A viral social media post has revealed that a little-known area of your tumble dryer could be causing your clothes to come out creased - and it's easy to fix. The issue comes down to a build-up of lint in the dryer vent, which can cause the appliance to overheat and not function correctly.
Mum's discovery goes viral on Reddit
One mum took to Reddit to share her frustration that her clothes were consistently coming out of the tumble dryer full of creases, despite her folding and putting them away immediately. She had no idea what she was doing wrong until she identified the root cause: a build-up of lint in her dryer vent.
She said: "We're a family of four and I've got laundry down to a science. I fold and put away immediately, and it makes life so much easier than laundry basket hell. Recently, I found that if I didn't fold the minute [the dryer was finished], everything had really awful wrinkles. Especially my tablecloth, which I'm generally on top of."
Fire hazard warning and overheating
The mum explained that the dryer was overheating because the vent needed cleaning desperately. She described it as "a fire-hazard amount of lint" and said the fuse blew, causing the dryer not to turn on. After cleaning the vent, she said the dryer sounds better and the wrinkle issue is solved.
Following the post going viral, many people said they would inspect their own appliances. One commenter wrote: "This has been happening to me, and I felt crazy. It's been impossible to catch the clothes before they wrinkle. I'm going to check the vent. Thank you!" Another added: "I need to mention this to my husband (he abhors wrinkles) and he'll finally move the dryer so I can reach the vent hose. It's only been on my to-do list for six months to clean it out."
How to clean lint from your tumble dryer
Excess lint in your tumble dryer doesn't solely cause creased clothing. The accumulation can prevent your dryer from receiving adequate ventilation, which may cause it to overheat. In particularly severe cases, excessive lint can even cause the appliance to ignite, so it's essential to keep a close eye on it.
For the safest and most effective results, clear out the filter after every single use. Precise instructions for cleaning your tumble dryer can differ between models, so always consult your manual for specific guidance. However, these general pointers may also prove useful.
Cleaning the main filter
Open the dryer door and find the filter slot, either at the bottom or the edge of the opening. Pull the filter out gently, peel off the lint using your fingers, and wash the mesh under a tap with warm water if there is waxy residue from fabric softener. Dry it completely with a towel before putting it back in the machine.
Cleaning the filter housing and cavity
For a more thorough clean, you can also clean the area where your filter usually sits once you've taken it out. Reach into the slot where the filter sits and pull out any loose, stray fuzz. Use a vacuum with a long crevice attachment to suck out any stubborn lint, then wipe the area with a slightly damp cloth and dry it thoroughly.
