A functioning dryer is a crucial household appliance for keeping your clothes, bedding, and towels dry and ready for use. However, it’s not uncommon for dryers to not dry properly, leaving your clothes damp and potentially leading to mildew and bad odors. In many cases, the cause of the problem can be traced back to two simple, yet often neglected, aspects of dryer maintenance: the lint trap and the dryer vent.

The Lint Trap: Your Dryer’s First Line of Defense

a lint trap full of lintThe lint trap is the mesh screen located inside the dryer that catches lint, hair, and other debris as the air circulates through it. Over time, these materials build up, reducing air flow and making it harder for the dryer to properly dry your clothes. 

A clogged lint trap not only leads to longer drying times but can also cause the dryer to overwork and use more power than necessary. This creates higher utility bills and increases the risk of overheating and making your dryer a fire hazard.

To prevent these issues, it’s recommended to clean the lint trap before running every load of laundry. Simply pull the trap out and remove any visible lint with your fingers or a soft brush. Make sure to check both sides of the trap for any trapped lint that may have escaped your initial cleaning.

Regularly giving your lint trap a bath is a good idea as well. Chemicals found in dryer balls and fabric softener dryer sheets can clog your lint screen invisibly. Giving your lint trap a bath and gently scrubbing the screen will clear it up and get it back to working as it should. Just make sure to let your lint trap air dry completely before putting it back into use.

Have Your Dryer Vents Been Cleaned?

The dryer vent is the pipe that carries the hot, moist air from your dryer to the outside of your home. This air causes any lint that has escaped the lint trap to accumulate in the vent over time, reducing air flow and potentially leading to a clog. And when the air can’t circulate properly, the dryer becomes less efficient and can overheat, becoming a fire hazard.

To ensure your dryer is functioning properly and to reduce the risk of fire, it’s important to have your dryer vents cleaned every year. Mid-Valley Chimney Repair & Sweeps have all the tools and equipment necessary to quickly and efficiently get your dryer vent completely clear of anything that would prevent it from allowing your dryer to vent properly.

Make sure to go outside and make sure there is nothing blocking your dryer vent’s exit point too. Proper airflow on the outside will make sure the hot air is going up and out of your home and allowing your dryer to “breathe” as it should.

Preventing Future Buildup

open clothes dryer with dry clothes insideIn addition to regular cleaning, there are a few things you can do to prevent future buildup in your lint trap and dryer vent. One of the most effective ways is to regularly clean the lint trap before each load of laundry, as mentioned above. You should also:

  • Avoid overloading the dryer, as this can cause clothes to bunch up and create pockets of trapped lint.
  • Avoid drying clothing made from synthetic materials, as these tend to generate more lint than natural fibers like cotton.
  • Consider purchasing a dryer with a moisture sensor, which will automatically shut off the dryer once the clothes have reached a certain level of dryness. This can reduce the amount of time the dryer is running, which can help to prevent lint buildup and improve its overall efficiency.

We’re Here to Help

Cleaning your dryer’s lint trap and vent is an important step in maintaining the efficiency and safety of your appliance. By taking the time to regularly clean these areas and implement some preventative measures, you can keep your dryer functioning properly and prevent any potential fire hazards. 

Mid-Valley Chimney Repair & Sweeps has a team of people fully equipped and ready to help clean out your dryer vent. Don’t neglect your lint trap and dryer vent – call us today at 513-727-0994 or reach out online now so we can help keep your dryer clean and working as it should.