Learn How to Help Your Dryer Work as Long as Possible
19-Dec-2025The sounds, slow drying, and reduced performance of your dryer do not have to mean the end for your appliance. By carrying out a number of simple maintenance tasks and adopting a few common-sense habits when using your dryer, you can extend the life of your dryer by several years.
This article will cover all the ways in which you can extend the life of your dryer, ensure it is operating at the highest possible level, and use it in the most efficient way possible.
1. Follow Your Manufacturer’s Manual
Read your dryer’s manual. The manual for your specific dryer model will explain how to best maintain your appliance to prolong its life. It may outline recommended load sizes, proper settings for certain fabrics, and the recommended frequency of cleaning. By adhering to these guidelines, you will ensure that your appliance continues to run efficiently while keeping you within warranty guidelines.
- Recommended Load Sizes: Overloading your dryer can put too much stress on your dryer’s motor and its belt.
- Fabric-Specific Settings: Set your dryer to the correct temperature for the type of garments in the drum. Selecting the correct dryer cycle helps extend the life of your garments as well as the dryer’s sensors.
Note: Learn when it’s time for maintenance to keep your appliance under warranty.
2. Separate Laundry by Fabric Weight
Many appliances are ruined by improper use. The washer and dryer are two of the most abused appliances in the home. For example, putting too many towels in the dryer at one time causes an imbalance and forces the machine to work much harder to dry the load, wearing it out prematurely.
Separating laundry by fabric weight helps to create loads that are more suitable for efficient drying. The items in the load can be dried using the correct amount of heat for the best results, which also helps protect favorite articles of clothing from over-drying or overheating.
3. The Essential Dryer Cleaning Checklist
Dried clothing should be removed from the dryer before putting in another load. While an occasional ball of lint may not cause problems, buildup left to accumulate can cause a fire or severely reduce the efficiency and performance of your dryer.
- Every Load: Empty the lint trap before you close the dryer door.
- Monthly: Clean inside the dryer drum to remove fabric softener sheets and detergent residue. This residue can prevent clothes from drying properly.
- Quarterly: Clean the lint from around the dryer door seal.
- Annual: Clean the dryer exhaust vent completely and check the hoses for blockages or kinks.
4. Lower the Heat to Reduce Wear
Save your clothes and your dryer from excessive heat by lowering the temperature. Use the lowest heat setting (such as "Delicates") and utilize timed cycles to extend the lifespan of your machine and your garments.
Pro Tip: Remove your clothes from the dryer when they are slightly damp and finish drying them on a rack. You will save energy, and your clothes will last much longer.
5. Embrace Air Drying
Air drying is often the better alternative. Many items can be damaged by the high heat of a dryer, especially those made of synthetic fibers. Using a drying rack for these items will extend the life of the garments and save money on energy bills. Most delicates and synthetic fibers—and even some sturdy cotton and wool items—will benefit from air drying.
When to Call in the Professionals
Even with proper maintenance, there may be instances where an appliance requires professional repair. If you attempt to complete DIY repairs on your dryer, you risk jeopardizing your appliance warranty or even causing serious harm to yourself.
Contact the professionals at Avantgarde Appliance Repair and let our highly trained technicians diagnose and repair any problems your dryer may be experiencing.
Contact our professional team if you notice:
- Unusual grinding or banging noises.
- Excessive vibrations during the spin cycle.
- The dryer is running but not heating up.
- A burning smell or prolonged drying times.
