Construction Deal Update

As a homeowner, it's very important that you keep your investment protected. And your home is your biggest investment. There is more than likely a very useful but also a very dangerous device in your house and you need to... stay on top of it. I'm talking about your clothes dryer.

Guess what, it can be a real fire hazard. "But," you say, "I clean the lint screen!" Doesn't matter. Your lint screen catches maybe 75% of all the lint your dryer produces. If you don't do any regular cleaning and maintenance on it yourself, the lint could build up -- which overheats the dryer motor and creates a fire hazard.

First -- you do know there's a lint screen, right? Just checking. You'd be surprised how many people don't know that. There should be a small door or gate somewhere on the top or front of your dryer. Open it, pull it out, inspect it. If you've never done this before -- and your house has not caught fire -- I'd be amazed. But, if this is new to you, go ahead and remove what is probably enough lint to knit a large cat... Do this after every load or every use.

Second -- really check your lint trap. Don't just look at it, run water over it. If some or all of the water stays suspended into the filter, it's not all getting cleaned out when you pull it away. Some of the fibers from clothing and dryer sheets can be clear and nearly invisible. Try to wash and scrub the lint filter every three to six months, depending on usage.

Third-- does your dryer have a vent? It's the metal piping running from the bottom, back of your dryer. If not, get one installed. They have replacements at most hardware stores. If you do have one, make sure that you go outside and check for any debris that might be covering the vent. If your vent goes into the attic -- be careful! Sometimes vents are not set up to even vent outdoors. They only vent into the attic. This can cause problems. Check to make sure nothing is crushing the vent behind your dryer. If it's too long, with lots of twists and turns, you can shorten it up. Also, if you have a flexible plastic or fabric vent, replace it with an aluminum one.

Fourth -- keep your distance. Make sure the dryer is 18" to 24" away from the wall. Even if you've got limited space, keeping the dryer away from the wall can prevent overheating, crushing your vent, and lint buildup.

Fifth -- clean the duct under your lint filter. Depending on the model, you may be able to use your vacuum cleaner attachment to clean out the area where the lint filter goes. It's possible you may need a professional to get in there and clean it thoroughly but try to do what you can. I also know there are some after-market attachments you can buy for your vacuum cleaner for this very purpose. Here's a dryer brush product you might try for cleaning, as well.

Keeping your dryer maintained is not sexy. But it can keep your home safe and... can save you money on your energy bills. A dryer that doesn't have to work as hard works more efficiently. To save even more money, you can replace your dryer with a new Energy Star model. Or, dry less clothing -- hanging clothing out to air-dry can save a boatload of money!