Camping Tips: Free Fire Starter

You might get odd looks when rushing to beat everyone else to get the clothes out of the dryer, but don’t worry… you secret is safe with us. We know you’re doing it to harvest the precious fire starter that collects in the lint trap (since it’s quicker that collecting belly-button lint). Maybe you’re dipping the lint in petroleum jelly or melting candle wax on it for that added boost. Funny how laundry related things are so good at lighting camp fires (We’re sure you’re squirrelling away spent anti-static sheets as well). Here’s a tip to take this one step further that could also save your life (or at least the house where all your camping gear is stored!).

Thankfully by cleaning out the trap, you’re helping reduce the chance of a household fire. Over 15,000 home fires are started annually just from dryers alone, but the trap isn’t the only place that lint magically grows. While the machine is drying out your clothes from your latest camping trip, a fair amount of lint makes it past the trap and into the vent. As this clogs, it exponentially starts to build up and eventually could combust.

One little screw and five spare minutes will let you detach the hose (make sure it isn’t kinked or crushed) where you can scrunch it up and remove all of the excess dryer lint. While you’re at it, put a reminder in your phone’s calendar to remind you yearly the next time you change the smoke detector batteries as well.