Today’s post comes straight from the file of “stuff I should probably be doing more often.” I want to talk about your clothes dryer, specifically how to clean and maintain your dryer properly. It might not seem like a big deal, but it’s actually a safety issue! The U.S. Fire Administration estimates that poorly maintained dryers cause nearly 3,000 house fires each year. So hopefully we can all learn something today that will help us avoid a similar fate!
It’s actually quite easy to keep your clothes dryer running in tip-top shape, and there are more reasons to do it than just avoiding a fire! A well-maintained clothes dryer will dry your clothes faster and requires less energy to operate, which saves you time and money. There are a few easy tasks that will help keep your dryer clean, and I’ve divided them up based on how often you should do them. So let’s get started! :-)
Related: Here’s What To Do When You Find A Mess In Your Dryer
How To Clean And Maintain Your Dryer
Every Day (Or After Each Use)
You should clean the lint trap in your dryer before or after each use. It’s a good habit to get into, even for small loads. If you make it a habit, you’ll be much less likely to accidentally forget about it.
Related: 9 Things You Need To Do To Avoid Costly Washer & Dryer Repairs
Once A Month
Removing the lint from your lint trap is important, but it won’t get it completely clean. All sorts of things can build up on the trap over time, including fabric softener residue and detergent residue. These residues trap some of the lint and can form a film that makes it hard for air to pass through.
So once a month, it’s a good idea to remove your lint trap and give it a good wash. Gently scrub it with soap and warm water, and rinse it well. Let the trap dry completely before replacing it in your dryer.
Once A Year
Once a year or so, you should perform a more thorough inspection/cleaning of your dryer. (Be sure to unplug your dryer before performing any interior maintenance!) You can usually pop off one of the panels with a screwdriver. Then you’ll want to use your vacuum to remove any dust and lint hanging around, but steer clear of wiring, belts, and other mechanical parts.
You should also check the exhaust hose to make sure it’s clear of dust and debris. A shop or house vacuum cleaner can help reach inside and usually does a good job of removing the lint.
If you’re not sure you’re up for it, you can always call an appliance repair specialist in to do it for you. Preventative maintenance is always going to be cheaper than large repairs, and definitely cheaper than dealing with a house fire, so it’s an investment worth making!
Dryer Tips
Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for heat settings and clothing amount. Overfilling your dryer can actually cause it to overheat.
Buy an inexpensive cleaning brush or kit to help clean out your lint trap and the area underneath your dryer. We found this 3-piece kit on Amazon for less than $30: Dryer Lint Removal Kit
Be aware of the signs that your dryer could use a tune-up. Signs include:
- Clothes coming out of the dryer feel very hot.
- The outside of your dryer is hot.
- Your laundry room seems humid.
- A burnt smell.
- The exhaust flow is weak.
Now you can sit back and enjoy peak performance, efficiency, and safety from your clothes dryer!
More Ideas You'll Love
We have an LG front load washer and dryer pair. The dryer backs up to an outside wall and vents outside almost directlybehind it as a result. Makes duct cleanout a breeze as all I have to do is slide the vent louvers off and reach into the vent pipe to clean it out. As for cleaning lint filter, the dryer actually has a sensor that lets us know if it thinks the filter needs cleaning, not that we ever run the dryer without immediately removing lint after anyway. Never thought about fabric softener buildup on it, however. Need to do that. Just a suggestion for those who can have this done. If you have the foil covered flex vent installed, replace or have it replaced as that is the worst at trapping lint and getting blocked as the insides simply are not smooth like the rigid vent duct.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You have a crazy amount of ads!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Didn’t realize this post is 2 years old!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It’s called recycling, no? Actually,though, it’s good to be reminded of these little things that you only do on rare occasions, and as such are easily forgotten..
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m 79 yo, live in small condo, my w/d combo was pushed back into it’s tiny space by 2 big del men., I can’t unplug or even get to the back or dryer hose, what can I do besides keep the screen clean ?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Our dryer is on it’s last legs. Would you reccomend an LG wash/dryer as shown in your photos? We know to avoid Samsung…..
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love my washer and dryer! I would definitely recommend them :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Seconded. We have an LG front-loader washer/dryer combo, and we love it. Although ours doesn’t “buzz” when it’s done – it plays a little tune. I don’t know if that’s an issue for you?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Why not a Samsung washer and dryer? I would like to know so
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I can buy wisely. Thank you for responding.
We had a dryer fire at my work. Turns out you shouldn’t put kitchen rags in the dryer that were used for wiping up grease ;)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Another sign of a clogged vent is that the clothes take longer to dry.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My musician son wrote a song “Fire in the Dryer” set to the tune of Smoke on the water after our incident of a dryer fire. Luckily I am smart enough to keep fire extinguishers in many places in my house, so the the flames didn’t do extensive damage. But it did warrant a new dryer.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I always try to make sure our dryers lint trap is cleaned out. We had a crazy experience a few years ago. I kept hearing a noise that sounded like chirping coming from inside the driver. It was in the tube thing that attaches the dryer to the outside. It turned out some how birds had gotten inside there and were building a nest. It took a few attempts, but we finally were able to close it off so they couldn’t get back in there.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I need to do this. Thanks for the reminder. I also read somewhere that if your exhaust hose is too long, it is more likely to collect lint in the twists and turns. I need to cut ours down to the proper size because it looks sort of crushed now with all the bends in it instead of being short enough to just go straight outdoors. Just thought I would mention this in case others are in the same situation.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.In our former home, the exhaust hose was (still is) under the house in the crawl space. My husband noticed that it was wired every so often and was drooping between the wires. He shortened it and placed more wires to support the hose which eliminated the drooping and the build up of lint. Amazing how quick the clothes dried after that. He also removed enough lint to fill a dryer. Also, it was amazing that there wasn’t a fire. When we moved in, the house was 5 years old and I know no one cleaned out the hose, not with all that lint…………..good idea Joe, about using 4 inch duct pipe for the exhaust hose, eliminating areas in the hose that can collect lint
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I got rid of my ribbed flexible exhaust hose as it catches lint. I piped it with the 4 inch duct pipe used for a water heater. All connected with tape because other fasteners like screws would catch lint.
Being smooth inside, it exhausts better, keeping the dryer efficient.
Dryer lint is the second major cause of home fires.
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