How To Clean Your Dryer Lint Trap in 6 Easy Steps

The lint trap is a small part of the dryer we often forget, but it plays a crucial role in keeping your machine running smoothly. To avoid trouble, you should know how to thoroughly clean your dryer lint trap.

First and foremost, a lint trap catches the lint produced during the drying process and enhances the efficiency of your machine. But it goes beyond that: lint is highly flammable. When it accumulates in the dryer, it becomes a fire hazard.

In this article, we show you how to clean a dryer lint trap to keep it safe and functioning optimally.

What you’ll need

• Mild dish soap
• Soft-bristled brush
• Microfiber cloth
• Hot water
• Dry towel

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How to clean a dryer lint trap in 6 steps

Safety first: unplug your dryer from the power source. Next, locate and remove the lint trap and clean it with a soft-bristled brush. Then, clean the screen with a microfiber cloth dampened with a mild dish soap solution. Rinse with hot water and dry with a towel.

Below, we’ve laid out more detailed instructions, including how to clean your dryer’s outside vent and moisture sensor. 

Step 1: Unplug the dryer

Safety first! Before cleaning, ensure your dryer is completely disconnected from the power source to prevent accidents. This is especially important if you plan to clean the moisture sensor or the outside vent. 

Step 2: Locate and remove the lint trap

The lint trap is typically located inside the dryer drum, just below the door opening. It is a screen or mesh-like structure designed to catch lint.

Pull out the lint trap screen from its compartment. Depending on the dryer model, it might be secured with a handle or require unscrewing with a screwdriver. Refer to your dryer's manual if you need clarification on the removal process.

Step 3: Clean the lint trap screen

If you notice a visible lint buildup on your screen, then it's time for a thorough cleaning because the residue obstructs the dryer's airflow and lowers drying effectiveness. 

To do this, use your fingers or a small soft-bristle brush to remove as much loose lint as possible from the screen. Next, use a microfiber cloth dampened with a mild dish soap solution to wipe down the screen and remove any remaining lint particles. Rinse it in hot water and dry it with a towel. 

Be gentle to avoid damaging the delicate mesh, and make sure it’s completely dry before reinserting it into the dryer.

Step 4: Clean the screen compartment

Before you reinsert the lint trap screen, reach into the empty screen compartment with a narrow vacuum cleaner attachment or a lint brush and carefully remove the lint and debris accumulated there.

Step 5: Clean the outside vent

Locate the dryer's outside vent, typically found on an exterior wall. Remove any cover or cap protecting the vent and inspect it for obstructions or lint buildup.

Next, insert the narrow attachment of your vacuum cleaner into the vent opening and carefully vacuum out any lint or debris. If your vacuum doesn't have a narrow attachment, you can use a lint brush to reach inside and clean.

Step 6: Clean the moisture sensor (optional)

If your dryer contains a moisture sensor, there’s a high probability it’s also dirty. 

Moisture sensors are the two parallel metal bars close to the lint filter. They’re designed to detect the moisture level in the clothes being dried and adjust the drying time accordingly. 

If your dryer contains a moisture sensor, use a soft cloth dampened with soapy water to clean it, then dry it with a second cloth.

More laundry tips from the experts: Can You Wash Towels With Clothes? What the Pros Say

What is lint?

When you dry your clothes, the loose fibers and threads accumulate in your dryer. This accumulation is known as lint. If you don't clean out the lint trap regularly, it can build up and block the airflow in your dryer, making it less efficient and even posing a fire risk.

Why are you supposed to clean the dryer lint trap?

Cleaning the dryer lint trap is crucial for 2 reasons: 

• It improves the efficiency of your dryer. A clogged lint trap restricts airflow, causing the dryer to work harder and take longer to dry clothes. 
• Lint is highly flammable. If it accumulates in the lint trap or vent, it can ignite from heat generated by the dryer.

How often should a dryer lint trap be cleaned?

You should remove excess lint from your dryer lint trap screen after every load of laundry, then deep clean the lint trap every three months. A deep clean includes wiping down the lint screen, vacuuming the screen compartment and outside vent, and cleaning the dryer’s moisture sensor.

How do you know if your dryer vent is clogged?

If any of the following happen, your dryer vent might be clogged:

• Longer drying times or dryer shuts off before the cycle completes.
• Excess heat in the dryer and laundry room.
• Musty odor on clothes or in laundry room.
• Accumulation of lint around the vent opening.
• Reduced airflow from the vent.
• Increased energy consumption.

Clean your dryer lint trap like an expert

If you still experience long or incomplete dry times after thoroughly cleaning the lint trap, ensure you're not overloading the dryer with clothes. Overpacking restricts airflow and hampers drying efficiency. 

Also, double-check that nothing is blocking the air outlets, like fabric sheets, a loose sock, or other items.

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