Why and how you need clean out your clothes dryer

(FOX 2) - This week on Jill of All Trades, Jill Washburn shows us why you need to clean out the inside of your dryer.  Not just the part where the clothes go, but the inner wiring and mechanical parts that make it run.

To do this, first, you'll need to unplug the dryer.  Then, you need to carefully move the dryer away from the wall.  You'll probably have to disconnect the vent tubing.  Then, remove the dryer back. It is held on with several screws that are easy to remove.  

Once you can access the inside, gently brush off, or vacuum, the lint that has accumulated on all the inner workings and wiring harnesses.  Jill says that you don't really need to get every last bit of lint out of it.  She says if you can get 80 or 90% of it out, you're golden.

If too much lint builds up on the inner workings, it can damage your dryer, as it did Jill's.  It can also cause a fire. 

If you can't get to the back of your dryer, or you're not confident enough to do this task yourself, wait until the next time that you have someone service it.  Once that person has it opened up, have him/her let you get in there for a minute or two and clean out as much lint and dirt as you can.  Jill says that it'll extend the life of your dryer and help it to work more efficiently.

Make sure that you also clean the vent tube where it comes out of the dryer.  (You won't believe what Jill found in hers!)  As a bonus, gently clean the vent tubing that goes through the wall to the outside of your house. Ideally, that should be done about twice a year, depending on how much use your dryer gets.   Jill says with all that done, you should be good to go for a long time.  

To watch this week's Jill of All Trades, click on the video player above.

PROJECT RATING:  Medium+