to keep your clothes dryer running in peak condition
Importance of Cleaning Your Clothes Dryer Regularly
We are entering the dog days of summer and the heat outside has us thinking about home fire prevention. Did you know that cleaning your clothes dryer regularly can help prevent household fire? While cooking remains the top fire risk for households, according to the National Fire Protection Association one-third of fires caused by clothes dryers are caused by failure to clean.
“Between 2010-2014, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 15,970 home fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines each year. These fires resulted in annual losses estimated at 13 deaths, 440 injuries, and $238 million in property damage.” Dryers and Washing Machine Fires, 2017
Cleaning your clothes dryer regularly will not only help you save on your electric bill, but it can help keep your home and loved ones safe. A clean dryer will function more efficiently and longer. The video above shows how easy it is to identify areas that need attention and keep your dryer running in peak condition. Keep reading for more information and tips!
Sometimes a clothes dryer will let you know when it needs cleaning. If it shakes or moves when it’s working or starts to take longer to fully dry a load of laundry, the first thing you can do is give it a quick lint cleaning. However, it’s best not to wait until something goes wrong. In fact, if you see these signs and they aren’t resolved by cleaning you should probably call in a professional to ensure there is no mechanical or electrical failure.
How To: Perform regular maintenance for your clothes dryer
Here are some (totally easy) ways you can maintain your clothes dryer and keep it running in tip-top shape:
- Between every load: clean the lint screen. Don’t forget the edges!
- With every load: ensure the materials you put in your dryer are approved for the appliance and haven’t been in contact with flammable materials.
- Regularly: vacuum behind, underneath and around the dryer, including in the vents. If you have animals or run extra loads of laundry, you may want to vacuum this more often.
- Make sure the outdoor vent opens when your dryer is on and doesn’t encounter seasonal obstruction (snow in the winter, weeds in the summer, etc.).
- Give your dryer some space. The area around your dryer should remain clear especially of flammable materials like boxes, trash, cleaning supplies, piles of clothing, etc.
Make sure to add clothes dryer cleaning to your home maintenance calendar and you will optimize the life of your dryer and do your part to keep your home safe. Check out the video above to see how Handyman Shane keeps his dryer maintained.
Maintaining a household is a responsibility that anyone can shoulder with a little help and support. When you’re not sure what you need or are looking for a hard-to-find part, keep us in mind. Keith’s Specialty Store is right behind every DIY’er, home-pro and home-novice who wants to get the most out of their home investment. Check out our easy-to-use product search on our home page or call the store at 800-705-8838 to speak with one of our knowledgeable employees.
Dryer Accessories available from Keith’s Specialty: