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Washing at Home | Drying at Home | Washers | Dryers
Laundry Care Products | Dry Cleaning | Ironing | Laundromat
Residential Clothes Dryers
Unlike operating commercial dryers, residential machines allow for temperature adjustments, which makes all the difference. The temperature on Laundromat dryers is set high for the best value to the most customers, and speed of machine usage. Therefore, it's crucial to stand by if some items dry more quickly than others so shrinkage can be minimized.
Efficient Cycle Length
At home, the user establishes the appropriate temperature, and can come back hours later if that's most convenient. Now, new models incorporate temperature or moisture sensors to turn off a machine when it determines that the load is done. These new machines not only save time, and gas or electricity, they also prevent scorching and shrinking, or loads that are still damp if the cycle is timed too briefly. Temperature sensors respond to the dryness of exhaust air, but moisture sensors have the ability to check for moisture inside the tumbling drum itself.
The end of the cycle for most dryers has a cool-down period, which keeps items tumbling in forced air, but without the heat. This feature saves energy because clothes continue to circulate in the warmth of the drum.
 Spots and Stains
But sensor and cool-down periods or not, stains can set in a clothes dryer. Especially for any article with synthetic content, a spot or stain that isn't fully removed in the wash is apt to set in the dryer's heat. It's a good idea to recheck grease, coffee, blood, wax, wine, etc. spots before transferring a load of wash into the dryer because if an item is still stained after the dry cycle, it's likely it's to be there for good.
The Gas vs. Electric Question
Another energy efficiency attribute of dryers deal with the choice of electric vs. gas as a fuel source. According to the Department of Energy web site,
Gas dryers are less expensive to operate than electric dryers. The cost of drying a typical load of laundry in an electrical dryer is 30 - 40 cents compared to 15 - 30 cents in a gas dryer.
However, between models using the same type of fuel, the Department doesn't affix Energy Guide labels because their efficiency ratings are comparable.
 The Lint Trap
The most significant safety hazard on a dryer is letting lint build up. Especially when new items like bedding, towels, diapers, and work or fleece athletic clothes are involved, the lint trap will fill quickly with fluff. If the trap isn't cleared, the lint can build up to the point where it creeps out of sight and settles in the machine. This material is highly flammable and has been known to start fires if it gets too close to heated or moving parts. If the lint trap isn't consistently cleaned, give a good look inside the opening, maybe with a flashlight, next time the trap is removed. If there is lint that can't be reached by hand, using the vacuum cleaner and its upholstery attachment usually does the trick.
Like checking the bag on a vacuum cleaner, it is easier for most of us to develop the habit of checking the trap before we turn the machine on to begin drying a load than it is to think about clearing it when we unload it.
The Duct Work
The other safety issue with a dryer is venting. The best situations call for short, straight ductwork that vents to the out of doors. Indoor venting releases moist air, dust, and lint into interior spaces, often causing chronic respiratory conditions and adversely affecting property and furnishings. Every additional foot or angle can cause lint to build up, which will affect the machine's performance, and safety of the building's occupants.
For reasons to vent to outside: http://www.buildersbest.com/ILLNESS
For details on venting clothes dryers: http://popularmechanics.com/home_improvement/home_owner_clinic/2002/12/homeowners_clinic_1202/
For energy efficiency information from the US Department of Energy: http://www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/consumer_information/dryers/
For detailed information on how a dryer works: http://www.repairclinic.com/0088_8_3.asp
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