You may have heard that you should clean your dryer’s lint trap after each load – and while this is certainly a good idea, it doesn’t mean every stray strand of fiber has to be removed from the trap with tweezers. A yearly deep cleaning will remove all the built up gunk, making sure your dryer works as efficiently as possible. Here’s how:
- The first step is always unplugging the machine for safety! Never perform any work on your machine without unplugging it first.
- Now look at where you loaded in the last batch of laundry and find where all those clothes went into hiding -into that little hole at the bottom of your dryer door. Pull that little door gently open and you’ll be greeted by all sorts of lint, dust bunnies, and maybe even a sock or two.
- Clean out this hole with your vacuum’s crevice attachment – it should pull any excess paper towels or other things stuck in there right up.
- Now look around the dryer belt area, where the lint trap is located. Usually this has a removable plastic cover, so simply remove it carefully.
- Once uncovered, take a closer look at your lint trap – is there anything caught in it? Pay close attention to the little holes, especially where the metal grate meets the plastic frame.
- If you find any large pieces of debris, simply reach in and pull them out. But if they are too complicated to remove this way, you’ll have to use tweezers (or pliers) and gently scrape them out. If necessary, try breaking larger chunks into smaller pieces first so they can slide right through. Note: don’t ever force any sharp object inside as this could damage the drum or belt!
- Once everything looks tidy and clear of debris, replace the lint trap’s cover and replace all the parts you took off at this point.
- Remember, don’t ever leave lint in your dryer – it will start to affect how your appliance works, causing a decrease in efficiency – and could even catch on fire!
And then you’re done! Although cleaning the lint trap in your dryer is a simple task, it’s important to do it regularly to prevent fires and keep your dryer running efficiently. Make sure you clean the lint trap after every load of laundry, and if it seems like it needs a more thorough cleaning, take it apart and give it a good deep cleaning as mentioned above. By following these tips, you can keep your clothes looking and smelling their best while keeping your home safe from potential fire hazards. If your dryer has any issues, the team at 50 Stars Appliance Repair can help! Contact us whenever your dryer causes you problems!