Who knew? According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are about 15,000 dryer fires each year. I don’t know for certain, but my guess would be that pet owners are more susceptible to the risks of dryer fires because their dryer hose gets chock full of combustible dog fur.
When was the last time you cleaned yours out?
I hadn’t done it in ages… and ages and ages. Here are the three simple steps that I took and that all pet owners should take at least twice a year (more often if you have power shedders).
- Clean the lint trap filter. This is especially important if you use dryer sheets because the residue builds up on the filter. Vacuum the filter then scrub it with warm, soapy water.
- Vacuum out the lint trap. Use your long pointy attachment to really get in there.
- Unclamp (or, if your model has a screw, unscrew) the dryer hose from the back of the dryer and vacuum it out. This is where most of the fur will accumulate, and this is what causes the most fires. To demonstrate – much to my embarrassment – here’s photographic evidence of what I found when I unclamped mine:
So gross, but as you can see… it’s almost entirely dog fur. - Bonus step: If you have access to the dryer vent outside your house, clean that out, too.
And that’s it! The whole process takes only a few minutes, and it’s totally worth it to protect yourself from the risks of a house fire. Go do it now!
Pamela | Something Wagging This Way Comes
Tonight I have 20 of my first home buyer students coming to my house for a practice home inspection. There’s nothing like having a home inspector pointing out the dangers of a dirty dryer vent to make a girl honest.
Good reminder. People don’t realize how flammable dryer lint can be. We even use it for fire starters when we go camping.
Maggie
I had no idea it was part of a home inspection, but that makes total sense! Also, I never would’ve thought of dryer lint as a fire starter for camping… even though it’s a fire hazard in the home. Great tip!
Mayzie
This is a very good public service announcement, Miss Maggie. Did you know that mom and dad hadn’t cleaned ours out in the whole time they’ve lived here? Which is ELEVEN years!!! Sheesh! It’s a miracle that ours just didn’t burst into flames. Anyways, mom finally said we HAD to do something about it so a few weeks ago, she called somebuddy to come out and do it for us. She didn’t know it was THAT easy so she’ll prolly just get dad to do it next time. Heehee!
Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie
Kristine
Our old dryer broke a few months ago, burnt out. And my husband blamed it on the fact that we don’t clean out the lint trap very often. Since I do the majority of the laundry – I have the most clothes so it’s only fair – I took the blame myself. Now I am pretty paranoid about the lint trap and clean it out every time I put a load in the dryer. I don’t know about the actual hose, though after hearing this, I guess that’s next on my list!
Thanks for the info!
Information About Dogs
Lars and I live in an apartment building and every time I use the drier, I empty the lint trap. I’m obviously not the only one using a drier each week, but still, I clear a ton of lint out of it each time I use it and can not imagine what it would be like if it was left for even two weeks.
Marie Lisewski
Thank you so much for this information. You’re right “who knew”. I always clean the lint trap but never thought to check anywhere else. I am sharing this with everyone I know.
Thanks again
Marie
Val
Thanks for sharing this great tip! I clean out the front dryer vent trap, but have never taken off the hose in the back – will have to do that now to see what’s in there! With two dogs in the house, it is a MUST! (Remember Me? I am the one who told you that we just got a puppy that looks like your dog in your banner!)
Flea
I knew this, but still don’t check regularly. Thank you for the reminder!! Yes, our lint trap fills up regularly, especially when I wash the dogs’ blankets.
Chris
What a great reminder! I am going to add this to my to-do list!
Sam
I clean the lint trap after every load, and vacuum where it goes, but haven’t done the other things. I’m not sure I can reach where it leaves the dryer!
Sam
Daniel
Great reminder! Thanks! I have a small dryer which, I guess, could put me at more of a risk-smaller filter. Plus I have two dogs. Yikes! Great timing!
Veterinary Consultant
Good advice. Some pet owners doesn’t really clean their dryer that’s why they are prawn to burning dryers. And I’m one of them. How many times do I have to clean it in a month?
Maggie
You really only need to clean it out twice a year, and it only takes a few minutes. Totally worth it!