As we age, we often find comfort in the familiar home maintenance routines. However, sometimes, the appliances we’ve come to rely on start acting up, leaving us puzzled and frustrated.
One common household conundrum involves the humble clothes dryer. Many of us have faced this scenario: you set your clothes to dry, and they’re still damp hours later. If this sounds all too familiar, the culprit might be a hidden spot you’ve overlooked.
A recent revelation on social media has shed light on an often-missed aspect of dryer maintenance that could be why your clothes take an eternity to dry.
A technician from Lint Away Duct Cleaning shared a video on social media that showed his discovery of a secondary lint trap inside a dryer packed with an astonishing amount of lint.
In the video, the technician removed the cover of an internal lint filter, revealing a thick layer of lint that had accumulated over time.
‘So you’re telling me you’ve never cleaned this?’ he asked the homeowner, who was unaware such a filter existed.
After removing a substantial wad of lint, the technician showed a visibly cleaner compartment, gave a thumbs-up to the camera, and likely restored the dryer to its full efficiency.
He asked how long it took for the owner’s clothes to dry, to which she answered, ‘Like three hours.’
This eye-opening video has prompted many to check their dryers for secondary lint traps, especially those who thought only the lint trap inside the door needed attention.
‘Wait. Is this a secondary lint trap?’ one commenter wrote.
Another said: ‘Who else went to make sure they didn’t have a lint trap on the back even though they knew they had the front trap?’
While most Australian dryers have the lint trap conveniently located inside the door, some older models or specific designs might have additional filters.
The importance of regular lint filter cleaning cannot be overstated. Not only does it affect the performance of your dryer, but it’s also a critical safety measure.
Several social media video viewers pointed out that accumulated lint is a notorious fire hazard. Some shared their harrowing experiences with dryer fires, emphasising the potential danger of neglecting this simple maintenance task.
Lint Away Duct Cleaning revealed that the service call to clean a blocked lint trap cost $US375 ($603.92), a hefty price that underscores the value of regular self-maintenance.
Consumer advocacy group CHOICE also warned that a dirty lint filter can increase power bills.
‘At the merely inconvenient (not the catastrophic) end of the scale, a blocked lint filter will also restrict airflow in your dryer, making it less effective, increasing the time it takes to dry your clothes, and therefore driving up running costs,’ CHOICE explained.
Have you ever encountered a hidden lint trap in your dryer? How often do you clean your lint filters, and have you noticed a difference in drying times after a thorough clean? Share your experiences and tips with our community.
Also read: Wooden utensils in the dishwasher is a no-go: Here are steps you can do instead
