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     How many different dryers have you been through over the years?  Growing up, you probably saw your mother replace hers at least once, and now you’ve probably had the opportunity to go through at least one life cycle, if not more, and have to replace the unit.  Did you ever stop to think that one of the biggest factors in proper dryer maintenance that could easily extend its lifetime by years is the care of the lint filter?  Lint and dryers are not very compatible, and if you’ve ever looked at what happens to the lint filter after each load, you’ll see why it can cause a problem.  How can you avoid major repairs and costly replacements of dryers simply by caring for the lint filters?

First of all, proper maintenance of the filter itself is required.  This involves cleaning the filter frequently.  Each load of laundry you dry is going to add to the build up in the filter because all clothing produces at least some lint, usually dust or threads and hair that doesn’t come off in the laundry.  You should at least pull out the lint on the outside of your filter with every load to avoid clogging the filter.  Also, depending on the number of loads you dry per week, you should thoroughly clean the filter; recommendations suggest at least once a week for the average family of four.  This involves removal of the filter and cleaning out the cartridge as well as the compartment.

Beyond the actual cleaning of the filter, there are ways to further maintain your unit.  At least once a month, take a vacuum with attachments or a small handheld vacuum and clean out the drum of the dryer, removing traces of excess lint that have not yet made it into the filter.  Also, vacuum out the filter compartment and cartridge to better collect lint with a cleaner, more breathable unit.  A vacuum will remove a great deal more than fingers alone.

In order to avoid excess lint from getting into the dryer in the first place, you can manually make adjustments to many of your clothing items prior to washing or drying.  Before you wash your clothes, run over them with a lint brush to collect excess hair, dry skin, dirt, dust, and other materials that end up in your lint filter.  Then, be sure to shake them off, just for good measure.  After you wash the clothes, shake them again prior to putting them in the dryer for reassurance that all possible excess lint has bee removed.

Blocking the lint filter can cause polarization of particles, suffocation of exhaust, and friction that leads to the possibility of overheating and fire within your dryer, so maintenance is essential.  You’ll also find that, when you begin to keep the lint filter cleaner, there is less left on your clothing that must be removed before wearing.  While you can’t prevent all lint from appearing, you can reduce the occurrence and take measures to keep it from affecting the lifespan of your dryer.

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