How to extend the life of your clothes dryer

I use dryer sheets in mine also. I take the lint trap out and clean it if the lint does not roll up off it very well when i go to empty it. I use srcubbing bubbles on mine to remove the film. I spray it on there and take a toothbrush to it and it cleans it right up. I can use my dryer for quite some time after that without it clinging and sticking to the vent.

I use a Shop Vac on mine and that seems to get 99% of the dust, dirt and lint out of it. I buy replacement lint screens about once a year because trying to wash them would probably result in me destroying them lol.

Thanks for the tip. I do not use Bounce or any fabric softener because I am allergic to the chemicals in them. I use vinegar, but my lint catchall does get pull and usually I just bang it against the side of the dryer, but this does sound like a good idea and we will be getting a shower and sink put down stairs pretty soon so I do not have to go upstairs to do this.

My husband is a maintenance man and when I read this to him he said, "Well actually someone just told me that a short time ago and I didn't know anything about it", but he agreed this is a wise thing to do. I keep my washer and dryer clean at all times and I always keep the lint trap clean, but I have never washed it. I am going to now that I know a film can build up Thank you.

wow- thanks for the info. I just recently bought a new dryer and now I know how to keep it going! Great post! Thanks!

Thanks for this information. After I read it I went and cleaned my lint trap. Man was that thing ever so nasty. Now the clothes get dry faster as well. LOL Who knew??? Now I only have to run the dryer one cycle per load instead of 2. This should help lower my bill a lot.

I use a Shop Vac on mine and that seems to get 99% of the dust, dirt and lint out of it. I buy replacement lint screens about once a year because trying to wash them would probably result in me destroying them lol.

Wow, that was really useful. A + from me! Hubby bought a used dryer last year because the old one was working just fine. JK. It wasn't drying anything. So, with this "new" dryer, I use Bounce fabric sheets all the time because my family can't remember to use the liquid fabric softener. I'm crazy when it comes to clean smelling clothes. But, now that I know to CLEAN the lint screen as you've mentioned, I'll be sure to put that on my calander! With small children in the house, I want to take all the precautions I can to make sure their world is safe.

Okay, I'll bite. I clean my darn lint filter constantly, but not a good wash. Will do. Actually, I had to had to have a maintenance call on my dryer not too long ago. Once of those dryer sheets had worked its way underneath and got caught in the workings. The repairman said, lady start using the liquid softener. Back to the Downey ball.