Prevent a Lint Fire With These 4 Tips

2/4/2019 (Permalink)

Remove the lint screen from the dryer and clean it

Prevent a Lint Fire With These 4 Tips

Everyone knows that you’re supposed to clean out the dryer lint every time you start a new load, but this task can be easily forgotten. While you may already be aware that cleaning out lint helps to dry your clothes faster and preserve your dryer, letting dryer lint build-up can lead to a dangerous home fire. Prevent a lint fire in Carpentersville, IL, by following these four tips!

1. Wipe Off the Lint Screen After Every Load

The simplest step to prevent a dryer fire is to remove the lint screen from the dryer and wipe it off every time you take out a load. Extremely flammable lint paired with a dryer that gets extremely hot makes for a dangerous combination!

2. Wash the Lint Screen

Your lint screen can get clogged and dirtied over time due to the products used to clean and freshen your clothes. Every few weeks, use hot water, dishwashing soap, and a soft brush to remove gunk from the screen.

3. Occasionally Deep Clean Dryer Vents

Your lint screen isn’t the only place that lint gathers. The exhaust hose on your dryer and wall vent connected to your dryer collect lint over time which can easily lead to a lint fire if not cleaned periodically. This process will require removing the exhaust hose from your dryer and getting ahold of a special vent cleaning kit.

4. Clean Inside Your Dryer

The last place you want lint to build up is inside the interior of your dryer. At least twice a year, unscrew the back panel on your dryer and vacuum out any lint you find. A microfiber cloth is useful for wiping off metal bits. Avoid needing to call in fire damage specialists by performing this step and clearing away lint blockages before they occur.

It is important to remember that flammable lint and hot dryers don’t mix well! Prevent a lint fire in your home by keeping these four tips in mind.