A malfunctioning dryer can ruin your laundry day, particularly when the weather prohibits outdoor drying. Resorting to costly professional laundry services may not always be an option. To avoid such inconveniences, it’s important to maintain your dryer regularly and keep it in good working condition. Whether it’s a standalone appliance or a washer/dryer combo, the maintenance practices are similar. Here are some best practices to help you keep your dryer working in optimal condition.
Clean Lint Filter Regularly
One of the leading causes of home dryer malfunctions is lint accumulation. When lint builds up in the filter, it restricts the dryer’s airflow, reducing its effectiveness. Even a small amount of lint on the screen can cause the dryer to work harder, resulting in longer drying times. If too much lint clogs the filter system, it can become a fire hazard. Lint is a lightweight and highly flammable material that can ignite easily when exposed to sparks or the heat from a dryer. This can lead to disastrous consequences such as a ruined dryer or even a house fire. To prevent such issues, it’s essential to clean the lint screen before each load. Cleaning the lint filter is a simple task that doesn’t require much effort or expertise, and all dryer brands have manuals that provide detailed instructions.
Avoid Misuse and Abuse
During the winter season, the dryer becomes an essential household appliance that is heavily relied on. However, overloading it with heaps of clothes every day can cause it to break down quickly. To avoid misuse and abuse, there are certain precautions you can take. Firstly, do not overload the dryer to complete household chores faster. Doing so will push it beyond its limits and cause structural issues. Instead, start your laundry early and dry small batches of clothes at a time. Too much moisture can also damage your dryer.
Unfortunately, many people fail to abide by the rules while using cleaning equipment, such as carpet cleaners, electric string trimmers, and dryers. For instance, some people load dirty and soiled laundry or any other unnecessary materials in the dryer to save time. This can lead to serious ramifications on the performance of your dryer in the long run, costing you a lot of money in expensive repairs. Thick grime and dirt from such clothes could clog the dryer, limiting its performance. Moreover, such products often release toxic ammonia fumes, which can corrode metal parts. Therefore, it is best to avoid this at all costs. Only freshly washed clothes should go in the dryer, and other wet stuff should be dried under the sun for safety.
Duct Maintenance
It is important to prioritize cleaning the duct during routine dryer maintenance. The duct serves as the exhaust system for your dryer, expelling moist air from your wet clothes outside. To clean the duct, disconnect it from the dryer and remove as much lint as possible from both connecting sides. It is recommended to have a qualified technician clean the entire duct at least once or twice a year. Proper maintenance of your dryer promotes efficiency and prolongs its lifespan. Thankfully, the maintenance practices for dryers are straightforward and can be done by oneself. Neglecting these steps is a major cause of home clothes dryer malfunctions, and it is advisable to involve a professional if you are unsure of your ability to clean the duct to avoid lint fires
Check out these tips on how to clean a dryer duct vent:
Household devices such as electric meat slicers and solar water pumps are critical as they make work easier. Dryers, for instance, make laundry work effortless as you can dry most clothes in minutes even during winter. If you depend on one, regular maintenance is key to keep the system working well. You should clear lint buildup often as they can choke the system and cause fire hazards. Remove the system and wash it off occasionally to stop this from happening. In addition, be gentle while using a dryer and clean its duct to maintain smooth extraction of excess generated during the dryer cycle.