Cleaning Your Tumble Dryer, Kitchen Appliance

Maintaining your kitchen appliance is a certain way to lengthen the life and performance, getting the most for your money. Some appliances need more maintenance than others, for instance your gas cooker may merely need a quick clean every once in a while whereas your tumble dryer needs a daily touch.

When it comes to cleaning your tumble dryer, you need to apply only one method if your tumble is vented. However, if your appliance is a condenser tumble dryer, you will need to apply three different methods of cleaning.

Cleaning Your Fluff Filter (Vented and Condenser Tumble Dryers)

When your laundry is drying in your tumble dryer, fragments of clothing tend to come away from your fabrics. The fluff filter is located on the inside of the drum in the bottom lip and collects the debris from your clothes. However, the use of the fluff filter is not just used to collect loose cloth, but also that tissue you forgot to take from your trouser pockets.

To clean your fluff filter, simply open your dryer door and pull out the fluff filter located at the top inside lip. You will see that layers of dust have formed on the webbed filter. Simply peel away the fluff/dust as if you were pealing open a banana. Then you must dispose of the fluff/dust and replace the fluff filter. To see the fluff filter please see the picture below. You must repeat this after each cycle.

Emptying Your Water Bottle (Condenser Tumble Dryers Only)

Your water bottle is where your condenser tumble dryer collects the water, which would usually vent outside on a standard tumble dryer. The water is held in a water bottle usually located at the top left of the appliance and is accessed by pulling the compartment similarly to the soap tray on a washing machine. The water bottle must be emptied with every cycle; most tumble dryers will let you know when it needs to be emptied via its sensor

To summarise:

Cleaning Your Condensing Unit (Condenser Tumble Dryers Only)

Lastly, when cleaning your condenser tumble dryer, it is vital that you clean the condenser unit located at the bottom of your tumble dryer. The condenser unit is used to help the condensed water reach its destination, that being the water bottle which we discussed earlier.

To access your condensing unit you must unclip the cover located at the front of your tumbler dryer so you that can access behind the cover. To do this pull on the handle located at the top of the cover.

The condenser unit is usually located on the left hand site and is secured in place with several clips. You must release the condenser unit buy unclipping it from its fixed position and pulling it towards you. Please be aware that if the tumble dryer has recently been used, the condenser unit may be hot and that small deposits of water may remain within the condenser unit, this is perfectly normal.

Once the condenser unit is removed, you must flush any flush or blockages but pouring water through the condenser unit. Please be sure to check that once complete, any blockages have been removed. After cleaning the condenser unit, you must replace the unit and use the clips to put it securely back in place. Finally, fix back in position the front cover, which can be done by just pushing it back in place until it clicks.

Cleaning the condenser unit must be carried out once every month. To summarise the operation please see below. All pictures have been supplied courtesy of Hotpoint.