A dryer is all you need when you want that favorite shirt dried before a vital soiree, but how far can you push your dryer?
This is quite an age-old question when it comes to dryers. Sometimes, it’s not a good idea to push these machines to the hilt, but how do you know that and what can be done?
A dryer is quite an essential home appliance. When it runs too hot, it can be bad news for your clothes, because they can end up getting scorched, giving way to frequent damage to clothes.
No one wants clothes that look burned. That said, most of us don’t have the time or patience to do the drying manually. So sometimes, dryers end up getting quite hot.
All said and done, what can you do? Read on to find out!
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The Heat Limit For Dryers
We’re sure you’re probably wondering how hot dryers can get. Before you get worried, let us assure you that it’s okay to get your dryers hot. They work by pulling air in, heating it, and tossing wet clothes through this warm air. They remove moisture by venting it outdoors, so yes, dryers must be hot.
The best dryers in the market can dry clothes quite quickly, but they don’t get so scorching hot that the clothes get burnt. Anything under 150°F is quite normal for a gentle wash. Doing so won’t harm your clothes at all.
When you measure the temperature in a dryer, it can actually go from 123°F to an unbelievable 176°F. This means that lower temperatures can be as efficient in drying clothes as the higher ones.
Hot Dryers And Their Issues
A number of major laundry brands believe that dryers are not made to run high temperatures that go beyond 150°F. They believe that this is mainly due to the concerns over the machine getting too much stress, fabric being burnt, or the machine’s parts getting too overworked.
So, the question might arise, if a dryer is not meant to be overheated, then why would they run so hot in the first place? These are valid concerns, and we’ve hopefully got some answers for you.
Restrictions In Air Flow
Experts in laundry care believe that if your dryer’s airflow gets blocked, its internal temperatures end up rising, even to the point that this can cause potential fires. That is obviously a cause for concern.
Fire departments believe that poor cleaning of these machines can cause more than 2,000 house fires. While the number is alarming, this is an excellent reason to ensure that you clean the lint in your unit after every wash.
Temperature Issues
Another concern arises in thermostat malfunctions. If your unit’s thermostat does not function properly, this leads to it running at alarmingly hot temperatures. Experts state that when you replace the thermostat, this issue can be solved. So, the next time your machine heats up too much, you could try getting the thermostat checked.
Heating Elements Not Working
If your dryer’s heating elements have functioning issues, that can cause it to heat up rather quickly. If that is indeed the case, your unit really needs new heating elements. In such cases, you need to ensure that a repair is scheduled immediately to avoid further damage.
Issues Related To Air Flow
A common issue that causes overheating of dryers is the insufficient flow of air. Airflow plays a vital role in drying clothes, as it helps remove steam from clothes and ensures that heat does not get trapped in the dryer. If there is an obstruction of air in the dryer, it may cause overheating.
Fixing a Dryer That Gets Too Hot
If your dryer overheats, the issue needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Keep in mind that overheating can also hurt the unit itself. Excessive heat can lead to wear and tear of the components, inadvertently causing damage if the issue is not resolved. There are certain common problems that can be fixed, and here are some of them:
Faulty Heating Element
The good news is that it’s not too difficult to replace a heating element that malfunctions. A local hardware store usually has the replacement parts, but if that’s not the case, you can search for your dryer’s heating element online.
When you get the part, just unplug the dryer and unscrew the back of the machine. After you do that, remove the faulty part and attach the new one. In some cases, you might have to replace the thermostat on the old one and replace it in the new one. After you fix the back panel, test out the dryer and if it doesn’t work, get professional help.
Clogging In The Duct
If the duct on the dryer is clogged, the obvious solution would be to clean it. Experts recommend getting the ducts cleaned at least twice a year so that your dryers don’t get too hot.
If the heating element does not get fixed with any of the solutions given above, you might need to get help from your machine’s company. They might have a lasting solution for your problem.
Final Words
The suggestion on your device of “tumble dry low” isn’t just for your machine’s tag; It is a good practice to follow. Despite the cycle you selected, you can use the control panel to reduce the temperature setting to a lower level. This is the best method to ensure your clothes don’t get ruined, besides cleaning out your machine’s lint filter.
Keeping your dryer from heating a lot is not a challenge. We hope you’ve got a basic idea of how you can keep the dryer from heating up too much after reading this article.