April 2005

Dryer not drying?
We can help.

The most common cause for slow dry times and/or poor drying is a plugged exhaust vent. To check this, remove the vent from the back of your dryer and dry a load of laundry. If the dry time is normal, the vent is plugged, and a quick cleaning will immediately improve drying times. RepairClinic.com recommends using a dryer vent brush, available in 10-foot and 20-foot lengths, to make this job a snap.

Electric dryers use a heating element and several other components to dry the clothes. If the heating element burns out, the dryer may continue to tumble but won't heat. The best way to check the element is to use an Ohm meter or continuity checker. Replacing the element is a fairly simple repair. Find the correct replacement for your machine using our PartDetective.

In gas dryers, a common problem is when one of the electrical coils on the gas valve fails intermittently, causing the flame to shut off before the thermostat sends a signal. If you can see the flame as the dryer cycles, you'll notice it comes on for a few seconds and shuts off right away. Then, the igniter lights up and cycles off without the gas igniting again. If you have this problem, you need to replace both coils on the gas valve. Again, use our PartDetective to find the exact gas valve coils you need.

There is also internal ductwork in your dryer, and if it gets clogged, your dryer will not dry properly. To see if this is your problem, remove the lint filter, and use a flashlight to inspect the inside of the duct.

If it looks clogged, and you can't clear it with a vacuum, try using a refrigerator condenser brush to clean it out. If that doesn't work, you may need to contact a qualified appliance repair technician because cleaning internal ductwork often requires substantial disassembly of the dryer.

A broken thermostat, which controls the temperature in your dryer, may cause your dryer to heat poorly. The thermostat is usually a small, round, black device mounted to an oblong steel plate that is mounted to the internal ductwork with two screws. Replace it if you discover it's broken or you suspect it's turning off the heat too early. The PartDetective will help you find the right one.

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Fun fact
The average wash load at home contains 16 items. In a typical household, more than 6,000 articles of clothing are machine-washed each year.

Appliance maintenance calendar
We've put together a maintenance calendar to help you figure out what needs to be done and when. Add the page to your favorites, or print it out and keep it for reference throughout the year. You can find the appliance maintenance calendar here.

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