How To Fix A Clothes Dryer When Clothes Are Caught Between Drum

Have you ever gone to remove a load of laundry from your clothes dryer, only to find that an article or two of clothing is stuck? No matter how you pull or finagle them, the clothes simply won't come out. What has likely happened is that the clothes are caught between the dryer's body and the drum. All is not lost, however. Some basic tools and a few precise steps will have your clothing freed, and your dryer soon working on yet another load.

Step 1

Unplug the dryer. Remove the lint trap, as well as any lint that has fallen down inside the trap hole or into the dryer itself.

Step 2

Picture the dryer opening as a clock. At the 12 o'clock position you should be able to locate the screws on the inside that are holding the dryer together. Use a screwdriver to remove these screws.

Step 3

Raise the top of the dryer. You need not remove it completely. Pull the front piece of the dryer away from the machine. If it doesn't come apart easily, insert a putty knife into one of the seams and gently pry the front from the machine.

Step 4

Pull up gently but firmly on the drum. This should dislodge the drum from the inside of the dryer. Pull the drum out the front of the dryer.

Step 5

Remove the clothing that was stuck. Also remove any lint or debris that may have settled into this portion of the dryer over time, as it may be a potential fire hazard.

Reverse these steps to reassemble the dryer.