A dryer is a wonderful household appliance that makes the laundry chore much easier. Most people take their dryers for granted. Did you know that regular dryer maintenance can prevent a household fire?
Clothes dryer fires cause about $84 million in property losses a year!
If you’re ignoring your clothes dryer, it’s time for some dryer maintenance. Keep reading for some tips on proper clothes dryer maintenance for homeowners.
1. Proper Installation
Have a professional install your clothes dryer. A clothes dryer needs a special electrical outlet. If your dryer isn’t installed right, that could lead to blown circuit breakers or even a fire.
2. Always Clean the Lint Filter
Every single time you run a load of clothes through the dryer, clean the lint filter. You can clean it before or after (or both) but make sure you do it.
An overloaded lint filter is the cause of many of those clothes dryer fires. If the lint screen gets overloaded, lint falling down into the dryer system can catch fire via the heating element.
3. Clean the Exhaust Vent
Clean the exhaust vent on an every-two-year basis. Maintenance for vents is also important and is another way of preventing a fire.
Take the vent off the back of the dryer and clean any lint out of the hose and the back of the dryer. Also, wipe down the area around the dryer to keep it free from lint.
While you’ve got the dryer pulled out and the hose removed, take a look at the vent material. Do you have a plastic or vinyl vent? Consider replacing a plastic or vinyl vent with a metal vent.
Metal vents are less likely to catch fire.
4. Check the Outside Vent Cap
Your dryer vents to the outside of the house. Locate the outside vent. Make sure it’s free of debris, dirt, snow, or other impediments.
You can reach in and pull out any extra lint buildup as well. Make sure air flows freely through the vent cap.
5. Deep Clean the Lint Filter
You’re cleaning the lint filter after or before every load, but did you know you should deep clean the filter too? Every few months, take it out and clean it with some laundry detergent.
You can even pop it in the dishwasher. This clears any remaining residue left on the filter by dryer sheets. Make sure the lint filter is dry before reinserting it in the dryer.
6. Clean the Inside Drum
Dryer sheets also leave residue on the inside of the drum. Using a microfiber cloth and a small amount of alcohol, wipe the inside of the dryer.
Leave the door open and let the drum dry thoroughly before using.
Dryer Maintenance Tips
Dryer maintenance is important! Maintaining your dryer not only extends the life of your dryer, but it could also save your property and life. Keep your dryer free of fire hazards by following a regular dryer maintenance routine.
Not sure if your dryer installation is correct? At Sewell Electric and HVAC, we know appliances. Contact us with any questions or concerns or to book an appointment today!
