Dryer help!!

[GrayMatterWife]

Over the past couple of weeks, our dryer has seemed to be drying less well. It is a four-year-old LG (full-sized stackable). It dries, but leave things ever-so-slightly still damp. The air blowing in is hot. The lint tramp is clean (I clean it after every single load).

Any ideas for what would cause diminished performance?

[SoonerTexan]

Ditto. We had the same problem

[GrayMatterWife]

Oh, no. That's what I'd feared. Our dryer duct opening is four stories up. How could they clean it?

[SoonerTexan]

Well...when I lived in an apartment they just did it every couple years (real safe, I know). Are you renting? They should do it...clogged ducts are a fire hazard. If not, do professional dryer hose cleaners exist?

[GrayMatterWife]

Well...when I lived in an apartment they just did it every couple years (real safe, I know). Are you renting? They should do it...clogged ducts are a fire hazard. If not, do professional dryer hose cleaners exist?

We own our apartment. arghghgh! I am not sure what I'm going to do. I have a handyman I use. I may be calling him...

[ladymoreta]

The company we used to clean our chimney also cleans dryer vents. I'm not sure if that's common, but you might try looking up some chimney sweeps and see.

[Momo]

Look online for air duct cleaners in your area; they usually do dryer vents as well.
You could also call your local fire department and see who they recommend, because as stated earlier it is known to be a fire hazard.
Good luck!

[GrayMatterWife]

THANKS SO MUCH everyone for the great ideas. I will begin investigating tomorrow!

[GrayMatterWife]

Hey, I found a family-run company that's called something like "Dryer Vent Cleaners, L.L.C." located here in STL. Been doing it for a decade and have a good BBB rating. They were awesome when I spoke with them on the phone, and seemed very capable of handling my complicated dryer situation (location and weight). And their price was very good. They are coming on Monday. HOORAY!

[scrub-jay]

Great to hear it! Your post got me thinking about fire hazards that are often overlooked! I'm glad that you found a good company.

[SoonerTexan]

This was a good reminded to clean ours out...or make DH do it since I do the laundry! We haven't had it in there for long, but our place is old, the dryer was bought off Craigslist and was probably built in the 80s, and the vent was a weird retro fit. It scares me enough now that I don't run the dryer unless I am home.

There is a good post-training dream--a washer/dryer that I don't think might kill me!

[Deebs]

As a wife to a former firefighter - NO ONE should run their dryer unless home and awake. They're a huge cause of residential fire.

[migirl]

Ever since my parents had a dryer vent fire, I NEVER run the dryer if I am not at home.

[GrayMatterWife]

Deebs and MiGirl:

You guys are freaking me out. I am going to use the coin-operated machines downstairs until we get the cleaning on Monday!

[ladymoreta]

I'm having mine cleaned now! The guy said our vent was actually disconnected in the attic, so it'd just been blowing into there!