Taking care of your laundry is a tiring chore, there's no two ways about. You'd rather get it over and done with as quickly as possible and that's understandable, we all have more important things to do with our time. You need to be aware however, that just like people, dryers can be overworked and under-maintained, and this leads to regular problems, problems you could do without.It's Time to Clean Your Dryer When:
- Drying times have doubled
- After every cycle both the clothes and the outside of the dryer are extremely hot
- It's been over a year since you last cleaned it
- Your clothes are covered in lint
How to Make Sure Your Dryer Stays in Optimal Condition
Regular Maintenance
After every load, clean the lint filter. There may not be an excessive amount of lint on the filter after one drying session, but it pays to stay on top of it both to ensure stray lint doesn't find it's way deeper inside the machine, and to keep drying times down.
Deep Clean Four Times a Year
About four times a year, it's necessary to deep clean your dryer. It's a simple procedure thankfully. All you need is:
- A vacuum cleaner
- All purpose-cleaner
- A Micro-fiber cloth
Cleaning Steps
To start, unplug the dryer and remove the exhaust hose from the back. With your hands, clear out the the lint and bits of debris you find. Use the vacuum cleaner to suck out any deeper lying debris or lint. Before reattaching the hose, unscrew the back panel of the dryer and remove it before applying the vacuum to remove any lint you find inside the machine. Focus especially on the section in front of the exhaust vent. Give the lint filter an extra thorough clean with the vacuum cleaner. Locate any hidden dust bunnies that might be hiding in the drum of the dryer and remove them with the vacuum. Next, using the all purpose cleaner, wipe the drum down and finish off by cleaning the door seal. Replace the parts, stand back and marvel at your handiwork.
If you follow the above steps, your dryer will last longer and will experience far fewer mechanical problems.
Your home needs regular maintenance as well! Call The Maids of Cleveland anytime for help with chores and cleaning.
