Guide to looking after – Condenser Tumble Dryers

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Last Updated September 13, 2022 in How To, How to Clean

Cleaning Tips for your Condenser Dryer

We’ll guide you through how to clean your Condenser Dryer effortlessly and efficiently, using less harmful products and materials which are better for your dryer and the environment.

Our tips will help keep your dryer in immaculate condition, paying attention to filters, condenser box and the water tank will preserve the lifespan of your dryer and keep your clothes smelling fresh.

We have created several step by step guides to make cleaning your condenser dryer a breeze.

How often should you clean your condenser dryer?

To keep your machine in pristine condition, we would recommend cleaning at least once a month, depending on how many times you use your condenser dryer.

A busy family using a condenser dryer more than twice a day, should consider deep weekly cleans whilst emptying the water tank after every use.

dryer use

how often to clean

Once a day (7 times a week)

Clean lint filter/water tank after every use/monthly deep cleans

Twice a day (14 times a week)

Clean lint filter/water tank after every use/fortnightly deep cleans

More than twice a day

Clean lint filter/water tank after every use/weekly cleans

After every use, you should clean the lint filter and empty the water tank.

These get filled very quickly, resulting in your dryer not performing to the best of its ability; emptying after every use will maintain its efficiency reducing energy costs. 

Allowing the water tank to fill and not emptying after every use will slow down the process of drying your clothes and can, in some cases, leave laundry smelling very stale and musty.

The lint filter is one of the easiest things to clean – looking after this will keep your dryer in tip-top condition.

Let’s get cracking…

Gather up your cleaning supplies
  • Old towel or sheet

  • Warm soapy water

  • Hand brush

  • Microfibre cloth

  • Rubber gloves

How to clean the lint filter on a dryer

  • Check that your dryer has cooled down;
  • Turn the dryer off;
  • Open the door, locate the filter (this is usually in the door rim) and remove the filter;
  • Place down an old towel or sheet to catch any lint;
  • Using rubber gloves, remove as much lint as possible, disposing into the bin;
  • Using a hand brush lightly brush the corner of the filter to remove any stubborn lint;
  • Replace filter.

Tip: Put a sticky note on your dryer door as a reminder to “clean the lint filter”.

What is a deep clean?

Don’t think your work here is done if you empty the lint filter and water tank after every use, this is not a deep clean.

Washing all filters, wiping the drum and door and keeping on top of the condenser element is equally as important to keep your dryer in great working order.

Adding a capful of Zoflora Disinfectant to your warm soapy water whilst cleaning the internal drum and door will help remove any unpleasant stale musty smells.

A monthly deep cleaning will contribute to the lifespan of your condenser dryer and keep clothes looking new and smelling fresh (damp free).

It’s all well and good keeping on top of the daily chores, emptying the water tank, removing lint, but if you don’t look after the rest of your machine, it just won’t last.

How to clean a condenser dryer

I have based this step by step guide on my own Blomberg condenser dryer as an example, outlining a simple process that works for me every time.

I suggest cleaning this on a monthly basis to avoid a build up of lint and grime that could essentially be harmful to your machine.

Your dryer setup may be slightly different depending on the model.

This can get pretty messy, so have a towel handy.

Step 1 – Ensure your machine is turned off

This is a simple step that can be missed, my manual recommends unplugging before cleaning. Always check your manual.

Step 2 – Find the condenser

My condenser unit is based at the bottom of my machine on the left below the door.

Step 3 – Open the access panel

The access panel is essentially the door to your condenser unit, there is a button to the right next to the panel.

Step 4 – Open the latch condenser door

Behind the access panel is a small door with a latch, which seals off the condenser unit. Open the latch and remove it.

Step 5 – Pull out the condenser

Now you have finally made your way to the condenser unit, pull this out carefully as this unit can hold a considerable amount of lint.

The towel will probably come in handy at this point to hold underneath.

Step 6 – Wash the condenser unit

After carefully removing, place in a sink, rinse thoroughly with warm water (with the plug in to avoid lint going down the drains); there is no need for soap.

Step 7 – Dry the condenser

Place the condenser on a large towel, I usually place a plastic bag under the towel to protect the floor as you will need to leave this to dry overnight.

Step 8 –  Do the final lint sweep and get everything back together.

Using a microfibre cloth wipe the housing unit of the condenser this can get filled with lint. Check the condenser unit is dry thoroughly and re-assemble.

Your machine should now be looking amazing and ready to use. Using this guide once a month will keep your machine performing at its best.

How to stop a condenser dryer from smelling musty

If you have noticed a stale smell on your laundry, this could be due to overloading your condenser dryer. This will create a lingering smell on your clothes and can also leave bacteria on the surface of your drum.

Most dryers indicate on the front of the machine the recommended weight i.e. 8kg. If this isn’t displayed, check the instruction manual for recommended weight and don’t overload your dryer.

A load that is too large for your drum won’t be completely dried as there isn’t enough room for the air to circulate, leading to smelly laundry!

Dry similar fabrics together help to eliminate odors. Cottons can take slightly longer to dry compared to synthetics – if you dry together, the sensors on your machine will indicate your laundry is dry as it will detect the synthetics, allowing the cottons to still be damp.  This will leave a lingering damp smell on all your laundry.

A buildup of grime and bacteria is usually the main enforcer for your dryer smelling bad. These smells can transfer onto our garments, leaving bacteria on your clothes.

If you clean your drum regularly and don’t overload your machine, this will contribute to keeping your machine in pristine condition.

On some occasions, it’s not always your dryer causing the issues. Washing on low temperatures can leave bacteria on your clothes which could then be carried onto the surface of the drum in your dryer.

Check out my tips and step by step guide on how to clean your washing machine.

How to clean a condenser dryer water tank

One of the main features of a condenser dryer is the water tank. This collects the water from the wet clothes which collates into the tank.

The tank size is usually around 5kg which gets filled really quickly and will need emptying after every use.

On most models this is located on the left side of the machine above from the drum. Always wait for the dryer to cool before removing this as the water can become particularly hot.

The water tank is really easy to empty and clean out, but be cautious to use both hands when lifting as this can be heavy once filled and you wouldn’t want water going everywhere.

The water can be either poured away or used to water your garden. I prefer to use the water in my garden. I add this to a water barrel and it’s there readily when I next need to water my garden.

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Once empty, this very easily slots back into the machine. Make sure this is fully inserted, otherwise this could leak. I usually dry mine and wipe the inside of the housing unit just to prevent a build up of grime.

Tip: After emptying the water tank, add a couple of drops of scented disinfectant and swill through. This leaves a lovely fresh scent.

Here is a quick guide I find useful when cleaning my water tank:

1. Wait for your condenser dryer to cool.

2. On the top left hand corner, pull the tank out using both hands.

3. Carry over to the sink and empty or add to a water barrel for later use on your plants.

4. Add a few drops of scented disinfectant to the tank and swill through with warm water.

5. Dry the tank externally and wipe the housing unit, then replace the tank ensuring this is correctly inserted to avoid any leaks.

What not to do when cleaning a condenser dryer

Avoid using harsh cleaning products – you don’t always need harsh chemicals to clean, warm soapy water and a microfibre cloth can easily remove dirt and grime.

Avoid using vinegar on the stainless steel drum it can corrode causing unsightly rust – we recommend using only a very small amount and ensuring you dry thoroughly leaving no residue.

Avoid spraying cleaning products directly onto the control panel – wipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly.

Avoid using scourers on the plastic areas of your dryer as they can scratch. For any stubborn stains, use warm soapy water and rub in circular motion.

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