Dryer Lubrication Warning

Be careful -- or your lube job could go BOOM!

Mary Shelley wrote the first do-it-yourself book in 1818. "Frankenstein" demonstrated how easily a project could go wrong when fired up by a blast of electricity. Today, if your do-it-yourself project is to fix a noisy gas or electric dryer, take care; danger might seriously lurk. Got a dryer that screeches when you run it? Think a little lubrication might quiet it down? Be careful if you do, or your lube job could produce a big KA-BOOM! Here's why: If you open it up, and turn it on to see what's squeaking, and give it a shot of spray lubricant, look out! When the dryer's electric element or gas igniter fires up, you could be in for a big surprise -- such as a fireball that could, at the very least, singe your hair and eyebrows. It could even remove some walls! Instead: Open it up; turn it on; locate the problem; and turn it off. Then spray on the lubricant and wait awhile before checking to see if it worked. For more tips, visit our Web site at Onthehouse.com.

See more tips in the Appliances category!