CLOTHES DRYER TIP

**SHOPGIRL** · 08-09-2005, 01:18 PM

I know most of us try to hang dry everything, but just in case you use the dryer more frequently, check out this tip. You might have seen it before. A friend just sent me a forward with this tip.

CLOTHES DRYER TIP

When my heating unit went out on our dryer, the Fix-It guy that I called went into the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It
appeared to be clean. We always clean the lint from the filter
after every load of clothes. He told us that he wanted to show us something. He took the filter over to the sink and ran hot water over it. Now, this thing is like a mesh, I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like - WELL ... the hot water just laid on top of the mesh!!! It didn't go through it at all!!! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh and that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there.

He said the best way to keep your clothes dryer working for a
very long time (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take
that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old
toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months. He said
that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long! How about that???!!!!
Learn something new everyday! I sure didn't know dryer sheets would do that. So, thought I'd share!

Note: I went to dryer and tested my screen by running water on it. The water collected a little but then slowly ran through the
screen. I dried it off and was about to put it back in, since the
water had run through, when I decided ... what the heck it won't
hurt to wash it while I had it out. Warm soapy water and a nylon
brush and I had it done in 30 seconds. I then ran the water over the screen,and what a difference the water just gushed through it with no puddle at all and this time I was running the water at a faster rate. That repairman knew what he was talking about.

**MandiDawn** · 08-09-2005, 01:25 PM

thanks - I'm going to do that as soon as i get home tonight.

**tbs727** · 08-09-2005, 01:26 PM

Thats a good tip, I did it a few weeks ago and was shocked at the difference it made just by cleaning the lint trap.

**Kimberlina** · 08-09-2005, 01:33 PM

Thanks for the tip- I have read tips about vacuuming the heat output hose, but nothing about REALLY cleaning the lint trap.

Mine was screwed in, but I unscrewed it. While the water ran through with no problem (I rarely use dryer sheets) I did notice a TON of built up lint and assorted dusty crud that had gone through into the vent. I put on a glove (gross anyway, but this thing was owned by someone else before us, and since I bought their house, I know they weren't particularly clean people) sucked up all the courage I could, and put my hand down in there. I pulled up probably two cups of the crap. Even if it doesn't help my dryer, I am sure it has lessened my fire hazard.

**AmyMCGS** · 08-10-2005, 10:13 AM

I'd never heard this one before- I'll have to try it.

**Hollyhandi** · 08-10-2005, 03:03 PM

Heading to do it now.
Thanks

**cmu** · 08-11-2005, 08:18 PM

I may have to try this one too!

**canadian gardener** · 08-11-2005, 08:20 PM

wow! I'm going to go do that little thing, AND schedule it in on my calendar.

**Brookhouse** · 08-22-2005, 06:20 PM

I'm all for cleaning the lint trap with hot and soap and water!-I also have seen advertised a little gadget called a dryer vent for use indoors-it apparently attaches to the dryer hose and lets all of the hot air be blown into the room while, catching the lint into the 'trap'. As I heat a large farm house in winter and have always HATED the idea that the dryer hot air goes OUTSIDE-I was thinking of trying this. Anyone do this and can recommend it?

**Mom23boys** · 08-22-2005, 06:30 PM

Thanks for the tip. I hadn't heard that one before.

**dolphin** · 09-09-2005, 12:40 AM

Thanks for the tip Shopgirl. Never heard of doing it either so I'll have to try it this weekend.

Brookhouse. I've heard alot of people do vent their dryer into their home but be sure to fix it so you can divert it back outside during the summer months. Good luck!

**bamamomto4** · 09-09-2005, 12:54 AM

I'm gonna try this! I need all the help I can get with mine. My dryer is about a yr old,bought new.Well just about everything I dry has to be run through TWICE!! It wont dry anything with just one normal dry time. So if I wash 3 loads...I'm actually drying SIX loads! I dont think its the heating element,as its been doing this sice we got it.I had Steve changed the duct work and it still doesnt do right.
Anyways--I'm gonna try this tomorow

Thanks

Brookhouse-I havent tried that,But I will this winter. I think Lowes or Home Depot have them. Thanks for reminding me

**fernykins** · 09-09-2005, 01:16 AM

I will have to try rhat too. Since I have had to have mine repaired 3 times now
Fern

**canadian gardener** · 09-09-2005, 01:44 PM

Brookhouse, you may not want all that moist air in the house all at once. Those things came in during the energy crisis in the 70's and caused a lot of moisture problems in houses. My fil is a heating and cooling engineer, and he is normally for any way you can reclaim heat but not that one.

Unlike a clothesline in the basement where the clothes release their moisture gradually, this comes in one big humid blast and often condenses on cooler areas like the walls, and floors where it can cause mildew and molds.

That said, I tried cleaning my filter by scrubbing with detergent adn water, and it really did make a difference, mine looked clean but the water wasn't running out before when I tested it.

We did it while I had the laundry room torn apart (painted it) and dh did his once in a blue moon of taking the entire back of the dryer off to vacuum the dead space in their, and took it off the big exhaust hose, and vacuumed that too.

There was a ton of crud in the exhaust pipe, I suspect due to the lint filter problem it had been bypassing. I always take the lint off the filter religiously, but didn/t know about this chemical clogging of the mesh.

Thanks ladies!

**sanderson76** · 09-22-2005, 01:15 PM

I tried that a couple of days ago and I can't wait to see the difference...I haven't used the dryer since then, but I will be using the dryer tonight..