Is your dryer not working properly? Try cleaning the filter thoroughly
Have you ever opened the dryer's door after the drying cycle is over, only to find that the clothes inside were still damp? When you still feel a little moisture, albeit light, it means that something has not worked properly.
Very often, however, these are not serious failures: it may simply be time to thoroughly clean the appliance, especially the filter. The machine, in fact, captures the fluff released by the garments during drying, but this eventually plugs the air filter. When this happens, the dryer takes more energy to operate, and in extreme cases, could lead to a fire. It is therefore worth remembering to keep the filters on this appliance clean - just like you do with the washing machine, dishwasher and other cleaning appliances in the home.
As you can also see in a video on TikTok from @scienceofcleaning, this is a procedure that involves several steps, but is not difficult.
Equip yourself with:
- a vacuum cleaner with a thin nozzle;
- a basin in which to wash the filter (the sink is fine too);
- used dryer fabric softener sheets (or dust cloths);
- hydrogen peroxide (some use white vinegar, which will need to be diluted);
- an old soft-bristled toothbrush.
Procedure:
- Remove the filter from its housing.
- Wearing gloves, open it up and remove the mass of the fluff inside.
- If any lint is left, use the fabric softener sheet to pick it all up.
- Clean out the filter housing, if necessary also removing the gasket on the opening, as shown the video. To clean this cavity, you will need a vacuum cleaner with a nozzle that fits into it. Otherwise you could use special, flexible brushes.
- If you notice unpleasant odors emanating from the filter, it may be necessary to wash it out: fill the basin with warm water, pour in half a glass of hydrogen peroxide or vinegar, and immerse the filter in the mix. Remove any residual dirt, delicacy with the toothbrush. Then rinse everything off and dry thoroughly before reassembling the filter unit.
The frequency of this type of maintenance also depends on the use made of the appliance, but generally it should be done once a month.
