Small items like coins, keys and other hard objects can cause major damage to your washer and dryer—they can get caught in (and block!) the vents and drain pipes, dent the drums, and if you have a front-loading washer, even completely shatter the glass window, according to Housefull.com.
Lint blocking the airflow of the dryer is a common culprit behind dryers not drying. Failing to clean lint out of the dryer's filter isn't just getting in the way of drying your clothes. It's also the leading cause of dryer fires, warns the U.S. Fire Administration.
Can you put metal in the dryer? It's not recommended. Garments with metal decorations or rhinestones can melt, discolor, or break, ruining the clothing and potentially damaging other items or your dryer. Always hang dry these items or, if the material is especially delicate, lay them flat on a towel to air dry.
While we all know better than to wash pens and lighters, we do tend to forget about the danger of buttons. Decoration and hardware on clothing can be just as dangerous to your dryer as lost loose items. Metal is a particularly dangerous and common clothing decoration that might scrape or spark in the dryer.
The most common cause of dryer fires is the result of lint build-up in the dryer and exhaust duct. When dryers are not cleaned on a regular basis the lint build-up restricts airflow, and when the airflow is restricted, clothes take longer to dry. This is the first indication that there is a problem.
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.
The motor can overheat from lint buildup, or sometimes small items can get inside and cause a blockage. If the dryer makes sound but won't start, there is probably an issue with the drive motor. There is usually a slight humming sound coming from the motor as it tries to rotate the shaft and pulley that spin the drum.
However, if you start to notice some unusual sounds coming from the dryer, it could be an indication that something is wrong. If you start to hear thumping, squealing, squeaking, or humming, these are not normal sounds for a dryer to make and they mean that the dryer needs to be looked at.
Letting shoes bounce inside the dryer can damage both the shoes and your machine. Instead, toss large towels inside to prevent them from slamming around. You can also insert certain materials and fabrics (like smaller towels) inside the shoes to keep them from shrinking as they dry.
If you let a pest presence go unchecked in your dryer vents, they are bound to leave feces or other debris that is sure to stink up your home. They may even find their way into the dryer, leaving you with an unwelcome surprise the next time you do laundry.
It's best not to place soaking wet clothes directly into the dryer, since pooling water can damage the internal mechanisms of the dryer, and the extra water weight will increase the wear and tear on the machine. However, wringing out the clothes by hand will usually remove enough water to make the clothes dryable.
Lint is made up of tiny fibers found on clothes, especially towels and wash rags. It works its way into your dryer at the various openings where air circulates through your dryer. Over time, this lint accumulates and blocks the vent, making it difficult for the hot air to escape.
A dryer should never run when you are not home or while you are sleeping in case of a fire. More than 15,000 dryer fires break out each year. For more dryer tips consult our blog on how failure to clean your dryer could cause a house fire.
If the heating element isn't working properly, the dryer will still spin and the cycle will complete, but it won't get hot enough to help dry the clothes. Heating elements can naturally wear out over time, but overloading the dryer, not cleaning the lint screen and poor ventilation can all speed up that process.
The most common include a clogged dryer vent, tripped circuit breaker or unsteady gas flow if it's a gas dryer. The heating element also could be broken or it could also have a faulty thermal fuse.
Once a dryer gets too hot, this component reacts to the increased temperature and shuts the appliance off automatically. However, if a cycling thermostat isn't functioning, it may be why a clothing dryer is overheating and shuts off.
If the cost of the repair is going to amount to 50% or more of the cost of a new dryer, then a replacement may be the best long-term option. However, if a replacement isn't going to work with your current budget, a repair is the short-term answer. But don't stop here—there are still a few more factors to think about.
A reputation for reliability: Consumer Reports surveys its subscribers every year and publishes each dryer brand's estimated five-year breakage rate. The most-reliable brands include LG, Speed Queen, and Whirlpool (including Amana and Maytag). Brands at the bottom include GE, Electrolux, and Samsung.
Clothes dryer fires are more common than you might think. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that dryers and washing machines cause an average of 15,970 fires each year, with dryers causing 92% of them and an average of $200 million in property damage.
If you notice smoke coming from your dryer, popping sounds, or a burning odor coming from your appliance, a fire has likely started. If you think there's a fire, don't open the door. Opening the door risks exposure to carbon monoxide and can also burn your hand.