You may clean your washing machine from time to time, but how often do you service your dryer? Probably never. Yet, if you neglect your dryer, you risk damaging and shrinking your clothes, increasing your electricity bills and even putting your home at risk of fire.
The lint filter
After each use of the dryer, the lint filter should be emptied. Even if you fail to do this once or twice, air will not pass through, which will prolong the drying time and may cause a fire.
The dryer exhaust duct
Even if you regularly empty the lint filter, small pieces of lint can get into the dryer vent, creating a fire hazard over time. To clean your dryer vent, first move the dryer away from the wall and unplug it from its power source (if you have a gas dryer, you will need to have a professional installer unplug it). 2. Remove the exhaust hose from the dryer (on the back of the appliance) and use a vacuum cleaner to vacuum up lint, dust or other debris before replacing the dryer.
Moisture Sensors
Most new dryers are equipped with moisture sensors that shut off the dryer when they detect that the clothes are dry. Over time, these sensors can become coated with a film, especially if you use dryer sheets. The sensors become ineffective, leaving clothes damp or too dry. Clean the sensors every two months with a cotton swab and alcohol. The sensors are usually located inside the dryer, under the door. They look like metal bars about 6 inches long that follow the contour of the dryer door.
