# Do you ever leave home with a dryer running? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 22, 2006, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775 "2006-06-22T21:30:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2006, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/41 "2006-06-23T17:52:32Z")
Holy moley, I had no idea clothes dryers were so dangerous! Is it worse for your house to burn down when you’re home, or when you’re not home? That question seems absurd on the face of it, and it is one I have never had to ponder. Through careful research I have found that clothes dry quite effectively if you hang them up for a little while. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2006, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/42 "2006-06-23T18:12:27Z")
[QUOTE=cowgirl] Holy moley, I had no idea clothes dryers were so dangerous! Is it worse for your house to burn down when you’re home, or when you’re not home? That question seems absurd on the face of it, and it is one I have never had to ponder. Through careful research I have found that clothes dry quite effectively if you hang them up for a little while. [/QUOTE] I think the feeling is that if you’re at home when a fire starts the damage could be minimized. If no one is at home you could have a total loss. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2006, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/43 "2006-06-23T18:58:45Z")
[QUOTE=Honey] I think the feeling is that if you’re at home when a fire starts the damage could be minimized. If no one is at home you could have a total loss. [/QUOTE] Yes, exactly. And if you’re home and you have pets, you might have a chance to get them out of the house before they’re hurt/killed/overcome by smoke. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2006, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/44 "2006-06-23T21:10:43Z")
I’ve always left the house with it running. Hell, even if I didn’t want to, it would be more a matter of training my wife. On several occasions, we were leaving the house when I’ve had to run back in for something and noticed the curling/straight iron on. When I mention it too her, she just tells me that’s it’s got an auto off feature. AUTO-OFF!? JUST PUSH THE DAMN BUTTON. Not only that, but once I found it ON and on the floor, and once flat on the bathroom counter. I don’t know what she does in their, but I think it involves trying to burn down the house. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2006, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/45 "2006-06-23T21:25:40Z")
[QUOTE=Missy2U] …I don’t leave ANYTHING on when I leave the house. [/QUOTE] What about your refridgerator? crockpot? electric clocks? radio? lights? I’m just wondering how far do we take this safety concious attitude. I have been leaving lots of appliances running as I leave the house, like others here, for over 20 years. I do draw the line at power tools however. ---
**Author:** ![Cyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@Cyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyn)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2006, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/46 "2006-06-23T21:35:34Z")
Yes. Sometimes the washer, too. I load 'em up and go about my business elsewhere. Live fast, die young, and leave a good-looking corpse. Yup, that’s me. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2006, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/47 "2006-06-23T21:40:38Z")
I don’t run the dryer (gas dryer) when we’re gone or asleep. The washer doesn’t bother me. I’m okay with crockpots. ---
**Author:** ![ninevah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/46a35a/32.png) [@ninevah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ninevah)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2006, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/48 "2006-06-24T06:53:36Z")
Not so much the dryer, since it doesn’t get used that often (as it churns up the electricity heaps), but my mother has a paranoia about leaving the iron on. A common catchphrase in our place, before leaving, is “Did you leave the iron on?” We have been known to turn back after a 30 min drive just to check… ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2006, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/49 "2006-06-24T07:01:20Z")
[QUOTE=ninevah] Not so much the dryer, since it doesn’t get used that often (as it churns up the electricity heaps), but my mother has a paranoia about leaving the iron on. A common catchphrase in our place, before leaving, is “Did you leave the iron on?” We have been known to turn back after a 30 min drive just to check… [/QUOTE] Do your Mom a favor, buy her a new iron, they shut down if not moved for a few minutes. No more worry, no more going back to check. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2006, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/50 "2006-06-24T11:26:29Z")
I’m pretty attentive about sweeping out lint from the sides of the dryer. That said, I won’t leave the house with the dryer running unless it’s down to the last 5 minutes or so. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2006, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/51 "2006-06-24T14:39:41Z")
[QUOTE=Plynck] [This](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=322476&highlight=dryer) might be the thread that you remember. I’m truly baffled why dryers are manufactured with manual (untimed) settings. I can easily forget that I have something in the dryer. It’s comforting to me to know that my memory lapse won’t cause a fire. I can deal with damp clothes that need to be rewashed. [/QUOTE] No, and I can’t find the one I want right offhand - it was a fire in their _house_, they were home and luckily put it out, but the fire department came and there was smoke damage. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2006, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/52 "2006-06-24T16:43:04Z")
[QUOTE=Zsofia] No, and I can’t find the one I want right offhand - it was a fire in their _house_, they were home and luckily put it out, but the fire department came and there was smoke damage. [/QUOTE] I believe the post you’re referring to was linked in [post #29](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7514505&postcount=29). ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2006, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/53 "2006-06-24T17:51:04Z")
Yes, that’s it. That’s what I get for not following all the links. Anyway, after that I’ve been much, much more careful about the dryer. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2006, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/54 "2006-06-24T18:58:42Z")
So, to everyone that won’t leave with the dryer/washer/dishwasher etc… on. What about the furnace or water heater? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2006, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/55 "2006-06-24T20:51:27Z")
[QUOTE=Joey P] So, to everyone that won’t leave with the dryer/washer/dishwasher etc… on. What about the furnace or water heater? [/QUOTE] Have you ever heard of a furnace fire? A water heater fire? I haven’t. A properly maintained furnace or water heater shouldn’t catch on fire, I’d think. Properly maintained dryers sometimes do. Plus, there’s no lint trap to empty on my furnace or my water heater. I mean, I guess they tend not to be on when I’m out of the house anyway, because I don’t need hot water and I have a programmable thermostat. ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2006, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/56 "2006-06-24T23:54:24Z")
[QUOTE=Hirundo82] The thing is, apparently it was lint behind the drum of the dryer that caught fire. [/QUOTE] This happened to my sister. She cleaned the lint trap everytime, but the dryer still caught on fire. Luckily she was at home, but they still suffered extensive damage. As for the washing machine, one of my neighbours started a load before going to the grocery store. When she came home, her entire basement was flooded. Something went wrong with the water pump in the machine, and water just kept flowing… I don’t leave house with any of those appliances running anymore, though I admit that I used to. ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/57 "2006-06-25T01:35:50Z")
I never even thought not to run the dryer when I was away. We clean the lint filter every time. On a whim I just removed the piece that holds the filter and proceeded to remove enough lint from the dryer to fill two-thirds of a brown paper lunch-bag. The exhaust tubing looks clean but I’m going to wait for the rain to clear up before I check the opening outside. There’s also a bit of pink lint around the edges of the grill-part of the rear of the drum, where the heating elements appear to be. I can’t get at that unless I figure out if there’s a way to remove and replace the fins inside the drum. There aren’t any screws on them. ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/58 "2006-06-25T02:23:56Z")
[QUOTE=riker1384] There’s also a bit of pink lint around the edges of the grill-part of the rear of the drum, where the heating elements appear to be. I can’t get at that unless I figure out if there’s a way to remove and replace the fins inside the drum. There aren’t any screws on them. [/QUOTE] \ Depending on your make of dryer, it may not be hard to remove the drum. You can look for exploded diagrams on the internet. I had to do it when the squirrel cage blower on mine went out. \ ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/59 "2006-06-25T05:59:13Z")
[QUOTE=riker1384] There’s also a bit of pink lint around the edges of the grill-part of the rear of the drum, where the heating elements appear to be. I can’t get at that unless I figure out if there’s a way to remove and replace the fins inside the drum. There aren’t any screws on them. [/QUOTE] As **Archergal** said, removing the drum is actually pretty easy, if that would solve your problem. The dryer probably has a flip top while the front comes off. At least, the three dryers I’ve ever taken apart to replace belts have all been like that. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775/60 "2006-06-25T22:27:35Z")
[QUOTE=Zsofia] Have you ever heard of a furnace fire? A water heater fire? [/QUOTE] Yes, and yes. ::: shrug::: There is an element of risk in life. Which ones are you willing to take, and which risks you would rather pass on is a personal decision. Me I am willing to take the risk of a dryer fire. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-leave-home-with-a-dryer-running/361775.md?page=4)