How to Clean Your Clothes Dryer to Prevent a Fire

Clothes dryer fires can occur with little warning.

Without regular maintenance, an appliance you count on could cause a devastating fire.

Today, we’re sharing how to clean your clothes dryer to protect your home and family.

Let’s get going!

A scorched clothes washer and dryer wrapped in caution tape following a fire.

How Common Are Clothes Dryer Fires?

Unfortunately, clothes dryer fires are much more common than you might think. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), household appliances account for almost 16,000 blazes annually. Of these, these devices are responsible for approximately 90 percent of them.

While the loss of property and belongings can be inconvenient, the loss of life is devastating. The same report from the NFPA revealed an average of 13 civilian deaths and 444 injuries attributed to them as well.

What Is the Most Common Cause of a Clothes Dryer Fire?

Clothes dryer fires don’t just start out of nowhere. There’s usually a cause behind why they occur. Most of them are preventable and result from a lack of proper maintenance.

According to the NFPA, accumulated dust, fiber, and lint account for 27% of incidents. These are common culprits because they can build up inside the machine and the vent. As the materials gather, a tiny spark from heating elements, thermostats, or electrical contacts can ignite them.

Before you know it, the entire thing is in flames.

Overall, they reveal that 32%of these accidents were the direct consequence of a lack of upkeep and cleaning.

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How Do You Stop Your Clothes Dryer from Catching Fire?

Luckily, you can drastically reduce the chances of a clothes dryer fire by keeping it maintained. One essential task is to empty the filter after each cycle. It takes seconds and will keep you safe and help increase the efficiency of your machine.

Another thing you can do is clean your exhaust duct and vent at least once each year. These components can collect pieces of debris. If you don’t pay attention to them over time, they can develop an obstruction, increasing your risks.

Finally, make sure you install it correctly. Then, follow the care guidelines provided by the manufacturer. You may need to hire a qualified technician if you notice any changes or unusual noises during operation.

Check out our top tips for fireproofing your RV!

How to Clean Your Clothes Dryer and Avoid a Fire

As we mentioned, you can drastically reduce the chances of a clothes dryer fire by keeping your machine clean. Luckily, it doesn’t take much effort to do basic maintenance.

Lint Trap

Cleaning your lint trap is one thing you can do to keep your clothes dryer in tip-top shape and avoid a fire. Make it a habit to check this before starting every single load. It might surprise you how quickly it piles up in the trap.

If you’re washing things like towels or heavy sweaters, it might fill up after a single cycle.

The location varies based on your device model. Check your owner’s manual if you need help finding it. Once located, pull it out and remove any deposits before placing it back into the machine.

It’s as simple as that!

Vent

The next spot you’ll want to clean is the vent. Unfortunately, accessing it requires more effort, but many clothes dryer fires start here, so don’t miss it. In most cases, you’ll have to pull the dryer away from the wall and disconnect the ductwork. Use a flashlight to peek into the machine.

You’ll likely find some lint and build-up in the opening. Grab a vacuum and suck out as much as you possibly can. If you have a power drill, you can purchase an attachment to clean out longer tubes. However, this can create a giant mess outside.

Take your time with this portion. Rushing will likely only yield sub-standard results. It’s best to get as much as possible out so you don’t have to worry about it later.

A pile of lint from a freshly cleaned dryer vent.

Inspect Ductwork

With the dryer moved and detached from the wall, you’ll now need to inspect the ductwork. Since you’ve already disconnected the end that attaches to the vent, all you’ll need to do is loosen it from the machine. A clamp is typically all that holds it in place. It should take only a few turns to remove it.

Once you remove it, hold it straight so you can see through it. Use your vacuum and suck up anything that you can. Again, this is another task for which you want to take your time to ensure you achieve the best results.

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Behind the Dryer

Next, you’ll want to make sure you clean behind the dryer. Include the appliance, the wall, the ground, and anywhere else you can see. If you have access to a vacuum, use the hose to suck up as much as possible.

Some have access points to the inside of the unit. Unplug the machine from the wall before reaching your hand or sticking anything into these holes. You don’t want to touch something that could give you a shocking surprise.

Trust us, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Some Disassembly May Be Necessary

For the best results, you may need to disassemble portions of your clothes dryer when cleaning to prevent a fire. However, these projects often look much more manageable on YouTube. You can quickly find yourself over your head if you don’t know what you’re doing. Many DIYers have made situations worse when trying to make them better.

When in doubt, hire a professional. They have the skills, knowledge, and equipment to disassemble and thoroughly clean it. Otherwise, you could be shopping for a new one sooner than you’d like.

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Keep Your Clothes Dryer Clean to Prevent A Fire

A clothes dryer fire isn’t something to play around with. If you neglect proper maintenance on your appliance, you could be looking at devastating consequences. Follow the cleaning steps we’ve shared and take action if you notice anything odd. Doing so can help reduce the chances of a clothes dryer fire in your home.