It is important to regularly clean the lint filters on your commercial tumble dryers for many reasons.
While it may seem obvious to some businesses, not all laundry rooms incorporate lint filter cleaning into their routine or clean them on a regular basis. Failure to clean lint filters could affect machine performance, fire safety, energy usage, potential breakdowns and mould issues.
Machine performance
Blocked lint filters have a direct impact on the performance of commercial dryers, which rely on a consistent airflow to remove moisture from clothing efficiently.
This inefficiency reduces drying performance, meaning garments or linens may require longer cycles to dry properly. In a commercial laundry room, speed and operational efficiency are important during busy times so cleaning filters should be cleaned daily.
Compliance and fire risks
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, businesses are legally required to take reasonable steps to reduce fire risks in the workplace.
Lint build up in commercial dryers is considered a potential fire hazard with excessive lint accumulation potentially igniting under high temperatures.
Daily cleaning ensures compliance with regulations and should be conducted along with a professional dryer ductwork clean every 6-12 months.
Saving energy
When the filter is obstructed, the dryer cannot circulate hot air effectively, so it takes longer to remove moisture from clothing. As a result, drying cycles become extended, and the machine consumes more electricity to achieve the same outcome.
The accumulated lint also forces dryers to work harder, which increases energy consumption, drives up energy costs and negatively affects your carbon footprint.
Dryer breakdowns
A blocked filter restricts airflow and forces the dryer to work harder, causing unnecessary wear and tear on the motor and other key components.
This obstruction also causes heat to buildup within the machine, placing excessive strain on components such as heating elements, thermostats, and thermal fuses.
Over time, the increased workload accelerates wear and tear, potentially leading to motor burnout or damage to belts and bearings. Additionally, the strain on the system can result in frequent breakdowns, leading to costly repairs and downtime.
Mould and mildew
Moisture trapped by lint can also create an environment conducive to mould and mildew growth.
When the lint filter is clogged, it prevents hot, moist air from escaping the dryer efficiently, which can lead to a humidity build-up inside the dryer drum. Lint can trap itself with debris such as hair and fabric particles, leading to the growth of mould and mildew when combined with moisture.
This could result in bad smells and affect the cleanliness of your finished laundry load.
Reminders and settings
We recommend selecting commercial dryers with automatic reminders. All JLA commercial dryers automatically display a ‘clean lint’ reminder after a pre-programmed number of cycles has been reached. This helps ensure staff remember to clean the filters.
Your lint filter reminder is staying on
If your lint reminder is activated even after you remove the debris, then we would suggest double-checking there is no lint in the trap or drawer, including in the corners. Once you have done this, it is recommended to leave the lint drawer or door open for at least 15 seconds to allow the system to reset and clear the alert.
For help or advice with your commercial laundry equipment, contact the team at JLA today.
For more expert insights, visit the JLA Knowledge Hub.
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