How to Clean a Whirlpool Duet Dryer
It doesn't make sense to wash your clothes in a clean washing machine and then put them straight into a dirty dryer. You might find your dryer has attracted stains over time, some of which can transfer to your clothes. Whirlpool recommends cleaning the lint screen, interior and exterior of the dryer every few months to keep the appliance running safely. Without regular maintenance, your dryer could stain your clothes or pose a fire risk. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Nylon brush
- Dish soap
- Liquid, nonflammable household cleaner
- Cloths
- Towel
- Broom
Instructions
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Slide the lint filter out of its slot in the door frame, and roll any accumulated lint into a ball. Discard the lint and wash the filter in a sink full of warm water, using a nylon brush and dish soap. Over time, laundry detergent and fabric softener residues will cling to the lint screen and restrict airflow. Let the filter dry before returning it to the dryer.
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Disconnect the exhaust filter, and brush out any accumulations of lint trapped in the pipe. Blocked exhausts pose a serious fire risk; more than 15,000 house fires a year, some of them fatal, start because of a lack of cleaning out dryer vents. Clean out any animal nests, calling a professional if necessary, and reconnect the exhaust. Run the dryer empty and place your hand over the vent outside; you should feel air exiting the vent if the piping is blockage-free.
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Clean stains off the inside of the drum, using a liquid, nonflammable household cleaning product (see the Tips section). It's important to use nonflammable products because of the heat generated while the dryer is running. Scrub away any dye stains from blue jeans or bright cotton items, and wipe away any remaining product with a damp cloth. Dry the drum with a towel. Dye stains are not normally a risk for other clothes, but you may wish to remove them if the stains are particularly bad.
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Clean stains on the outside of the dryer with a warm, soapy cloth and dry the surface with a towel. Sweep away any dust or lint surrounding the dryer to avoid having it sucked into the appliance. You might need to move the dryer away from the wall or out from beneath a counter to do this.
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Tips & Warnings
A paste of powdered laundry detergent and hot water is an acceptable substitute for liquid, nonflammable household cleaner.
Have a qualified technician clean lint from inside the dryer cabinet every two years. Dust that fails to become trapped in the screen or escape via the exhaust may gather around internal components and pose a fire risk.
