Cleaning condenser bit of tumble dryer

[HiccupHaddockHorrendous]

I've had my dryer for 10 years and every couple of years now and again I clean out the condenser thingy which gets clogged up with soggy fluff. I usually use a skewer to pick the bits of fluff out.

It has been probably 4 years quite a while since it was done last and I don't think a skewer is going to cut it this time so am going to use my steam cleaner to blast the fluff out - not even sure if it'll work but it's worth a try.

My question is, where do I do it? In the bath but have to de-fluff the plug hole after? Outside the back door and brush up the mess when it's all dried? On the kitchen floor? On the kitchen floor with a bin bag to catch the mess?

Such a dull question, sorry, but I have been putting this job off for so long and thought another 5 minutes procrastinating would be ok !!

[AnnoyingOrange]

My manual says clean it under a running cold water tap

[teedeeuk]

I do mine in the bath using the shower head.

[ipdipdog]

I do admire people who keep manuals

[HiccupHaddockHorrendous]

Ah, ok I'll try that first then.

I have probably got the manual because I never throw anything away but wouldn't have a clue where to find it .

The steamer is heating up already so will just do the floors with that if running under a tap works on the condenser.

Thanks!!

[HiccupHaddockHorrendous]

Oh my goodness! I've done it! I can't believe how quick and easy that was and can't believe how stupid I feel for not realising that that was the solution to cleaning it .

Out of interest, how often should it be done? I empty the water and clean the fluff filter after every couple of uses but the combination of fluff and water (ie what the condenser bit ends up like) seems to be too much for me to tackle .

[IHeartIona]

My one says do it every month, a light comes on to remind me (not that I do it usually). But I recently did it and now it dries clothes in half the time so I am really pleased and will try to do it regularly now.

[QuickLookBusy]

Thank you for this thread, it has reminded me to do mine.

I've never done it properly, going by this thread, so will try the running under cold water thingy.

[AnnoyingOrange]

Ipdipdog. Most manuals are online. That's where I got my info from

[HiccupHaddockHorrendous]

Once a month ? I think mine was slightly overdue then .

Just about to it it on now so keeping fingers crossed that it works more efficiently...it should do judging by the amount of crap that's just gone down the plughole.

Can I suggest using something to catch the fluff before it goes down the plughole because I think I might have just caused a blockage.

Also, just discovered the bloomin steam cleaner's not working properly now

[HiccupHaddockHorrendous]

Wow, first load of clothes have dried is super-quick time!

It's almost encouraging me to wash some more to see how quickly they'll dry

[SquirtedPerfumeUpNoseInBoots]

My manual says once a month as well.

I only know this because it's a new thing to me. I'm actually paranoid about it, as I mentioned in work that I was getting one and my boss said that they are the biggest cause of house fires because the fluff catches fire!

Don't want to worry anyone, but if I'm paranoid, the least I can do is pass my paranoia on to you lot as well.

[HiccupHaddockHorrendous]

Eek, didn't know that...will be better at cleaning it out...especially now I know how easy it is

[thebitchbrigade]

Ok so I did mine today - fuck me! how much fluff and shite? I am ashamed to be honest and it clearly was a fire hazard too. Anyone dithering about it get on with it right now, this minute!!!

[itsthesimplethings]

I've tried to clean mine with my Dyson but the fluff is sort of caked to the condensor. So I'll try rinsing it under the tap. Does it matter which way you rinse it, i.e. back to front or front to back, and hot or cold water? Do I need to let it dry before replacing in tumble drier?

[HiccupHaddockHorrendous]

I did mine all ways to try and get as much out as possible . I used mostly cold water to get a higher pressure to blast the caked-on fluff off.

I left mine outside the backdoor for a couple of hours but I it wasn't completely dry when I put it back in to use.

[middleagedspread]

Carrying on from this...my light keeps coming on & the machine stops. I empty the water, de-fluff the filter & rinse the condenser, then it stops 15 mins later.
Any ideas?

[newtonupontheheath]

Oh man. This is my worst household job.... I'd rather do anything else!

I'll do it though, now I've been reminded

[StairsInTheNight]

DP is a firefighter and tumble driers are one of the main causes of house fires, agree clean regularly!

[Weejack1005]

There is no water going into my condenser tank in my tumble dryer

[e1y1]

I've got ALL my manuals ipdip and all in one place [preens] - Never look at them mind .

OP - I have had about 4 condensers and they have always said to clean it with a shower head, so I do this. I have a wetroom, so no bath to even catch the fluff, it gets all in the floor drain and over the floor, it's not a massive job to clean up though.

[DesertIslandPenguin]

Oooh, the bath! I never thought of that. I use a jug in the kitchen sink. I do it on the first of each month do that I don't forget, bit twitchy about the whole fire hazard thing!!

This has reminded me of our first condenser dryer. I asked DH to clean it out and after half an hour and lots of suspicious swearing I checked up on him. He'd taken the whole condenser unit apart and was cleaning it out with cotton buds 🙄

[WillowG3]

I clean mine under a hose on the grass outside and let the little birdies clear up the fluff! I also don't always let it dry properly, don't know if I should!