Simple Green: Clean Out The Lint Filter

Maybe we're weird, but we've always loved cleaning out the lint filter. Which turns out, is a very green thing...

A statistic we read recently said that the average U.S. home spends $135 a year in energy costs drying clothes. And it turns out that a clogged lint filter uses 30 percent more energy to get the job done.

So next time drying on a line isn't possible and you put clothes in the dryer, make sure you get clean out any trapped lint bunnies.

photo: via stock xchang/antSthetic

Comments (3)

Whoa! Cleaning the lint screen in your dryer is NOT optional. If you don't clean it you run a serious risk of a house fire. Way more clothes dryers go up in smoke from clogged lint screens than you can imagine, and a big smoldering mess that used to be your house is definitely not green.

posted by SPG on January 23rd 2009 at 6:23pm
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i agree, it's super important! my mom's fancy new dryer beeps at us if the lint isn't cleaned out before every new load.

for the camping types, some boy scouts i know recommend balling up dryer lint and mushing vaseline into it, then storing it in a film canister - take it out and fluff it apart a little, and apparently it's a great firestarter.

posted by youreacigarette on January 23rd 2009 at 6:26pm
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A word to the wise: air-dry clothes whenever possible. Dryers are ROUGH on clothes, even when set on low temperatures. (High temps, of course, use up more energy and wear your stuff out faster.)

posted by Stiletto on January 25th 2009 at 4:45am
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