Could my dryer be damaged if I forgot to clean my lint catcher for a while?

Question

I forget to clean it out sometimes. I'm doing laundry and I just checked it and the catcher was so full of lint I could make a sweater out of it.

Answer 1

could cause a fire !

Answer 2

You probably didn't do any damage.  Had it gotten too hot a thermal fuse should have shut the dryer down until replaced.

Answer 3

The lint catcher keeps the lint from clogging up the exhaust.  Clean out the dryer exhaust (the shiny silver thing coming out the back of the dryer), as it may be clogged up.  Clean out the area around the lint catcher too.  Other than that you should be okay.  Try to be more careful in the future - too much lint can actually cause fires.

Answer 4

Not only can this cause a fire, as several have told you, but it also makes the dryer take longer to dry your clothes, so you are running up your electric bill big time.

Answer 5

you are supposed to clean it out every time as it inhibits the flow of air and makes the dryer work harder which could cause a fire.