Another potential blunder is to not remember to clean the lint basket. On the surface, it may appear uneventful, but this means that the failure to perform this task can culminate into a myriad of problems. It is therefore important to note that if your dryer is taking longer to dry the clothes or other issues to do with safety, then you have to ensure that your lint basket is clean. But you need to know why it is so important, how, when and how often one should clean it to keep their dryer functioning at its optimum best.
Anyway, if you failed to clean the lint basket as advised, you do not need to get worried. The solution is easy and can thwart larger problems. Unplug your dryer to begin with then take out the lint filter. Scrape off with your bare hands or a soft fiber brush and then inspect the dryer vent system to see that it has no obstruction. By skipping this process, you’re likely to have issues with your dryer operation, your dryer will heat up excessively, and there is a high probability of a fire outbreak. Proper cleaning of the lint basket and proper care taken in the vent system makes the dryer efficient, economical and also safe to use at home.
Importance of Cleaning the Lint Basket
Lint basket in a dryer contains tiniest of fabric particles that are gathered after drying the clothes. In time, these particles accumulate, they are bad for your dryer and hence reduces the efficiency of the unit. Left unused for a while, lint builds on the dryer vent and when this happens your dryer is most likely to overheat. This may result in a prolonged period of drying, high tariffs of power used, and even lead to some dangers to human life. It is advisable to clean the lint basket so that there is enough air circulation, save energy and prevent fire hazards.
Steps to Clean the Lint Basket
- Turn Off the Dryer
Before you clean the lint basket, always turn off the dryer. This step ensures your safety while handling the dryer components. It also prevents you from damaging the machine during the cleaning process. - Remove the Lint Filter
Once your dryer is off, carefully open the dryer door and locate the lint filter. Gently slide it out of its compartment. The lint filter is typically located at the front or top of the dryer drum. - Clean the Filter
After removing the filter, use your hands to peel away any visible lint. If the lint is stubborn, you can use a soft brush or a vacuum to clean it more thoroughly. Make sure the filter is free of any debris before reinserting it. - Check the Vent System
After cleaning the lint filter, take a moment to check your dryer’s vent system. Clogged vents can lead to overheating and reduce the dryer’s efficiency. Cleaning the vent system will keep airflow optimal and reduce the risk of fire. - Reinsert the Filter
Once you’ve cleaned the filter and checked the vent, place the lint filter back into its compartment. Make sure it’s securely positioned so it functions properly during the next drying cycle.
Regular Maintenance Tips
In maintenance of your dryer, one of the things that you ought to do is clean the lint basket. Cleaning helps in maintaining an effective dryer hence maintaining the dryer reduces chances of fire, and it will also help in increasing the lifespan of the dryer. Failure in performing this simple task can lead to building breakdown or even cause a lot of harm.
How Often Should I Clean the Lint Basket?
The lint basket has been designed to be cleared after every use. This practice helps your dryer to continue to work in the best way possible. Also, it is recommended that you should clean and or inspect the dryer vent at least once per year. Lined below are some of the most important service tips that you need to use in order to ensure that your dryer operates at their best.
What Happens If I Don’t Clean the Lint Basket?
If a person does not clean the lint basket then the basket may fill up with lint and other material. This blockage reduces breathing space which means that your dryer has to struggle so as to dry clothes. This in a long term causes one to use a lot of energy resulting in high expenses such as bills. At worst, it will make your dryer burn itself, a factor that poses a fire danger to your home or establishment.
Can a Dirty Lint Basket Affect My Dryer’s Performance?
A lint basket when not properly cleaned greatly hinders the performance of your dryer. If lint is allowed to accumulate in the basket, it tends to reduce the amount of air circulation or rather flow of air, and thus longer time is taken to dry your clothes. You may also find out that your washed clothes are still damp after completing the dryer cycle. Having a clean lint basket ensures that the flow of air is not restricted hence making your dryer work as expected.
Are There Any Safety Risks with a Dirty Lint Basket?
A lint basket which is not clean is dangerous to use. Dryer lint is extremely combustible and if your dryer becomes too hot the lint that has gathered will burn up. For instance, some professionals in fire hazards pointed out that most fires resulting from dryers are as a result of the accumulation of lint in the lint basket. Consequently there will be no likelihood of fire breakout thereby protecting the home by cleaning the lint basket.
How Do I Properly Clean the Lint Basket?
To clean the lint basket the first step is to take the lint filter out of the dryer. Clean the lint with fingers and further use a soft brush or vacuum for cleaning in a deep way. Some of the crucial maintenance tips include checking for clogs of the dryer vent often. The lint basket as well as the vent should be cleaned so that the dryer can work not only effectively but also safely.
Conclusion
It may be just ignoring the lint basket but that is a disaster waiting to happen if not rectified as soon as possible. In this case, the following problems would be experienced from further reduction in drying efficiency to possible safety hazards: One of the simplest tasks that you can do to prevent you from spending a lot of money on repairs is to clean the lint basket each time after use. So next time when you are done washing clothes make sure to clean the lint basket, it will not require much of your effort. Read our next blog