13 answers

Weird Dryer Question

Hi Moms...
I'm hoping that someone out there has some insight into my dryer. I try to use it as infrequently as possible, so I'm really not too familiar with it's ins and outs! ;)

I clean the dryer lint screen after each cycle, as in scoop off the lint and throw it away. And yes, I've received that email that says you should scrub it and I've done that too, so I feel like I'm staying on top of the lint situation as best as possible My issue is I have an abundance of lint inside the hole that holds the lint screen. I took a flashlight to it today and noticed that a MASSIVE pile of lint and dirt is collecting inside that hole and there's no way to get it out. It's like overflow, for lack of a better word. I'm sure it's a fire hazard not to mention just plain gross, but how do I get it out?! The opening is obviously to thin to stick a hand down, my vaccum doesn't have an attachment thin enough and I tried using a wire hanger but it was a lot of work for not a lot of reward. Does that front part of the dryer come off? I tried looking and couldn't see a particular way to dislodge it and get at it from the inside.

Has anyone else had this issue or can give me any tips? Thanks!

What can I do next?

So What Happened?™

Thanks ladies! I guess I'm happy to know that I'm not the only one who has neglected a dryer, but now I know how to fix it! ;) I also know what's on my to-do list for tomorrow...but uh yeah, Hubby is going to have to be the one to do any sort of task that involves dismantling of any sort!

Featured Answers

Yes, excess lint is a fire hazard...just ask my SIL who is a firefighter and has put out the house fires from dryer lint...

My husband is a great handy man - he pulls out the "hose" and shakes it out - as to the excess at the top by the screen - he uses a wire hanger with double sided tape and sticks it down in there to clean it out...

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Shop for one of those "as seen on TV" things that are basically a long flexible bottle brush looking thing. I got mine at Bed Bath &Beyond, but they carry them other places too. You can use it to stick down there and the bristles catch the lint and pull it back out. The one I bought also comes with a round bristle thingee on a long cord that you can use to clean out the actual dryer venting tube itself (the part that goes to the outside that is inside your walls).

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?sku=13936560&...

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I think I have a husband for that! Just kidding ladies!! He takes the dryer apart from the back and uses a shop vac.....

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Use your vacuum hose to get that out. :) Oh sorry, missed that about the hose. Sorry, I don't know what you can do. Hope you find something that works and if so please tell us. :)

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I didn't read all the responses, so if I'm repeating please forgive me...or ignore me :-)

There is a special brush that is made to clean the inside of the dryer vent. It is long and thin. You just slide it down in there, move it side to side to, and pull it out. Clean the bristles off and do it again until you don't get anymore lint. I use mine once a week.

Also, take the hose off the back of the dryer and clean it out. I use my dryer lint brush in the hose, and also run it up into the back of the dryer through the hose connection opening. I was amazed at how much lint was in there! I do that every other month to keep it from building up, but I was told twice a year for that area is enough.

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I use a hanger I got from the store that has the foam tips on the ends to hold the shoulders of the clothes on the hanger. I slide it in the groove and push it against the lint. The foam holds onto it and it slides up the wall with the pressure on it.

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Great, now I have yet another freak accident to worry about.

I have a drain zipper. It's a long piece of plastic with little teeth all along it. You are supposed to snake it down your drain and it pulls all the hair out. Pretty ingenious little thing. They sell it in the plumbin section of Wal Mart. $3. I bet that thing would pull the lint out.

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Yes, excess lint is a fire hazard...just ask my SIL who is a firefighter and has put out the house fires from dryer lint...

My husband is a great handy man - he pulls out the "hose" and shakes it out - as to the excess at the top by the screen - he uses a wire hanger with double sided tape and sticks it down in there to clean it out...

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I think they have a duster thing for that. Mine is big enough to get a vacuum into.

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Next question: Have You Cleaned Your Dryer Vent Lately?

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