Surprising Fact About Your Dryer Lint Trap
By Jeanne Marie
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
United States
June 12, 2016 6:36am CST
I clean the lint from the trap in my dryer after every load.
As a child, I witnessed a dryer on fire in my own home and have forever worried about it happening again. I never leave the house with the dryer running or go to bed until the load of clothing has finished drying.
A few years ago I discovered just removing the lint is not enough. Residue from fabric softener sheets can invisibly clog the vent. To test this, remove your lint trap and take it to a sink and run some water in it. If screen holds the water in it is clogged. Air cannot move freely and oils filling the spaces can be flammable. Clean the trap with just soap and water using a small brush. Then run water in the trap again, it should not hold any water. Dry thoroughly before replacing the trap. If it holds water, air an not circulate properly.
I checked mine last night and it was clogged. It took just a minute to clean it.
14 people like this
19 responses
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
12 Jun 16
@Jeanniemaries If I used a dryer it would be harder to iron my shirts.
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
12 Jun 16
@Asylum If you used a dryer you wouldn't have to iron shirts!
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
12 Jun 16
I would challenge that it's easier not to use a dryer!
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
12 Jun 16
I have a small apartment-sized dryer that doesn't get very hot, and so I don't worry about fire much, but a clogged trap will keep the clothes from drying effectively. I don't use dryer sheets, though, because they are a huge fire hazard. Fabric softener on clothes can also make them more flammable. I am too lazy to remember softener in the wash, and sometimes I hang my towels on the rack to dry and they turn to boards. I am the antithesis of the good housewife.
2 people like this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
12 Jun 16
@Jeanniemaries You know, the board towels may not be soft to the skin, but ones that are too soft and loaded with softener often are not very absorbent. And board towels get softer when they absorb the water off your body. Besides, scratchy towels is a disincentive to the kids to use too many clean towels. The one they used the last time is softer.
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
12 Jun 16
I was reading up on using fabric softener sheets very sparingly. I am going to quit using them myself. I have a huge bottle of softener that I bought accidentally instead of laundry soap that I need to use up but am like you and never remember to put it in at the right time. In Ohio we desperately needed the dryer sheets as static was so bad most of the year. Not so in Florida, yet I have continued to use them. I love towels that are board stiff, hung up to dry. They are so wonderful to dry off with! Very absorbent!
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
12 Jun 16
@Rollo1 I love the scratchy feel and how it softens, but kids don't! Nice plan!
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
12 Jun 16
Check it out. It is surprising to see a screen holding water.
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
12 Jun 16
@Jeanniemaries
I will be checking it out to see if the screen is holding water, thanks for the tip.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
12 Jun 16
I know about this for years...however, washing it doesn't keep it clean for very long. Also, people need to clean out the vent outside that part clogs up and can also cause a fire.
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
12 Jun 16
@Jeanniemaries One house we owned the vent line was about 25 feet long and it onlhy needed a few few and it was the old type of material that was no longer allowed...you have to check all these things.
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
12 Jun 16
Absolutely. I have a tool that goes down into the vent from the dryer side and also the outside that vacuums up stray lint. I also was reading you can use a leaf blower to push any lint from the middle out. I have such a short line, my dryer vent hose is only about a foot long!
@JudyEv (339431)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jun 16
This is really good and useful information. I don't use a fabric softener and I always clean the lint trip after every use. Mine is used mainly to dry towels as I believe drying towels in the dryer makes them softer and fluffier than drying them on the outside line.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339431)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Jun 16
@Jeanniemaries I don't know why mine dry like cardboard. Rainwater is really soft and I don't use a lot of washing powder but still they dry stiff.
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
12 Jun 16
I wish I had an outside line because I prefer towels hung out to dry. I love the absorbency when drying off.
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
12 Jun 16
When I first heard about it I couldn't believe a screen could hold water. But mine did and I knew it was clogged with oils then.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37350)
• Toccoa, Georgia
12 Jun 16
Those are good tips to know. I do clean the lint trap after each load, but I do need to do what you are saying too.
2 people like this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
12 Jun 16
Good to know that people now know.
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
12 Jun 16
It was shocking to me the first time I saw a "perfectly clean" lint trap screen actually holding water!
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
12 Jun 16
You are very welcome. It occurred to me as I was cleaning it, some may not know.
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
12 Jun 16
I only recently heard about it a few years ago after using a dryer for forty years!
1 person likes this
@RichardMeister (5328)
• Otis Orchards, Washington
13 Jun 16
I read an article several years ago about many fires being caused by dryers and when the firemen arrive there is no one home. After reading that I never leave the house with the dryer going. I just washed my lint filter a few days ago. Also lint will get pass the filter and clog up the vent so every couple of years the vent should be taken apart and cleaned out.
1 person likes this
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
12 Jun 16
In my apartment building, I honestly don't know if we're supposed to clean vents or if someone else does that. I often forget all about it when I'm down there, so I should write myself a note the next time I go down to do laundry to try and check the vent, at least. The trap is going to have be done by the maintenance guy, I guess.
1 person likes this
@irenen1 (228)
• New Bedford, Massachusetts
13 Jun 16
I worry about the lint that gets by the screen. I have a gas dryer. At least I now know that the vacuum can be used to suck it out.
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
12 Jun 16
my dad 'twas a fireman, so this was heavily ingrained'n my brain, lol. i reckon i'm too lazy to scrub mine? i jest soak't'n some hot white vinegar water 'n that seems to do the trick. i must confess though, i miss my clothesline.
1 person likes this
