabrics call for warm or cool water.
Can I wash sheets and towels together? It's better to wash them separately. Towels shed lint that clings to sheets, and the two often do best on different cycle settings.
Sources
- U.S. Fire Administration, "Clothes Dryer Fires in Residential Buildings"
- National Fire Protection Association, "Home Fires Involving Clothes Dryers and Washing Machines"
- Samsung, "How to Clean Your Samsung Washer"
- Whirlpool, "How to Clean the Gasket on a Front Load Washer"
- Cleveland Clinic, "How Often You Should Wash Your Sheets"
- Cleveland Clinic, "How Often Should You Wash Your Bath Towels?"
