Fires can occur when lint builds up in the dryer or in the exhaust duct. Lint can block the flow of air, cause excessive heat build-up, and result in a fire in some dryers.
Even electric dryers can catch fire. The main cause of electric dryer fires is overheating. If you use your dryer for too long, or if you leave the door open while drying clothes, then you could end up with a fire. Electric dryers catch fire often because they are designed to heat up quickly, so they overheat easily.
When too much heat builds up in your dryer, lint or debris in the dryer vent line can ignite, resulting in a dryer fire. The overheat shutoff is the dryer's last attempt to prevent a fire.
Dryer fires typically originate from two places, dryer venting and the lint trap. More than one-third of the fires are attributed to a failure to clean and perform routine maintenance. This means that many of these fires are preventable.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 15,000 home fires per year are caused by clothes dryers.
Play it safe and split a larger load into two smaller loads. Keep the area around your dryer clean. Sweep any dirt or lint from under and around your dryer and avoid placing anything on top of it, including clothing, cleaning supplies, and garbage. Watch for warning signs.
Check the Lint Filter
One of the most common culprits of a burning smell in your dryer is excessive lint buildup. Remove any lint from the filter, and look inside the dryer itself. There could be a layer of lint in there, too.
The most common cause of a burning smell coming from your dryer is when the lint filter gets clogged. This not only causes a burning smell, but it's also extremely dangerous, as it can start a fire. Most manufacturers recommend that you clean the filter out after every use to avoid this from happening.
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States, starting almost half of all fires. Heating is the second highest cause, followed by electrical systems/lighting equipment and intentional fires. Smoking is the fifth highest cause, but is the leading cause of civilian home fire deaths.
Many dryers will shut off automatically when they overheat. However, this isn't the only reason why your appliance might do so. Don't rely on this feature to prevent a fire; it doesn't activate soon enough or work correctly in every instance. If your dryer has a digital display, it might display a code.
The cycling thermostat doesn't activate. A cycling thermostat is a device's way to protect itself from overheating. Once a dryer gets too hot, this component reacts to the increased temperature and shuts the appliance off automatically.
Dryer FAQs
Check for a blocked vent—hot air can't escape, so a safety switch will turn off the dryer to prevent a fire. Dryer motor overheating—the thermal overload switch will trip to prevent a fire. It may restart once it cools down but the motor should be replaced.
These fires are often due to faulty or overtaxed wiring or malfunctioning lighting,6 but bedroom fires also start with cords, space heaters, or electric blankets. Bedding, carpeting, draperies, and other creature comforts of your bedroom are often the first items ignited in a fire.
A burning smell coming from your dryer is not a good sign—it's a fire hazard. Try removing any built up lint from the lint catcher, cleaning the inside of the dryer, and/or cleaning the hose duct and vents. If the smell persists, you may need to check the electrical components inside the dryer and have them replaced.
If you can smell a burning smell coming from your dryer, then you need to immediately turn your dryer off so you can investigate what the cause is. Thankfully, it is quite straightforward to check out all of the main causes, such as a buildup of lint, a faulty thermostat, a broken dryer belt, or a faulty motor.
Occasionally, a red glow may be seen inside the dryer drum. This is normal. The glow is from the heating element and is most noticeable if the cycle has been interrupted to remove or add an article of clothing. During the drying cycle, the element heats and glows.
One of the most common reasons for that dryer burning smell is a build-up of lint in your lint trap. We're often surprised to discover how many homeowners aren't aware that the lint trap on a dryer should be emptied after every use.
However, one thing is for sure: a burning smell is a sign of a dryer you should not be using.
What is the average life of a dryer, you wonder? Ten years, according to Consumer Reports; however, some dryer manufacturers boast up to a 25-year lifespan. It's important to remember, though, that clothes dryer life expectancy goes hand in hand with how often the dryer is used and how well you maintain the appliance.
"If your dryer does start smoking leave the door shut, try and turn it off, and walk away," said Gregory. "If it's in the laundry room, close the door and call 911. The worst thing you can do is open it. It gives it more oxygen and then you will have a bigger fire."
If you haven't cleaned your dryer vent in a while there are some tell-tale signs to look for that will let you know you should check it out: Your dryer takes much longer than a typical 45-minute cycle to dry. Clothes come out of the dryer damp. Your dryer feels very hot to the touch while running.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that clogged dryer vents are responsible for more than 15,000 dryer fires each year. These fires cost homeowners more than $200 million in damages, as well as hundreds of injuries.
When the vent is clogged, you may smell a burning odor, a musty odor or the overwhelming scent of your fabric softener. The accumulation of lint or debris. If lint has filled your dryer vent, new lint doesn't have anywhere else to go.
Make sure the right plug and outlet are used and that the machine is connected properly. Follow the manufacturer's operating instructions and don't over-load your dryer. Do not leave a dryer running if you leave home or when you go to bed.