Cleaner for Dryer: How to Clean and Maintain a Dryer?

It might be time for some regular cleaning and maintenance if your clothes aren’t drying as thoroughly or quickly as usual or if it’s been a while since you cleaned the dryer vents. Regular dryer vent cleaning lowers the chances of a clogged vent, which can pose a fire hazard and adversely affect the efficiency of your dryer.

See also: How to clean a washing machine efficiently

Why should you clean your dryer?

The importance of cleaning your dryer can be attributed to a few factors. To begin with, routine cleanings will ensure that your freshly laundered clothes don’t end up in a dryer that is anything less than spotless. Additionally, regular maintenance will help prevent your dryer venting system from being blocked, which not only affects the function of your machine but also poses a serious fire hazard.

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What happens if you don’t clean your dryer?

Let’s start with the worst-case scenario: the failure to remove all of the dust, lint, and other fibres that build up in your dryer can cause a fire. Additionally, failing to clean your dryer can result in less severe but bothersome effects like decreased or low performance and efficiency. Moreover, it can make your freshly cleaned clothes dirty instead of drying them.

How to clean a dryer?

Lint buildup may be the cause of damp clothes that you pulled out of the dryer to find were still damp. If air can move easily, your dryer will run much more effectively. Lint removal lowers the possibility of fire because it is so highly flammable. Follow these instructions to keep lint out of your dryer.

Materials required to clean a dryer 

• Brush
• Fabric softener sheet
• Vacuum cleaner
• Vacuum crevice attachment (optional)
• Dryer vent cleaning kit or a good cleaner for dryer

Dryer cleaning process

Step 1: Clear the lint screen

After each load of laundry that you dry, clean the lint screen or filter. To remove it from the dryer, simply pull the lint screen out completely. Brush away as much of the lint as you can, then use a used fabric softener sheet to clean the screen and remove any lingering lint.

Step 2: Turn off and unplug the dryer

Unplug your dryer from the electrical socket before you begin cleaning to avoid accidents caused by parts being accidentally detached or removed. If you have a gas dryer, turn off the gas supply line shut-off valve before disconnecting and capping the supply line pipe and cleaning.

Step 3: Remove leftover lint inside the trap

Periodically clean the lint trap, sometimes referred to as the lint-trap housing cavity. This is where the filter will fit. Clean the cavity by gently twisting a long, flexible dryer lint brush. To clean the cavity, gently twist a long, flexible dryer lint brush in one direction. Once the brush has been thoroughly vacuumed, continue the procedure until no more lint can be removed. As an alternative, consider using your vacuum’s crevice attachment to remove the lint.

Step 4: Clean the vent hose and pipe

To keep the dryer functioning properly, clean the vent hose and pipe every year or so. With the use of a dryer vent cleaning kit, you can do it yourself or by hiring a professional. Start by pulling the dryer away from the wall and cutting the power (or shut off the gas if you have a gas model). To remove any lint or dust, unplug the duct from the dryer and the wall and use the vent brush to clean it out. To increase the cleaning force and add length, you can attach extenders to the brush head’s drill connection.

Use a crevice tool attachment on your vacuum to remove any lint that may be on the floor or inside the openings in the dryer and wall. Repetition of this procedure should be done on the exterior vent where your apartment’s exhaust is vented.

Step 5: Start an empty cycle

Get assistance moving the dryer back into position, then run it on empty for 10 to 15 minutes to clear the system of any remaining dust.

How to clean the exterior of a dryer?

Every week or two, give the outside of your dryer a good cleaning to get rid of dust, detergent spills, and other buildup. Clean it with a moist towel bathed in soapy water. With a clean, damp towel, remove the soapy buildup; then wipe the area dry.

How to maintain a dryer?

To avoid odours and residue accumulation, you should clean the inside of your dryer roughly once a month, even if there are no stains to remove. To begin, unplug the dryer. After cleaning the drum with a cloth immersed in warm, soapy water, dry it with a different, fresh cloth. Avoid using your dryer for several hours after cleaning the interior. Before reheating the dryer, leave the door open and allow any residue or odours to escape.

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