Most people don’t think about cleaning their dryer until it becomes necessary. However, you could risk your family’s safety by not cleaning your dryer regularly. This article will show you how to clean your dryer properly and when to do it. Read on, whether you’re in the market for a new dryer or want dryer repair in Toronto to ensure your dryer runs safely and efficiently.
Before discussing how to clean your dryer, it’s important to know why you should clean it.
Why Clean Your Dryer?
A fire department report shows that about 15,000 house fires are caused by dryers each year. And the culprit is often lint. Lint is the material that comes off your clothes when they are drying, and it’s highly combustible. Its accumulation in a dryer can easily cause a fire.
Therefore, it makes sense to clean your dryer regularly to get rid of the lint. Besides preventing fires, regular dryer cleaning also has an aesthetic purpose. It will keep your dryer looking new and shiny. In addition, you’ll get better performance from a clean dryer due to its improved air circulation.
Now that you know why you should clean your dryer, let’s understand how to do it. But first, let’s outline the supplies you’ll need.
Supplies Needed to Clean Your Dryer
To clean your dryer properly, you’ll need the following supplies:
– Vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment
– Gloves
– Soft clothes or rags
– Dryer lint brush
– Old toothbrush
– Screwdriver
With these supplies, you’re ready to start cleaning your dryer.
Ensure The Lint Trap is Free of Lint
Cleaning the lint trap is the first step. The lint trap is the screen that captures lint as it comes off your clothes. Over time, this screen can become clogged with lint. To clean the lint screen, start by removing it from the dryer.
Next, use your vacuum cleaner to remove any lint stuck on the screen. You can also use a dryer lint brush to remove any stubborn lint. In addition, the moisture sensor strips on the dryer can also become clogged with lint. So, also run the vacuum over these strips.
Once you’ve removed all the lint from the screen and strips, put them back in place.
Unplug the Dryer and Turn it Off
Before proceeding to the next step, you’ll need to unplug the dryer and turn it off. This ensures your safety by preventing the dryer from accidentally turning on while you’re cleaning it. You should also disconnect the dryer from the gas line if it’s a gas dryer. To do this, locate the shut-off valve and turn it to the “off” position.
Wipe Off The Residues From The Dryer Drum
The dryer’s drum is where your clothes get dried. While spinning, hot air circulates in the drum to remove moisture from your clothes. However, the drum can accumulate residues from laundry detergent, fabric softener, and body oils over time. These residues can cause your clothes to smell awful and not dry as efficiently.
To clean the drum, start by wiping it down with a soft cloth or rag dipped in warm soapy water. Be sure to get rid of all the residue in the drum. You can also mist the inside of the drum with white vinegar and let it sit for a few minutes. After that, wipe off the vinegar with a clean cloth.
Dryer Vent Duct Cleaning
You’ll need to push your dryer from the wall to access the vent duct that’s located behind the dryer. The duct is a tube made of various materials, including aluminum foil.
Using your screwdriver, detach the clamps that hold the duct in place. Once the clamps are removed, pull the duct off the dryer. Next, use a dryer cleaning brush to remove any lint inside the duct. You can also buy a rotary cleaning brush kit and use it with a drill to clean the duct.
Once you’ve removed all the lint from the duct, reattach it to the dryer and secure it with clamps.
Run the Dryer While Empty
Once you have positioned the dryer back in place, plug it in and turn it on. Then run it for about 10 minutes. Doing this helps to remove any dust or residue that might be left inside the dryer.
Now that you know how to clean the dryer’s interior, let’s move on to the exterior.
Cleaning the Exterior of Your Dryer
Just like the interior, the exterior of your dryer can get caked with fabric lint and softeners over time. To clean the exterior, spray a cleaning solution of equal parts water and vinegar on a soft cloth or rag and wipe down the surface. You can also use a mild all-purpose cleaner for this purpose.
What is the Recommended Frequency of Cleaning a Dryer?
Different parts of the dryer need to be cleaned at different frequencies. Here’s a general guide:
Lint screen – The lint screen needs to be cleaned after every load of laundry. It’s more difficult to remove wet lint, so be sure to clean the screen when it’s dry.
Dryer’s vent and ductwork – The vent and ductwork should be cleaned every two years to ensure proper airflow.
Lint screen deep cleaning – Over time, fabric softeners and laundry detergent can cake up on the lint screen. To remove this build-up, use hot soapy water and scrub it with a nylon brush.
It’s important to clean your dryer regularly to prevent fires and ensure that your clothes are dried properly. Be sure to clean the lint screen after every load and deep clean it every so often. You should clean the vent and ductwork every two years. Following these tips can keep your dryer running safely and efficiently. And if your dryer starts to malfunction, it’s best to consult a professional appliance repair technician. Visit ezfixappliance.ca for more info on your appliance’s repair and maintenance.
