At a Glance:
Reasons Cleaning Your Dryer Lint Trap Important
Frequency You Should Clean Your Dryer Lint Trap
Other Ways to Clean Dryer Lint Trap
3 Top-Rated Replacement Dryers
Alright, let’s talk about cleaning out your dryer lint trap. While it may not win the award for crowd favorite subject, it is an all-important task that we should take seriously. Besides keeping your dryer functioning for longer, drying your clothes more efficiently, and keeping your laundry routine more effective, cleaning out your dryer lint trap also keeps you and your family safe from potential fire hazards.
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In-Stock DryersWhy is Cleaning Your Dryer Lint Trap Important?
There are several key factors as to why keeping your dryer lint trap clean is a necessity. When we stop to think about these reasons, it will become clear that taking the time to do this job right adds value to your laundry day, as well as the life of your dryer.
Reduces Fire Hazards
Many people probably don’t think of dryer lint as a fire starter, but it is the cause of a surprising number of house fires each year. According to a report from the National Fire Protection Association, 92% of the 15,970 house fires from 2010-2014 were caused by clothes dryers. Of that 92% of fires, a whopping 27% were caused by dust, lint, or fiber, with clothing being a close 26%.
Reduces Energy Bills
This may seem like common sense, but when your dryer lint trap is blocked and filled by lint, it takes longer for your dryer to dry your clothes, therefore increasing your energy bills. By simply taking the time to properly clean your dryer lint screen and trap, you can prevent your energy bills from skyrocketing.
Prolongs the Life of the Dryer’s Heating Element
Playing on energy bills, and blocked lint traps, by regularly cleaning out your dryer lint trap, you are helping to prolong the life of your dryer by not making your dryer work extra hard. Having proper airflow will prolong the life of your dryer, therefore saving you money in the long run by not having to replace the heating element in your dryer or the whole dryer itself.
Keeps Your Dryer, Drying
As well as reducing energy bills and prolonging the life of your heating element, cleaning out your dryer lint trap also keeps your dryer from properly drying your clothes in one cycle. If you are finding that you are having to run two or even three dryer cycles before your clothes are fully dry, that is likely due to a blocked lint screen, trap, or vent, that is not allowing air to flow properly through your dryer.
➝ Related: 4 Top Front Load Dryers Under $1000
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How Often Should You Clean a Dryer Lint Trap?
Now that we’ve covered the importance of cleaning out your dryer lint trap, let’s talk about how often you should be doing this. Think about how often you are running clothes through your dryer. Are you doing it 3 times a day? 4? However, many times you are running clothes through your dryer is however many times you need to be cleaning out your dryer lint trap. Getting into the habit of cleaning out the dryer lint trap and screen either before a new load or after, is a simple yet effective practice that has many economic and safety benefits.
Another thing that does need to be cleaned out regularly is your dryer vent. It is recommended to clean your dryer vent at least once per year, but it could need to be cleaned out more often if you have a large family, have pets, or you wash a lot of bedding.
How to Clean Dryer Lint Trap
Cleaning lint from a dryer is simple and easy and can be done in just a few steps and with a small number of cleaning tools. You will just need a vacuum with a crevice attachment, hot water, and soap.
- First, begin by removing the dryer lint screen from the lint trap, and remove any lint that has built up on it. If you’d like, you can take your vacuum to remove any excess lint.
- Next, you are going to take your lint catcher to the sink and clean it thoroughly with hot water and soap.
- While you wait on the lint catcher to dry, take your vacuum with the crevice attachment, and clean up the slot that the lint catcher goes in. Thoroughly vacuum the slot as doing this further ensures proper airflow into your dryer.
- After the lint screen has dried completely, you can simply place it back into your dryer lint trap.
➝ Related: Gas vs. Electric Dryer: Which is Better?
Other Ways to Clean Dryer Lint Trap
If after this you still find that your dry times are long, or that your clothes are not being thoroughly dried, then there are a couple of different things that you can troubleshoot to try and fix the problem yourself.
- Be sure that you are not overpacking your dryer with clothes.
- Double-check that nothing like fabric softener sheets or other items are blocking air outlets.
- Make sure your dryer is level.
- Clean the dryer vent using a dryer lint cleaner kit.
If your dryer is not heating or drying properly after doing these troubleshooting steps, there may be a deeper issue for that reason. In this case, it is recommended to call your dryer manufacturer for help.
3 Top-Rated Replacement Dryers
If you find yourself in need of a new dryer for any number of circumstances, whether that be your current dryer no longer works, your dryer is not heating, or you simply want to upgrade, then we have picked a few front load electric dryers, for you to consider.
Maytag® 7.0 Cu. Ft. White Front Load Electric Dryer
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Looking at this 7 Cu. ft. dryer by Maytag, we can see that it has some great features to help make your laundry days more productive, quicker, and worry-free. Besides the large capacity to dry large loads with plenty of space, there is the Extra Power feature to boost drying power, while also making your clothes come out looking new with the Wrinkle Prevent Option.
- Model: MED5030MW
- Dimensions: 38.5” H x 29” W x 28.44” D
- Total Capacity: 7 Cu. ft.
Moisture Sensing
With the moisture sensing feature, you can be sure that your clothes will come out perfectly dry every time. Two sensors will closely watch air temperature and moisture, to ensure that your clothes get evenly dry and that the right temperature is reached. Once your dryer is satisfied with the moisture level, it will turn off, saving your clothes from being under or over-dried.
Quick Dry Cycle
If you have a small load that you just washed or just simply need to freshen up your favorite jeans, the quick dry cycle will have your clothes ready for you in no time.
10-Year Limited Parts Warranty on The Drive Motor and Drum
Showing confidence in the engineering and build of their dryers, Maytag® offers a convenient 10-Year Warranty on Drum and Drive Motors.
➝ Learn More About Maytag Laundry: Maytag Washer and Dryer Reviews: A Buying Guide
Hotpoint® 6.2 Cu. Ft. White Front Load Electric Dryer
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We are loving this budget-friendly dryer by Hotpoint®. With up to 120 ft. venting capabilities, Hotpoint® has created an easier and more flexible installation process. As well as the Reverse-A-Door feature, which allows you to have your dryer door open to either side, making it easier to fit your unique laundry room needs.
- Model: HTX24EASKWS
- Dimensions: 44” H x 27” W x 26.75” D
- Total Capacity: 6.2 Cu. ft.
Aluminized Alloy Drum
This feature helps to improve energy efficiency and resists corrosion in your dryer.
Upfront Lint Filter
Clean out your lint easier with the upfront lint catcher for your dryer.
3 Heat Selections
Personalize your fabric care with three heating options.
Whirlpool® 7.4 Cu. Ft. White Front Load Electric Dryer
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Easily clean your bulky items like comforters or sheets with the large capacity drum in this dryer by Whirlpool®. Coming with a steam option, you can easily freshen up your wrinkly clothes without having to wash them first, and know that your dryer won’t run for longer than necessary with the moisture sensor that stops your dryer when your clothes are completely dry. Whirlpool® also offers this dryer in the classic white that you see here, or a Chrome Shadow finish which brings everyday modernity to your laundry space.
- Model: WED6605MW
- Dimensions: 38.13” H x 27” W x 31” D
- Total Capacity: 7.4 Cu. ft.
Sanitize Cycle
We are loving this feature, which reduces up to 99% of common household bacteria. The bacteria that Whirlpool used to test this cycle were K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus.
Steam Refresh Cycle
If you are wanting to freshen up your clothes, but don’t have the time to run an entire wash cycle, then this feature is right up your alley. Conveniently release wrinkles and reduce odors with the Steam Refresh Cycle, which uses heat and water to get your clothes ready to wear without the added step of rewashing.
Static Reduce Option
Decrease static in your dryer with the Static Reduce Option, which is a combination of a spray mist and tumbling after the dryer is already finished running through its cycle.
➝ Related: Steam Dryers: 2022 Laundry Game-Changers
Why Trust Don’s Appliances?
Founded in 1971, Don’s Appliances is a family-owned, independent appliance retailer based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Don’s has since expanded to 10 locations selling, delivering, installing, and servicing all major appliance brands. Large enough to offer competitive pricing yet small enough to continue offering the “white glove” service we pride ourselves on, our focus is always on the customer experience — from the first step into a showroom to the purchase transaction to well after your new appliance has been installed.
When our customers are remodeling or building a new house, Don’s has all the expertise, product knowledge, inventory, brands, displays, and services to meet and exceed your needs. And in the event an appliance breaks, we are there, right on time and with the right product, delivery, installation, and service.
Shop Dryers at Don’s
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop dryers online at Don’s Appliance. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you — whether you call us at 866-544-1711, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by any of our Don’s Appliances Pittsburgh, PA warehouse locations. Visit us today!
Learn More: Why Are There No Top Load Dryers?