Blomberg condensing dryer filter sponge--cleaning and replacing

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

We have a Blomberg condensing dryer, and the manual is not a model of clarity, to say the least. There's the usual lint trap, and then a "filter drawer" with a sponge filter in it that also needs periodic cleaning. The manual says to clean stuff off the surface and wash the sponge filter in warm water, which is fine, but the machine came with three filters, so obviously they need to be replaced, but the manual doesn't say when.

I just washed the filter, but there's still gunk trapped inside that I can't get out with the kitchen faucet sprayer--I took a photo holding the filter up to the window and the dark spots are trapped lint. Any thoughts on how plugged up it can get before I should change it? I'm sure efficiency decreases with restricted airflow over the evaporator.

My second question is this: the manual says "There is a two-level filter in the filter drawer. Te [sic] first level is the filter drawer sponge and the second level is the filter cloth." But there's no mention after that of this mysterious 'filter cloth' item, which is quite aggravating. I don't see anything else in or behind the filter drawer. Do other condensing dryers have a filter cloth?

I've tried to email Blomberg via their website on a couple of other issues, but I've gotten no response whatsoever. Their unavailability to answer questions and the dismal and confusing quality of their manuals makes me question whether I should have gotten a different brand. At least the machines seem to work well!

Featured Answer

AvatarWalt
Original Author

7 years ago

Welcome to Blomberg. :). Since posting this a couple of years ago, I've found that vacuuming the secondary filter with the regular big vacuum cleaner works much better than washing it like the manual tells you to. The vacuum sucks out most of the lint and whatnot, while washing it leaves gunk in there like in my original photo.

I don't have a schedule for cleaning it, but I'd guess I look at it every ten or so loads on average and usually clean it then. The cartridge that holds it also needs cleaning, and the vent from the first filter down to this secondary one gets a bit coated too, if you want to be really OCD about cleaning. I also don't have a replacement schedule, but when it starts getting hard to get most of the lint out I'll put in a new one. I've been using these replacements, but if you have a better source let me know.

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Comments (11)

practigal
9 years ago

First the filter every 5 to 10 cycles? Wow that's pretty frequent.
practigal
9 years ago

Manual page 18 same manual?
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AvatarWalt
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks practigal. Ours is a different model/manual (page 24-25), but the one you linked at least makes me think that the "filter cloth" may be the lint trap. Still no info on how plugged up the sponge filter can get before I throw it it out and use a replacement, and I'm wondering what people in the real world do. Now to search for U.S. sites for replacement filters for when my first three are gone.
whirlpool_trainee
9 years ago
Sounds to me as if the filter cloth is part of the filter housing (frame) where the sponge is.
practigal
9 years ago
Sadly, that would not be the first time that I found an answer to something in a manual for a product that wasn't the one I was inter sted in. I really think these manuals should be vetted as part of the product development process
J C
7 years ago
Hi there, I just got this dryer and started using it a few days ago. I'm wondering if the OP or anyone else has an answer as to how to clean that secondary filter well, esp without having to wash it every time, and the original question of how often it needs to be replaced? Any advice greatly appreciated!
Kathy Walker
7 years ago
I have a Blomberg ventless dryer, also. It is hard to find the replacement sponges. I found some on EBay which came from England. I am going to try vacuuming as the poster mentioned. The sponges are very hard to get clean. This dryer does work but it could get expensive buying the sponges. We have a passive house and did not want a vented dryer. I agree, the instruction manual is confusing.
AvatarWalt
Original Author
7 years ago
Kathy-- I see that the link to the sponge filters I've bought before says they're out of stock. I hope that isn't a permanent thing! Vacuuming is still working well though. I use the narrow nozzle attachment, and if you stretch the filter this way and that while vacuuming it seems to get almost everything out.
Gibby San
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I'm curious if anyone else has had the issue I'm having with my Blomberg ventless dryer. For some reason, lint gets past both filters and gathers on the evaporator. It's impossible to clean, because the link is wet and sticks to the evaporator. I bought a special tool to clean it, but the fins are easily damaged, and it only cleans so much of the lint. (I have photos, but for some reason am unable to post.)

Blomberg has done pretty much nothing for me, telling me they've never heard of the problem and that my dryer is out of warranty (this was 2.5 years ago). They did finally send a repair person at their cost, who could find no reason this was happening. I talked to the rep while the repair person was at my house; we spent about 20 minutes on the phone going over every possibility. He ended up sending me a new filter (the one that goes in front of the drum) and after that refused to answer my texts.

The result of all of this is that there is wet lint inside my evaporator and it stinks in a way similar to cat pee. I have to run the dryer empty for an hour after every load to sort of dry it out or my entire laundry room will smell. Bath towels dried in the dryer also smell reminiscent of cat pee when they're wet.

Blomberg has done nothing for me beyond this, and if I want a decent (not cat pee smelling) dryer, I will have to buy an entire new set because I only have room for stacking.

Hugely disappointed in Blomberg service. You'd think they'd want to know why I had this issue, and even take back the somehow bizarrely defective dryer and give me one that works.
AvatarWalt
Original Author
4 years ago
This thread may be helpful. We don't seem to get lint on the fins but did have an odor for awhile.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5349680/smelly-condensing-dryer