Author Topic: Dryer sheets gunk up dryer ducts/vent?  (Read 3370 times)

jeromedawg

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Dryer sheets gunk up dryer ducts/vent?
« on: April 11, 2017, 11:58:55 AM »
Hey all,

So I've read/heard from a few people who claim that dryer sheets actually leave a sticky residue in the dryer ducts and vents. Have you guys found this to generally be true? We have an unopened pack of Kirkland dryer sheets that I'd like to return if so, and in place use those dryer balls. Could I just use an old tennis ball for that matter though? I don't see the need for using dryer sheets now that I think about it - at first I thought it was to help reduce static, but that has never seemed to be an issue for us when we happen to dry without them.

As far as these these leaving sticky residue - I noticed after sticking a snake cam in the vent and AFTER a pretty thorough duct cleaning, that there seems to be lint stuck in the duct still. So I'm wondering if this has to due with the fact that we often use dryer sheets.

Sibley

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Re: Dryer sheets gunk up dryer ducts/vent?
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2017, 01:11:53 PM »
Line dry? I don't use dryer sheets for clothes. Allergies are so much fun!

But yes, return the box of unnecessary consumer items. Also stop with the fabric softener if you use that. You're throwing money out.

NextTime

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jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer sheets gunk up dryer ducts/vent?
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2017, 01:19:33 PM »
Line dry? I don't use dryer sheets for clothes. Allergies are so much fun!

But yes, return the box of unnecessary consumer items. Also stop with the fabric softener if you use that. You're throwing money out.

We don't use liquid fabric softener. Just the dryer sheets - will probably return them.

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer sheets gunk up dryer ducts/vent?
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2017, 01:20:48 PM »
We use wool balls:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GA9P5P0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

What do you think about these?
https://www.amazon.com/Whitmor-Dryer-Balls-Set-4/dp/B007Y2TBI4/

Or just tennis balls?

Not as good? These are primarily for drying really fluffy items or bulky items anyway right? Do you use them in normal loads too?

NextTime

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Re: Dryer sheets gunk up dryer ducts/vent?
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2017, 01:25:26 PM »
I'm not exactly sure on the science, so not sure if tennis balls or those will work? I was under the impression that the wool dried the clothes faster by soaking up some of the moisture, but I haven't really researched it.

I just know we don't have to keep buying dryer sheets and putting more chemicals on our clothes. They also seem to dry faster and have less static (most of the time).

Just Joe

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Re: Dryer sheets gunk up dryer ducts/vent?
« Reply #6 on: April 12, 2017, 10:55:16 AM »
Won't the rubber ball get hot and smell? I'm thinking of tennis shoes and bathmats with rubber backer and the way they smell if dried on high.

Grosgrain

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Re: Dryer sheets gunk up dryer ducts/vent?
« Reply #7 on: April 19, 2017, 02:18:43 PM »
Yeah... don't use tennis balls.  I read somewhere to use one when drying a down comforter to help keep the down from clumping.  Used a brand new ball.  It made the comforter smell SO bad - a gross rubber-y chemical smell.  Never again.

jeromedawg

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Re: Dryer sheets gunk up dryer ducts/vent?
« Reply #8 on: April 19, 2017, 04:53:19 PM »
Thanks all. Will avoid using tennis balls haha. I've just been running loads without dryer sheets and things seem fine - we have a steam dryer and there's a 'reduce static' option to spray some steam/water in which helps if needed. Otherwise, those sheets really aren't necessary and if they are causing the ducts to get all gunked up I'm good with not using them at all. Will consider picking up a set of those wool balls if we ever have the need for them.

slowsynapse

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Re: Dryer sheets gunk up dryer ducts/vent?
« Reply #9 on: April 20, 2017, 01:01:15 PM »
We use wool balls:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GA9P5P0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

What do you think about these?
https://www.amazon.com/Whitmor-Dryer-Balls-Set-4/dp/B007Y2TBI4/

Or just tennis balls?

Not as good? These are primarily for drying really fluffy items or bulky items anyway right? Do you use them in normal loads too?

I have used something like the blue dryer balls for a long time.  They do not smell after being in the dryer.  I think they do okay with keeping towels soft and while I am not sure if they help, they have never hurt any of my clothes that I can see.