So I finally learned why drier sheets are killing my service calls

Last month I had three calls in one week where the dryer was acting up. Two had the same issue, the little moisture sensor bars were caked with a waxy buildup. It took me forever to figure out it was from drier sheets, not just lint. I poked around online and found out the fabric softener in the sheets coats the sensors so they can't read moisture right. Now I ask every customer if they use them and add it to my notes for future visits. Has anyone else run into this or found a quick way to clean those sensors without scrubbing for 10 minutes?

4 comments

4 Comments

rubysingh5d ago

Try using isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab, does that cut through the waxy buildup fast enough?

the_emery5d agoTop Commenter

My buddy tried it and said it worked like a charm first try.

daniel_martin5d ago

No way, wait. That waxy stuff is actually from the drier sheets? I thought I was just getting unlucky with weird lint buildup or something all this time lmao.

mila_murphy215d ago

Yeah @rubysingh you're spot on with the isopropyl alcohol, that's the trick right there. I've used it on those sensors and it cuts through the waxy buildup way faster than scrubbing with a rag or anything else. Just gotta be gentle so you don't mess with the plastic around the sensor bars. A cotton swab with a little alcohol should do the job in like 30 seconds instead of 10 minutes of fighting it. One thing I'd add is make sure the dryer is unplugged first, obviously, but also let the alcohol fully dry before you turn it back on so you don't risk any weird readings.