A dryer that is looked after dries faster, uses less energy, lasts longer and is far less likely to start a fire. The good part is that most of the work takes seconds. The bigger jobs only come up once or twice a year.
Here is a simple checklist you can follow, broken down into what to do every load, every month and every year, plus a few seasonal notes for homes in Calgary and the surrounding area. Keep it handy near the laundry room and you will catch most problems before they turn into repairs.
The checklist at a glance
This table sums up the whole routine. Each item is explained in the sections below.
| How often | Task | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Every load | Clean the lint screen | Airflow, drying time, fire safety |
| Every load | Check pockets, avoid overloading | Protects drum, belt and clothes |
| Monthly | Wash the lint screen | Removes dryer-sheet film |
| Monthly | Wipe the moisture sensor bars | Keeps auto-dry accurate |
| Monthly | Check the outside vent hood | Catches blockages early |
| Yearly | Clean the full vent run | Biggest fire-prevention step |
| Yearly | Check duct, level, cord and gas line | Spots wear before it fails |
Every load
- Clean the lint screen. Before or after every load, every time. A clean screen is the single biggest thing you can do for drying time and safety.
- Do not overload. Clothes need room to tumble. A packed drum dries unevenly and strains the belt, rollers and motor.
- Check pockets. Coins, pens, lip balm and tissues cause noise, stains and damage, and loose screws or nails can tear the drum seal.
- Spin well first. Use a high spin speed on the washer. The less water going into the dryer, the shorter and cooler the cycle.
- Stay nearby. Do not run the dryer overnight or while you are out. Our post on dryer fire safety and lint explains why.
Every month
Lint screen and sensor
Dryer sheets and fabric softener leave a waxy film on the lint screen that you cannot see. Hold the screen under the tap: if water beads on it instead of running through, scrub it with warm soapy water and a soft brush, then let it dry fully. While you are at it, wipe the two metal moisture sensor bars inside the drum with a little rubbing alcohol on a cloth. Our post on cleaning the dryer moisture sensor shows where to find them.
Lint slot, drum and door
Use a narrow vacuum attachment to pull out lint that has slipped past the screen into the slot. Wipe the drum and the door seal with a damp cloth to remove lint, ink or dye transfer. If you find marks on clothes, check the drum for anything stuck to it before the next load.
Outside vent and sounds
With the dryer running, go outside and check the vent hood. The flap should open fully and you should feel strong, warm airflow. While the dryer runs, listen for anything new. Squeaks, thumps or grinding are much easier to fix early; see our post on a squeaking or squealing dryer.
Ventless and condenser dryers: rinse the second filter and the condenser if your manual allows, and empty the water tank after every cycle unless it drains to a hose.
Every year
- Clean the full vent run. Clean the duct from the dryer all the way outside at least once a year, more often for long runs, roof vents or busy households. Our guide on how often to clean a dryer vent has the details, or book our dryer vent cleaning service.
- Check the transition duct. Replace any white vinyl or foil accordion duct with semi-rigid or rigid metal. Make sure it is not crushed when the dryer is pushed back.
- Level the dryer. Adjust the feet so it does not rock. A level dryer runs quieter, wears the drum evenly and helps the moisture sensor read properly.
- Inspect the power cord and plug. With the dryer unplugged, look for discolouration, cracks, melted spots or a loose fit in the outlet.
- Gas dryers: check that the gas connector is not kinked or crushed behind the dryer. Do not disconnect or adjust it yourself; our gas dryer repair technicians handle anything on the gas side.
- Consider a check-up on an older dryer. A technician can spot worn rollers, belts and idlers before they fail, and confirm the thermal fuse and thermostats are doing their job.
Two smaller yearly jobs are easy to forget. First, clear the space around the dryer. Boxes, laundry baskets and stored cleaning products pushed up against the cabinet trap heat and can be a fire risk if lint escapes. Leave a few centimetres on each side and keep the floor behind it clean, vacuuming any lint that has gathered under and behind the machine while it is pulled out.
Second, keep a simple record. A note taped inside a cupboard door with the date of the last vent cleaning, the model number and any repairs makes it much easier to spot patterns, such as drying times slowly creeping up, and saves time if you ever need to book a repair. A photo of the model and serial label on your phone does the same job.
Seasonal notes for Alberta homes
Winter is hard on dryer vents. The warm, moist exhaust freezes at the hood during cold snaps, and snow drifts can bury low vents entirely. After heavy snow or a week of deep cold, check the hood and gently clear frost by hand. Never use a heat gun or open flame on a vent.
Dry winter air also means more static, which tempts people to add more dryer sheets. Wool dryer balls are a good alternative that will not coat the lint screen or sensor bars. In spring, check the hood for nesting birds before the first warm-weather loads, and in fall, before the cold arrives, is a good time to book the yearly vent cleaning in places like Airdrie and Okotoks where newer homes often have long vent runs.
Safe checks before you call
Always unplug the dryer, or switch off its breaker, before cleaning it, moving it or reaching inside. Do not remove panels, open the gas burner area, or bypass a thermal fuse or door switch. If something seems off after your routine checks, write down the symptom: no heat, no tumbling, a new noise, a smell or an error code. That helps a technician diagnose it quickly.
If you ever smell gas, leave the house right away and call ATCO Gas emergency at 1-800-511-3447 from outside. If you smell burning, stop the dryer, unplug it and do not use it until it has been checked.
When to call a technician
If your dryer is slow, noisy, running hot or showing a code even with good maintenance, it is time for a professional look. Our technicians repair gas and electric dryers of every brand. If your dryer is getting on in years, our guide on whether to repair or replace a dryer can help you weigh it up.
Call Fast Appliance Repair at (587) 779-6919 for same-day service when available. We charge a flat diagnostic fee and give a full quote before any work, and every repair is backed by our 90-day parts and labour warranty.