High winds and cold weather gives fire an advantage, and tonight is expected to get windy and very cold. Make sure your dryer screens are extra clean tonight. No time is a good time for a fire, but with high winds, extra air can blow through dryer vents and give lint a better chance to ignite and spread a fire fast. There have been two small fires today that were related to dryer fires — one in Buffalo Grove on Mill Creek Drive, and one in Schaumburg on Tonset Lane.
Also, dryer fragrance sheets leave a film on the lint screen that can lead to problems with your dryer. The residue film blocks the air flow, which means the dryer has to use more energy, which can burn out the heating unit prematurely. You might need some extra cleaning effort to clean the residue.
Try the following …
Dish soap
Hot water
Old tooth brush or other nylon brush
Submerge in bucket, sink or tub
Use a soft towel
Vacuum
Make sure the screen is dry before you put it back in the dryer. If you’re using dryer fragrance sheets, you probably need the extra cleaning every 6-8 weeks. Of course regular lint removal should be done before every use of the dryer.
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