In the last issue, we warned about the hazards of the hoses on your washing machine. We told you to replace those old rubber hoses with metal and to be sure you turn off the water after every use. In this issue, we will discuss the other half of the laundry appliances, the dryer.
The dryer requires some every-use maintenance and some annual maintenance. If these are not done, you risk a house fire. There is a filter, usually just inside the door, that must be cleaned every time you use the drier. The lint that is trapped needs to be removed and discarded. If you use fabric softener sheets, you should check once a week to make sure the residue is not clogging the filter. Check for this by running water over the filter. If the water does not flow through the filter freely, wash it with mild soap.
The dryer exhaust goes into a four-inch metal duct that either goes through the side wall of your house or up and through the roof. These ducts collect lint on their walls and constrict, just like cholesterol clogs arteries in humans. These ducts should be cleaned every year along with the cap on the outside end of the duct. This can be done with a round four-inch brush on a flexible shaft that can be fed into the duct behind the dryer. The brush, made for this purpose, is available at home centers and hardware stores, or if you are lucky, you can borrow one from your neighbor. The brush is inserted into the duct and rotated with an electric drill. When the shaft is inside the duct, screw on the next section of shaft and continue to push the brush into the duct while rotating with the drill. Repeat until the brush comes up against the outside cap. Remove the lint that is dislodged from the duct and discard it. It could be as much volume as a sixteen-inch softball. Clean the outside cap with your hand.
If you have suggestions for future tips or have questions about maintenance around your home, submit them to ask.the.woodchucks@gmail.com
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