How Do You Clean A Dryer Drum?

Did you know that cleaning your dryer and vent can help keep your drying times shorter and your clothes in skilful shape? Daily employ can make full your apparatus with dust and lint over time, which can affect your dryer's performance and even pose a fire hazard. Our guide can aid you empathize what needs to be cleaned, plus how and when to practice information technology:

Every load: clean dryer lint screen
As needed: clean lint trap and outside
Every 6 months: deep make clean lint screen
As needed or indicated by dryer: make clean drum, vent and duct system

Woman cleaning dryer lint screen

Every load: clean dryer lint screen

A screen blocked by lint can increase drying time. It is important to clean your lint screen afterward every use. Locate your dryer'due south lint screen, which is about likely near the dryer door. Remove the screen by pulling up, then gently remove the lint from the screen by manus and put the lint trap back. Wet lint is harder to remove, so don't scrub or use water.

As needed: make clean lint trap and exterior

Thoroughly make clean lint trap
Remove your lint screen and set it bated, then completely turn off your dryer and open the dryer door. Using a vacuum crevice tool or dryer cleaning brush, carefully make clean the interior and exterior of the lint trap, as well as the moisture sensor strips on the outside of the lint trap. When you're done, make certain to supplant the lint screen, close the door and plug your dryer back in.

Clean dryer exterior
Use an affresh® Machine Cleaning Wipe or microfiber cloth and gentle cleaning spray to clean the outside surfaces, knobs and buttons.

Every half dozen months: deep clean lint screen

The laundry detergent and material softener that builds up on your lint screen can increment drying fourth dimension. If yous find lint collecting on areas of the screen or plugging the mesh, the screen may be more than hard to clean by hand. Here's how to clean your screen with water:

Roll lint off, then wet both sides with hot water.
Scrub with nylon castor, hot water and liquid detergent to remove buildup.
Rinse with hot water and dry thoroughly.

Getting a clean dryer vent

Equally needed or indicated past dryer: make clean drum, vent and duct system

Clean your dryer pulsate
Articulate or vacuum any debris before cleaning. Sentry out for things like stuck-on tape and wedged-in threads.

For an electrical dryer, rub the drum with a soft cloth that has been dipped in a mild mitt-launder dish soap diluted in very warm water. For a gas dryer, do the same with a liquid, nonflammable household cleaner.
For both an electric and gas dryer, rinse well with a wet sponge or towel.
Tumble a load of clean clothes or towels to dry the drum.

Clean dryer vent and duct

Your dryer's exhaust vent may be clogged if dry out times are lagging, apparel aren't getting dry or yous tin can't experience air moving through the outside vent. Cleaning your dryer vent is essential, so schedule a service appointment if information technology'southward difficult to find or access your dryer duct and exterior frazzle vent. If you desire to clean the dryer vent yourself, go a dryer vent cleaning kit and so follow these steps:

Locate your dryer's exhaust vent. Typical locations include the outside of your home, your roof or your cranium. Remove the plastic cover that protects the end of the vent.
Unplug your dryer'south power supply string. On gas models, close the shut-off valve in the gas supply line, then disconnect and cap the supply line pipe.
Remove any tape or clamps holding the exhaust vent pipe to vent on the back of your dryer.
Push the brush from your dryer cleaning kit as gently and as far every bit possible into either cease of your dryer duct. Make sure to follow any turns or corners.
Clean up any lint that comes out the opposite side of the duct from where you started, so reconnect the vent pipe and power string and/or gas supply.
Slide your dryer dorsum into place. Run an empty dryer cycle for 10 – 15 minutes to blow out residual dust and confirm that the vent is clean.

Knowing how and when to clean your dryer vent tin go a long way toward keeping it in shape. But if it'south time for a new dryer, Whirlpool has the right one for your family.