Dryer Maintenance Tasks You Should Do Each Month
If your dryer suddenly stops working or gets too hot, you’ll be left with wet or shrunken clothes. Even worse, a faulty dryer can cause a fire. We usually don’t think much about our washing machines when they work well, so we tend to take them for granted. But there are a few simple, day-to-day things we should all be doing to keep dryers in good condition (and avoid house fires).
Clean your screen frequently
It may go without saying, but the most important (and easiest) thing you can do to keep your dryer running well is to clean the lint screen every time you load your laundry. The accumulation of lint inside the air intake can slow down the flow of hot air through the vent. If the air inside the dryer gets too hot, it can cause the clothes to shrink or, in the worst case, start a fire. Cleaning the lint screen will help prevent lint from accumulating in other hard-to-reach areas too, saving you the hassle of tracking down future ventilation issues.
Clean in and around the screen for lint.
It is also good practice to periodically clean the lint screen holder and the area around it. When the dryer has cooled down, use a lint brush to remove any lint stuck in the slots around the lint trap. A good vacuum nozzle is also a great option. This will ensure proper air circulation inside your dryer and help avoid some disasters.
Cleaning behind and around the dryer
As long as you have a vacuum cleaner, seasonal cleaning around and under the dryer is recommended. Trapped moisture, dust and lint can accumulate behind the dryer and restrict airflow. In addition to mold, moisture on and around the appliance can cause short circuits, corrosion, or fire. Cleaning behind and under your dryer about every three months can extend the life of your dryer and also help prevent fires.
Check external air vent
Check the dryer’s external vent to make sure there are no branches, plants, or other debris blocking the airflow, and make it a habit to inspect the vent from time to time to make sure it’s not blocked. With a rag and brush, you can remove any debris and lint that has accumulated in the area.
Check and clean the air duct
If you notice buildup on the outside vent, you should also take a look at the duct leading outward from the dryer. If it has lint on it, you can clean it while the dryer is unplugged with a brush designed specifically for this type of duct. (You can purchase a dryer duct cleaning kit that has everything you need). If you have a lot of problems keeping the vent and duct clean, you can upgrade the vent or hire a professional to check. Keeping the vents and air ducts clean will reduce the time it takes to dry your clothes and prolong the life of your dryer.
Clean the inside of the dryer more often
Wipe the inside of the dryer monthly to get rid of dirt particles that can melt and stick to the inside of the drum. This will help keep all of the drum openings open and will also prevent debris from previous loads of laundry from sticking together on future loads. You must unplug the dryer and then wipe the inside with a rag and soapy water or use isopropyl alcohol.
Better Balance Your Dryer
Balancing the dryer will help prevent wear on the internal mechanism. If the dryer wobbles during the spin cycle, the parts driving the rotation will be under uneven pressure, which can cause uneven wear that will eventually damage the rotor. Using the leveling feet to hold the dryer at all four points of contact can help prevent future problems.
Don’t overload your dryer
Last but not least, overloading the dryer can damage it and wear out the fan that pushes air through the system faster. Also, the rotor that turns the drum needs to work harder as more weight is loaded into the dryer, so loading the right size laundry will keep it in better shape for longer.