Is It Safe to Run Your Dryer Overnight? Experts Explain the Risks

We spoke with dryer repair pros about the risks of running a dryer overnight, what can go wrong during a cycle, and how to use your appliance more safely.

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Dennis Godynuk is a licensed dryer expert at Comfort Appliance Repair Nashville.

Brooke Stafford is an appliance repair expert and senior service manager at Domestic & General US.

One of the most common problems with running a dryer when you're not around is that it increases the risk of a fire getting out of control before you know it. "It's always a bad idea to run the dryer overnight or even any time of the day unattended. Lint accumulation on the vent can start a fire," says Dennis Godynuk, licensed dryer expert at Comfort Appliance Repair Nashville.

The combination of heat and lint buildup can cause the lint to catch fire. If you are awake, aware, and nearby, you can respond quickly by turning off and unplugging the dryer, then use an extinguisher to put out the fire or call the fire department if the fire has already grown beyond your ability to extinguish it.

Preventing lint trap fires is relatively easy. Clean the lint trap and dryer vents regularly so no lint can catch fire.

Even if the lint trap and dryer vent are completely clean, the appliance can malfunction during use. "It's important to be around to check on your laundry when it's in the dryer because, while it doesn't happen often, they can malfunction at any time," explains Brooke Stafford, appliance repair expert and senior service manager at Domestic & General.

Monitoring the dryer during use helps catch these problems early, but you can also prevent appliance malfunctions by having the dryer serviced once a year to ensure it operates correctly and to address issues like a faulty thermostat.

Electrical problems can occur with any electrical device, so unplug the dryer if you will be away from home for an extended period. "The high heat it generates could potentially create a fire hazard if the machine experiences technical failures for an extended period, such as electrical shorts or mechanical faults. People can catch overheating when they check on their laundry and act accordingly," mentions Stafford.

Faulty wiring or overheated outlets can damage the machine, but they can also generate enough heat to start a fire that may spread through the home's walls. For this reason, it's best to avoid using your dryer while you are sleeping or away from home, so you can act quickly if a problem occurs.

Placing certain items in the dryer can create blockages that restrict airflow and cause the dryer to overheat. Similarly, some substances can catch on fire from the heat the dryer generates, so it's important to know what you put in your machine.

Generally, drying rubber, foam, or any material exposed to or made with oil can increase the risk of fire or overheating. While most clothing and linens have labels indicating whether they are safe for the dryer, it's still a good idea to stay close to the appliance when you put in items you haven't dried before, so you can catch any problems immediately.

When the dryer overheats, it can transfer that heat to the clothing inside the dryer or to the lint in the lint trap and vent lines. "Risks homeowners face when drying their clothes without anyone home almost always come back to potential machine malfunctions that cause overheating," Stafford says.

Check the machine regularly to ensure it works correctly, and keep the lint trap and vent lines clean. Also, keep the area around the dryer clear of anything unnecessary, and inspect the dryer hose for blockages or misshapen areas to reduce the risk of overheating.

It may not seem like a big deal to add a few extra items to the dryer each time you use it, but this common mistake can cause the dryer to overheat and increase fire risk. "Don't add too many items to the dryer in one load, as this prevents proper ventilation and forces the machine to overwork," states Stafford.

While you may get away with it a few times, the more you overwork the machine, the more likely it is to overheat. If the machine overheats while you are sleeping, you may not have time to turn it off before the heat permanently damages the motor or electrical wiring. Similarly, an overheated dryer can cause a fire, and if you are asleep, you may not be able to respond quickly, allowing the fire to spread faster and farther than if you were awake and aware.

Related: 8 Things You Should Never Put in the Dryer

Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens