Why won't my dryer dry clothes?

Question

I live in a large apartment complex and I rent a dryer from an appliance warehouse. The dryer seems to be in great condition and it gets very hot, but my clothes still take 2-4 cycles to dry, sometimes more. Even small loads won't dry in one cycle. I clean the lint trap out between cycles. I called the appliance company and they sent someone out who claimed it was the vent that needed to be cleaned. He said the dryer was in perfect condition. My apartment complex came in and said they used a leaf blower to clean the vent. It still isn't drying properly. Suggestions?

Answer 1

call them back and tell them it still doesn't work. Tell them the vent has been cleaned and you're still having the same problem. Keep calling them until it's fixed to your satisfaction.
good luck!

Answer 2

Check the vent line. It should not have any 90 degree bends in it or water will collect in these areas. That moisture in the line will cause clothes to dry poorly. It is always best to use a vent line of the solid metal type rather than the flex metal or flex vinyl. Check inside the door and around the drum area for excessive build up of lint. The lint traps never catch all the lint which causes a problem as well being a fire hazard. If maintenance used a leaf blower to blow out the line from lint or a birds nest, the blower has to be powerful enough, at least rated at 215 mph. even then it will not always blow out a birds nest. You might also check the inside of the dryer periodically to ensure the coils are staying on. You should see an orange glow - growing dimmer after you open the door. Have the appliance company ensure all elements are working as some have two elements and both need to work during the normal drying cycle. Hopes this helps.

Answer 3

Are you using the timed cycle, or the energy efficient cycle that "senses" when the clothes are dry? We have a 3/4 sized stackable dryer and I've found that the energy efficient cycle isn't that great. We use the timed cycle and if we're drying a large load, it does take more than one cycle to dry everything. Also, if you're using dryer sheets or fabric softner, that could be a problem too. Fabric softner / dryer sheets will leave a coating on your things, possibly making it harder to dry. It also coats the lint trap, you should litterally scrub the lint trap filter with hot soap and water to remove the film and make the lint trap filter more efficient. When the trap filter is clogged or full, it doesn't pull heat and lint away the way it's supposed to. Hope this helps!

Answer 4

If the complex maintenance people cleaned out your vent did they come into the dryer and take off the vent and clean from there or are they just pulling your chain?

Remove the vent from the rear of your dryer and dry a normal sized load. If it dries within 45 minutes you definitely have a vent problem. If it is the apartment complex's job to clean and maintain the vent have them do a better job.

Answer 5

If you have one of the lint screens that are long and pull out with a screen all the way down, then take and wash that screen with hot water and a scrubbing brush the dryer can't work if the screen is clogged.You may need the company to come out again now that the vent it clean you may not have a air blower blowing the heat around to allow it to dry your clothes.Tell them that you want to replace that one, if they are unable to get it to work properly..Good Luck...

Answer 6

The dryer vent is either clogged or the actual discharge is too far from the back of the dryer. There may be an occlusion or bend in the vent that you do not see. So, when the dryer is running check and see if you have hot discharge air. You r looking at a fire situation.

Answer 7

take apart the vent pipe or duct work and remove it from the back of the dryer and then check the opening for the lint it could be blocked check the little door that opens to vent the steam outside that can block it easily then run a vacuum tube from a clean vacumm into the vent and pipe thats standard for it twice a year dont let others do this as they dont care if you set the house on fire with the lint deposits do somethings your self for your peace of mind

Answer 8

If it's getting really hot but isn't drying the clothes, it's not circulating the hot air. Not sure what the term "one cycle" means to you. If it's a coin operated dryer, are you putting in enough money to run it at least 45 minutes (an hour for large loads). Also, don't dry bulky items like blue jeans, blankets, etc. with lighter weight items like panties, dish towels, etc. The heavy items naturally take longer and if other items are dry, the heavy items will just keep them damp.

Answer 9

I noticed this same thing happen to me when my drier vent was hooked into a plastic hose vent. I replaced it with a hose vent made of galvanized iron and it dried better. An appliance service man once told me that the metal hose vents works better than the plastic or mylar ones. You can get galvanized iron hose vents at most hardware stores like Home depot.

Answer 10

have you ever tried cleansing the lint filter out? If that's clogged, the nice and cozy air received't be blowing at that's fullest. that's continually a panel someplace on the right (if that is a correct loader) that you may open up and pull out a filter out and sparkling it. If that is a the front loader, there would nicely be a small pocket close to the mouth of the dryer that collects the lint. sparkling it out with your hand.

Answer 11

lint trap and vent cleaned. Now, you need to sort clothes according to weight and type of material in order to speed up the drying time.
Heavy blue jeans together on one cycle. All sheets only sheets together. Towels only towels on one. (comprehend, get it?)
If you want to speed it even more than trow a thick dry towel along with your individual cycle. (this is cost effective) Good luck!