The trusty tumble dryer. A beacon of hope on rainy days, a champion against damp towels, and a champion for fluffy pyjamas. But even the most reliable machines can sputter and cough sometimes.
In this blog, we’ll be your guide to troubleshooting some of the most frequent tumble dryer woes. We’ll cover everything from clothes that stubbornly refuse to dry to strange noises that sound like your dryer is possessed. We’ll also provide tips on how to identify the culprit and, in many cases, offer some DIY solutions to get your laundry back on track.
Clothes Aren't Drying Properly
When your tumble dryer leaves your clothes damp, it can be quite annoying. After all, you expect clothes you put in your dryer to come out warm and dry. Theres a few reasons this might happen, first of all is lint buildup. A common culprit is clogged lint filters, make sure to clean the lint filter after every single drying cycle. Additionally, you may need to clean the exhaust vent hose regularly to prevent lint buildup that restricts airflow
Another issue is an overstuffed dryer. If you cram too many clothes into the dryer, they won’t tumble properly. This hinders the machines ability to dry you clothes effectively. A good idea is to check the recommended load capacity for your dryer or make sure there is space for clothes to move when you shut the door.
Faulty Sensor (Electric Dryers Only)
Electric dryers use moisture sensors to detect when clothes are dry. A malfunctioning sensor can keep the dryer running even though your clothes are already crisp. You can try wiping the sensor with a damp cloth to clean it. If that doesn’t work, the sensor may need to be replaced.
Dryer Taking Too Long to Dry Clothes
This can be caused by the same issues listed above for clothes not drying properly. In addition, poor ventilation can contribute because the dryer has nowhere to recycle air in the system. Make sure the dryer vent hose isn’t kinked or blocked, and that the dryer is in a well-ventilated area
Strange Noises
Thumping or bumping could be due to an uneven load distribution or the dryer not being level. Try redistributing the clothes and adjust the dryer’s feet if necessary. While rattling might indicate loose objects like coins or buttons in the drum, or worn-out drum components like rollers or the idler pulley.
Dryer Won't Turn On
Check the Power Source to start with. Make sure the dryer is plugged in and the outlet is working. Check your home’s breaker box to see if a fuse has blown or a circuit breaker has tripped. Also, a faulty door switch can prevent the dryer from starting.
