Your tumble dryer, much like the washing machine, needs cleaning occasionally. Cleaning the lint drawer is essential as it helps keep your drying appliance functional. However, just what do you do with tumble dryer lint? While you are accustomed to throwing it in the bin, there are uses to it.
Importance of Cleaning Your Lint Drawer
Before we dive deep into what do to with tumble dryer lint, it’s crucial to point out the consequences of not cleaning your lint drawer. If your dryer lint gets too thick, you are risking a fire hazard. Also, the more lint that piles up, the more chances of your dryer not working to its full functionality.
Instead of Throwing It Away, Here Is What You Can Do…
We know the sight of your dryer lint isn’t pleasing. It is tempting to throw it away but you will find it useful for many things!
Firstly, due to its flammability, you can use it to safely make fires when cooking BBQ. To do this, you must put the dryer lint into the bottom of the toilet paper roll and then get the newspaper to wrap up the roll. Make sure you are in an open space away from trees and fences!
You can also use your dryer lint to clean up spills or stains. If you ever accidentally spilled a drink or cooking oil, you can easily use your dryer lint to clean up the mess!
If you love gardening, you’d also love the idea of keeping dryer lint around. This is because it can prevent weed growth and erosion in your garden.
Another benefit of keeping your dryer lint is that you can use it to pack materials instead of using expensive items like bubble wrap. Due to its soft nature, you can use it to keep your items safe whenever they are in a box ready to be shipped or packed to go somewhere else.
Now that you know what to do with tumble dryer lint, we hope you do keep it around because as you’ve read, it does have its benefits!
To learn more about Laundryheap, visit our website or download the free app on iOS or Android.
Tumble dryers are incredibly useful when you need to quickly dry your clothes. If not looked after properly, you will find that your tumble dryer may lose its ability to dry your clothes, or may even stop working completely. This care guide will help you look after your tumble dryer.
Clean the lint filter
Empty the water tank
Clear the vents
Clean the dryer drum
Un-clog the heat exchanger
Clean the lint filter
As your clothes are spun in your tumble dryer, they release particles of fibres and fluff. The lint filter in your tumble dryer prevents these particles from clogging the airflow of the vent system. It is important to clean your tumble dryers lint filter after every use. If you don’t you can restrict the flow of air through the dryer and prevent your clothes from being sufficiently dried.
To clean your lint filter remove it from the tumble dryer and use a vacuum hose to remove the loose particles. You can find your lint filter at the front of your tumble dryer, just under the rim of your dryer’s door. To remove the rest of the particles, wash your lint filter in warm soapy water.
You need to leave your lint filter to completely dry before putting it back in the tumble dryer. Whilst you are waiting for your filter to dry, use your vacuum hose to clear out the slot your lint filter sits in. This will help increase the airflow of your tumble dryer.
Once your lint filter is completely dry, slot it back into the dryer, and it will be ready to use.
Empty the water tank
A tumble dryer works by rotating your wet clothes and adding heat to them to remove the water. The water that is removed from your clothing is stored in the tumble dryers water tank. Depending on the model of your machine, the water tank will be stored at the top of your machine in a drawer or at the bottom. Despite the fact that your water tank can hold the excess water from 2 loads of laundry, it’s best to empty it after every use. To drain your water, simply remove the water tank, and pour the water down the sink. You may want to give your tank a quick rinse before re-inserting it into your machine.
If you own a vented tumble dryer you must check the hose and vent of your machine.
The hose of your tumble dryer takes the warm, damp, air away from the drum, and helps circulate fresh air into your machine. You should give your hose enough space to lay straight, without any kinks. If your hose has a kink it can restrict airflow and increase the time it takes for your clothes to dry.
After checking the hose, check that your wall vent is clear of fluff and dust. If your vent is clogged it will restrict airflow and increase the amount of time it takes for your clothes to dry. To clear your vent you can use a vacuum hose to remove any loose fluff and dust. Once you have removed the loose debris, use a wet cloth to get rid of any remaining dust. This will leave your machine working at its maximum potential.
Clean the dryer drum
It is vital to clean the drum of your tumble dryer for two reasons. Firstly, grime and dust from your washing can linger in the drum and transfer onto other loads of laundry. Secondly, the drying sensor that monitors when your clothes are dry is located in the drum, but, if dirty, can lead to inaccurate drying times.
To clean the drum of your tumble dryer, use a clean cloth and white vinegar to rub the drum of your dryer. Ideally, this should be done after every load, or at least after every two loads.
Unclog the heat exchanger
The heat exchanger in your tumble dryer turns steam from the drum back into water. Amongst the steam and air that passes through the exchanger are fibres from your clothing. Overtime these fibres build-up, which can result in a clogged heat exchanger. When your exchanger becomes clogged, it slows the flow of air through your machine, and prevents your clothes from drying.
To unclog your heat exchanger, use your hand to remove the larger lumps of fluff. Once you’ve removed the larger sections of fluff, rinse the rest of the exchanger under the tap. Leave it to completely dry before placing back into the machine.
Whilst your cleaning your tumble dryer, let us dry your clothes for you. You can book your Laundryheap service by heading to the Laundryheap website or by downloading the free Laundryheap app.
