Mum shares little-known trick to test if your dryer is running properly

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Is your dryer REALLY clean? Mum shares little-known trick to test if it’s running properly – and why you should do it every six months

  • A woman has revealed how to check if your dryer is working properly and safely 
  • The hack involves removing the lint trap and checking if it’s clean 
  • This can be done by wiping off the lint and slowly running water over the filter
  • If the water pools on top of the filter, this indicates the lint trap is dirty  
  • The lint trap can be easily cleaned by using soap, a brush and warm water
  • If it isn’t cleaned this can cause the dryer to overheat and possibly cause a fire

By Carina Stathis For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

An Australian woman has warned people thoroughly clean the lint trap inside the dryer with water every six months to ‘add life’ to the household appliance and keep it running properly.

Posting in the Mums Who Clean Facebook group, Heather said that in addition to removing lint after use as usual, every six months it’s best to remove the lint trap, wipe off the lint and slowly run water over the filter.

If the water pools on top, this is an indication that the filter is dirty and needs to be cleaned with soap and a brush or scour. 

Heather said the lint trap inside the dryer should be thoroughly cleaned with water every six months to 'add life' to the household appliance.

The lint trap inside the dryer should be thoroughly cleaned every six months to ‘add life’ to the household appliance 

Others online have said lint traps can be very deceiving as they often appear to be clean but aren’t. 

Heather said the water remains on top of the lint trap as a result of a build-up in fabric softener.

She warned it’s important to clean this filter otherwise the dryer can overheat and possibly catch on fire – but luckily ensuring this precaution is easy to do. 

To check if the lint trap is clean or not, Heather said to wipe off the lint and slowly run water over the filter. If the water pools on top, this is an indication that the filter is dirty

To check if the lint trap is clean or not, Heather said to wipe off the lint and slowly run water over the filter. If the water pools on top, this is an indication that the filter is dirty

HOW TO CLEAN A LINT TRAP 

Remove the lint trap from the dryer – this is often located at the back of the dryer or on the rim after the door has been opened

Wipe off the lint and slowly run water over the filter

If the water pools on top, this is an indication that the filter is dirty and needs to be cleaned

Clean the lint trap by using warm, soapy water and a brush or scour

Rinse the filter with water and pat it dry with a towel 

Once dry, place it back in the dryer 

Source: Facebook

‘All you need is dishwashing liquid, an old brush (nail brush, tooth brush, anything of this nature), wet lint trap, add a little soap, scrub with brush [and] rinse! It’s that easy!’ Heather said.

‘Notice as you rinse it the water flows straight through and no longer stands on the screen! Do this every six months and add life to your dryer.’  

Other social media users were shocked at the little-known tip and thanked Heather for sharing the advice.

‘So if you don’t use fabric softener you don’t have this problem?’ one woman asked, to which Heather responded with ‘that’s right’.

The lint trap is often located at the back of the dryer or on the rim after the door has been opened.