Dryer Lint Buildup Is Way Worse During Winter - Here's Why (& How To Prevent It)

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Winter is a harsh season for many when dealing with subzero temperatures and large snowfalls. If you live in an area that sees chillier temperatures, one thing that you may not have considered is the effect that the cold weather has when it comes to your laundry. Your dryer vent tends to work overtime during colder weather season. Increased moisture or condensation and smaller clothing items can get inside your dryer vent. More moisture can require more cycles to dry and use up more energy, and even lead to problems within the dryer itself. However, a primary culprit during this time of year is that your dryer's lint buildup is way worse, namely due to the fact that you're wearing bulkier and heavier clothing.

Longer-sleeved shirts, sweatshirts with hoods, winter coats, snow pants, sweaters, blankets, towels (for drying wet boots and paws), and more of these larger fabrics are getting washed and dried more frequently during the winter. Since the lint accumulates over time, the lint buildup isn't noticeable right off the bat. When it continues to increase, though, it can result in causing some issues with your dryer's performance. Parts may start not working properly, and the airways in your vents can also become smaller. This problem could lead to a fire hazard, due to lint buildup overheating. While you can find some clever ways to reuse dryer lint around your home, it's best for you to be aware of the issue with lint in winter and take some measures to prevent buildup.

One of the first things you should already be doing regularly is cleaning out the lint trap after each load. It ensures your dryer doesn't have to work as hard and extends the machine's longevity, which is especially helpful for lint buildup in winter. You can take things a step further with this and actually get into the vent system with your vacuum and clean out all of the lint buildup and dust that's hiding. There's a reasonably large vent that connects to your dryer and runs outside, and it should be cleaned out every couple of years. Check your dryer's manufacturer for more information to find the truth about how often to clean your dryer vents. You might be surprised by how much your vacuum fills up from it!

Investing in some wool dryer balls like these Handy Laundry Wool Dryer Balls can be extremely helpful, too. These work well since they help clothes dry faster, and you can also reuse them, so they are an environmentally-friendly option, allowing you to ditch the dryer sheets for a better alternative. Hanging your clothes to dry during the winter season is another option if you are able. Finally, consider taking the lint trap out and washing it by hand with some detergent and hot water. You can get out any pesky stuck-on residue from detergents and softeners. Be sure that you let the trap dry completely before you put it back.