The dryer has established itself as an ally for large families, parents in a hurry or overwhelmed singles. If 35% of French people have one, it is because they are convinced of its advantages: time and space saving, quick drying, simplified laundry care, in short more comfort. However, to avoid having to repair it or change expensive parts, a few good maintenance habits can make your dryer last a lot longer. Not to mention that regular maintenance clearly optimizes its performance and reduces its energy consumption. Do you want to save money and limit your carbon footprint? Here are some simple and effective maintenance tips.
With each use, the good gestures that make your dryer last:
Some elements of your dryer get dirty more quickly, victim of limestone or accumulated residues. To relieve your device, the easiest way is to clean them after each use.
Check your laundry before starting a program
To avoid damaging the drum, be sure to empty the pockets (who knows what’s in there?!) and close the zippers.
Clean the fluff filter
With each cycle, regardless of the drying program used, fibers come off your clothes and end up in the filter. It must therefore be cleaned after each use. Start by emptying the filter by hand: it’s up to you to collect fibers, cat hair and family hair! Then vacuum (at moderate power) and your filter will be perfectly clean. Of course, if your dryer has doubled filters, you will have to repeat the operation twice.
Keep in mind that a heavily clogged filter no longer works and can eventually cause overheating or even a fire.
Empty the water collection tank
This only applies to condenser dryer models (the water drain on vented models is outside the appliance). If the condensate tray remains full, it can stop a cycle in the middle of drying! To avoid this problem, empty it after each use. You find this condensation water collector usually at the top left of the device. Remember to clean your bin after emptying it; a damp sponge is enough to clean it.
The bonus: the drain water being distilled, you can recover it for your steam iron after having filtered the waste.
The 6 parts that require regular maintenance:
The condenser
A clogged condenser impairs the efficiency of the dryer: the cycle takes longer and consumes more energy.
The condenser is located at the bottom of your device, on the left, hidden behind a small hatch. Depending on the model of your dryer, it can be fixed or removable. Anyway, remember to clean it about every 5 to 7 cycles, according to the recommendations indicated in the instructions, or at least once or twice a month.
If he is fixeclean the condenser using a vacuum cleaner.
If it is a condenser removable, you can remove it from its housing. After having cleaned the dust accumulated inside using a soft cloth, rinse it with a jet. If some dust remains stuck between the slats, do not hesitate to use a thin object to dislodge it. An unfolded hanger will do. Replace it when dry.
If your dryer is equipped with a capacitor autonettoyant, it’s your lucky day! Its rinsing is done automatically, no maintenance required.
The drum
Fibers and fluff still end up in the rambour. Regularly clean the walls of the drum with a damp sponge and a little soap or washing-up liquid. A quick wipe with a soft cloth (especially not a metal sponge) to dry it and you’re done. From time to time, do not hesitate to pass the vacuum cleaner, adjusted to low power, in the very dry drum.
Don’t forget that overloading your drum can also damage it in the long run. It can become veiled, which would oblige you to change it. Adapt the load to its capabilities, this will save you from unnecessary repairs.
The humidity sensor or hygrometry probe
This element is essential since it is this probe that calculates the drying time according to the humidity level of your laundry. If it is too clogged with limescale, the drying program may be disrupted. To keep it in perfect working order, simply clean the probe regularly with a damp sponge and white vinegar. Attention, no abrasive products; it’s about cleaning, not stripping! If your probe is fixed, clean it with a vacuum cleaner at moderate power.
Before starting a drying cycle, check that your laundry is properly rinsed. Fabric softener residue can foul the electronic sensors.
The control panel
A simple damp cloth is enough to clean it. Just remember to dry it with a soft cloth. No aggressive products, furniture cleaners or abrasive sponges, which could cause irreversible corrosion to your appliance.
Joints
Also remember to clean the seals to prevent them from losing their effectiveness. You can gently clean them using a toothbrush reserved for this purpose.
The fresh air grille
A regular vacuum cleaner will remove fluff that prevents air circulation.
How to eliminate bad smells?
Residual humidity in your tumble dryer can be a source of undesirable bad smells… A good habit to get into so that your appliance dries faster is to leave the door open between two uses. It will still be necessary to check before launching a cycle that the cat has not settled there…
If, despite this, some bad odors persist, you can easily get rid of them with this radical formula: a damp sponge and a spoonful of baking soda (you can also add a little lemon juice). Then dry with a soft cloth.
Maintaining your dryer is basically quite simple. Above all, it’s the best way to make it last a long time and keep its performance intact. On your side, you make welcome savings in energy, time and money.