How to Clean a Tumble Dryer

Tumble dryers work by moving warm air through damp clothes. Fluff (lint) from the fabric is caught by filters, and if those filters block, warm air can't escape. Drying times go up, the machine works harder, and lint – which is highly flammable – builds up around hot parts.

UK fire services regularly warn about tumble dryer fires, and the most common advice is simple: clean the filter after every use, never leave a dryer running when you go out or go to bed, and keep the area around it clear.

Cleaning depends on how your dryer gets rid of moisture:

The lint filter is usually inside the door rim or on the inside of the door. Pull it out, open it and peel the layer of fluff off with your fingers, then put it in the bin. Do this after every cycle, even if it doesn't look full.

Every month or so, wash the filter mesh under warm running water with a soft brush to remove the waxy film fabric conditioner leaves behind. Let it dry completely before putting it back. A filter that looks clean but stops water passing through is still blocked.

Empty the water tank after every cycle – a full tank stops the dryer or leaves clothes damp. Rinse the tank out occasionally to stop it smelling.

On a condenser dryer, the condenser unit usually slides out from behind a flap at the bottom of the front. Every few months (or as the manual suggests), take it out and rinse the fins with lukewarm water from the shower head or garden hose until it runs clear, holding it so water flows through the fins. Let it dry before refitting. Heat pump dryers often have a self-cleaning heat exchanger but rely on their foam or mesh filters being kept clean – wash these as directed.

The vent hose should be as short and straight as possible, with no kinks or dips where lint and condensation can collect. Every few months, detach it, shake out any lint and check for damage. If it vents through a wall, check the outside flap opens freely and isn't blocked by fluff, leaves or nests.

A hose pushed out of an open window is a common arrangement in rented homes. It works, but make sure the hose isn't squashed by the window and empty any water that gathers in it.

Wipe the drum with a cloth dampened in warm water and a little washing-up liquid to remove residue, particularly if something like a lip balm or crayon has gone through a load. Dry it by leaving the door open.

Many dryers have two metal sensor strips inside the drum, near the filter, that detect moisture. Fabric conditioner film on them can make the dryer stop too early or run too long. Wipe them with a cloth dampened with a little white vinegar or surgical spirit, following the manual.

Finally, unplug the dryer and vacuum around the back and underneath where fluff collects, and wipe the outside and control panel.

If the dryer gets hot to the touch on the outside, smells of burning, trips the power, or still takes much longer than usual after a full clean, stop using it and get it checked by a qualified appliance engineer. Check whether your model has been subject to a manufacturer safety notice – the government's product recall database and the manufacturer's website list affected models.

Laundry appliances are often missed in a move-out. Inventory clerks may check the filter and drum, and fluff left in the filter or a smelly water tank can end up in the check-out report. Our end of tenancy cleaning checklist lists the appliances usually included, and washing machine cleaning is covered in its own guide.