Did You Know You Should Scrub Your Dryer Lint Screen?

Removing the lint after each load is essential, but some dryer lint screens also need an occasional wash to remove residue. Laundry detergent and fabric softener can leave buildup on the mesh that doesn’t come away when you peel off the lint.

For washable screens, a nylon brush, hot water, and liquid detergent may be all you need. Check your dryer’s manual first: the method below is for a removable, washable mesh screen, not every filter found in every dryer.

Two different cleaning jobs

Routine lint removal and washing away residue serve different purposes. Clear loose lint by hand before each load, and remove it again after drying. Don’t rinse a lint-covered screen as a shortcut; wet lint is harder to remove.

For deeper cleaning, Whirlpool recommends washing its lint screens every six months, or sooner if residue clogs them. Use your own model’s schedule if it differs.

A blocked screen can restrict airflow and lengthen drying time. Cleaning it can help when buildup is the cause, but it won’t fix every drying problem or guarantee a particular reduction in your energy bill.

How to wash a removable lint screen

With the dryer off and the screen cool enough to handle, follow these steps if your manual permits washing:

1. Remove the screen. Lift or slide it out as directed, then roll the loose lint off with your fingers and put it in the trash.
2. Wet both sides. Take the screen to a sink and rinse it with hot tap water.
3. Gently brush away residue. Wet a nylon brush with hot water and liquid detergent. Work over the mesh without bending or damaging it.
4. Rinse thoroughly. Remove the loosened residue and detergent.
5. Dry and reinstall. Dry the screen thoroughly with a clean towel and let any remaining moisture dry before fitting it securely back into the dryer.

This follows Whirlpool’s screen-cleaning method. Avoid substituting a wire brush, abrasive pad, or strong cleaning chemical unless your appliance manufacturer specifically permits it.

While the screen is out, look for holes, a cracked frame, or a poor fit. Replace a damaged screen with the correct part rather than trying to patch the mesh.

Do you need to do a water test?

You may have seen advice to run water through the screen and judge buildup by whether it passes through. You don’t need that test to follow a regular cleaning schedule, and it doesn’t tell you whether the dryer’s entire airflow path is clear.

Use the care instructions for your model and inspect the mesh for buildup. If clothes are taking longer than usual to dry, check the screen—but don’t assume washing it has ruled out a vent blockage or another problem.

A clean screen doesn’t replace vent maintenance

On a vented dryer, the lint screen and the exhaust duct are separate areas that need attention. The U.S. Fire Administration warns that neglected lint filters and dryer vents increase fire risk. It advises checking that the venting behind the dryer isn’t crushed, damaged, or restricted and that the outdoor vent covering opens during operation.

If drying stays unusually slow after you clean the screen, arrange a vent inspection or appliance service rather than repeatedly adding more drying time. Use a professional when the duct is difficult to access or the work would require moving a heavy dryer or disturbing a gas connection.

Ventless and heat-pump dryers have different maintenance requirements and may have additional filters. Follow their manuals rather than applying outdoor-exhaust advice to them.

Make the routine easy to remember

Keep a small trash container near the dryer for lint, and add screen washing to your household calendar at the interval your manual recommends. You don’t need to buy a special cleaner or change laundry products just to start maintaining the screen properly.

Always put the clean, dry screen back before using the dryer. Never run a load with the lint filter missing.