Why clean clothes dryer?

Nobody wants a dirty clothes dryer. If you want your dryer to work properly and last a long time, it is very important that you clean it regularly. Dirt and soap residue can interfere with your dryer’s drying performance, and when parts become clogged, the chances of leakage and a broken dryer increase. This is something you would want to avoid! Regular maintenance will ensure that your laundry is perfectly dry after each use and will last longer.

Cleaning the lint filter

Lint is released from your laundry as it dries. This lint is trapped in the lint filter (also called a fabric filter) in the door and doorway of your dryer. We recommend that you empty and clean the lint filter after each drying cycle.

It is very important to empty the lint filter regularly. The filter accumulates all sorts of dry substances, which can be a fire hazard at worst. Other risks of a full lint filter is that it can increase the dryer’s drying time and energy consumption, and the accumulated lint can get into the operational parts of the dryer and damage the appliance.

All clothes dryers have a different way of working with the lint filter, often you can easily slide the filter out of the dryer. Check your dryer’s manual to find out exactly how to clean the lint filter.

Clean the condenser box

The most common dryers are condenser dryers and heat pump dryers. These types of clothes dryers have a condenser, also known as a heat exchanger. Your dryer’s condenser also needs to be cleaned regularly.

Some clothes dryers, mostly new heat pump dryers, have a self-cleaning condenser. If your dryer has this, you won’t need to clean the condenser yourself. However, in most cases you will need to do this. If you have a condenser tumble dryer, you can remove the condenser and easily rinse it with running water from a shower head or tap. Then put the condenser back in the dryer. With a heat pump dryer this is usually not possible. In that case the condenser is stuck. You can then use a vacuum cleaner to clean the condenser and the stainless steel grille.

Every model is different when it comes to cleaning the condenser. To find out exactly how to clean the condenser of your type of tumble dryer, consult your manual.

Removing the drain hose

If you have an air dryer, you won’t have a condenser to clean, but you will have a drain hose. This is because the extractor dryer doesn’t use a condenser, it leads the hot air outside with an exhaust hose. This is where smaller and larger particles of dust and lint can get stuck. If the hose is dirty, the hot air can no longer escape and this can create dangerous situations. The drain hose is also best cleaned with a vacuum cleaner.

Cleaning the drum and sensor

Dirt is also easy to get stuck in the dryer drum. Detergent and fabric softener residue can stick to it after each wash. To clean the dryer drum use warm soapy water and a cleaning cloth. Pay special attention to the rubber edges at the door of your tumble drier.

If your dryer has a sensor, it will usually be inside the drum. If you want the sensor to do its job properly, it needs to be sparkling clean. It is also best to clean the sensor with a damp cloth. You cannot always tell where the sensor is located, your dryer’s manual will explain why.