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Dryer Lint: A Hidden Home Danger
By Ann Springer
Dryer lint, that mysterious, thin, cloth-like stuff that accumulates after a load of laundry has been cleaned and dried, is harmless in small quantities, but can be a major household danger if it accumulates. Lint overload can cause your dryer to malfunction– or worse , it can cause a fire.
Most of us probably don’t think about cleaning out the lint from our dryer beyond the little lint catcher we scrape clean before we start another load in the dryer. Unfortunately, that is only one step in preventing a potential problem. See the steps below to clean out the lint that populates your home’s laundry area.
- Unplug your appliance. If it’s a gas appliance you may also need to shut off the gas valve.
- Pull your dryer out from the wall a few feet so you can fit behind the appliance.
- Take off the vent tubing connected to the back of your dryer and into the wall. Dump loose lint and other gunk into a garbage bag.
- Then use your vacuum attachment to clean out lint that is attached to the inside of the tubing.
- If you find you’ve got a larger accumulation, you may need to use a special brush (found at Home Depot or other stores) to push the rest of the lint out. You can also use the end of a broom or a bent clothes hanger to loosen it also.
- Use your vacuum to suck up any other lint in and around the dryer, in the lint catcher, and in the exhaust vent in the wall.
- You may also want to check the other end of the exhaust vent on the exterior of the house to make sure it is not clogged. Also make sure the hot air is blowing away from the house to not cause unnecessary wear and tear on your home.
- Reattach the tubing, plug it all back in, and run for a few minutes on low heat setting (while still empty) to get air circulating through the system.
- Set a date on the calendar for the next time you can vacuum out your dryer’s lint exhaust so you don’t forget to do it. Every six to 12 months is usually frequent enough, but you may need to do it more often depending on how much you use your dryer.
