How to Properly Clean Your Dryer’s Lint Filter

Want to double the life of your Clothes Dryer and cut down on energy cost? Removing the lint from the filter is just not enough and in the long run will shorten the life cycle of your Dryer. When using Dryer Sheets, they leave a film over the wire mesh screen that increases Dryer time and shortens the life of your Dryer. These easy to follow steps will extend the life of your Dryer and cut down on your drying cycle.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Nylon brush
• Laundry detergent

1. 

   Remove the filter from your Dryer and any lint that may be on the filter.

2. 

   Run hot water over the wire mesh screen of the filter. If the water does not flow completely through the screen you need to go to the next step.

3. 

   Place a small amount of laundry detergent on the wire mesh screen. Using a nylon brush, scrub both sides of the nylon screen and then rinse completely with hot water.

4. 

   Run water over all parts of the screen to make sure water passes through and does not accumulate on the screen. If water passes through, let the filter air dry before placing it back in the dryer.

5. 

   If you dry 3 or more loads each week, test your filter every 3 months to make sure water passes through. From there you can determine how often you will need to clean your filter.

Tips & Warnings

• Once every 6 months check your exhaust hose and vent for lint and clean if necessary.

[chava812]

on 8/12/2008 Thanks for the tips! I need to get on the hose, too!

[vdeneen]

on 6/30/2008 Yikes! I've been doing this wrong for years now... thanks for sharing!

[jclayrey]

on 6/27/2008 I'm going to have to try this.