How to Prevent Lint Fires by Cleaning Your Dryer

5/21/2019 (Permalink)

Clean the lint screen to prevent a lint fire in your Geneva, IL home

How to Prevent Lint Fires by Cleaning Your Dryer

It is likely that you have a washing machine and dryer in your Geneva,IL  home. You may not think much about cleaning the lint from your dryer, but failing to do so can result in a lint fire that could cause severe damage to your house and the items in it. To minimize the risk of this happening, be sure to do the following regularly.

1. Clean the Lint Screen

Removing lint from the screen is the most obvious, and the most simple, step in keeping your dryer clean and preventing a lint fire. You should wipe the screen off with your hand or a brush before and after every use. On some occasions, you may need to use soap and water to remove stubborn lint that has built up over time.

2. Clean the Vents and Exhaust Hose

While this step may be less convenient, it is important to clean the vents and exhaust hose of your dryer at least twice a year to reduce the chances of a dryer fire. Be sure to unplug your dryer before you begin any deep cleaning. A cleaning rod can help you remove hard to reach lint.

3. Clean the Interior

Keeping the interior of the dryer clean is important as well. You will need to remove the panel in the back of the appliance to access any lint that has gotten trapped inside. Wipe down and vacuum each area before replacing the panel.

4. Hire a Professional

The best way to ensure your machine is properly cleaned and maintained is to hire a professional service. They will be able to do the job thoroughly to help prevent a lint fire.

While performing routine maintenance on your unit will make a fire less likely, not all accidents can be prevented. If a fire does occur, a fire restoration service can help remove fire damage, repair your home and salvage damaged belongings to help return your home to pre-fire conditions.