Common Reasons Clothes Come Out Of The Dryer Wet

When we consider some of the most useful appliances in our home, one of the biggest assets of modern living is the washer and dryer. Instead of having to spend an entire day washing, scrubbing, and hanging laundry on a line to dry, we have the ability to throw a load in with some soap, then come back an hour later to toss the same load in the dryer. Just a few minutes of your time, and your laundry is clean! (Now if only we had a machine to fold the laundry and put it away!) 

How & Why You May Have Dryer Issues

But what happens when one of these appliances stops working properly? It can be a huge pain when you return to the dryer to find that your laundry is still damp, or even still soaking wet. 

It is not uncommon for clothes dryers to lose their ability to dry clothes over time. However, even though it is common does not mean you as the homeowner have to tolerate a dryer that is not working properly. If your clothes are coming out of the dryer still wet, there may be a reason. Read on to discover some of the most common reasons clothes come out of the dryer wet – and how to fix your dryer! 

Dryers are one of the appliances that we often take for granted in our homes. When our dryers stop working properly, it quickly becomes apparent what a hassle it would be if we had to return to the days of hanging our drying on the line to dry – especially in a location as humid as Hawaii! When dryers begin to struggle, they may handle the task halfway. 

When the buzzer sounds and you remove your clothing, it may not be sopping wet anymore, but it is still damp or has a musty feel to it. If your dryer has been struggling to get the clothes dry, here are some common reasons and troubleshooting steps before you call a professional to fix the problem. 

1. Lint Trap
   It can be surprising how many people forget to clean the lint trap or think it does not need to be cleared before each use. However, cleaning the lint trap on your dryer is an important step in the laundry process. Most dryers have a fully removable lint trap, which is a layer of wire or mesh that collects the lint that comes off clothing, towels, or linens. When you clear this trap before using your dryer, make sure you also peek inside the slot housing the lint trap as well and remove any excess lint from this area.
2. Exhaust Duct
   If your lint trap is clean, move on to cleaning the exhaust duct. Airflow is an important part of the drying process, and the damp air needs somewhere to go. Dryers use heat to bring the moisture out of clothing, then move the moist air out of the drying chamber through the exhaust duct. This is usually at the back of the dryer, moving through ductwork in the wall to outside the home. If this duct work gets clogged, the air cannot exit the passage, which leaves the clothing inside the dryer damp. If you have the ability, clean the ductwork behind your dryer, or have your dryer ducts professionally cleaned. A professional technician can also check if there are any problems with your ducts, such as mold growth or pest infestation.
3. Overloading
   Sometimes, we forget that our dryers have a limit. For busy households, it may be tempting to pack as much in the dryer barrel as will fit. However, overloading the dryer could cause damp loads. The dryer works by tumbling clothes to move the air over them. If the dryer doesn’t have room to tumble the clothing, the clothing will not get dry. Be sure you are following the guidelines for how much clothing, towels, or linens should go in the dryer at once.
4. Settings
   One of the simplest fixes could be that your dryer is on the wrong setting. Trying to dry a large load of towels that keeps coming out damp? Check that your dryer is not set to “delicate” or another setting that is intended for a lighter, more gentle cycle.
5. Component Failure
   If you have checked your load size, ventilation, and dryer settings, there may be a component inside the dryer that is failing, causing your dryer to not heat fully. This could include a blown thermal fuse or a faulty thermostat. If the dryer is gas, the culprit might also be an issue with the gas valve solenoid coils, igniter, or flame sensor. If the dryer is electric, it might include issues with the heating element or a defective main control board. Unless you are well-versed in dryer repair, you may need to contact a professional appliance repair company to tackle these issues.

Preventing Future Problems

One of the easiest ways to prevent problems for your dryer in the future is to tackle preventative maintenance regularly. This includes cleaning the dryer lint trap and having the ductwork cleaned by a professional duct cleaning company. Contact Airpro Indoor Air Solutions today to schedule your duct cleaning!