Maintaining Your Dryer

There are some simple and easy tips on how to maintain and even extend the life of your dryer. Dryers are quite an investment, so we might as well keep them running as smoothly as possible for as long as possible.

Lint Screen:

1. Make sure to clean the lint screen after/before every load (I always double check before I start a new load in case the person before me forgot to empty it).
2. Once a month, clean the lint screen with soap and water (especially if you use dryer sheets) to allow maximum air movement through the lint trap. Cleaning the screen gets the waxy layer off of it, which otherwise prevents air from going through it, slowing the dryers efficiency in drying your clothes.

Vent:

1. If you plan to do this yourself, you will need a dryer vent cleaner kit. Most kits come with a wire long enough for both long and short vent systems.
2. You’ll need to remove the flapper from the dryer vent on the outside of your house and unhook the vent line from your dryer.
3. All you have to do is push the brush through the vent line a couple of times and pull out the built up lint.
4. After, you just need to reconnect your vent line, and reattach the flapper to the vent on the outside of your house.
5. For a more in depth how-to on vent cleaning, http://homerepair.about.com/od/heatingcoolingrepair/ss/dryervent_clean_2.htm

Outside:

1. Clean the exterior from any lint or dust that has built up.
2. Make sure to get into the little nooks and crannies that are often overlooked such as the lip inside of the lint filter, the area between the dryer door and the tub, and also underneath the machine as well as the sides.

Most importantly, dryer maintance prevents lint fires, which can cause damage, not only to your home, but also emotionally.

Tagged: cleaning, cleaning lint trap, cleaning the dryer, dryer, dryer lint, dryer vent, dryer vent lint, lint