10 Signs Your Dryer Is Too Old

Although it may seem like you're the only one constantly trying to keep on top of the ever-growing pile of laundry, according to Fixr, homes with four people living together end up doing around eight to 10 loads each week. With so many dirty clothes to tackle, you'll surely want both your washer and dryer to be as efficient as possible. With that in mind, you may be wondering how long dryers tend to last.

While there are different kinds of dryers and even more brands making them, Fixr notes that most tend to keep working for around 10 years. Of course, you can help the appliance last even longer if you take care of it by keeping it clean and performing regular maintenance. Beyond that, any larger issues that crop up can be dealt with by a professional. Costing on average from $50 to $450 depending on what's involved, repairs can often make more sense than completely replacing the potentially pricey machine. However, if too many issues or any major problems arise, then it might be time to get rid of the appliance and opt for something new — here are a few key signs that your dryer is just too old.

There's surely nothing more frustrating than taking your clothes out of the dryer only to find out that they're still damp. Considering the entire point of the dryer is to, well, dry things, there's no point in keeping it around if it simply can't get the job done anymore.

While a dryer obviously needs to get hot enough to dry whatever might be inside, you definitely don't want it to get too hot. If your dryer starts to overheat, not only can it damage what you've put in the appliance, but it can also lead to dangerous situations like sparking a fire.

In order to effectively, evenly, and safely dry items, a dryer needs to keep them moving. As you likely know, it does so by spinning the inner drum. If this tumbler stops moving — either because it becomes stuck or the motor is malfunctioning — it might end up being a repair that's too costly.

Many newer appliances have eco-friendly options that allow you to conserve energy. However, as they get older, their technology may become outdated and not work as well as it once did. If your dryer uses a lot of energy, then you might save money in the long run by investing in a new machine.

As a dryer tumbles items around inside, it will inevitably make some noise. However, if the clanks, clinks, bangs, and screeching is almost ridiculously — and annoyingly — over the top and repairs won't fix the issue, then it might be time to take your dryer out to the curb.

When you take your laundry out of the dryer, you surely want everything to be dry, toasty, and smell pleasant. That won't be the case if the appliance itself has a nasty odor which it can then pass onto your clothes and linens. Cleaning your dryer may resolve the problem, but unfortunately not always.

Finding mold on your clothes can not only damage the material but can also be unhealthy. Due to the fact that dryers handle wet items, the dampness can make its way into the nooks and crannies which may result in mold. If the issue is too persistent, then you need to get rid of the appliance.

Rust can lead to the downfall of various appliances, specifically ones that regularly get wet like refrigerators, dishwashers, and, yes, dryers. While your dryer was likely made to resist issues around rust both inside and out, it doesn't always remain as effective as it once may have been as time goes on.

It's important to choose the proper settings for different kinds of laundry. Sometimes you just want to pop something into the dryer for a minute or two, or may want to stick to a delicate cycle. When these settings no longer work properly, you risk ruining whatever you put inside the dryer.

If a knob gets chipped on your dryer, you can probably ignore it. If the door starts to stick, you might be able to have it repaired. However, if too many things stop working or they're too expensive to address and potentially dangerous to ignore, then it may be time for a new dryer.