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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. How to Clean a Dryer To clean the exhaust duct, shut off the gas and unplug the dryer, then pull the dryer away from the wall and disconnect the duct from the dryer. Clean the lint screen after each load of laundry. Slide your dryer back into place. Wash the filter gently under running water to remove any additional lint and allow it to completely dry. For dryers with a removable front panel, release the metal catches (or remove screws) and pull the panel off (Photo 4). Dryer Lint Filters and How To Clean Them . Disconnect the Dryer Ductwork. Make sure it is rinsed well Set aside to dry If you chose to wipe down any metal parts, feel free to use a standard all-purpose cleaner paired with a microfiber cloth. The control panel has an indicator light "Check Lint" or "Check Lint Screen" to remind you to clean the lint screen before each load. Start by removing the cover, then put on some work gloves and clear out any accumulated lint. First, remove the screen, then vacuum its housing. Instead of your hand, rubbing a cleaning brush across the surface of the screen will gather the lint just as well. This is something I do regularly anyway (itâs built into Journey to Clean living areas week), so mine wasnât a big issue right now. About once a month, I take a microfiber cloth and wipe down the inside and outside of the dryer to reduce dust. As you may know, this is highly flammable and if something malfunctions even once, this could lead to a serious house fire. You should also remove your dryer's lint screen, rinse it off with water, and vacuum out the inside of the screen vent. Deep Clean the Rest. You may want to call in an appliance professional if your dryer connection is older and connected to gas. The first area to clean after every load is the dryer lint trap by removing the lint from the screen and wiping clean the edges. Clean thoroughly around the heating element, but work gently around wires and mechanical parts. Check the screen and clean it of lint every time before you place a load inside. Reattach the front screws and wires, then set the top back down. Brush out the lint inside the dryer lint filter opening and vacuum all around the drum. As you complete your cleaning, take a moment to make sure that all of your venting parts are up to date and code compliant. By using our site, you agree to our. Clean your lint vent. If you bend the screen too much, it may not fit back properly into the lint trap area. How to Clean a Dryer Vent Duct Then you can use an appliance or extendable lint brush or use a vacuum with the hose attachment to clean this area. When you're finished, reattach the exhaust hose and plug your dryer back in. Unplug your Whirlpool dryer from the wall receptacle. Indoor vs. Clean the exterior vent. To learn how to clean lint that's inside of your dryer, scroll down! How to Clean the Lint Screen on Your Maytag Dryer; How to Clean the Lint Screen on Your Maytag Dryer. Use a long brush to clean the dryer vent screen, then vacuum it from the top and back (Photo 3). To clean area under the lint filter: Unplug the dryer first. To remove the lint from your dryer, start by cleaning off the lint filter before each load. Article type Topic Brand Multiple Brands Kathryn Kellogg is the founder of goingzerowaste.com, a lifestyle website dedicated to breaking eco-friendly living down into a simple step-by-step process with lots of positivity and love. Clean the lint off the filter, reinsert the filter, and then close the door. Once the dryerâs in place, head outside to clean the exterior vent. Cleaning a Dryer Lint Trap Remove the lint screen, and use a vacuum to remove any small bits of leftover lint. In fact, a large percentage of the house fires are usually caused because of malfunction appliances and the dryer is one of the leaders in the chart. Washing Machine Repair: Stuck on One Cycle? Pull the dryer away from the wall and remove the exterior dryer vent from the Whirlpool dryer. Clean the lint catcher more thoroughly than usual. Make sure to loosen the clamps on both sides of the hose prior to trying to remove it. However, just make sure to discard the lint pulled from the screen, as it could present a fire hazard. Cleaning lint from a dryer duct requires a vacuum. Grab the handle of the screen and pull it out until it is fully extended. Start by running the dryer for 10 minutes. Test your dryer filter by clearing it of lint, then pouring a small amount of water onto the filter screen. This is especially the case if you use dryer sheets, as they can leave a residue on the screenâs surface. The buildup can prevent the dryer from knowing when the laundry is dry, leaving them either damp or overcooked. Removing Chapstick and Lipstick Warm the dryer. Get a sponge wet and apply a small amount of dish soap to the surface. Itâs easy to learn how to clean lint from a dryer. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. For dryers with a top lint filter and a solid front panel, remove the lint filter and take out the two screws on the side of the lint filter opening. Last Updated: October 2, 2019 Just hold it up while you clean. You can use a pipe cleaner to clear out the lint filter compartment. The lint screen is located in the door opening of the dryer. Then, insert a vacuum nozzle attachment into the hose and suck out all of the lint inside. Moving around the machine could cause gas leaks. To learn how to clean lint that's inside of your dryer, scroll down! If the screen seems clogged, that is dryer sheet residue. There are 20 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Unplug the dryer's power cord, and turn off the gas valve at the dryer ⦠% of people told us that this article helped them. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! To make sure this doesn’t happen in your house, check the exhaust vent and the inside of the cabinet frequently. If you have a flexible duct (especially the plastic type! Finally, reassemble the dryer. Push the brush from your dryer cleaning kit as gently and as far as possible into either end of your dryer duct. Rotate and spin the brush multiple times in order to get the most lint out. Step 2 Remove the ⦠To clean the exhaust duct, shut off the gas and unplug the dryer, then pull the dryer away from the wall and disconnect the duct from the dryer. Once a month, use a spray of 1/2 white vinegar and 1/2 water to mist the inside of the drum. Clean it once every 6-8 weeks for best performance. Otherwise, you could damage the connection to the port and make it more difficult to replace afterwards. You might remove the lint from your lint filter after every use, but you might not ⦠Open the door, and then pull out the lint filter from inside the drum. Disconnect the door-switch wires in the front corner, remove the front screws and drop the panel forward (Photo 2). If possible, proceed to unscrew the housing, lift it out, and vacuum the space beneath it. This article was co-authored by Kathryn Kellogg. ⦠Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 35,030 times. The lint can get ignited by electric heating elements, gas burners or even a spark from the motor, and the flames then travel through the lint-lined exhaust vent. We know ads can be annoying, but theyâre what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Wipe it down with a microfiber cloth, and leave the dryer door open so ⦠wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. To clean inside the dryer, unplug it and turn off the gas, then open either the top or the front. How to Fix a Washing Machine That Won’t Drain, Washing Machine Repair: How to Replace a Belt, Check Washing Machine Water Temperatures for Better Performance, Dryer Making a Loud Noise? It may be at the top, on the side, or at the bottom of the dryer door. Turn off and unplug dryer. If you're drying natural fibers like wool, cotton, hemp, bamboo, viscose, or tensile, your dryer lint will be compostable, because it's cellulose-based. Remove the two screws near the top, then tip the front forward and lift it clear of the bottom catches and the drum. Remove the lint by hand or run the filter under a bit of water. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. First, remove the lint trap and run it under water to begin cleaning The lint usually sticks some, so then you can use a small amount of dish soap or vinegar and your scrub brush to lightly loosen up the lint. If you really canât stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Vacuum out the motor, the vent and the inside of the dryer. Clean up any lint that comes out the opposite side of the duct from where you started, then reconnect the vent pipe and power cord and/or gas supply. Cleaning lint from a dryer is important in making sure that the dryer operates efficiently. Put the front into the drum and lift, then drop the front into the catches near the bottom while holding it tight against the sides. To clean your dryer's exterior, simply wipe it down with a damp cloth. References. If your dryerâs lint filter is on the top, youâll need to first, unplug the dryer, then remove the screws from under the dryer lint filter. In most models, you will be able to remove it entirely for cleaning. The drum will tip as the panel drops, but this won’t damage anything. http://www.consumerreports.org/clothes-dryers/how-to-clean-your-dryer-vent/, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-a-dryer/#.WQfxzdryvIU, http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/time-to-clean-your-dryer-ducts-prevent-fires/, http://greenlivingideas.com/2014/08/14/clean-dryers-lint-trap-duct-screen/, https://www.familyhandyman.com/appliance-repair/washer-and-dryer-repair/dryer-lint-cleaning-tips/view-all, http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/how-to-clean-and-maintain-your-dryer, Limpar os Fiapos de uma Secadora de Roupas, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Next, insert a vent cleaning rod into the wall vent and gently push it in and out and rotate it to clean the inside of the vent. Reinsert the filter into the dryer. Dryer lint escapes through tiny gaps around the edges of the dryer drum and falls into the cabinet, especially when the exhaust vent or vent cap is clogged and airflow is restricted. Use the hose attachment of a vacuum cleaner or shop vac to clean in and around the hole at the back of the dryer. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Vacuum Out the Vent While wearing safety gloves, remove lint from the hole at the back of the dryer. Use a vacuum and cloth to wipe down the interior and exhaust areas of your dyer. If youâve looked behind the back panel of your dryer, youâll be shocked by how ⦠Use a brush and a vacuum to remove the lint in the duct. Cleaning the lint filter is easy. Cleaning the lint out of your dryer is something particularly important. Yes; No; Recommended articles. There are no recommended articles. Built-up lint inside dryer cabinets causes more than 15,000 fires every year. She's the author of 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste and spokesperson for plastic-free living for National Geographic. Cleaning Lint from a Dryer with Lint Filter on Top. Remove the screws that hold the vent in place, then clean out the dryer lint with a vacuum and dryer lint remover brush (Photo 5). Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Pull the top forward (Photo 1). Stain Removal on Clothes Stained by Washer, DIY Washing Machine Repair: Easy Front Load Washer Fix, How to Clean a Washing Machine Inlet Screen. Our Appliance Brush Set (PM14X10056) is designed for refrigerator coils, dryers, venting and more. Put the hose back in its place and reattach any clamps or screws. To clean: After each use: Clean the filter by putting moistened fingers at the corner of the filter and wiping in a downward motion.Continue all the way across to the other corner.
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