They're called dryers for a reason: to actually dry your clothes. When you’ve got wet clothes after running a load in the dryer, your appliance isn’t doing its job. A few tips for things to check prior to placing a service call are as follows:

1. The dryer vent is clogged

2. Improper or no electric or gas supply to the dryer

3. Clogged lint screen

4. Uneven loads

5. Washer leaving clothes too wet

1. Dryer vent is clogged

A clogged dryer exhaust duct is the most common cause of a dryer not heating. To check if your system is clogged, start a timed dry on high heat. Go to the exhaust vent outside and use your hand to verify that the air is warm and it’s flowing to the exterior. If the airflow is not strong, your dryer duct likely needs to be cleaned or replaced. The dryer exhaust duct should be inspected and cleaned on e per year at a minimum. A clogged system is not only inefficient, it’s also a fire hazard. DryerFlex^® is UL Listed and is the safest choice for your dryer exhaust duct. Ordering DryerFlex is easy! Simply visit the DryerFlex product page.

2. Improper or no electric or gas supply to the dryer

Is there an electrical or gas supply to the dryer? Dryers get their electricity from a 240-volt circuit supplied by two 120-volt lines. If only one of the lines is working, the dryer will run but not heat up. With gas, the appliance won’t heat if your gas is off. Both issues should be checked by a professional.

3. Clogged lint screen

If your lint screen is clogged or dirty, it will reduce airflow and prevent clothes from drying. Remove as much excess lint as you can and soak the lint screen in hot water and dish soap. If needed, use a soft toothbrush to scrub the screen clean. Keep in mind that using dryer sheets not only introduce additional chemicals through contact with your skin, but they leave behind a very sticky residue that attracts the lint, eventually causing a buildup and blockage.

Bottom line: Dryers are the number-one cause of house fires, so making sure yours is in tip-top shape is vital.

4. Uneven loads

A mixture of large and small items might be the problem. A good rule is to always wash and dry similar items together. This helps with the dryer’s performance. This is especially true on an auto dry cycle. Towels and sheets together can cause the dryer to heat at a lower level and sometimes even shut off, thinking the items are dry. The smaller or lighter clothes will be dry, but the larger, heavier items will still be damp.

5. Washer leaving clothes too wet

The dryer might not even be to blame — the issue could be with the washer. If your washing machine isn’t draining completely or isn’t spinning enough water out of the clothes, it will be harder for the dryer to do its job.

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