Dryer Cleaning Tips

Most appliances keep working until they break. Other than handling it with care, there isn’t much you can do to prevent it. Your dryer is an exception because annual maintenance will keep it tumbling longer.

When to Clean Dryer Vents

The design of a dryer is pretty straightforward. The clothes get tumbled in hot air, and the wet air is vented outside. The lint trap does most of the heavy lifting by catching all the fibers (and pet hair) that come off your clothes, but the stuff that gets past the lint trap lands in the dryer vent. So even if you clean the lint filter after each load — and if you don’t, tsk tsk — you’ll need to give your vent a thorough cleaning every year or so. Why is this so crucial? For one, lint buildup can create a fire hazard. It also forces your dryer to work longer to do its job — time that you’ll be waiting. And finally, inefficient drying equals more money out of your pocket.

Test Your Dryer Filter

Yes, we all know that you should clean your dryer filter after each use, but sometimes the filter may still be clogged—mainly if you use fabric softener sheets. So first, test your filter by cleaning it of lint and then pouring a small amount of water onto the screen. If the water pools up, wash the screen in warm, soapy water and rinse. Repeat this step until water no longer pools on top of the screen.

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Number of Kids=Increase in Dryer Vent Inspections

The rule of thumb is to inspect and clean your dryer vent every year; however, if you have many family members, you will want to check and clean your vent at least two to three times a year. The more family members in a household, the more loads of laundry will be done, thus, creating more lint buildup in your vents.

Wipe Down the Drum

Wiping down the drum of your dryer is not a necessity, but if you have dried a load of “hairy pet items or gritty play clothes,” wipe down the drum with a damp cloth to remove excess hair and grit from getting on other loads. For example, did lipstick or crayons accidentally get tossed into the dryer? Warm the dryer for a few minutes and scrape off the excess with a stiff rubber spatula.

Live in an apartment with a shared laundry area? Always clean the dryer filter before using it (and clean it after you are finished), and wipe down the drum to eliminate any unwanted items getting onto your clothes. Also, check with your landlord about regular dryer vent inspections and cleanings.