I’ve lived in my house for seven years and had no idea about this easy step I can take to protect my house.
We’ve all heard that the dryer is the number one cause of house fires. But, this isn’t what you think. Did you know the most common reason for the heating element going out is because of your dryer’s filter? Yep, that little mesh area that we all clean out after each load. It’s actually a fire starter, waiting to happen. Try this simple trick.
Take out your dryer filter and run it under hot water. Does the water to through your filter or does it bead up and sit on top?
As we all know, you should clean out the lint from your filter after every load. But, did you know that dryer sheets produce a film over your filter that can cause your heating element to burn out? This is one of the most common causes of house fires.
Dryer sheets make your laundry smell good and helps prevent static cling, but it is doing more harm than good to your dryer’s filter. You can’t see the film, but think about it. A brand-new, fresh out the box dryer sheet feels a bit waxy, right? After the load is finished, the dryer sheet has a totally different feel to it. The wax is what ends up covering the filter. You can’t see it.
Try the water test on your filter today.
There is a simple solution. A few simple solutions, actually.
First, if you notice the water is not running through the filter, take an old toothbrush and soapy hot water and wash the filter. It takes minutes and will save you money on your electric bill and make your dryer last twice as long!
Second, try switching to a more natural way of drying clothes. You can use wadded up pieces of aluminum foil (that foil attracts the static cling, so your clothes won’t stick when you’re ready to fold them).
Third, make your own wool dryer balls and scent them with your favorite essential oils for that long-lasting, fresh, clean smell. Check out my blog post on how to make these guys. They are cute, easy to do, and last for years!
Double check your dryer filter and save yourself time and money!
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