Cleaning Your Dryer

The dryer in your laundry room is one appliance that you might not think much about, but it needs regular maintenance just like the rest of the appliances in your home. If you want to keep the dryer running at its best, you will have to make sure your dryer is clean.

There are many things that can make a dryer dirty. Lint, dyes, objects left in clothing pockets, dirt, and other things can make your dryer dirty. In some cases, a dryer that is not maintained can be a fire hazard, so proper cleaning and care are vital to your dryer's performance as well as your safety.

Here are a few tips that you can use to get your dryer clean:

• It is a good idea to clean out the dryer ducts regularly. As air moves through these ducts, lint and other materials build up and block the passage. This build-up can become a fire hazard and so it is very important to check these ducts and clean them as needed. One way to clean is to use a vacuum to suck the lint out with one of the vacuum's attachments. Remove the duct from the back of the dryer and vacuum out the inside of the duct. Do the same with the other end of the duct, and then reattach.
• To clean up crayon or anything else that has gone through the dryer, use a cleaner that is not flammable to get as much as you can off the dryer drum by wiping with a cloth or sponge. Make sure you don't actually spray the cleaner directly into the dryer. Next, run a load of old towels or other scrap cloth so that any remaining residue can be removed.
• Clean off the lint filter after each use. Every once in a while (perhaps every few months), take the filter out and scrub with a toothbrush or other brush under warm soapy water. Because dryer sheets can cause an invisible film on the filter, you'll need to wash the filter to remove the film and allow your dryer to run more efficiently.
• To clean the exterior of the dryer, use a wet, soapy washcloth and wipe the exterior surfaces of the appliance. Lint might collect on the floor around the dryer, so you may want to sweep or vacuum in that area as well.

Cleaning your dryer regularly can help prevent fires and will allow your appliance to run more efficiently.