Dryer Maintenance - Do's & Don'ts

This goes without saying, but not every material belongs in the dryer and certain articles of clothing as well as blankets, mats and other items may contain materials that will damage your dryer. Before placing something in the dryer check its tag, it may contain warnings about placing that item in a tumble dryer. 

A general rule of thumb is if the item contains rubber, plastic, or foam, DO NOT place it in your dryer. While some dryers can handle these materials, it is better to be safe than sorry. Additionally, if you have clothing that has embroidery or other embellishments, you should avoid placing those pieces in the dryer. Often items will break off the clothing, causing costly damages to your dryer as well as ruining your clothes. 

While we all love pulling that stray dollar bill out of the dryer. The headache that will accompany that find is not worth it. Loose change and other large items can cause irreparable damage to your dryer drum. And other more sinister items such as crayons and loose gum can not only cause physical damage, but their sticky surfaces can trap lint and clog holes in the dryer drum, potentially leading to dryer fires. If these items should get stuck in your dryer make sure to clean them out immediately. Your dryer and your clothes will thank you.

Accidents happen and if you manage to forget about that pack of Trident in your back pocket, there is no need to panic. However, mistakes like these can cost a pretty penny if not addressed in a timely fashion. Therefore, make sure to clean out your dryer drum regularly. Pet hair and dirt can also build up and result in hazardous conditions if not treated. Use a small vacuum to address issues like these.

 For stickier items such as crayons and gum. Loosen them a bit by turning on the dryer for a minute and use a rubber spatula to peel off the loose bits. Then go in with a damp cloth and clear up any remaining residue. For tougher materials, a mild dish detergent can be used at a low concentration to remove more difficult remnants. The dryer should be rinsed well with a wet sponge or cloth after as well as dried thoroughly to remove and dampness. This can be done by drying a clean set of clothes.

If you’ve just come back from a relaxing day at the beach. You may be inclined to skip the wash cycle and place your towels and swimming gear straight into the dryer. DON’T. Sand and dirt left on your clothing from the beach can gather in your dryer and clog the holes in the drum and ultimately lead to dryer fires. Instead, put all dirty clothes through a wash cycle before placing them in your dryer.

We all have done it. Whether you're trying to save on time or money, it is never a good idea to overload your dryer. If a load is too full, it may cause the entire appliance to vibrate and shake which can cause physical damage to the dryer from bumping into its surroundings. 

Additionally, placing too large of a load in the dryer can put a huge strain on the appliance. This may result in the motor burning out prematurely, costing you hundreds of dollars in repairs. A regularly overcrowded dryer can also result in overheating. This is likely caused by the excessive buildup of lint in the dryer. An easy fix is to make sure to clean your lint trap after every use.

As stated above, cleaning out your lint trap is essential for a properly functioning dryer. Excessive lint buildup can stop the filter from working properly by blocking airflow through the trap. Without proper airflow, lint will build up inside your dryer instead of the lint trap and eventually gather in areas such as the dryer vent. This will lead to overheating and ultimately dryer fires. As a rule of thumb, make sure to clean your lint trap after every use to ensure the functionality of the filter.

It’s natural, we all love fresh-scented, static free clothes, but using too many dryer sheets can have devastating consequences for the health of your appliance. Dryer sheets function by leaving a residue on your clothing, softening the fabric and reducing their ‘shock value.’ But when too many dryer sheets are used, this same residue accumulates on the filter of your lint trap rendering it ineffective at allowing air to flow through.

 As mentioned above, without proper airflow, lint will be left to build up in your dryer and eventually the dryer vents too. Lingering lint in these areas can spark and lead to fires. If you regularly clean off your lint trap but still find lint on your clothes after the dry cycle, you may need to give the filter a deep clean to remove any residue stuck on the screen.

If you find yourself using dryer sheets for every load of laundry, you’ll probably want to give the screen of the lint trap a monthly cleaning. This can be done with a fine brush and a bit of dishwashing liquid combined with hot water. This combination will help remove any residue left by the dryer sheets on the screen. You can also leave the filter in hot water and dishwashing liquid to soak for a few minutes before scrubbing to increase its effectiveness. Either method works, but be sure to let the filter air dry completely before reinserting it into your dryer.

Even if you follow every step listed above, lint can still buildup in your dryer vent. This can reduce airflow and overheat your dryer, leading to decreased efficiency and possibly dryer fires. While it is possible to clean your dryer vent alone, we suggest hiring a professional for annual cleaning. This will ensure a proper and thorough job while reducing the risk of damaging your appliance. With over 100 5-star reviews, choose Dynasty Ducts for dryer vent cleaning and feel confident knowing your dryer is safe in our hands.