Clothes Dryer Maintenance

Always keep the space around your clothes dryer clean and free of clutter. Believe it or not, keeping the lint screen clean in your clothes dryer can add years to its life and your clothes will dry faster. A plugged lint screen makes your dryer work harder to dry your clothes. Also, the lint will begin to accumulate inside the dryer which can cause a fire hazard.

Time Needed:	less than 30 minutes
Frequency:	after every load
Number of steps:	4
Tools you might need:	none
Skill level:	easy
What if I don’t do this?	Fire hazard, clothes take longer to dry, increased operating and repair costs, shorter appliance life

Step 1: Keep The Area Clear

Step 2: Plan Ahead For Maintenance

Locate the lint screen in your dryer. Some dryer models have the lint screen on the top and on others they are located inside the door. Some older models may have the lint screen located inside the drum on the back.

Step 3: Keep It Clean

Remove lint screen from dryer and clean thoroughly before or after every load of clothes. Do not use water or tools to clean the lint screen. Replace lint screen carefully before drying next load. Do not force as you may damage it.

Step 4: Inspect For Problems

Inspect dryer vent periodically for leaks or damage. Dryer vent can be made of metal or plastic. Do not overload dryer. Always follow manufacturer instructions. See also: Air Opening Maintenance, Reducing Your Energy Bill: In Your Basement

RELATED LINKS AND FILES

Clothes Dryer Maintenance Checklist.pdf (Acrobat - 29K)