Printed From Urban
Legends and Folklore |
Email example contributed by E. Fox, 22 February 2005:
|
Subject:
INFORMATION ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS Got this message
from a friend, wanted to share it with you. I had a wonderful
morning, the heating unit went out of my dryer! Why
does everything seem to fall apart this time of year!??? The guy that fixes
things went in to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. We
always clean the lint from the filter after every load of clothes. He told us
that he wanted to show us something. He took the filter over to the sink and
ran hot water over it. Now, this thing is like a mesh - I'm sure you know
what your dryer's lint filter looks like - WELL......the hot water just laid on top of the mesh!!! It didn't go through it at
all!!! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh and that's
what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. He
said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (and to
keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and wash it with
hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six
months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long! How
about that???!!!! Learn something new everyday! I certainly
didn't know dryer sheets would do that. So, thought I'd share! Note: I went
to dryer and tested my screen by running water on it. The water collected a
little but ran though the screen. I dried it off and was ready to put it back
in the dryer since the water ran through it but, I thought was the heck it
won't hurt to wash it while I had it out. Warm soap water and a nylon brush
and I had it done in 30 seconds. I then ran the water over the screen and
what a difference the water just gushed through it with no puddling at all and this time I was running the water at
a faster rate. That repairman knew what he was talking about. |
Comments: Not much to argue with here. Sources ranging from
manufacturers to consumer agencies agree with the recommendation to wash
clothes dryer lint filters occasionally with warm, soapy water and a soft brush
to remove chemical residues left by fabric softener sheets. A clogged lint
filter not only hampers dryer efficiency, experts say, but can cause
overheating, which increases wear and tear on the appliance as well as the risk
of fire.