The most common advice people get nowadays would tell you to call experts for dryer repair. Somehow, you want to hear something different. Don’t we all? What people need today is up-to-date advice. You are looking for personal solutions, sans professional intervention. Care tips that relate to people’s everyday problems are what you are looking for.
In this article, we will let you go through in & out of your dryers. This list gives you the least popular dryer maintenance and care tips from maintenance that involves the inner parts to its exteriors. Get the most of knowing appliance repair yourself can follow. Be the best in keeping your home’s appliance. Turn yourself as an expert that gives the first-hand solution.
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Cleaning In & Out…
Many services will say they give the best solution, but the ultimate answer lies in your hands. Knowing about the ins and outs of your clothes dryer will make you a genius as the expert.
Don’t you know there are maintenance steps that you can do yourself? Yes. There are at least 6, and some extras unknown to most homeowners. Be one that’s always on-the-know. Wise home keepers get their sleeves up to figure out up-to-date home care ideas.
Let’s get to it!
Looking through the outside
Experts become the go-to people because they know the machines in and out. We think that the dryer problems mostly lie inside the vents. Or, the issue is ordinary owners have no means to see the far-reaching parts of the dryer hose. As a housekeeper, your main worry is to worry. Now, fret no more.
Here are some basics that most don’t pay attention to. It’s time for you to know better.
- Asses. First, know your dryer fully. Assess it on the outside. Make sure it is correctly placed on your cleaning or washing room. Check if wires are dangling or they loosely scattered. Proper assessment of your equipment makes you prepared and well-versed in cleaning.
- Know each part. Now you are committed to being the chief of cleaning, at least for your dryers at home. Here is an essential piece of advice. Familiarize yourself with the dryer parts.
Here are what you can observe from the outside.
- exhaust vent (this is located at the back of your machine)
- exhaust hose (where water drips out)
- drum (where you basically put the clothes)
- lint screen and lint trap ( some dryer assemble locates lint inside, some sets the lint trap outside at the back of the machine)
- Instruction Guides. Keep and follow instructions. Having given these parts to you, it is essential to remind you — Do not throw your appliance instruction booklet.
Most owners pay for costly appliance repair because they feel that the machines, being warranted or loaned, can take care of themselves.
Have you noticed it? When most people got a new device or equipment, they jumped into using it without familiarizing it. That is a common mistake. So tip for you. Don’t imitate it. The instructions are packaged for you to follow. Be the “owner” of every device you have. Take time to learn from the guides. It will save you significant time!
This time, you are ready to get the cleaning and maintenance done. First, the machine’s exterior:
1Cleaning the vent cover
The vent window or the vent cap is removable. Check that out. You will notice that as time pass, dust-clouds gather. Some solid particles may even get stuck, especially if your dryer is placed outdoor.
 What you need:
- Dryer cleaning kit
- Brush
- Damp cloth
2Wiping the dryer covers after use
Every time you use the dryer, you must have left it as it is. Simple maintenance is what owners usually neglect doing. Using a simple sheet of cloth can protect your dryers. This eliminates dust from collecting. This tip is uncommon for dryer maintenance. But this will help you with regular maintenance of the dryer that does not exhaust your energy, time, and resources.
3Don’t beat the drum
Concerning clothes dryer regular maintenance, using it wisely is the best tip. A deep clean can be done once or twice a year. However, using it regularly, say once in a week, should make you aware of the dos and don ts.
Do not overload. Simply keep in mind that when using, avoid piling all your laundry to dry. This is how many use the dryer. People feel they can finish their laundry faster. So they put the clothes altogether.
Start changing this routine. This will only reduce the lifespan of the machine. The central part of the dryer is the drum. The tumbling sound tells you that you may have overloaded the drum. Stop beating your dryer. Spin one batch of clothes at a time.
Do Clean the Drum. Instead of just worrying only, what you eventually worry about is a costly repair. Worse is an expensive replacement. Avoid that.
After using, you can quickly wipe off the drum. This makes you put the clothe debris right away. The loose threads don’t have to go further inside the filter and the exhaust.
The Inner Parts
Now, let’s get more in-depth with the dryer. Earlier, you have been introduced to the main parts. It’s time to learn how you can reach those inner parts for proper maintenance.
But before you open up the dryer and remove some of its parts, unplug the machine. This is the most important tip.
4Cleaning the Vent Duct
The vent duct, or the vent tubes, or the hose is usually attached at the dryer’s back. For the necessary cleaning, you’ll need:
- Duct brush – a special brush for cleaning the vent and the exhaust hose has small bristles.
- Vacuum – the vacuum’s nose can be smaller just to fit the tube)
- Metal foil duct tape – some exhaust hose is attached using a foil tape. After some time, this may get tattered you can replace this with new ones.
5Deep Clean Lint Filter and Lint Screen
The lint trap or the filter is a vital dryer part. It is where it filters the debris. The filter helps to reduce threads and dirt-trapping in the exhaust hose or vent.
Open the back panel of the dryer where the filter is located. Use a dry brush to remove the lint or dirt.
Detach the lint screen from the dryer (again, reminder, unplug the machine first). You can use soap and detergent to wash off the clothes’ residue from the screen thoroughly.
Here’s an uncommon tip. You can place it in a dishwasher to clean it, scrubbing every tiny hole on the surface to thoroughly take off small clothes particles. Lint screen cleaning is recommended every three months. But, regular cleaning and quick wiping is a must.
6Exhaust Vent Deep Clean
Today so many guides that will show you how to clean the vent. A lot would offer professional services. We recommend the same, but only call on certified repair service providers.
For deep dryer vent cleaning, you can assess it first yourself. Here’s what you can do:
With a screwdriver, remove the bottom panel where the vent is located. The screws are located at the bottom edge; this area is called the “catch.”
Unscrew and slowly lift away the catch. This will reveal to you the vent. You will see the vent that it has clouds of dirt or dust. Use a dry brush to sweep the chunks of dirt away.
Lastly, use a long nose vacuum to go around the vent to thoroughly scoop out the solid debris. After this, place the panel back. Run a test if the dryer is working well.
Final Reminders
If unsure how to uncover the vent. Call professionals dryer cleaners. Ask help if you must. Lastly, it is always a wise step to use your equipment well. A habit of maintaining the dryer regularly and storing the dyer in a safe place will make all the difference.
