Your clothes dryer is an almost daily necessity. You used it all the time, but do you ever really take the time to clean it out? This is more than just pulling lint out of the lint catcher – though, some people don’t do that nearly as often as they should! Here are a few steps to making your dryer spic and span, and why they’re important.

1. UNPLUG. Do not leave your dryer plugged in, no matter how small the task.

2. Remove the vent hose and clean the inside. This is important because not all of the lint is trapped in the lint reservoir when we dry our clothes. This is especially true if the family has a lot of hair, or a lot of pets. We need to clean out the dryer from the backside, where it connects the vent hose to the wall. A vacuum is great for this task.

3. Open up the dryer from the front or top. This usually only involves unscrewing a few screws, and the front or top panel should lift right off. Again, take a vacuum hose and sucking up all the dirt and debris that have gotten stuck inside the drum and inside the lint tray as well.

4. Wipe out the inside of the drum. This is an area where buildup often happens slowly, and it causes the inside to become grimy. It affects the efficiency of the machine, and the cleanliness of your clothes when they come out. Wipe the inside down with regular soap and hot water, then rinse and finish with a vinegar wipe. Your next load should be something hardy, such as bath towels.

5. Clean the lint filter thoroughly. Fill a vessel with hot water and add soap until it is well mixed. Remove the loose lint, and then soak the filter in the water. Use a toothbrush or other small implement to remove any residue, and rinse to make sure it is gone. Allow to air-dry completely before reinstallation.

Follow these 5 steps and you’ll have yourself a shining, like-new dryer in no time! This will improve your dryer’s cleaning capabilities, and its energy efficiency. So get to it!