Accumulated fluff from a tumble dryer filter can be fire risk

I’ve just received an email, which has reminded me of an amusing incident many years ago when I worked in a workshop with a spares counter. A customer came in wanting to buy a new filter for their tumble dryer because theirs had torn.

We couldn’t believe it when they passed over a beautiful multi coloured round blanket of fluff in the exact shape of a tumble dryer filter. It was over half an inch thick and it genuinely looked like a manufactured part. It had indeed torn – but it wasn’t a filter – it was just several years of fluff that had been compressed into this amazing “part” because they had never cleaned out the filter.

Safety warning: Fire Risk

Tumble dryers can catch fire if too much fluff accumulates inside them. Try to clean out the filters after each use of the tumble dryer or at least check them. Some laundry won’t leave much fluff behind but towels and sheets tend to leave a fair bit. Newer dryers, especially condenser dryers can have more than one filter and all may not be obvious so check the instruction book. Always replace a torn filter otherwise fluff will get inside the motor and the heater compartment and present a fire hazard.

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