How to Clean a Dryer

Posted on September 15th, 2009 by aileen

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It’s very important to clean your clothes dryer regularly. Lint and other materials can accumulate and block your filter and ducts. Here are some steps you can follow to clean a dryer.

Things You’ll Need:

Mild dish soap
Clean Cloth
Vacuum

Steps:

Move your dryer so that you have space on all its four sides. Be careful when moving your dryer to prevent accidentally unplugging the cord or disconnecting the hose.
Clean the area around your dryer. Using a vacuum will help you remove lint, dusts and other dirt around and under your dryer.
Wash the surface of your dryer with a mild dish soap and a clean cloth. Make sure to use a soft cloth to avoid scratching the surface.
Wipe the surface dry.
Lift the lint trap and remove the lint and other particles that may have accumulated there. A lint build up can cause fire so be sure to clean the lint filter every time you use your dryer. Use a lint brush to effectively remove particles that are hard to remove by hand.
Use a vacuum to remove loose particles.
With a mild soap and cloth, wipe the insides of your dryer.
Use a clean cloth to dry the insides.
Check your exhaust duct. Don’t forget to unplug your dryer from the electrical outlet when cleaning your exhaust duct. Use an attachment and vacuum the duct. Make sure to remove as much dirt as possible.
Check the exhaust vent. Do this when your dryer is in use. Look for any obstructions that may prevent the flaps from moving properly. Make sure that there’s nothing blocking the flaps. Unplug your dryer first when removing any obstruction.
Replace parts that need to be replaced.

Tips:

Use a lint-free cloth when cleaning your dryer.
If your clothes take longer time to dry, your dryer probably needs some cleaning.
Hire a professional if you think there are some repairs to be done and you don’t know what to do. Don’t try to repair your machine on your own if you don’t know how. You may cause more damage to your dryer.

Checking and cleaning your dryer frequently will prevent you from shelling out great amount of money for repairs. This will also keep your home safe from accidents caused by faulty connections or blocked ducts.