Your dryer will run much more efficiently if air can flow easily.
Removing lint, which is highly combustible, also reduces the risk of fire.
Take these steps to help keep your dryer lint-free.
Credit: Brie Williams
Pull the lint screen straight out to remove it from the dryer.
This is the area in which the filter fits.
Use a long flexible dryer lint brush and a gentle twisting motion to clean the cavity.
Credit: Brie Williams
Vacuum the brush clean, then repeat the process until you’re able to’t remove any more lint.
Alternatively, try using the crevice attachment on your vacuum cleaner to clean out the lint.
you could connect the brush head to a drill for extra cleaning power and attach extenders for added length.
Credit: Brittany Ambridge
Repeat this process on the outdoor vent where the exhaust exits your house.
The most likely culprits are pens, crayons, chewing gum, candy, and lipstick.
Or maybe you washed a dry-clean-only item whose dye still clings to the drum.
Credit: Lauren Rubinstein
Stains inside your dryer can transfer to other clothes and ruin them.
Here’s how to clean the most common stains inside a dryer.
Scrape them off with a plastic spatula or an old credit card.
Wipe the drum with a soft cloth sprayed with a small amount of WD-40 until the stain is gone.
(Never spray the WD-40 directly into the dryer.)
Wash the Interior
Unplug the dryer and wash the interior with warm, soapy water.
Pay special attention to any areas that were wiped with WD-40.
Change rags as needed to prevent ink from being redistributed.
Rinse with a damp, clean white cloth.
Double- and Triple-Check
Before drying another load of clean clothes, check your work.
Run an old white towel through a complete drying cycle.
If it comes out completely white, you’re done.
If not, repeat the process.
Wearing protective eyewear and rubber gloves, wring the towels nearly dry.
Repeat the process if needed.
Use a blow-dryer to soften the remaining gum or candy with hot air.
Then remove the softened particles by scraping them off with a plastic spatula or old credit card.
(This will be more successful if the dryer is still warm.)
Unplug the dryer and let it cool down completely.
Wipe the remaining lipstick stains with a soft cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol.
Start by unplugging the dryer.
Leave the dryer door open and let any fumes or residue dissipate before heating it up again.
Wipe the dryer down with a damp cloth dipped in soapy water.
Remove the soapy residue with a clean, wet cloth, then wipe dry.
