Even though you’re cleaning out your lint every time you use your dryer and getting your dryer vents professionally cleaned at least once a year, your dryer will still benefit from a good deep clean every once in awhile. So, get ready to grab a few cleaning items to give your dryer a scrubdown from top to bottom!
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
Soap & water
Old toothbrush
Microfiber cloths
Flexible lint brush or vacuum attachment for lint trap
Rubber spatula
Now that you’ve gathered what you need, it’s time to get started! First, unplug your dryer and move it away from the wall. (If you have a gas dryer, you’ll also need to turn off the dryer’s gas supply.) Then clean the entire exterior - including knobs and buttons - with soap & water and microfiber cloth.
Next up, you’ll be giving your lint screen and trap an extra good deep-clean! Pull out your lint screen and wash it in warm soapy water, using your old toothbrush to get rid of any grime and left behind substances on the screen. Once finished, rinse well and let the screen air dry. Once you’ve done that it’s time to tackle the lint trap itself with your lint brush or vacuum attachment as sometimes lint sneaks past the lint screen and builds up in the trap itself. Scoop or vacuum out any lint you find in there.
Now, you’re ready to tackle the drum. Depending on what type of dryer you have, you may find fins or bumps inside the drum - loose threads and pet hair are notorious for getting wedged in the crevices of these. Check the fins/bumps for anything that may be stuck in them and pull out (if you can’t get them with just your fingers, try the rubber spatula!). You may also find grime or sticky spots on the drum. If that’s the case, rub with a bit of warmed olive oil, then scrape with the rubber spatula. If you find scuff marks in your drum, try a paste of baking soda and water. Once you’ve done the deep cleaning here, wipe down the entire drum with a bit of soapy water.
The last bit of your deep cleaning should be your dryer vents. We recommend leaving that part to the professionals as we can accomplish a deeper clean in a safer way and be on the lookout for any problems that may arise other than a blockage of lint.
How often should you be cleaning parts of your dryer? With each use, you should be clearing the lint from your lint screen. Each week you should wipe down the exterior of your dryer with a dry cloth to pick up lint, then wipe down with a damp cloth for any dirt or grime. You should also inspect fins/bumps each week and pull out any lingering threads or hairs, then wipe down the drum with a damp cloth. And at least once a year (possibly more if you have a lot of people and/or pets in your home), do a deep clean complete with dryer vent cleaning.
This deep cleaning will only take a half hour to an hour of your time and will help keep your dryer running smoothly, working efficiently, and keep your family safer.
We're the experts for professional Northern NJ Dryer Vent Cleaning & repair! Give us a call at 201-345-0055 so Northern NJ Dryer Vent Wizard can help you save energy, time, and money. Some of the towns we service include: Bergen County, NJ Essex County, NJ Passaic County, NJ Morris County, NJ Ramsey, NJ and the surrounding NY Metro areas!
