The lint filter deep-clean that cuts drying time in half

You will need

• Old toothbrush · Free — grab one from the bathroom bin
• Dish soap (e.g. Morning Fresh) · Woolies/Coles, ~$3
• Warm water · From the tap
• White vinegar · Woolies homebrand, ~$2 for 2L
• Dry microfibre cloth · Bunnings or $2 shop, ~$3

Step 1

Pull the filter and do the water test

Remove the lint filter and peel off any visible fluff with your fingers. Hold the clean-looking filter under a slow stream of water — if water pools on top instead of flowing straight through, there's invisible fabric-softener residue blocking it. This is the hidden reason dryers take forever even after you've cleared the fluff.

Step 2

Scrub with dish soap and the toothbrush

Put a small drop of dish soap on the damp toothbrush and gently scrub both sides of the mesh under warm running water. You'll often see a grey soapy film wash away — that's the built-up softener. Rinse thoroughly until water flows freely through the mesh.

Step 3

Rinse with a splash of white vinegar

Give the mesh a final rinse with a little diluted white vinegar (50/50 with water) to dissolve any last residue and deodorise the filter. Rinse again with plain water after. Do NOT mix vinegar with any bleach-based cleaner at any point.

Step 4

Dry completely before reinserting

Pat the filter dry with the microfibre cloth, then leave it flat on the bench for 30–60 minutes until fully air-dried. Putting a damp filter back in can cause lint to stick to wet mesh and restrict airflow faster than before.

Step 5

Check and clear the filter housing slot

While the filter is drying, shine your phone torch into the filter slot in the dryer. Use the toothbrush handle or a long skinny brush to loosen any lint sitting down in the cavity, then vacuum it out. This spot is almost always overlooked and is a real fire risk if left packed with fluff.

The stop point

If you notice a burning smell, scorch marks around the filter slot, or the dryer drum isn't turning → stop, unplug the dryer, and call a licensed appliance repairer — do not use it again until it's inspected.

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