Your dryer doesn't dry properly, what do you do now?
Tips for dry laundry
To better dry your laundry, we've listed 6 tips:
- Tip 1. Stick to the load capacity
- Tip 2. Use the 'extra dry' setting
- Tip 3. Clean the filter and the condenser
- Tip 4. Spin your laundry in advance
- Tip 5. Clean the sensor
- Tip 6. Check the drain hose
Tip 1: stick to the load capacity
If your laundry doesn't dry properly, the drum might be too full. Always stick to the maximum load capacity. It differs per cycle how many kilograms you can add to the drum. With the cotton cycle, this is more than with a short dryer cycle for a couple of shirts. Check the maximum load in the manual. It's also important to keep cotton and synthetic laundry separated. The fibers of these fabrics are very different and have a different drying time. Keep your bedding separated from your gym clothes and use the right cycle.
Tip 2: use the 'extra dry' setting
To thoroughly dry your towels, you can use a separate cycle or separate setting. This differs per dryer. With one dryer, you select a cycle called 'extra dry' or 'kastdroog extra'. With another dryer, you select the cotton cycle and set the dryness level separately. Select the extra dry option to thoroughly dry your laundry. Check the label to see if your laundry is suitable for intensive drying. Keep in mind that drying takes longer with a heat pump dryer.
Tip 3: clean the filter and the condenser
Clean the lint trap and the condenser regularly. That way, you prevent your dryer from not drying properly. You can find the lint trap at the drum opening. Empty the filter after each cycle. Clean the condenser as well. You can find the condenser at the bottom of the dryer behind a hatch. With a condenser dryer, you can rinse off the condenser under the faucet. With a heat pump dryer, you carefully vacuum it with a vacuum brush. You don't have to do this if you have a fully self-cleaning condenser.
Tip 4: spin your laundry in advance
Help the dryer by spinning your laundry at a high speed in advance. You can do this with your washing machine. Your wash will come out of the dryer the driest with 1600RPM. Other washing machines go up to 1400RPM, which is also relatively dry. Often, you only use this high speed in combination with the cotton cycle. Thanks to the high speed, your laundry comes out of the drum dryer. You also save energy, because your laundry doesn't have to go in the dryer for as long.
Tip 5: clean the sensor
Every dryer has a humidity sensor in the drum. It measures the amount of moisture that's left in your laundry. If you don't clean it properly, dirt collects on the sensor. The dryer dries your laundry for too long or not long enough as a result. You can usually find the humidity sensor in your dryer below the opening of the door. The sensor kind of looks like a metal strip. For good drying performance, clean the sensor monthly with a damp cloth.
Tip 6: check the drain hose
Is your dryer connected to the water drain? A drain hose will automatically drain the moisture from your clothes. This hose can get clogged, or it can even tear. In that case, it can result in leakage or water buildup in the drum. Check if there's a bend or blockage in the drain hose, and rinse it thoroughly. If the hose is leaking, it's time to replace it.
Additional tips
If drying takes too long, use a short cycle. You can dry a couple of shirts in less than an hour that way. Your favorite outfit will be dry again quickly. Another tip is to use dryer balls. These separate your towels and bedding, so the hot air can move around better. Your laundry will dry faster thanks to this.