3 Dryer Cleaning Tips To Prevent Lint Fire

6/23/2022 (Permalink)

Dryer fires in homes are more prevalent than you would believe. If a house fire occurs, a fire damage restoration company can help.

3 Dryer Cleaning Tricks to Avoid Lint Fires

In many households, a clothes dryer is considered a necessity to efficiently accomplish the daily laundry task. While the convenience is desirable, most people do not realize that without proper cleaning and maintenance, it could spark a lint fire, which is one of the leading causes of home fires in the United States. Here are three dryer cleaning protocols that will help keep your home safe in Auburn, WA.

1. Reduce Dryer Fire Hazards With Daily Filter Cleaning

The lint filter is the first line of defense to prevent flammable lint from getting into your dryer's ventilation system. You need to clean out lint often because a clogged filter is dangerous and causes your dryer to function poorly. Remove lint from the filter before and after each load of laundry and check for lint behind the dryer regularly to reduce the chance of having a lint fire.

2. Hire a Professional To Conduct Ductwork Maintenance

Even if a clogged vent doesn't lead to a potential fire right away, your dryer will no longer dry your clothes, which is a sign that your vent ductwork needs a thorough cleaning. You should consider hiring a professional service to clean the exhaust system yearly to decrease fire hazards and keep your dryer working optimally. Professionals have the special equipment that may be required to snake out the dryer exhaust. 

3. Check the Outside Vent Opening for Blockages

Hot air, lint, and dirt travel from the dryer through the dedicated ductwork to the outside wall of your house. If the outside opening is blocked, a lint fire can easily be initiated. Make sure the outdoor vent covering stays open and that nothing is blocking it, such as an animal's nest.

Residential dryer fires are more common than you might think. If a home fire does happen, a fire damage restoration company can help restore your home to pre-fire condition.