Step by step: how to clean a dryer
Safety first. Unplug the dryer before you vacuum inside the lint slot or move it, and move a gas dryer gently so the gas connector is not strained. Never use flammable solvents inside the drum, and per NFPA never dry anything that has been in contact with gasoline, paint thinner, cooking oil or alcohol.
- 1
Unplug the dryer
Pull the plug, or switch off the breaker if you cannot reach the outlet. For a gas dryer, unplugging stops the igniter; leave the gas valve alone unless you are moving it far from the wall.
- 2
Wash the lint screen
Peel off the lint, then hold the screen under the tap. If water beads and pools on the mesh instead of running through, it has a waxy film from dryer sheets. Scrub both sides with warm soapy water and a soft brush, rinse, and let it dry completely before putting it back.
- 3
Vacuum the lint screen slot
Lint slips past the screen and collects in the slot below it. Feed a long, thin vacuum attachment or a flexible lint brush down into the slot and work it around until no more lint comes out. Do it gently so you do not push lint further down.
- 4
Wipe the drum and door seal
Wipe the inside of the drum, the back wall and the door seal with a cloth wrung out in warm soapy water, then wipe again with plain water and dry. If a pen, crayon or gum has marked the drum, see the section below before you scrub.
- 5
Clean the moisture sensor bars
Most sensor-dry models have two curved metal strips inside the door opening or on the back wall. Fabric softener and dryer sheets coat them so the dryer stops too early or runs too long. Wipe them with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol or soapy water, as your manual specifies, and let them air dry before you run the dryer.
- 6
Clean behind and under the dryer
Slide the dryer out and vacuum the floor, wall and the back panel, where lint builds up. Check that the duct behind it is not crushed or kinked; if it is due for a full cleaning, follow our dryer vent guide while it is pulled out.
- 7
Wipe the outside and run a test load
Wipe the top, control panel and door with a damp cloth and dry them. Push the dryer back without crushing the duct, plug it in, and run a load of old towels on a short heated cycle to make sure everything is dry and there is no residue on the drum.
How to get ink, crayon or gum off a dryer drum
Remove marks with the gentlest thing that works, wipe the drum clean, then tumble old towels to pick up anything left. Never spray flammable solvents into the drum and then run heat.
| Mark | What to do |
|---|---|
| Ink | Dab with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol, wipe with soapy water, leave the door open for 30 minutes so the alcohol evaporates, then tumble old rags to catch any leftover ink |
| Crayon or lip balm | Run the empty dryer for a minute or two to soften it, unplug, then wipe it off with a dry cloth followed by soapy water |
| Gum or candy | Harden it with a bag of ice, then lift it with a plastic scraper; wipe the residue with soapy water |
| Dye stains on a white drum | A paste of baking soda and water on a soft cloth often lightens them; some dye stays and is harmless once dry |
Check your manual before using any abrasive on a stainless steel or coated drum.
Why the lint screen and slot matter for fire safety
Lint is flammable, and a dryer that cannot move air runs hotter. NFPA lists failure to clean as the leading cause of home dryer fires and says to clean the lint filter before or after each use and remove lint that collects around the drum.
The U.S. Fire Administration adds two easy ones: never run the dryer without the lint filter in place, and do not forget the back of the dryer, where lint builds up. Keep the area around the dryer clear of boxes and laundry, and do not leave it running when you go out or go to bed.
Dryer sheets and the clogged lint screen
Dryer sheets leave a waxy coating that you cannot see but that blocks airflow through the screen. ENERGY STAR says this film reduces air flow and can affect the motor over time, and recommends scrubbing the screen with a toothbrush once a month if you use them.
The quick test is water: a clean screen lets tap water straight through. If you would rather skip sheets, wool dryer balls reduce static and drying time a little without the coating. Our microfiber cloth guide explains why softener and sheets also ruin cleaning cloths.
Mistakes to avoid
- Only peeling lint off the screen and never washing off the dryer sheet film.
- Putting the lint screen back wet, or running the dryer without it.
- Spraying a solvent or degreaser into the drum and then running heat.
- Ignoring the moisture sensor bars, then blaming the dryer when sensor-dry stops early.
- Pushing the dryer back against the wall and crushing the duct behind it.
Products that make this easier
Optional. Everything above works with basic supplies; these just save time or effort.
- See it on Amazon
For the lint slot
Dryer vent vacuum hose attachment
A long, flat flexible nozzle that fits most shop and household vacuums and reaches down into the lint screen housing.
- See it on Amazon
Loosens packed lint
Dryer lint trap brush (long, flexible)
Twisted-wire brush that bends into the lint slot. Pair it with a vacuum so you lift lint out rather than push it down.
- See it on Amazon
Instead of dryer sheets
Woolzies wool dryer balls
Soften and separate laundry without leaving film on the lint screen or sensor bars. They do less for static on synthetics.
- See it on Amazon
For the drum and outside
E-Cloth General Purpose Cloth
Wipes the drum and control panel clean with just water, so you leave no residue to bake on the next cycle.
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