Experts Issue A Warning Over 'Dangerous' Viral Hack To Clean Dryers

I'm all for #LifeHacks if they make our lives easier. I bet that's what you're looking for, too, right? So, it's no wonder there have been so many of them popping up on TikTok.

But a recent cleaning hack that went viral is sparking controversy. In fact, experts are calling it "dangerous" and warning against trying it. Let's see what all the fuss is about, okay?

A professional cleaner recently posted a video of herself while cleaning out her dryer.

However, it's the technique she used that's making some people uncomfortable. It all has to do with a "secret filter" that's not usually accessible unless you get handy.

Let's go over this so you can understand, shall we?

In the video, Vanessa Amaro, a professional cleaner, shows people how she cleans her dryer. She proceeds to unscrew the front of the appliance where you can find another "secret" filter.

Once she removes the cover, she shows everybody how much extra gunk she finds.

Yuck, huh? Then, she proceeds to vacuum out all the mess. She actually bought a special vacuum attachment from Amazon in order to suck everything out.

Okay, I know what you might be thinking.

Unsplash | Goh Rhy Yan

Cleaning this out should be a good thing, no? Well, as it turns out, it's quite the opposite. Experts actually warn against unscrewing the cover yourself as it can be quite dangerous. Let's find out why.

Here's what one expert said.

“Even with older models, we would recommend not unscrewing panels, as it could be dangerous, due to exposed wiring,” one expert said. Aha! Now I get it. I would never have even thought of that, but it makes perfect sense.

However, it is a good idea to clean your dryer.

What you need to do instead is to take out the accessible filter. Then, you can use your vacuum cleaner to suck out all the lint, dirt, and even grass.

You can also run the filter under water to remove any excess dirt that the vacuum didn't suck up.

Then, just let it dry and put it back in. Experts suggest that you should be doing this after every use.

If you try to remove the cover, as Vanessa suggested, you would most likely void your appliance's warranty.

Unsplash | Ben Wicks

Most dryers come with at least a two-three year warranty, so I don't think you would want to void that, right? Are you with me on this?

You're probably better off getting a professional to clean out those parts if needed.

But with regular maintenance, that shouldn't be a problem. If you remove all the dirt from the filter, you will prevent fire hazards.

This is a much safer alternative. So, what's your take on this cleaning hack?