How to Fix the Lint Trap for a Dryer With Steam Coming Out
When your dryer has steam coming out of the door when it’s opened, it might be a sign that there’s an issue with a buildup or improper airflow somewhere within or around your dryer’s lint trap. If it’s not cleaned out regularly, the lint trap, or the lint filter, can become quite clogged with lint and other debris. This not only causes your dryer not to function properly; it can also become a fire hazard.
The lint trap also generally features quite a fine mesh screen for collecting lint effectively, and because it's so fine, it can become torn or damaged easily during regular use and removal. When this happens, it is no longer doing its job effectively, which can allow the lint from your drying cycles to make its way into other components of your dryer, like the vent or blower wheel, which will also result in the same issue of steam coming out of your dryer.
Luckily, the lint filter is one of the most accessible and easily cleaned and replaced items in your dryer. Because it's so important that the lint filter is clean and undamaged, all dryers make it easy to slide the filter in and out and clean by hand. We have put together a straightforward guide to help you throughout this entire repairing and cleaning process!
How to Diagnose the Lint Trap
Inspect your lint trap for any splits, cracks, or holes in its plastic frame or in the mesh. Lint can slip through the perforations in the lint trap and could clog up your dryer's exhaust. If you often use dryer sheets, hold your lint trap up to the light. You may see buildups of film across it, which can eventually restrict the airflow running through the dryer. To remove the film, you will need to clean the lint trap in hot, soapy water.
What is a Lint Trap?
The lint trap is the part of your dryer that is designed to catch and trap the lint and fabric debris that falls from your clothes while they’re being dried. This prevents the lint from getting trapped elsewhere in your dryer and restricting the airflow. When the lint trap is filled with lint, it not only causes your dryer to heat up but traps moisture as well – which causes steam to burst out when you open the door.
Where is the Lint Trap Located?
A dryer’s lint trap is located either within the door frame or on top of the dryer near the rear of the cabinet. The exact location of your lint filter will vary from model to model, but most dryers should make the lint filter one of the most obvious and easily accessed parts, due to its importance, so you can use your manual to locate your filter, or likely notice it by visually inspecting your dryer, where its location should be clear.
General Location of the Lint Trap in a Dryer
How to Access, Remove, and Inspect the Lint Trap in a Dryer
- Disconnect your dryer from the outlet and shut off the gas supply, if applicable.
- Grab the handle of the lint trap from the top of you dryer, or from inside the dryer door, and pull it out of its housing.
- Using a vacuum, clean your lint trap housing to remove any excess dirt and debris.
- With a small amount of detergent and water, wash your lint trap thoroughly and let it dry fully, then reinsert it.
- Reposition the lint trap housing then put the screws back in and tighten them to secure it.
- Reposition any other parts you may have removed. Your lint trap cleaning is now complete!
- As discussed, replacing your lint filter should be among the easiest dryer repairs, because lint filters are designed to be removed and re-inserted before and after every single drying cycle for safe use.
- Locate the chute or slot your dryer lint filter slides into, it could be on top of the dryer or just inside its door.
- Slide your filter into the chute or channel, gently pushing it into place.
- If you sense resistance while pushing down on the filter to insert it into place, pause the process and make sure the lint trap is entering cleanly. Forcing a filter into place can lead to damage, which may be what lead to needing to replace it in the first place.
How to Clean the Lint Trap
How to Install a New Lint Trap
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