Do you want to extend the life of your dryer? For dryers to be safe and work properly, it needs proper maintenance.
And when we say maintenance, it goes beyond cleaning out the filter every time you use the dryer. There are several things that you need to do regularly to help keep your dryer in tip top shape in your home.
We talked to an expert in appliance repair to ask for some tips on how to maintain the dryer to help save money on utility bills, save time, prevent fires, and prolong the life of your dryer.
Maintaining Your Dryer at Home
To avoid unnecessary repairs, follow these clothes dryer maintenance tips.
1. Clean the Dryer Drum
According to an appliance repair expert, you should be cleaning your clothes dryer at least once a month to remove the dryer sheets, detergents, and other residues from the drum. A mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar will help you to clean it properly. Give it a good wipe down with the cloth and solution and rinse it with clean water. You can dry it with a clean towel to leave it to dry.
2. Deep Clean the Lint Screen
Other than regularly removing the dirt from your lint screen after every use, it also needs deep cleaning once every quarter. It can accumulate debris from your clothes, which makes them less effective. To deep clean your lint screen, remove the trap out and clean it with dish soap and water using a stiff brush.
For an extremely dirty lint screen, you can sprinkle it with baking soda, then spray with white vinegar before giving it a thorough scrubbing. Make sure to rinse it well and dry completely before returning to its location.
3. Check the Exterior Vent
Aside from thorough cleaning of its vital parts, you also need to check the exterior vents every few months while the dryer is running. This is a simple clothes dryer maintenance job that can help you prevent any potential fire hazards.
What you need to see are the flaps opening while the dryer is in operation and closing when not. Check also if there is no lint accumulation on the vent. The location of your clothes dryer vent should be at least six feet away from the air conditioning unit and is not close to other ventilation of your appliance units. For your safety and convenience, schedule a yearly professional air vent cleaning service too.
4. Have Your Outdated Dryer Ducts Replaced
Another part of the dryer system to check is the transition duct. This is the hose installed indoors that connects the dryer to the main outlet of the vent. It can be made from vinyl, plastic, or metal. Nowadays, plastic and vinyl are no longer allowed in many areas. If your house is made from these materials, you need to have them replaced with a metal one.
5. Vacuum the Vent Hose and the Areas Around it
The vent hose or dryer transition duct tends to get clogged with lint and is considered as a fire hazard. To avoid this potential problem, you should vacuum the vent hose and the areas around it at least once a year or more frequently if you are doing your laundry more often.
Make sure to unplug the unit when doing this. Unscrew the hose on the part that connects to the dryer. Using a vacuum cleaner, clean the exhaust duct. For stubborn lint, loosen it using a brush.
Conclusion
You may be familiar with some techniques to maintain your dryer. To prolong its life, make sure to follow our tips. Even if you have properly maintained your dryer, it may need repairs someday. When this happens, contact ARS which offers the best appliance repair services in your area.
