What the heck is this secret compartment in my tumble dryer

[toomuchlikemyusername]

I've always thought I was being a sensible grown up by diligently emptying the door filter of my tumble dryer on a regular basis and removing all the fluff so it was good and safe and all that...go me!

Today, with some lockdown time on my hands I was giving it a spring clean and pondered what the flap at the bottom of the dryer was hiding.

I opened it up to discover another large filter which could be slid out. It was covered in a layer of damp, dusty grot with added slime around the seal for good measure

It's now had a good clean out. I've discovered £1.01, a zip attachment and a false finger nail (thanks Dd).

I've also spotted a neat little diagram that tells me I should have been cleaning this out once a month.

I now feel a bit that it's taken me about 3 years to find this grot spot. (But I did enjoy the manky mess). Am I the only person who didn't know about these secret places in tumble dryers. I am agog!

[thismeansnothing]

Eugh. The bottom filter. Mine dryer has a light when it needs a clean out and won't start until its done. Pisses me. Right off when that little light comes on.

[toomuchlikemyusername]

A light comes on on yours does it? And stays on with a smug little look saying 'Nope, not gonna happen till you clean me'. Yep, that would piss me off too. At least mine just festers silently in the dark

[LemonBreeland]

I clean mine with the shower head. Probably not as often as I should. Must do it now actually.

[Ouchjuststoodonlego]

It's the condensing unit, I think. I run ours under the tap to clean it when I remember. I do find that it dries quicker when I have done it.

[toomuchlikemyusername]

So you can wash this part then can you?
(I know, caveats apply here about specific machines).

My agogness grows...

[PheasantPlucker1]

I used to do mine with the shower head, its amazing the crap you can blast out of it!

[TwistyHair]

Yeah stick it under the shower.

[ArriettyJones]

My bottom filter light comes on when the bottom filter is still practically spotless. That and the drying sensor that has no sensing powers drive me round the loop.

I’ll be downgrading to a less bossy model next time. Like the “heat selector & time dial” model I used to have. Like yours, in fact.

What else have you been managing to dodge in terms of housework? Give us tips!

[HollowTalk]

Hang on, you are using a shower head on a tumble dryer?

[OnlyJudyCanJudgeMe]

Yeah I put mine in the bath with the shower head blasting on it too.

[LemonBreeland]

I love that I'm not the only one who blasts it with the shower. Easiest way to clean it.

[LemonBreeland]

@HollowTalk it is just the condenser unit and is fully removable.

[QuantumWeatherButterfly]

I detest cleaning ours - mine also won't start if it needs doing. But I never thought of showering it, so might give that a whirl next time. I never feel like I get it that clean under the tap.

[HollowTalk]

Ohh I didn't realise you were talking about a condenser tumble dryer! Sorry.

[MayFayner]

I used to quite like cleaning that thing. I have a heat pump dryer now and the filter doesn’t come out. There’s a diagram of someone holding a hoover up to it, as if that’s how you clean it. Eh no. The “fluff” (i.e. woolly grey scum-sludge) is slightly damp and clings for dear life to the grooves so hoovering does nothing. You have to scrape it with a knife and it takes ages.

The removable one is much better.

[DobbyTheHouseElk]

I take it outside and blast it with the garden hose. It’s so satisfying. The dryer works much better afterwards. How have you gone 3 years without noticing it?? The lint filter drops down into this. Also it’s usually damp so a bit festering at the best of times.

[UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername]

I used to quite like cleaning that thing. I have a heat pump dryer now and the filter doesn’t come out. There’s a diagram of someone holding a hoover up to it, as if that’s how you clean it. Eh no. The “fluff” (i.e. woolly grey scum-sludge) is slightly damp and clings for dear life to the grooves so hoovering does nothing. You have to scrape it with a knife and it takes ages.
Mine is like this too and I hate it. It's horribly hard to clean, you have to shove your hand into a cavity you can't see into and spend half an hour painstakingly feeling around and picking the bits out by hand, and you can never get it all out. I'd love to be able to remove the whole assembly and give it a good blast!

[Pinkflipflop85]

I quite like cleaning mine. Although the idea of using a shower to do it is a bloody revelation! I've been pissimg about in the kitchen sink with jugs of water....

[toomuchlikemyusername]

I am liking the idea of cleaning it using the shower head (and this might provide more plughole unblocking opportunities which always draws a crowd in our house when done )

How have I not noticed this for 3 years? Absolutely no idea! I think I saw the sticker and thought, nope, not got one of those on this model. Whilst the sticker helpfully has a picture of every month from the calendar on it, with the 1st circled and a diagram of what I assume to be a diary - oh yes, let's add tumble dryer de fluff to the schedule - it doesn't have a picture indicating that the flipping thing is hidden away under a panel.

I remain agog and in awe of those of you who not only know about this grot-trap but who have figured out the ultimate way of cleaning it. There was me fannying around with a bit of damp kitchen towel and there's you lot blasting the fecker with a shower head or hose pipe!

[Thighmageddon]

Mine has a shower once a month during the autumn, winter and early spring months.

Make sure you put a drain cover over the plug hole though

[Spam88]

Mine is supposed to be cleaned every 5 cycles. I blast it under the tap 👍 also came with a spare sponge so you can just swap them over while one is drying.

[oohnicevase]

It's the condenser , you need to wash it regularly !!

[oohnicevase]

I hose mine in the garden , that's why they catch fire along with not cleaning the filter .

[Thighmageddon]

Spam yours has a sponge?

[TARSCOUT]

Most exciting thing to have discovered in lock down can't believe I never thought of cleaning it in shower! Made my day that has!