Dryers require a lot of attention when it comes to handling lint.
Lint is small pieces of fabric that come from clothes.
They may look small but the more they accumulate, the more they pose damage to our dryer.
A lint trap is uniquely designed to trap them for easy disposal.
So, Is It Safe to Use a Dryer Without a Lint Trap?
No. It is not safe to use a dryer without a lint trap because too much accumulation of lint in the appliance can cause a fire and reduce it’s life span.
What Is a Lint Trap?
Dryers use heat to drive away moisture from the clothes.
The same way you rely on the sun’s energy to drive away moisture from your clothes when you hang them outside, your dryer uses electricity to generate heat that then dries out moisture from your clothes.
Well, lint is fabric regardless of the material it chips off from.
Naturally, your clothes will lose some parts during the repeated drying process in the dryer. That is where the lint trap comes in.
Essentially, a lint trap is designed to collect all these fabrics so that they can be disposed of safely when cleaning.
Though you can use a dryer without a lint trap only for a while, it does not only put your dryer at the risk of fire, but it can also harm your clothes.
So, make sure that your dryer operates with a lint trap in it.
Four Reasons Why The Dryer Lint Trap Should Be Cleaned Out On A Regular Basis
1. To Lower Energy Bills
A dirty lint trap causes clogging inside the dryer.
Consequently, the dryer is forced to overwork. It must deliver what it is meant to do.
In the event, it consumes more energy. This is what leads to a hike in energy bills.
2. To Prolong the Life of Your Dryer
Dirty appliances easily wear down. As we mentioned earlier, a dirty dryer has to be overworked to deliver.
This strain causes wear inside it. Cumulatively, the machine will either break down or malfunction. And that compromises the durability of the appliance.
Doing a replacement is not an option if it breaks down. Of course, dryers are very expensive.
3. For Efficient Drying of Clothes
Your clothes will take a lot of time to dry if you use a dirty dryer.
A dirty dryer does not dry clothes effectively.
Routine cleaning of the lint trap ensures that your clothes dry well after cleaning.
4. To Prevent Overheating
Dirty lint traps cause overheating.
Because your dryer strain to overwork, friction against its components creates a lot of heat.
The machine, therefore, overheats and can either break down or cause a fire scenario.
How Often Do You Need to Clean the Lint Trap?
Your lint trap will keep on accumulating lint and dirt with continued use. The more clothes you dry on the dryer, the more your lint trap collects lint.
There is no specific time when you should clean your lint trap.
We recommend that you get it cleaned as soon as you start seeing a pile of dirt over it. This could help save your dryer from possible damage due to lint jams.
Open the dryer and peer at the inside to access the condition.
This routine inspection can be done after every use.
Additionally, on top of the dryer’s corner, check to see if there is any accumulated fabric.
Some dirt is deposited at this spot as well.
You can use your finger to rid these critical parts of lint.
Anything that can get into the inside of the dryer can be used to remove this lint.
We will cover the lint cleaning procedure in deep detail in the next section. So, make sure you hang around for these useful tips.
How Do You Clean a Dryer Lint Trap?
Cleaning a dryer lint trap is a pretty simple assignment.
But it is more than just scrapping lint from the screen. You want to make sure that it is sparkling clean for effective functioning. Here’s how you should clean it.
1. Remove The Lint Trap Screen
The best way to clean your lint trap is to get it out of the dryer.
Utilize a vacuum cleaner to remove all excess lint from it.
2. Wash The Lint Trap with Warm Water
A sink would be the best place to thoroughly wash the lint trap screen.
Use warm water and soap to ensure that all fabric and dirt are utterly rid of the screen.
3. Clean The Lint Trap’s Slot in The Dryer
As the lint trap screen dries, clean the slot where it slides in.
A vacuum cleaner remains the best cleaner for this spot.
It sucks out all lint that would otherwise stick onto the screen.
Get a narrow cleaner and make sure that it reaches the farthest ends of the slot to remove any dirt in it.
4. Remove The Cover of the Dryer Machine
This is a pro-tip to help you reach and remove the small lint traps that might have deposited in other parts of the dryer.
Search for a latch or a set of screws to allow you to reach the inside of the dryer.
Usually, the door jamb area of the dryer is prone to lint deposition.
If you find dirt in these spots, clear them off as well. Taking things back in place can be tricky.
So before you take them apart, it is advisable to take a photo of them before you start the job. This will be helpful when reassembling them.
Four Dryer Safety Tips
There are many cases where poor installation and use of a dryer have led to fire scenarios.
Explore these four important safety measures that can help you avoid them.
1. Hire Professional Dryer Installation Services
You do not want to mess up with your new dryer.
So, make sure that everything is executed by a well-trained professional. This not only guarantees security but also proper drying of your clothes.
2. Clean Your Dryer Regularly
The lint trap is the major part that has to be rid of lint often. It is designed to collect lint after all.
That is why you need to clear off them often so that the appliance don not get clogged and break down.
3. Do Not Use a Dryer Without a Lint Filter
Most fire catastrophes associated with dryer come from careless operations.
Using a dryer without a lint trap is like paving way for lint to enter the appliance and clog it.
Once it can no longer handle the intense stress associated with it, too much heat causes them to burn.
4. Do Not Leave the Dryer Unattended
This is the rule of the thump when it comes to operating virtually any appliance.
Do not leave the dryer running with clothes in it.
Take them out as soon as they are dry to avert a possible fire.
Conclusion
Dryers are good appliances. They help make drying your clothes easier and more efficient.
They should, however, be handled with ultimate care to make sure that they last longer and deliver as expected.
Clean your dryer’s lint trap often and always check it to ensure that everything is working properly.
