Having a tumble dryer is brilliant. It ensures that clothes, towels, or bed linen are dry in no time at all after washing and makes them particularly fluffy. However, lint, hair, and dirt can impair the performance of your tumble dryer and can also be the cause of unwanted odours. No-one wants that, so we’ll tell you what simple tips you can use to clean your dryer.
To make sure your tumble dryer will last, it is important to clean the individual components of it regularly. Regularly cleaning the lint filter, condenser, and exhaust hose to remove lint, debris and residual water will prevent the formation of bad odours and a decrease in the performance of your dryer. It is best to clean the drum, lint filter, and water tank of your dryer after each use. For your own safety, be sure to unplug the dryer before cleaning so that you don't get an electric shock while cleaning it.
Your dryer does not need a deep cleaning after every drying cycle. However, if you always clean the drum, the water tank, and the lint filter after use, this will help prevent bad odours and maintain optimal drying performance. You can also earn brownie points and clean the heat pump, the exhaust hose, and the condenser of a condensation dryer regularly, but not after every use.
- Cleaning the drum of your tumble dryer
A good idea is to regularly remove residues such as textile lint or dirt deposits from the dryer drum. You can do this by simply wiping it out with a cloth after use. The moisture sensors in the drum also appreciate a cleaning every now and then. They are largely responsible for the effective drying of your laundry, because they determine how damp the laundry is and thus determine the duration of the drying process. Most of the time, you'll find the sensors on the ribs of the drum. You can remove lime deposits with a cloth soaked in vinegar – give this another wipe with distilled water afterwards so your clothes don’t smell of vinegar. This will allow your dryer to run smoothly and dry your clothes optimally. - Cleaning the water tank of the dryer
Regardless of whether you have a condenser or heat pump dryer, you should empty the water tank regularly to prevent the formation of bad odours and mould. To do this, carefully pull out the tank and rinse it briefly under running water. Then simply replace it and snap it back into place. - Cleaning the lint filter of the tumble dryer
With each drying cycle, the smallest of textile particles are released from laundry items. They are caught by the dryer's lint filter, which is usually located near the dryer door. If the lint filter is clogged, the dryer will take longer to dry the laundry. This means that – you’ve guessed it – it is a good idea to clean it after each drying cycle to keep the dryer working at its best and running as economically as possible. If the dryer is not cleaned regularly, its electricity consumption will increase while its performance will decrease. But how to clean lint out of dryer? Use an old toothbrush to clean the lint filter. You can also use your hands, but with a small brush you can easily reach even the tightest nooks. Afterwards, it is best to rinse the filter under clear water and dry it well before reinserting it.
Many models have an additional lint filter between the drum and the door of the dryer. It is also best to remove this after each drying process and get rid of any debris.
- Clean your dryer's heat pump with a dry cloth or brush about every four weeks. If your dryer model has a heat pump filter, clean it as well.
- Do you have an exhaust dryer that takes moist air to the outside through a hose? All you need to do is clean this exhaust hose about every three months by carefully disassembling it, rinsing it with warm water, and allowing it to dry completely before reassembling.
- If you have a condenser dryer, clean the condenser at least every three months, but preferably every four weeks. To do this, remove the condenser, remove the lint, rinse if necessary and allow to dry thoroughly. Then simply replace it.
You clean your dryer regularly and it runs like clockwork? Excellent – we have lots more laundry tips for you, too! Check them out in our tips and tricks area!