Dryer Urban Legend?

[ironrite]

After watching Mythbusters and some of those similar shows, I check out this website from time to time. Just one of those fun and mindless things. Today I noticed the link below regarding the lint screen in dryers. In my Frigidaire electric dryer, about 3 years old now, to me the gauge of the screen is not that small and the screen looked just fine.

I tried the test anyway. Hmmm, sure enough water beaded up on the screen, then I washed the screen. I was rather surprised how filthy it was! I had no clue. So thought I'd post the link for some fun. And I guess in the future, I'll start washing the screen as well!

FACT CHECK: Does a Clean Lint Filter Extend the Life of a Dryer?

Can washing the lint filter in your clothes dryer help enhance the performance and lifespan of that appliance?

www.snopes.com

 

[jmirawm]

ahhhhhh I can see clearly now.......

Gansky1 had mentioned in another post something about dryer sheet Schmeg. I thought he was awfully discriminating against dryer sheets and wondered what kind of trauma in his life would have caused such. LOL. Well now I see the proof of the schmeg! I tried this test also. Sure enough the water pooled up in the lint screen like it was a dish or a saucer. I wonder how hard my Lady has been working to get those clothes dry! Thanks for sharing Ironrite!

 

[pulsator-power]

I'll have to try it, this makes sense to me.
I got our dryer used, and after cleaning as much lint out of it
(there were gobs of it), and using it 3 or 4 times, I can still smell the fabric softener the former owner used. I haven't used any
Jerry

 

[westytoploader]

I tried it with the Kenmore (which is only 3 years old), and the screen actually does hold water. Of course during this time we've used nothing but dryer sheets, so that could be a factor.

Maybe a little run in the Bosch can get rid of that...

 

[ironrite]

It dawned on me, I've pretty much just used Downey Enhanced fabric softener in the washer. I've never used dryer sheets. So it may appear that liquid softeners could somehow clog up the screen.

 

[Cybrvanr]

try this trick with a window screen, you will notice that it too will hold water. The issue is not a coating on the screen, but the screen iteslf. The holes in the screen are small enough that the surface tension of the water will hold itself between the openings in the screen. Water will continue (or air) will continue to flow through the screen however when pushed through it. IE from a blower, or the faucet. There's nothing really to worry about here

 

[jmirawm]

The issue is not a coating on the screen, but the screen ite

But after cleaning the lint filter, it no longer held water. The water would flow through then.

 

[gansky1]

Hold it up to a bright light - you'll see the coating from dryer sheets, I've seen it a lot in many different makes of dryers although the fabric nylon mesh screens seem to less prone to clogging. Whenever I bring in a dryer and refurbish it for sale, hot water and a good dose of Dawn dish liquid brings the filter back to like-new very fast.

 

[DADoES]

Maybe because washing it with detergent left a residue that easily breaks the surface tension?

 

[partscounterman]

Gee, it may be true

I tried spraying all purpose cleaner on a filter of a dryer I have at the shop. I let it set a while and sure enough, the "film" on the screen kinda 'swoll' up so you could see it. Try it and see if I'm wrong. The screen needs to be scrubbed to get it all off.

This was a whirlpool lp gas dryer. I have no way of knowing what kine fabsoft was used.

 

[pulsator-power]

I just cleaned mine with a toothbrush & some Dawn dish det. & it just gleamed!
Let's see if it works any better now!
Jerry

 

[gansky1]

One of my clients uses 2-3 Bounce sheets in every load and her lint filter looks just like a bounce sheet now - the lint can barely be swiped off. To top it off, I think I'm the only one that cleans the filter - every two weeks. Thank goodness there are only two people in the household or it would have burned to the ground long ago! I'll try to remember my camera next Thursday when I go and we'll have a little demo of how dryer lint filters do need to be cleaned and the difference it makes ;-)

 

[pulsator-power]

My neighbor (no lie) saves dryer lint in a box. I know this, because I play with her Filter Flo when she's away. I love the sounds it makes when it goes into spin. I wonder if she'll try to sell the lint on ebay eventually!
Jerry

 

[gansky1]

Maybe she'll weave it into new clothes!

 

[mayken4now]

Dryer Lint Idea/Fact

Well, after reading this, then looking at the article about lint etc. I have just fininsed since 8:00 am it is now 11:30. I took the filter out of the HE3 dryer that is two years old, tried the water trick, yes it held some, as I use bounce in all but towels. I had cleaned it about six months ago. Then I looked down in where the track is that it slides down into, say no more. The entire fron of the dryer came off. I unpluged it, got all sorts of tools out put a large sheet on the floor and went to cleaning the entire thing. Yes took all the venting and duct work apart, cleaned it, and replaced it. I WAS IN SHOCK OF THE DIRT, LINT AND WHATER EVER ESLE WAS IN THERE. Oh no that wasn't enought, then I went into the second phase, took my 1973 Maytag one apart too. Not as bad, as I tend to not use it as much. It has the cloth filter, the water did stand, however not as much as the metal mesh filter. Then, for some fun, I washed all the dirty rags associated with the dryer cleaning, and much to my surprise, they both dryed in less time. Cleaned the electronic sensors in both. Of course the Kenmore HE3 has the sensor, but so does my Maytag Halo of Heat. Yes the bell rings, and it was done in about 18 minutes, on regular heat, normal dryness. It beat the Kenmore HE3.

Ok well now of the an estate sale, house all clean, appliances all cleaned, and will post any findings today. Wish me luck.

Steve in Pensacola