Cleaning the clothes dryer on a regular basis prevents equipment breakdown and helps the dryer to perform at maximum efficiency. This routine maintenance also eliminates the potential fire hazard that exists if lint is left to collect and build up within your dryer exhaust system.

Clean the Lint Screen

It’s important to clean the lint screen after every load. The lint screen catches the extra fuzz, dirt, and dust that collect in the clothing, towels and sheets. When the lint screen is full, it becomes difficult for the dryer to properly ventilate. In fact, a dirty lint screen is one of the most prevalent causes of dryer fires. Sadly, it is common and highly preventable at the same time. The best way to clean the lint tray is to either scrape the lint film off from both sides with your hand or a dry paper towel.

Clean the Lint Trap & Exterior

The lint trap is the cavity that holds the lint screen. It’s good to sometimes clean this part, too, as lint can become lodged in this cavity and contribute to clogging. Remove the lint screen and vacuum the lint trap with a narrow nozzle. Wipe the lint trap using a rag dipped in warm, soapy water and squeezed out. This wipe down will remove the sticky residue left behind from fabric softener and dryer sheets. Allow the area to dry completely and replace the lint screen.

Deep Clean the Lint Screen

Like the lint trap, the lint screen might also be clogged from the sticky residue left over from fabric softeners and dryer sheets. Simply remove the lint screen and wash it in very warm, soapy water, scrubbing it with a nylon brush or a spare toothbrush. Allow it to dry completely before replacing it.

Clean the Dryer Drum

Once a year or so, you can also benefit from cleaning the dryer drum. To remove residue, moldy odors, and dirt, create a mild solution of white vinegar or baking powder or both with warm water and wipe down the drum with a clean rag. Leave the door open so that it will dry out completely.

Clean the Dryer Exhaust Vent

The majority of the lint usually collects in the duct inlet and outlet areas. The duct is easy to remove and clean, following the below steps:

1. Pull the dryer away from wall and fully disconnect the exhaust duct from the back of the dryer. Remove the clamp by loosening a screw, using a screwdriver. Pull out any lint that has collected in the exhaust duct opening as well as in the back of the dryer. Leave the exhaust duct disconnected from the back of the dryer.

2. Go outside and unscrew and remove the cover from the wall vent outlet. Pull all the lint you can reach out of the ductwork.

3. Vacuum the lint from the opening. Push the vacuum hose into the opening and as far into the exhaust duct as it will go and rotate while pushing. Once you have used the vacuum, blow any remaining lint out of the exhaust duct using a leaf blower. Go in the house and blow from that end of the exhaust duct in the direction of the outside vent. If lint builds up near the outlet, vacuum it out.

4. Screw the dryer vent cap back onto the vent outlet and reconnect the exhaust duct to the back of the dryer once cleaned.

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