In this blog entry, the professional Chicago dryer vent cleaning service team here at EmDuct will describe the most important tips for dryer maintenance that you need to know.
Dryer Lint Filter / Lint Filter Housing Cleaning
- Clean lint filter after every load of laundry
- Clean lint from the housing that holds the filter on a monthly basis – this helps air flow freely
- Every few months, remove residue from softener from the lint filter, and scrub all sides of the filter with a nylon brush dipped in warm water
- Rinse the filter in hot water and dry it fully with a clean towel before putting it back in the dryer
- If your dryer lint screen is on top of the dryer cabinet, clean the lint screen before every load of laundry and wash the lint screen with water every couple o f months or whenever the dryer takes a while to dry clothes
Dryer Drum Cleaning
- Wipe off the dryer drum with damp cloth to remove all debris and deposits
- To remove dye transferred from clothing to your dryer drum, make a paste from powder ;andry detriment and warm water. Apply it to the stains and then use a damp cloth to wipe off all paste
- To remove chewing gum, run the dryer for a few minutes with a few rags to soften the gum. Then use a spatula or plastic knife to carefully scrape them off. If there’s many tiny gum spots, make a paste from powdered laundry detergent and water
- To remove lipstick stains, run the dryer on hot for a few minutes to soften it, and then scrape up as much as possible with the edge of aplastic card or a rubber spatula while the dryer is still warm. Then use a few drops of olive oil on a microfiber cloth to remove all residue, and clean the area with powdered laundry detergent and damp sponge – then rinse it dry, and wipe it.
- If you have ink stains from a ballpoint pen, and the stains are fresh, put dry rags in the dryer and run them for an hour on the highest setting to absorb as much of the ink as possible. Use liquid dish soap and damp cloth for older ink stains,and an erase sponge for stubborn ink stains
Moisture Sensor Strips Cleaning
- Remove residue from dryer sheets that can make moisture sensors think a load is dry when it is still wet
- Clean off sensor strips twice a year, especially if the dryer is regularly under drying your laundry
- Use a rag dipped in rubbing alcohol to wipe the bars clean
Cleaning Dryer Exterior
- Clean off the cabinet and door of your dryer with a damp cloth
- Use detergent gently to clean off deposits and tough stains
- This prevents rust and corrosion that can stain clothes as you take them out of or put them into the dyer
- Unplug the dryer and pull it out from the wall. Clean off all dust rom the slotted ents on the back of the dryer cabinet to ensure proper air flow
How to Maintain Dryers Between Cleanings
- Clean lint screens before each load of laundry
- Wash lint screens with water and a soft bristle brush when lint sticks to the dryer screen
- Dryer the dryer screen with a towel before installing it in the dryer
- Clean the moisture sensor strips when you see fabric softener buildup or debris on metal strips
- Clean off any deposits or stains off the dryer drum as soon as you see them in order to prevent damaging your clothes