Lint Trap Maintenance

• The lint trap needs the most frequent attention of any part of the dryer. The lint trap is usually located in a place that is convenient and easy to reach. It may pull out from the top of the dryer, or beneath the drum opening. Finding the lint trap is the first and most important step in dryer operation and maintenance. After every load, you pull the lint trap out and roll the lint off it. It should remove easily in a sheet. The lint trap removes the lint from the air in the dryer. If the lint is allowed to build up, it not only reduces the efficiency of the dryer by requiring more energy to get enough air through the lint to dry the clothes, but it is a fire hazard. Lint is extremely flammable and lint buildup in the lint trap is a leading cause of dryer fires.
  
  When you are vacuuming in the vicinity of your dryer, pull out the lint trap and vacuum both the lint trap and the hole it goes into.
  
  Once a month take the lint trap out and wash it with soap and water and a soft brush, especially if you use fabric softener sheets in the dryer. After several uses the dryer sheets create a buildup on the lint trap screen and reduce the efficiency and increase the fire hazard. If the water runs through the screen easily when you place it under the faucet, this is probably not necessary. If the water pools on top, wash it thoroughly with soap and water until the water runs through easily. Dry the lint trap completely and return it to the dryer.
  
  If you use fabric softener in the washing machine instead of dryer sheets in the dryer this step is unnecessary.
  
  

Dryer Vent Maintenance

• Once a year use a vacuum with a hose attachment to vacuum the dryer vent---the ribbed hose that connects the dryer with the outside vent. This hose is often silver. You will need to pull the dryer out from the wall and disconnect the vent to do this. The vent is usually connected with a hose clamp. Loosen the hose clamp with a flat screwdriver. It is not necessary to take the hose clamp off. The vent hose should slide off the dryer easily once the clamp is loosened. Put a brush attachment on the end of the vacuum hose and feed it into the dryer vent hose. It is easy to poke a hole in the hose, so be careful. While you have the hose off, inspect it for kinking, flattening or tearing. If there is any damage to the hose replace it with new hose. After you are done vacuuming the hose, slide it back on the vent on the dryer and tighten the screw on the hose clamp. If you can't reach the dryer hose from the inside you may be able to reach it from the outside, depending on the kind of vent cover you have on the side of your house.