A/C failed - clogged with clothes dryer lint
amyf5
14 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (16)
mara_2008
14 years agomara_2008
14 years agoRelated Discussions
Dryer turning clothes black
Comments (14)I have the identical problem. Noticed white washcloths & undies were getting grayer. Thought it was because I washed them with some towels. Considered it my fault. Today I washed a load of brand new never before used lovely snow white towels. They came out of the washer perfect, but out of the dryer totally gray - evenly coated. Black lint in vent has been removed, but entire interior of dryer is becoming darker. Even the lint trap is discolored. Verified that the thermostat is operating & it is. Just sick over my new towels. Cannot figure this one out! GRRR!...See MoreWhy does so much lint escape dryers?
Comments (39)You are right, you must insulate your dryer vent where it runs through the attic. By heating your attic space you will also promote ice damming if it gets cold enough in your area. I don't know if there is special insulation to retrofit your pipe up there but basically, you want insulation wrapped around, then a moisture barrier over it - I guess you could use wire or cable ties to hold the insulation in place (don't overtighten, you want that insulation to stay fluffy) then wrap with appropriate plastic. I am not sure if the plastic we use as a moisture barrier under drywall etc is suitable or rated correctly for it. If someone here doesn't know what is, you may want to repost your question in the hvac forum regarding insulation. The most important aspect of why so much lint gets through, which we haven't touched upon, is the necessity to balance safety with blocking nuisance lint (which I guess could become dangerous in itself if you have a fireplace chimney nearby) - if the lint filter was too effective, it would block too quickly and start causing problems like we have been discussing. It would actually make sense for dryers to have some sort of safety bypass like car engines do for oil filters, if too high a pressure in the filter is detected, the filter is bypassed to allow oil to flow freely, rather than starving the engine of oil. If you have a problem with vermin, it's tempting to put a grate or wire cover over the dryer vent (if it's near the ground) but any covering/straining you do with the dryer vent necessitates more maintenance, as you need to ensure they don't get blocked....See MoreHelp with black clothes and lint
Comments (11)Try wiping out your rubber seal around the door with a wet rag. Make sure you get all the way around it, both on the inside and outside of it. You will haveto pull it open to get the side cleaned out. I too had HE3T 9 years old and I used to wipe the seal out due to dirt, and hair being in it, but never for mold. Also shake your clothes out before you wash them to removed some of the hair since you said they were covered in hair before you washed them. A good test is to wash a clean hair and lint free item in the washer and see how it comes out before you dry it. If hair is on it after it is washed, then you got hair in the washer that has not been rinsed out...See Moredryer lint filter not catching lint
Comments (5)It's a typical Whirlpool-made 29" dryer. There's not much way for the airflow to get out the exhaust without passing through the filter. The lint filter chute/duct is #55 on the diagram. It attaches to the right side behind the bulkhead. The blower below pulls air through the grill and filter, and blows it out the exhaust. Heated air enters the drum through the element housing at the left side of the bulkhead. If seals #36 and/or #8 are deteriorated, then air will bypass the drum and be pulled in through those junctions, but that wouldn't involve any lint from the clothes. Perhaps the filter itself has worn/deteriorated after 14 years? I've seen cases in which lint is either accidentally or purposely dropped down the chute when the filter is cleaned, which will clog the chute and the blower housing and *seriously* impair the airflow. If that has been happening in your case, perhaps lack of airflow is why your filter isn't catching much lint, and the excess lint in the exhaust duct may be chunks that are coming loose from the chute and blower?...See Moremom1234
14 years agosuburbanmd
14 years agofreezerman
14 years agograinlady_ks
14 years agosr712
14 years agohousefairy
14 years agojdenyer232
14 years agophillygirldmb
6 years agorpsinfoman
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agohcbm
6 years agoHU-550895308
2 years agogeorgect
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoboba1
2 years ago
Related Stories
GREAT HOME PROJECTSHate Hauling Laundry? Give Dirty Clothes the Chute
New project for a new year: Install a quick route to the laundry room
Full StoryLAUNDRY ROOMS7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Laundry Room
Get your laundry area in shape to make washday more pleasant and convenient
Full StoryTHE HARDWORKING HOMEWhere to Put the Laundry Room
The Hardworking Home: We weigh the pros and cons of washing your clothes in the basement, kitchen, bathroom and more
Full StoryLAUNDRY ROOMS8 Tips for Cleaner, Greener Laundry
Let go of harsh chemicals and hot water, and go easy on your clothes, your wallet and the planet
Full StoryLAUNDRY ROOMSYou Have Style — Shouldn’t Your Laundry Room?
Make folding clothes your favorite chore of the day with these 10 designer tips
Full StoryFEEL-GOOD HOMEIs Your Bedroom Designed for a Good Night’s Sleep?
Find out how the right nightstands, bedding, rugs, TV and storage can help you get more restful slumber
Full StoryLIFE6 Ways to Cool Off Without Air Conditioning
These methods can reduce temperatures in the home and save on energy bills
Full StoryLIFEYou Said It: ‘They Looked at Me Like I Had 10 Heads’
Design advice, inspiration and observations that struck a chord
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPING10 Tips to Streamline Laundry Day
Little adjustments to your attitude and routine can help take the wrinkles out of doing the wash
Full Story
dadoes