Comments on: Clean Out Your Dryer Lint (17/365)

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:53:53 +0000

From Carol:

If you use dryer sheets, when you go to wash screen the water won’t go through the sheets coat

This is not only true, but the main reason for dryer fires. Dryer sheets are a petroleum-based product. Petroleum burns very well. It also has a number of chemicals you do not want in your house. Much better not to use them. The issues with dryer lint are much less problematic if you do not use them. If you do use them, this is one of the very reasons to regularly wash that lint screen.

By: carol mason

carol mason — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:26:52 +0000

If you use dryer sheets, when you go to wash screen the water won’t go through the sheets coat
it.Info from my appliance repairman

By: Jill

Jill — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:12:14 +0000

Not only is using plastic vent line a bad idea from a fire possibility standpoint, it can actually invalidate the warranty on some brands & models of dryers. The manual for our dryer requires this.

By: gail

gail — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:20:02 +0000

To add to the “repurposing” factor of lint, you can throw it in your compost pile.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:42:43 +0000

Not only does it make your dryer run less efficiently (depending on the level of lint and your specific type of dryer, it can reduce the efficiency by 75%), it also forces your dryer to work harder and can contribute to a shorter lifespan for your dryer.

AND… it is a huge fire hazard!
I’ve heard suggestions for people with long runs of dryer vents (like 2nd floor installs) to install an additional lint screen in the ducting. Also, Dryer vents should be caulked from the outside with silicone (heat-proof) caulk to prevent air leaks.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:50:19 +0000

@#11 AnnJo,you are right about that. Just beware if your dryer lint contains a lot of dog or cat hair as mine sometimes does, the smell is awful.

By: AnnJo

AnnJo — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:51:31 +0000

I keep a lidded glass jar near the dryer and put the lint in that. When it’s full, I swap it out for an empty one and keep the full one near the woodstove. Lint is absolutely the best tinder to start fires. Honestly, the first time I read about “re-purposing” lint this way I thought it was carrying frugality too far, but once you try it, it turns out it really IS the best tinder.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:16:18 +0000

When we moved out of our second-floor apartment recently, I disconnected the vent hose and discovered a DEAD BIRD in there, just where it connected to the dryer. Besides being really gross, there’s no telling how much energy we wasted for who knows how long with that clogging things up.

By: Vanessa

Vanessa — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:05:32 +0000

I live in an upstairs apartment so I have no idea how the dryer connects outside, or even if it does. But I do know how to clear the lint from the trap inside the dryer.

By: Elaine

Elaine — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:10:44 +0000

Do not let them use pvc or plastic to vent your dryer-make sure it is flexible metal. Your dryer does not have to be on for a fire to start-ours started at 2am. I always cleaned the lint out of the dryer vent but had no idea that the outside vent causes the majority of house fires. And, believe me, that fire can move quickly!

By: lurker carl

lurker carl — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:25:05 +0000

You need to clean lint out of the dryer proper. Lint build up at the heating element where the fire starts, not in the vent. Lint in the vent line becomes fuel as the dryer blows the air and flames through the system.

Never use the cheap plastic vent line for a dryer. The plastic is electrostatic and attracts lint deposits. The plastic vent line breaches rapidly in the event of a fire, quickly exposing your home to disaster.

By: Jackowick

Jackowick — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:36:30 +0000

@ #1 it’s a great idea to make it a part of regular spring and/or fall cleanup activities.

By: Jackowick

Jackowick — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:34:32 +0000

#3 Vanessa – a tough thing to do given all the variable spots for these. Some are on the top/side/bottom outside of the unit, I have one that is “inside” the door opening. It’s best to google your model or go to a showroom/store and look up a similar one.

Your outside vent “should” be a round or square hole, usually on the back of the house. One easy way to find it is to take a walk outside when your dryer is on and you should find it. Then notice the spot relative to a basement or first floor window; my dryer vent is right through the wall behind the unit, but my parents’ house has it go down into the basement ceiling and THEN outside.

I worked at a DIY store for years; you can/should be able to buy new venting by the foot if you need it; buy 3 feet more than you think you need and avoid a kit and save a few dollars.

By: Kai

Kai — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:19:50 +0000

^Good point.
The photo works as an illustration for the post, but since you’re taking a photo just for this, an informative photo of the parts people might not already know about could be highly useful.

By: Vanessa

Vanessa — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:17:24 +0000

Lint trap, lint filter, dryer vent– I think I know what these are but more photographs would’ve been helpful.

By: cathleen

cathleen — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:10:50 +0000

I put the dryer lint outside in a tree for the birds and squirrels to use as nesting material.

By: Money Beagle

Money Beagle — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:13:03 +0000

Many house fires start as a result of clogged lint traps, so cleaning it regularly also reduces your risk of fire damage.