Dryers are made to get hot, otherwise, they would not dry your clothes. However, if your dryer is getting too hot, it’s time to investigate.
A dryer that is getting too hot can be a sign of a serious malfunction, and could not only damage your clothes, but pose a serious risk to you and your home.
Here, a top appliance expert reveals the four main reasons why your dryer might be getting too hot, and how to fix each so that you can protect your home from this common fire risk.
Why your dryer is getting too hot
Tumble dryers are a massive fire risk in your home, especially if they overheat, or you keep the items you should never store on top of your washer and dryer balancing on top. Ignoring an overheating dryer for too long will risk a household fire. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association estimated in 2024 that roughly 15,970 home fires can be attributed to dryers annually.
While the appliance alone is enough to start a fire, Glenn Lewis, president at Mr. Appliance, a Neighborly company, says, ‘Your clothes are also flammable at the right temperatures, so an overheating dryer can cause your clothes to burn as well.’
1. The air vent is restricted
The most common reason why your dryer is overheating is that you need to clean your dryer.
Glenn explains, ‘The simple answer is the vent is restricted. Remember, the lint screen needs to be cleaned after every load. The dryer needs to be opened and cleaned of lint every year at least, and the dryer vent in your home should be cleaned annually as well.’
Don’t forget to clean the drum out between cycles, too. Glenn adds, ‘Even if you are cleaning your lint screen between loads, some lint will still get inside your dryer. Lint is very flammable and can ignite at the right temperatures. This is why the manufacturer says to clean the lint screen between loads and have the dryer cleaned out every year.’
You can often scrape the lint build-up off of the lint screen into the trash using your fingers, before using the hose attachment on your best multi-surface vacuum cleaner to suck any remaining lint out of the filter slot on your appliance.
To clean a dryer vent, disconnect the dryer from power, locate the vent, and use a vacuum shoe attachment or vent brush, such as the Propuri dryer vent cleaning kit from Walmart, to sweep out the vent hose.
2. You have overloaded the dryer
One of the most common tumble dryer mistakes to avoid is overloading your machine. Also a common washing machine mistake, overloading the drum can quickly lead to your dryer overheating, and increases the risk of a fire.
Glenn explains, ‘The way your dryer dries your clothes is by picking them up and dropping them through a stream of warm air. If you overload the dryer your clothes bunch up and block the stream of warm air, and the heat can build up to dangerous levels inside the drum.’
A great laundry tip that can help you avoid this mistake is to always leave at least one third of the drum empty. You should be able to fit your fist with your thumb raised into the gap between your clothes and the top of the drum easily.
You can also use a pre-divided laundry hamper, such as the Joseph Joseph hamper from Amazon, to help sort clothes for laundry and better control your load sizes. With divided baskets, you get a better idea of when you run a cycle, so clothing is not left to build up into a mountain.
3. The thermostat is damaged
Glenn continues, ‘Most of the best clothes dryers have three thermostats that control the temperatures inside your dryer. Any one of these could malfunction and cause the dryer to overheat.’
This is less common than a build-up of lint, but can be diagnosed by a repair and service technician if emptying the lint trap has not solved your dryer overheating problem. Understanding how long a tumble dryer lasts can help you estimate if the thermostat is the issue; however, an older dryer that has been used a lot will be more prone to these malfunctions than a newer model.
In the meantime, opt to reap the benefits of air-drying laundry instead. This extra-large gull-wing clothes drying rack, from Walmart, is perfect for larger families with lots of laundry. Simply place outside in the sun or in a well-ventilated spot in your home for the best results.
4. The heating element is damaged
Like the thermostat, your clothes dryer has several heating elements that help to dry your clothes, which can malfunction over time. This is another problem that needs to be diagnosed and fixed by a professional repairman, Glenn warns, as it can be incredibly dangerous.
If you suspect an internal mechanism issue, stop using your dryer until a repairman can diagnose the problem. Glenn adds, ‘Homeowners need to have their dryers cleaned and serviced annually, or more often if you have a big family.’
Again, you should stop using the dryer in the meantime. This compact wooden drying rack from Target is ideal if you are trying to dry laundry in a small space, and it folds down when not in use for easy storage.
What to shop
Dryer balls are a great dryer sheet alternative that will break up and fluff up your laundry for even drying. They are also less flammable and better for the environment, making them a fantastic swap to create a non-toxic home.
Ideal for lots of big laundry such as bedding, this retractable clothesline can be strung between two posts, walls, or fences to make drying clothes in the sun, simple.
Microfiber cloths are perfect for wiping out tumble dryer drums and lint traps, as the small fibers cling to lint, removing all traces of pesky dust for a cooler running dryer.
Meet the expert
Ignoring a too-hot dryer is not the only laundry mistake that puts your clothes and home at risk. Overloading your washing machine, allowing mold to grow, and ignoring laundry room organizing mistakes also pose health risks to you and your family.
