Removing accumulated lint from inside the dryer cabinet whirlpool duet

Jake

Appliance Tech - Admin

Staff member

IMPORTANT:

Do not run the dryer with the lint screen loose, damaged,

blocked, or missing. Doing so can cause overheating and

damage to both the dryer and fabrics.

If lint falls off the screen into the dryer during removal, check

the exhaust hood and remove the lint. See "Venting

Requirements."

As needed cleaning

Laundry detergent and fabric softener residue can build up on the

lint screen. This buildup can cause longer drying times for your

clothes, or cause the dryer to stop before your load is completely

dry. The screen is probably clogged if lint falls off while the screen

is in the dryer.

Clean the lint screen with a nylon brush every 6 months, or more

frequently, if it becomes clogged due to a residue buildup.

To wash

1. Roll lint off the screen with your fingers.

2. Wet both sides of lint screen with hot water.

3. Wet a nylon brush with hot water and liquid detergent. Scrub

lint screen with the brush to remove residue buildup.

4. Rinse screen with hot water.

5. Thoroughly dry lint screen with a clean towel. Replace screen

in dryer.

To clean dryer drum

1. Make a paste with powdered laundry detergent and very

warm water.

2. Apply paste to a soft cloth.

OR

Apply a liquid, nonflammable household cleaner to the

stained area and rub with a soft cloth until all excess dye and

stains are removed.

3. Wipe drum thoroughly with a damp cloth.

4. Tumble a load of clean cloths or towels to dry drum.

NOTE: Garments that contain unstable dyes, such as denim blue

jeans or brightly colored cotton items, may discolor the dryer

interior. These stains are not harmful to your dryer and will not

stain future loads of clothes. Dry unstable dye items inside out to

avoid transfer of dye.

Removing Accumulated Lint

From Inside the Dryer Cabinet

Lint should be removed every 2 years, or more often, depending

on dryer usage. Cleaning should be done by a qualified person.

From the Exhaust Vent

Lint should be removed every 2 years, or more often, depending

on dryer usage.

Vacation and Moving Care

Vacation care

Operate your dryer only when you are at home. If you will be on

vacation or not using your dryer for an extended period of time,

you should:

1. Unplug dryer or disconnect power.

2. Clean lint screen. See "Cleaning the Lint Screen."

Moving care

For power supply cord-connected dryers:

1. Unplug the power supply cord.

2. Make sure leveling legs are secure in dryer base.

3. Use masking tape to secure dryer door.

For direct-wired dryers:

WARNING

Electrical Shock Hazard

Disconnect power before servicing.

Replace all parts and panels before operating.

Failure to do so can result in death or electrical shock.

1. Disconnect power.

2. Disconnect wiring.

3. Make sure leveling legs are secure in dryer base.

4. Use masking tape to secure dryer door.

Changing the Drum Light

The dryer light automatically turns on inside the dryer drum when

you open the door.

To change the drum light

1. Unplug dryer or disconnect power.

2. Open the dryer door. Locate the light bulb cover on the back

wall of the dryer. Remove the screw located in the lower right

corner of the cover. Remove the cover.

3. Turn bulb counterclockwise. Replace the bulb with a 10-watt

appliance bulb only. Replace the cover and secure with the

screw.

4. Plug in dryer or reconnect power.

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Clean lint from your clothes dryer

Built-up lint inside dryer cabinets causes more than 15,000 fires every year. Dryer lint escapes through tiny gaps around the edges of the dryer drum and falls into the cabinet, especially when the exhaust vent or vent cap is clogged and airflow is restricted. The lint can get ignited by electric heating elements, gas burners or even a spark from the motor, and the flames then travel through the lint-lined exhaust vent. To make sure this doesn’t happen in your house, check the exhaust vent and the inside of the cabinet frequently.

How to Clean a Dryer

To clean the exhaust duct, shut off the gas and unplug the dryer, then pull the dryer away from the wall and disconnect the duct from the dryer. Use a brush and a vacuum to remove the lint in the duct. If you have a flexible duct (especially the plastic type!), replace it with rigid metal duct.

To clean inside the dryer, unplug it and turn off the gas, then open either the top or the front. The procedure is the same for gas and electric dryers. For dryers with a top lint filter and a solid front panel, remove the lint filter and take out the two screws on the side of the lint filter opening. Pull the top forward (Photo 1). Disconnect the door-switch wires in the front corner, remove the front screws and drop the panel forward (Photo 2). The drum will tip as the panel drops, but this won’t damage anything. Just hold it up while you clean.

Brush and vacuum under the drum and at the top and back of the dryer. Clean thoroughly around the heating element, but work gently around wires and mechanical parts. Use a long brush to clean the dryer vent screen, then vacuum it from the top and back (Photo 3).

Finally, reassemble the dryer. Put the front into the drum and lift, then drop the front into the catches near the bottom while holding it tight against the sides. Reattach the front screws and wires, then set the top back down.

Cleaning technique if your dryer has a front access panel

For dryers with a removable front panel, release the metal catches (or remove screws) and pull the panel off (Photo 4). Remove the screws that hold the vent in place, then clean out the dryer lint with a vacuum and dryer lint remover brush (Photo 5).

How do you clean the lint trap on a Whirlpool Duet dryer?

Why does my dryer collect lint all over the inside door panel?