When the fabric of the fibers from the clothes we wash or dry start to shed, this will cause a buildup of lint in your appliance. Here are a few reasons on why we should keep dryers on our general cleaning list:
Why cleaning your dryer vent is important
Cleaning your dryer vent might not be at the top of your to-do list, but it’s one of the most important home maintenance tasks you can tackle. Here’s why:
- Prevent A House Fire: Lint buildup is a major fire risk. According to the National Fire Protection Association, dryers are one of the leading causes of home fires, and excess lint is often the culprit. Regular cleaning helps reduce this risk.
- Improve Your Dryer’s Efficiency: A clogged vent makes your dryer work harder, which can increase drying times and energy bills. Removing lint ensures proper airflow, so your clothes dry faster and your dryer lasts longer.
- Avoid Overheating and Breakdowns: If your dryer overheats or shuts off mid-cycle, it could be due to a clogged vent. That was happening to us until we found and removed that bird’s nest!
- Save Money: Regular maintenance can reduce energy costs and prevent expensive repairs. Plus, a clean dryer vent extends the life of your dryer. Source: DIY Playbook
How to clean your lint filter
Lint screens should be cleaned every time you run the dryer. It’s easy to do: just pull the lint screen out and gently roll the lint off the screen with your fingers and throw it away. If your lint filter looks dirty even after you’ve removed the lint by hand, here’s what to do:
- Soak the screen in warm, soapy water and use a toothbrush or a nylon brush to scrub both sides.
- Make sure to dry the lint screen thoroughly with a clean towel before replacing it.
- Next, look into the slot where the filter goes to see if lint has spilled inside. If you find debris there, use a vacuum cleaner to suck it out. Source: Asurion
How do I prevent lint from getting on my clothes?
Lint and pilling can be prevented by reducing the amount of friction, heat and static from your clothes on a daily basis. Adding a few simple precautions to your laundry routine can help minimize the amount of lint on your garments.
- Cleaning your washer: Refer to your appliance’s use and care guide for cleaning instructions for your model.
- Sort your laundry: Keeping your heavy fabrics and lighter fabrics separate, as well as colors sorted, can help prevent damage and lint.
- Fasten zipper and buttons: Fastening these harder materials can help prevent fabrics from rubbing against them.
- Turn clothes inside out: Turning your garments inside out protects the outer layer from friction and abrasion in the washing cycle.
- Use gentle washing cycles: Washing clothes in cold water on a gentle setting can help prevent lint from forming. Be mindful to avoid overloading the washer. Follow your product’s care tag for insight on washing cycles and dryer settings to help extend the life of your clothing.
- Use a low-heat drying: Drying your clothes on a low-heat setting goes a long way in protecting them from damage and lint. Refer to your garment’s care tag for optimal dryer settings.
- Dryer maintenance: Routine dryer maintenance and cleaning your lint trap after each load are also great methods to help minimize lint and pilling. Source: Whirlpool
If you need an expert to handle the lint buildup in your dryer or its maintenance in general, then allow us to help you out. Our professionals are always on standby so make sure to get in touch with us as soon as possible!