Some things just go together. Salt and pepper. Peanut butter and jelly. Nuts and bolts. Shampoo and conditioner. They are separate things, but they complement and support each other, just like a washer and a dryer.

A washer washes the clothes and household items, and the dryer finishes the job by drying them. But if your dryer is taking longer and longer to dry the loads, it’s easy to assume it’s the dryer’s fault. That may be true, but sometimes the washing machine is the real problem. How so?

Is The Washer Doing Its Job Well?

To determine why your dryer is taking longer, start at the beginning. What is coming out of the washer that you then put in the dryer? Are the clothes or household items damp when the washer cycle is done, or are they soaking wet or unusually heavy with water? If they’re still holding a lot of water, the washer is not doing its job well and is contributing to your dryer problem. What are some of the problems the washer may be experiencing?

Possible causes include:

• The load is off balance
• The washer isn’t draining properly
• The drain pump is getting weak
• The washer isn’t spinning as fast as it should
• There’s an issue with the suspension or controls

So how do you determine which of the above is causing the problem? A good place to start is to run another load and watch what happens during the drain and spin cycle.

• Is water left in the tub after the cycle? Then the problem is likely related to draining.
• Does the water empty the tub but the clothes are still too wet? The washer may not be reaching full spin speed.
• Is the machine shaking, banging, or repeatedly stopping during the spin cycle? An unbalanced load or suspension problem may be the cause.

Fixing the source of your washer problem is the key. When the washer doesn’t remove most of the water from your loads, it gives the dryer more work, which naturally leads to longer drying times, repeated cycles, higher energy use, and extra wear on dryer components.

So The Washer is Good – Now Check the Dryer

If the washer is doing its job and the clothes come out damp rather than wet, then the dryer is to blame.

Common dryer-related causes include:

• A clogged or restricted dryer vent
• A lint filter that isn’t allowing enough airflow
• A heating element that isn’t working properly
• A faulty moisture sensor
• A blower wheel that isn’t moving enough air
• Dryer vent hoses that are too long, crushed, or improperly routed

Restricted airflow is one of the biggest factors in how quickly a dryer extracts moisture from your clothing. Even if a dryer produces enough heat, poor airflow can still leave your clothes damp at the end of the drying cycle.

Start by checking the lint filter and making sure the vent hose behind the dryer isn’t kinked or crushed. You can also check the outside vent while the dryer is running. There should be a strong flow of warm air coming out.

If you determine the dryer airflow is appropriate, but your dryer still takes too long to dry loads, check whether the interior drum gets warm and whether the automatic drying cycle stops prematurely. If the drum doesn’t get warm, you probably have a heating issue; if drying cycles stop early, you may have a moisture sensor issue.

Still Taking Too Long to Dry?

Appliances that aren’t working properly are frustrating. If you troubleshot your washer and dryer and found one has a problem, or if you are unsure which one needs help, it may be time for a professional diagnosis.

River City Appliance is an experienced, reputable appliance repair company in the Sacramento area, ready to help. Our trustworthy technicians can inspect your washer and dryer, identify the cause of the problem, and recommend and complete the right repair. Schedule an appointment today and feel the relief of a washer and dryer working together like peanut butter and jelly!