6 Things You Should Never Do To Your Clothes Dryer

Your clothes dryer does its job so quietly that you probably forget it is a heat machine. Every load pushes hot air through the drum, and everything it picks up along the way has somewhere to go.

A white washing machine with a laundry basket and a sock.

The U.S. Fire Administration’s clothes dryer fire safety flyer boils the risk down to one point: not cleaning the lint filter and the dryer vent raises the chance of a dryer fire. The National Fire Protection Association adds more advice in its dryer and washer safety tips.

Fires like these are the kind of trouble that builds slowly. A little lint here and a bent pipe there seem harmless until the day they are not.

Here are six things you should never do, all of them easy to fix this afternoon.

Never Run The Dryer Without A Lint Filter

The U.S. Fire Administration says it plainly: do not use the dryer without a lint filter. The National Fire Protection Association says the same thing in its safety tips.

The filter is the first line of defense, catching the fluff before it can drift into the machine and the vent. If yours is cracked, missing or torn, replace it before the next load.

Never Skip Cleaning The Lint Trap

The U.S. Fire Administration says to clean the lint filter before and after each cycle. The National Fire Protection Association likewise says to clean it before or after each use and to remove lint that has built up around the drum.

Make it a habit like shutting the door behind you. It takes ten seconds and costs nothing. Pull the screen out, peel off the lint with your fingers, and slide it back in.

The flyer adds a reminder that many people miss. Do not forget to clean the back of the dryer, where lint can build up out of sight.

Never Let The Vent Pipe Get Crushed Or Clogged

The U.S. Fire Administration advises checking the venting system behind the dryer to make sure it is not damaged, crushed or restricted. Pushing the dryer tight against the wall is a common way a pipe gets squashed.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends rigid or flexible metal venting to keep air moving and drying time down. It also says to clean the vent pipe at least once a year, or sooner if clothes are taking longer than usual to dry.

That is a handy clue to watch for. When a load that used to dry in one cycle now needs two, your vent is trying to tell you something.

Never Forget The Flap On The Outside Wall

The U.S. Fire Administration says to make sure the outdoor vent covering opens when the dryer is operating. If the flap is stuck shut, the hot, moist air has no place to go.

The National Fire Protection Association adds that the outdoor flap should be kept free of snow. If you live where winter piles up, put a quick glance at that wall on your list after every big storm.

This is also a good moment to look at the outside wall for anything leaning against the vent. You can check it in seconds. Start the dryer, step outside, and see whether the flap swings open on its own.

Never Leave The Dryer Running When You Go Out Or Go To Bed

The National Fire Protection Association says not to leave a dryer running if you leave home or when you go to bed. If something goes wrong while you are out or asleep, nobody is there to notice.

The same safety tips say not to overload the washer or dryer and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. A smaller load dries better anyway, and it is easier on the machine.

If your schedule makes timing tricky, start the dryer when you know you will be home for the whole cycle. Folding that warm load right away is a nice bonus.

Never Toss In Clothes Soaked With Flammable Stuff

The National Fire Protection Association says not to dry items that have touched flammable substances such as cooking oil, gasoline, paint thinner or alcohol. Heat is the last thing those rags and shirts need.

That applies to a greasy kitchen towel and a work shirt that spent the day in the garage alike. If something has picked up one of those substances, keep it out of the dryer.

The association also recommends keeping the area around the dryer clear of combustibles such as boxes or clothing. A laundry room that doubles as storage deserves a quick tidy.

The National Fire Protection Association also suggests having the dryer installed and serviced by a professional, and the U.S. Fire Administration gives the same advice. A trained set of eyes can catch problems you might not notice.

A dryer is one of the hardest-working machines in your home, and it asks for very little in return. Grown kids, grandkids and neighbors with new dryers could use these tips too, so pass them along.

None of these steps is hard, and together they take only minutes. Do them this week, and your laundry room will be safer all year.

Willow and Hearth