Eight maintenance tips to extend the life of your dryer
Eight maintenance tips to extend the life of your dryer
The dryer strives to make the task of laundry a little easier. But with all this effort, the device will need a little attention and care. Not only will you keep your dryer running at its best, you'll extend its life. Follow these maintenance tips and your dryer will thank you.
01.
Don't overload the dryer
While it may be tempting to cram everything you can into the appliance, overloading is a cardinal sin when it comes to dryer care. Not only does it put more stress on the appliance, but it also drastically reduces its efficiency and therefore increases energy consumption.
For more information on how to load your dryer, check out this article. It is advisable to fill the drum a little more than half so that all the clothes have freedom of movement.
02.
Clean the lint filter after each use
Do you think cleaning the lint filter after each drying cycle is overkill? Take a look at the device's user manual and you will see that the manufacturer also recommends it. You'll be surprised at how much lint remains after a single standard load of laundry.
A clogged filter with lint not only reduces drying efficiency, but also puts more stress on the dryer, which can lead to avoidable wear and tear. Get into the habit of cleaning the filter and you will be doing your dryer a big favor.
03.
Thoroughly cleaning the lint filter and filter housing regularly is also essential for trouble-free operation of the appliance. You can wash the lint filter under the tap and use a vacuum cleaner at a low suction speed to clean the lint filter housing. Make sure the lint filter is completely dry before replacing it in the housing.
04.
Clean the filter drawer or condenser regularly
Not only do you have to keep the lint filter clean, but also the filter drawer or condenser. Heat pump dryers have a filter drawer, while condenser models have a condenser that performs the same function. Both are located behind the kick plate cover in the bottom corner of the dryer.
Open the cover and remove the filter from its housing. Every appliance is different, so check the user manual if you're not sure how to do this. The filter drawer can be opened and has a foam pad inside. Clean the surfaces of the filter housing by hand or with a vacuum cleaner at a low suction speed. If the foam pad is dirty, you can rinse it under the sink. Be sure to dry the pad before placing it back in the case and into the dryer. Try to do it once every four or five cycles.
05.
Keep the inside and outside of the device clean
Clean the drum with a mild, nonabrasive cleaning product or a vinegar and water solution and a soft cloth to prevent unpleasant odors. Use the same cleaning product or vinegar solution to clean the front, sides, and back of the appliance.
06.
Place the dryer where there is space You should not place the dryer in a small space, as it needs space around the back and sides to ventilate properly. The most efficient solution may be to stack the dryer on top of the washing machine, so check out this article if you want to know how to do it.
07.
Keep ventilation tubes clean
If you have a vent dryer (a model that blows hot, humid air through a vent outside the home), it is essential to clean the vent tube every three months, as lint and other debris can accumulate here. Make sure to disconnect the appliance from the mains and then disconnect the vent tube. Depending on the length of the tube, you can use a cloth and a mild cleaning product or a duster. If the vent pipe is made of plastic, consider replacing it with an aluminum one, as they have a lower fire risk.
08.
Keep the dryer level
When setting up your dryer, you probably adjusted the legs of the appliance to keep it stable. With all the centrifugal force being applied inside the dryer, the legs may need to be readjusted from time to time. Regularly check that the appliance does not rock back and forth and adjust the legs to stabilize the appliance if necessary.
Put the clothes in as dry as possible (make optimal use of the washing machine's spin cycle beforehand).
Don't overdo it: if the clothes are still inside with the dryer running, already dry, their fabrics will be irremediably damaged. Better yet, check its status little by little and remove it before it's too late.
Never load the laundry drum to more than half its capacity: this way the clothes will look better, without wrinkles or caking, and you will save energy.
Do not dry clothes with plastic, rubber or foam parts in it, as you run the risk of melting these parts and damaging both your machine and your clothes.
Dry garments by fabric type: some dry faster, while others, such as heavyweight cotton, need more time.
And that's it. If you follow these instructions, you will be able to get the most out of your dryer for years. It is recommended to monitor the performance of the dryer. If a load has taken longer to dry than usual, check this list to find out the problem.
Keeping the device clean is the first step to its correct maintenance. For more tips, check out our guide on how to clean your dryer.
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