Dryer Maintenance Checklist: Five Steps to Keep Your Dryer Performing Well

Using our extensive 2024 Dryer Maintenance Checklist, you can make sure your dryer is operating at its best and maintain excellent condition. This comprehensive manual will assist you in averting probable dryer issues, preserving the effectiveness of your device, and guaranteeing its durability.

Following a comprehensive checklist to maintain your dryer properly is important. This article highlights a complete checklist you must follow. 

Step 1. Clean the Dryer Exhaust Vent System

Prioritize all things which impact your dryer's performance. Sometimes, lint and debris clogs the exhaust vent pipe which affects the drying power of a dryer. Another way for clothing to overheat is if it tumbles inside a dryer that has a blocked vent.

To clean the dryer vent system, adhere to the following steps:

• Examine the exterior dryer damper vent on your house. Remove any impediments preventing the damper from opening fully.

• The flexible exhaust duct should be disconnected from the wall. Dust and lint should be vacuumed out of the exhaust duct.

Step 2. Thoroughly Clean the Lint Screen

You will need to wash the lint screen properly once a month. Along with it, remove the lint from it before each load.

Fabric softeners are commonly found in dryer softener sheets. These can accumulate on your lint screen and prevent the dryer's air from flowing freely. The softener residue might not even be visible.

Remove the lint screen to get rid of the residue that dryer sheets leave. You must gently wash it with water and a soft bristle brush. After the lint screen has dried fully, replace it in the dryer. Continue this process every month for smooth functioning.

Step 3. Clean the Dryer Drum

If there are no stains visible, examine the inside of your dryer drum and clean it with a damp cloth. If deposits or stains are visible, clean the drum according to the instructions below.

Transferred Dye

A blue or grey residue may be left behind by the dye from new jeans rubbing off on the dryer drum and your hands. Apply a paste consisting of powdered laundry detergent and warm water. This helps to get rid of it. 

Gum chewing

To start, soften the gum. You can use a blow dryer or place a few rags in the dryer and run it for a few minutes. If there are only a few gum spots, carefully scrape them off with a hard spatula. 

Step 4: Wipe the Bars for Moisture Sensors

A number of clothes dryers contain sensor bars that alert the machine to the load being dry. When using dryer sheets, the fabric softener residue on the sheet may cause sensors to read "dry" even when the load is still damp. 

Approximately every six months, or more frequently if the dryer routinely under-dries the clothes, clean the sensor bars. Wipe the bars with a towel dipped in rubbing alcohol To remove any remaining residue.

Step 5: Contact Sears Home Services to Schedule a Clean and Maintain Service

It is imperative that a service specialist clean the dryer cabinet's interior once a year to avoid fires. Of the approximately 3000 dryer fires recorded annually, one-third are caused by lint accumulation inside the dryers. Get your dryer serviced and cleaned by a professional to protect your family.

Some common functions performed by technicians are: 

• Check the exhaust system.
• Inspect the heating system.
• Check the drum, drive system and drum seals.
• Examine and test the moisture sensor.
• Inspect the power cord and electrical connections.
• Measure the dryer operating temperature.
• Check the controls

An annual expert cleaning and maintenance can help shield your dryer against unplanned malfunctions and extend its lifespan.

Wrapping Up 

Dryer maintenance is important to maintain your machine properly. By following this checklist, you can ensure your dryer remains in great condition.