5 Tips for Keeping Your Dryer Lint Free

1/26/2021 (Permalink)

Remove the lint screen and clean it

You might not be too surprised to experience a small grease fire on your stovetop or other minor, manageable blaze. One of the most unfortunate and avoidable home disasters, however, is a lint fire in your clothes dryer. You can avert this fire damage at your home, by performing routine maintenance on your dryer.

5 Steps to a Safer Dryer

Once you realize how important it is to clean and maintain your dryer filters on a regular basis, you need to learn how to go about it. Here are the five most important steps for keeping your dryer safe from a lint fire.

Remove the lint screen. Tap the screen over a garbage bin or gently pull the lint off. If the lint sticks to the screen, rinse it with a sprayer. Dry thoroughly before reinserting it in the dryer.
Vacuum the upper vent. Use a narrow-tipped nozzle to vacuum out the vent where the lint filter is inserted. Periodically remove the residual lint trapped inside this vent.
Clean the dryer exhaust. Unplug the dryer and remove the clamp that holds the expandable exhaust hose to the dryer. Use a cleaning rod to reach deep into the hose and remove lint buildup. Finish the cleanup by using the wand on your vacuum.
Check the exterior vent. Go outside and remove the cover from the exterior dryer vent. Clean off any lint buildup and replace the cover.
Tend to the back of the dryer. Make sure the dryer is unplugged and remove the panel from the back. Using a shop vacuum, clean out all of the vents and any other areas where you find lint. Replace the back panel before plugging the dryer back in.

If a blaze does break out. you may need assistance with fire damage cleanup. Call SERVPRO® of East San Antonio, to help with fire cleanup and smoke odor removal caused by the lint fire. Better yet, keep your filters clean and reduce your risk of a dryer fire.