Guide · Home care
Dryer and Laundry Safety
A friendly, practical guide to lint, dryer vents, washer hoses and the small laundry habits that keep a home safe and dry.
Where to start
- Smell burning or see smoke?
Stop the dryer if it is safe to do so, get everyone out and call 911 from outside. See if there is a leak or a hot smell.
- Clothes taking longer to dry?
Check the signs a dryer vent needs cleaning.
- Want a safer laundry room?
Work through the dryer and laundry checklist.
The short version
Laundry safety comes down to a few simple habits: clean lint, a clear dryer vent, and healthy washer hoses.
Clean the lint filter every load, and have the dryer vent cleaned about once a year or sooner if drying takes longer.
Check washer hoses a few times a year for bulges, cracks or drips, and know where the water valves are.
If you smell burning, get everyone out and call 911. If water leaks, turn off the valves, dry the area and share it right away.
Who maintains laundry appliances can vary by lease and location. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.
Four simple rules
- 1Clean the lint filter every load
Before or after every load, clear the lint screen. It helps clothes dry faster and is the simplest fire-prevention habit there is.
- 2Keep the vent clear
The vent behind the dryer and the flap outside should be clean, uncrushed and able to open freely when the dryer runs.
- 3Check the washer hoses
Look at the hoses behind the washer a few times a year for bulges, cracks or dampness, and share anything you see right away.
- 4Laundry runs while someone is home
Please avoid running the dryer while everyone is asleep or away, so any problem can be noticed quickly.
Dryer and laundry checklist
From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.
All done. Your laundry room should be safe, dry and easy to use.
Signs a dryer vent needs cleaning
- Clothes taking longer than usual to dry.
- The outside of the dryer feeling very hot.
- A musty or burning smell.
- A vent flap outside that doesn’t open.
- Lint collecting around the outside opening.
These are common examples, not a complete list. Once a month, step outside while the dryer is running and hold your hand near the vent. You should feel strong, warm air and see the flap open.
If there is a leak or a hot smell
- If you smell burning or see smoke, stop the dryer if it is safe to do so, get everyone out and call 911 from outside.
- If you smell gas near a gas dryer, leave the home right away without switching anything on or off, and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
- If water is leaking, turn off the water valves behind the washer, or the home’s main water valve if needed.
- Unplug the washer only if the floor and outlet area are dry and it’s safe to reach.
- Soak up standing water with towels and run fans to help the area dry within a day or two.
- Take a few photos of what happened, including any damaged hose, vent or flooring.
- Share it in writing as soon as you can.
You did exactly the right thing. There is never a silly question about safety.
Guides that go well with this one
Like it on paper?
The printable checklist for this guide is fillable, with a screen version and an ink saver print version. Keep it on your phone or pin it to the fridge.
How much do you remember?
4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.
Go deeper with The Perfect Seasonal Home Care Checklist Workbook
Simple, step by step checklists you can write in, one topic at a time, to help any home stay warm, safe and dry through every season.
Keep the full guide handy
The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.
Download the PDFTake it with you
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More guides
This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal or safety-code advice. Bunklow does not inspect properties.