In Florida, your dryer works harder than you think.
Between beach towels, sports gear, everyday laundry, and our famous heat and humidity, dryers in the Sunshine State rarely get a break. If it suddenly takes two cycles to dry one load or your laundry room feels like a sauna, your dryer is telling you it needs some attention.
The good news: a few simple habits can keep your dryer running smoothly, safely, and efficiently for years.
Here are expert, Florida focused tips you can start using today.
1. Clean the Lint Filter Every Single Load
Yes, every load. This is the easiest habit with the biggest impact.
Why it matters:
- Keeps airflow strong so clothes dry faster
- Reduces strain on the motor and heating element
- Lowers your energy usage
- Cuts down the risk of dryer fires
Pro Tip:
Every 1–2 months, wash the lint screen with warm water and a tiny bit of dish soap, then dry it completely. Fabric softener and dryer sheets leave an invisible film that can block airflow even when the screen looks clean.
2. Don’t Overload the Drum
Stuffing the dryer to the max might feel “efficient,” but it’s actually the opposite.
Overloading:
- Reduces airflow and tumbling
- Makes sensors read inaccurately
- Forces extra cycles to get clothes dry
- Puts extra stress on the belt, motor, and rollers
Aim to fill the drum to about ¾ full, so clothes can move freely. Dry bulky items (comforters, blankets, beach towels) in smaller, separate loads.
3. Use the Right Drying Settings
Modern dryers are smarter than we give them credit for, if we use them properly.
- Sensor / Auto Dry:
Best for most loads. The dryer shuts off when clothes are actually dry, saving time and electricity. - Timed Dry:
Useful for specific tasks (like fluffing towels), but frequent overuse can overdry fabrics and waste energy. - Low Heat / Delicate:
Ideal for activewear, synthetics, and anything that tends to shrink.
Let the dryer do the work it was designed to do instead of blasting everything on “high” by default.
4. Keep the Dryer Level and Stable
If your dryer shakes, rattles, or “walks” across the floor, it’s not just annoying, it’s damaging.
Why leveling matters:
- Reduces vibration and noise
- Prevents premature wear on bearings and drum supports
- Helps sensors and internal components work correctly
Place a small level on top of the dryer and adjust the feet until it’s solid and doesn’t rock when you press on the corners.
5. Protect Your Dryer with a Clean Vent
A clean vent is just as important as a clean lint filter, especially in Florida, where many homes have longer vent runs through attics or walls.
A clogged or restricted vent can cause:
- Longer dry times
- Excess heat inside the dryer
- Burning or musty smells
- Increased fire risk
Most homes should have the dryer vent professionally cleaned every 1–3 years, and more often if:
- You do multiple loads per day
- You have pets (extra hair = extra lint)
- Your vent run is long or has multiple bends
6. Watch for Early Warning Signs
Dryers rarely “suddenly” fail. They almost always send warning signals first.
Call a professional if you notice:
- Clothes consistently taking more than one cycle to dry
- The dryer or laundry room feeling unusually hot
- Burning, hot, or musty smells while running
- Weak or no airflow at the exterior vent hood
- New thumping, squealing, or grinding noises
- The drum not turning, even though you hear the motor
Catching these signs early usually means a smaller, cheaper repair instead of a full breakdown.
7. Keep the Area Around the Dryer Clear
Your dryer needs space to “breathe,” and this is easy to overlook.
- Don’t push it so far back that the vent hose is crushed or kinked
- Avoid stacking boxes, baskets, or detergent bottles directly behind or beside air intakes
- Keep flammable items (cardboard, rags, chemicals) away from the back and sides
Good airflow around the dryer means less heat buildup and smoother performance.
8. Deal with Internal Lint Buildup (Professionally)
Over time, lint sneaks past the filter and settles inside the dryer cabinet around:
- The motor
- The heating element
- Wiring and internal components
This hidden lint is:
- A real fire hazard
- Hard to access safely without opening the unit
- Best handled by a trained technician with proper tools
If your dryer is several years old and has never had an internal cleaning, it’s worth scheduling one, especially in a high use Florida home.
9. Go Easy on Dryer Sheets and Fabric Softener
Too much softener can:
- Coat the lint screen with a waxy film
- Leave residue inside the drum
- Cause lint and dust to stick more easily
You don’t have to give them up, just:
- Use the recommended amount (or slightly less)
- Regularly wash your lint screen
- Occasionally wipe the drum with a damp cloth and mild cleaner (when the dryer is off and cool)
10. Match Washer Habits to Dryer Health
Your washer and dryer are a team. How you use one affects the other.
Healthier for your dryer:
- Use high spin washer cycles to remove more water before drying
- Avoid super soapy loads that leave residue on clothes (which clogs the lint filter faster)
- Fix washer drainage or spin issues quickly, soaking wet loads put huge strain on the dryer
Good washer habits = shorter dry times, less stress on the dryer, and lower energy usage.
Quick Dryer Health Checklist
Once a month, run through this simple checklist:
- ☐ Lint filter cleaned after every load
- ☐ Normal loads dry in one cycle or less
- ☐ No burning or musty smells
- ☐ Dryer isn’t excessively hot to the touch
- ☐ Strong airflow at the outside vent hood
- ☐ No new loud or unusual noises
If you can’t honestly check all those boxes, that’s your sign to inspect more closely, or call in a pro.
