Michigan winters are so harsh that you don’t want to deal with a broken dryer. Leaving your clothes outside to dry will just result in the water on them freezing. Trying to dry them with heaters is a fire hazard. You may not have enough time in your schedule to hit the laundromat either. With some good maintenance tips, you can keep your dryer running well in winter and beyond.
Clean the Inside
Do you have clothes that come out of the dryer with strange stains on them? This can happen because the dryer itself is stained. The metal walls might have dark marks on them caused by markers and other items that were in your pockets. There are a few different ways to clean the inside. Unplug the dryer before you begin. Use a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a microfiber cloth to wipe down the walls. If you don’t have alcohol, use soapy water. Make sure you remove any residue before you use the dryer again.
Inspect the Air Vent
To prevent overheating, dryers have air vents that move hot air outside. You’ll usually find this vent close to the ground and near your utility room or the room where you use the dryer. Bundle up before you head outside to inspect it. Look for anything that blocks the vent or keeps the hot air from escaping. This includes lint, old leaves, trash, and even animal nests. Many small animals build nests inside air vents to take advantage of the warmth.
Add More Space
The more you use your dryer, the more it moves on its own. Even if you take time to ensure the area around it is clear, it can shimmy and move from its original position. This can also happen when you put too much stuff in the dryer. Winter maintenance includes adding more space around the dryer. You can either move it to a new spot or push it back to its original position. Now is also a good time to vacuum under and around the dryer.
Balance Your Dryer
If you have a dryer that shakes or makes a lot of noise when it runs, it’s likely off balance. As it rocks and shakes, it puts more pressure on some of the internal parts, which will wear them down faster. To avoid costly repairs, use the legs on the bottom of the dryer to balance it. You may need to adjust one leg or all four to give the dryer the stability it needs.
Why wait until spring or even summer to take care of your dryer when you can do it in the middle of winter? The maintenance steps you should take include adding more space, cleaning and balancing it, and inspecting the air vent. You can also turn the job over to our professionals at AJ’s Appliance Repair in Sterling Heights, MI when you call for washer and dryer services.
