Tips For Dryer Longevity

A dryer longevity depends on how well you maintain it and how often you use it. If you’re putting it through the wringer, like any appliance, don’t expect it to last as long. Whether it’s a condenser dryer, vented dryer, or gas dryer, on average they last around 13 years.

Best Tips for Dryer Longevity

– There are helpful tips to help extend the life of your dryer, increase safety and make laundry day easier. If you’re sharing a dryer with roommates or a large family, maintenance and proper upkeep are even more important. That means taking the time to clean out the lint from the dryer filter and making sure the tumbler is wiped down with alcohol disinfectant after large load cycles. Wiping down the inside of the tumbler also prevents the thin coat of residue left by drying sheets from sticking to the inside and interfering with the sensors, preventing your machine from properly drying anything.

-Give your lint screen a deep clean: You clean the lint screen after every load, which is great.  But don’t stop there, wash it every three months with a touch of laundry detergent and rinse it thoroughly or even throw it in the dishwasher to clear off any dry sheet residue.

-Every two years, clean the exhaust vent: This is one of the most important thing you can do to maintain your dryer and help prevent fires. Remove the vent from the back of the dryer, clean out any built-up lint.

What Shortens a Dryer’s Lifespan

-Treat your appliances well, and they’ll last much longer. Chances are you might not even realize the mistakes you’re making that could shorten the life of your washer/dryer. Keep these things in mind, so your unit runs like new for longer.

-Proper installation is critical for all laundry machines. For one, they must be installed “level,” according to one Home Depot sales associate who spoke to Reader’s Digest. Depending on the peculiarities of your floor, that can be more or less complicated. As for dryers, proper venting is critical, and proper venting means selecting the appropriate size and material for your venting tube as well as proper placement of the tube to permit optimal air flow. If you installed your own machines, consider having a professional eyeball your work.

   –Overuse, Using your dryer frequently at high temperatures and not giving it enough idle time leads to it wearing down over time, shortening its life cycle.

-Dryer Vents, Dryers have to ventilate high heat for long periods of time. When lint collects in the vent, it can clog it. This is bad news for your dryer’s longevity. Vacuum out the lint twice a year (more if you use it frequently).

-Using more detergent than the manufacturer recommends is bad for your washing machine, according to Angie’s List. Using too much soap leads to more suds, which could cause your washer to overflow. Have a high-efficiency washer? They require even less soap to wash clothing properly, so be sure to skimp on the detergent and only use soaps marked safe for HE washers. Here’s one way to tell if you’re actually using too much laundry detergent.