Skip to content

Tumble Dryer Essential Quick-Guide

montpellierrecommends-tumble-dryer-maintenance-banner

Household appliances are such a ‘piece of the furniture’ that we trust we’re able to give them little thought.
We are all time-short and the last thing we want to do is to have to spend time worrying about our appliances.
Luckily, there’s little need to worry if you look after and use them properly.

With your fridge, you clean the shelves and trays regularly to avoid bacteria growing.
In the washing machine, you probably clean the soap drawer when mould and detergent builds up.

Do you give your tumble dryer such care and attention?

If the answer’s no, then you should probably take note.
Tumble dryers should have more regular attention paid than most appliances.
If you look after it, it will perform better for you and ensure you are using it safely.

  1. Whether a vented, condenser, heat pump or compact, don’t overload it. The machine will state its capacity, usually on the front and that is the maximum. It will take longer to dry, use more energy and cause more creases if it is too full. It also will, in the long run, add to more wear and tear.
  2. Clean the lint out after every load, even if there is not much build up. Switch off and unplug the dryer. Remove the door filter and seals and easily pull away the lint and throw it away at every use. Regularly remove and wash all filters with warm soapy water, fully rinse and allow to dry before replacing.
  3. Behind the filters, lint builds up too. Regularly vacuum these out and vacuum out the drum. Switch off and unplug the dryer first. You should clean the drum regularly too, ideally with a stainless-steel cleaner. If you have a sensor-dryer, keeping the drum clean will ensure that the sensor works efficiently as well as killing off any bacteria.
  4. If you have a condenser dryer, empty the reservoir after every load. Switch off and unplug the dryer first. While the reservoir is removed, use an antibacterial spray and cloth to clean out its housing to kill off any bacteria built up from this warm damp area. Rinse and allow to dry before replacing.
  5. On condenser dryers, regularly clean the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger turns the steam back into water. Switch off and unplug the dryer first. Clean it by removing and running it under a tap. You’ll find this located at the bottom of the machine, under the drum. Washing this will help to get rid of any built-up dirt and hair.

Following the above cleaning methods regularly will help to ensure safety, but beyond this,
you should always follow these safety measures when using a tumble dryer:

  1. Register your product as soon as you have purchased it.
  2. Always fully read and follow the manufacturers advice before using the appliance.
  3. When not in use, or cleaning the appliance, switch it off and preferably unplug it.
  4. Check the labels on garments to see if they are suitable for tumble drying.
  5. If vented, use the hose provided and follow the user guidance.
  6. Never tumble-dry over night or if you aren’t in view of the appliance during its cycle.
  7. Clean your dryer, remove all lint and empty reservoirs (if a condenser) using the above methods after every load.
  8. Keep the appliance in a well ventilated area in line with the manufacturer guidance.
  9. Don’t stop the dryer mid cycle. If you do, leave the door open and switch off the appliance.
  10. Let the dryer fully complete its cycle including its ‘cool-down’ cycle at the end.
  11. Don’t overload the dryer.


Looking after your tumble dryer will not only offer you the best drying results, but also increase the lifespan of your appliance, reduce the risk of bacteria growth and ultimately, ensure the safest way to tumble-dry in your home.

For more Montpellier Recommendations, head to Twitter and search for the hashtag #MontpellierRecommends.
*These are only recommendations and not official guidance. Please refer to the manufacturers manual for your specific make and model to use correctly and safely.

Scroll To Top