The number one reason to clean your dryer and keep it clean is to prevent fires. However, there’s more to cleaning your dryer than just cleaning the lint trap. Read on to learn why you should clean your dryer, how to properly clean it, and how often you should do a thorough cleaning.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the “leading items first ignited in dryer fires were dust, fiber or lint, and clothing.”
In four years (2010-2014) United States fire departments responded to almost 16,000 house fires which caused injuries and deaths and about $240 million in property damage.
Ninety-two percent of those fires were caused by clothes dryers.
There is more to cleaning your dryer than just cleaning out the lint trap, although that is a very important step and should be done every time the drying process is finished.
Be sure to read about how to keep your washing machine clean, too!
I’ve made it a habit that whenever I take my laundry out of the dryer, I clean out the lent trap, too.
A clean lint trap prevents fires because it allows for better airflow. Better airflow improves the speed of the drying time, too. The shorter time you’re running your appliance, the cheaper your energy bill will be. Win-win!
Remove the mesh lint trap and scrape away any lint that’s built up on the screen as well as along the sides.
If you use dryer sheets and/or fabric softeners, residue from these products can build up on the mesh lint trap. To remove this, use an old toothbrush dipped in warm soapy water and scrub the screen. Allow the mesh lint trap to dry completely before putting it back in the dryer.
Make sure you get down inside the lint trap, too. Wipe as much as possible with a microfiber cloth, then vacuum inside with a small vacuum cleaner attachment.
Residue from dryer sheets and fabric softeners can build up on the dryer drum, too. Removing this is easy and should be done once a month. In a spray bottle, mix equal parts white vinegar and water and spray the dryer drum. Wipe the drum clean with a microfiber cloth and leave the door open to let the dryer air dry completely.
Dryer vent ducts also need regular cleaning to prevent fires. Lint and debris can get clogged in the ducts, which prevents airflow and makes your machine extremely unsafe.
Unplug your dryer and pull it away from the wall. Disconnect the exhaust hose from the back of the dryer (you might need a screwdriver). You should expect to see a lot of lint and debris in there. Use your hand to remove as much as possible or use a brush cleaner, then vacuum the rest of the lint away.
While you have the exhaust hose off, remove the back panel of your dryer. If you see any lint, vacuum it up with a small nozzle vacuum attachment. Replace the panel and the exhaust hose.
Cleaning your dryer regularly will not only prevent fires, it will cut down on your energy bill every year as well as keep your machine running smoothly for years to come.
So how often should you clean your dryer?
After every load: Clean your dryer lint trap after every load. Make it a habit to scrape away the lint either before or after you remove the laundry from the dryer.
Once a month: The dryer drum should be wiped clean with the vinegar and water spray at at least once a month, especially if you use dryer sheets and/or fabric softener.
Once every three months: Your dryer needs a deep and thorough cleaning about four times a year. Clean and vacuum out the exhaust hose and the back of the machine following the above instructions.
To make this simpler, make it a habit to deep clean your dryer at the start of a new season.
Maintaining your dryer will keep you and your family safer, lower your energy bill, and keep your machine running smoothly for years.
How often do you clean your dryer?
Looking for more cleaning tips? I recommend these:
Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent
Pretreating Stains with Baking Soda
11 Things You’re Forgetting to Clean in Your Bedroom
Cleaning Your Mattress the Right Way
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Excellent tip! I use to work for the gas company and people would call and say their dryer was broken and they never cleaned the lint filter!
Thank you! It amazes me that people never think to do that. :D
I never thought dryers can catch fire. Thanks for the tip!
You're welcome! I knew they could catch on fire, but I honestly had no idea how many house fires were caused by dryers until I checked the stats. Shocking!
Thank you for sharing.
You're welcome! Thank you for reading! :)
Hi! Nice to find ur site ?
Thank you! :)
Another place to clean that people often forget is the outlet vent cover on the outside of the house if you have a grate on it to keep the critters out. If it is just a flap, it isn't as common, but if there is a hatched grate, lint can get stuck in it and block it up, causing dryer to performance to become reduced at a minimum and possibly cause a fire at worst.
Thank you for sharing! :)
I learned some new stuff here!! Never really considered cleaning out more than just the lint trap, and even that thing I struggle to remember doing each time! My family gives me a hard time and says they could make a blanket out of it sometimes...
Cleaning the drum regularly I’m definitely gonna start doing but the air ducts I’ll probably slack?
I see a blog post in your future of all the things you've made out of dryer lint! ??
I'm glad you learned something new. :D
Lol, No doubt!
Thanks for these great tips, I always clean the lint trap after every use, but I see I have a lot more to do, thanks for the info.
That's great that you clean the lint trap after every load. That really helps!! :)
You're right, this is so important! I used to put a load of wash in the dryer right before bedtime, but then I read up on house fires caused by dryers -- no more! It scared me so much! Also if the dryer is on during the day and we have to run out for any reason, we stop the cycle.
It is scary! I never dry my clothes at night, either. That's great that you don't run it while you're gone either. I do the same because I'm terrified I'll come home to a burned down house.
Oh god, yes. Plus we have the dogs so we can't take any chances while we're out!
I have to admit, it never occurred to me to clean my dryer beyond the lint trap. Gross! Definitely making that a priority from here on out. Thanks for the great information!
Thank you for reading! I'm so glad I've inspired you to clean your dryer and stay safe. :)
I clean the lint catcher every time, and clean the hose once per season. I never thought of wiping out the inside of the dryer. Thanks for the heads up, and for supporting me on my blog.
That's great! I think the hose and lint traps are the biggest causes of fires when they are stopped up. You're welcome! And thank you for your support as well! It means a lot to me!