If you know anything about Dryer Vent Wizard, you know we talk about lint A LOT. There’s a good reason for that, too; lint is one of the most likely causes of dryer fires. But what exactly is lint? Yes, it’s that grey-blue stuff you pull from the lint trap, but what is it composed of and why is there always so much of it? We’re here to tell you that and more!
So, a full load of wet clothes going into the dryer contains roughly ½ gallon of water. As that water is removed during the process of drying, lint (or bits of fiber, fuzz, and hair) gets created from the clothing, which is why it’s always in the dryer. That lint then builds up in the dryer’s vent hose and the crevices deep down inside the lint filter trap. It doesn’t build up all at once, though. Instead, it builds up over time, creeping in so slowly you don’t even realize. When your lint filter gets plugged, the outflow of heated air is restricted, which then causes the dryer to overheat. That is why lint is such a huge cause of dryer fires.
The good news is there are things you can do to help limit the amount of lint build-up that occurs. The first and foremost thing to do is call Dryer Vent Wizard so a friendly wizard can come out to inspect and clean out your dryer vents a couple of times a year! Besides that, though, you should be cleaning the lint trap after every dried load of laundry and checking your outside dryer vent on occasion to ensure that exhaust from the dryer is being properly vented to outside your home. After all, there are things other than lint that can blockages in your vents.
It's also important to know a couple of other things.
1. Electric dryers are 2 ½ times more likely to be the cause of a fire than gas dryers. This is because there is a higher heat discharge from the electric dryer, which exacerbates the issue of lint build-up.
2. Even if your lint trap filter appears to be clean, some dryer sheets can cause a thin, waxy build-up to occur on the filter. This forms a barrier which restricts air from exhausting correctly from your dryer. It’s easy to check whether this is the case with your lint trap filter—run it under some water. If water pools on top, it needs a thorough cleaning. If not, the filter is fine. If the filter does need to be cleaned, you can do so with a soft brush and warm soapy water.
Knowing how lint is created and what to check for when it comes to lint in your dryer will help keep you and your loved ones safe from dryer fires and save you time and money in the long run!
We’re the experts for professional Delaware dryer vent cleaning and repair! Give us a call at 610-223-4801 so Dryer Vent Wizard of Delaware can help you save energy, time, and money. Some of the towns we service include: Centerville, DE, Newark, DE, Wilmington, DE, New Castle, DE, Odessa, DE, Bear, DE, and many others!