I have a gas front loading clothes dryer, and the door or latch is not keeping the dryer closed. it will go fine awhile, then I suspect clothes bump into it and pop it open.
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My clothes dryer door use to do the same thing. I installed a metal latch onto the door and main part of the dryer to keep it closed. This has worked well for me. Good luck!
What kind of latch
It sounds like your magnet is worn out. Use a couple of large, flat magnets to keep the door closed. It really works, and sure beats buying a new one!
I had one that did that. For a long time (until I finally bought a new dryer) I used 1/2 of a wooden clothes pin (work one side out of the metal that holds the two sides together.) Then I shoved the narrow end of the wooden piece in between the door and the dryer the door as a shim. This worked to hold it closed. Doesn't look good but it works.
Susan from ThriftyFun
In response to the message sent by MAnne:
I usually shut the door on the point of the clothes pin half (the beveled end). Maybe I can make a picture to make it more understandable. You basically fit it between the door and the frame. Mine door would not stay closed at all. If the clothespin is too wide to fit in the space between the door and dryer you could try some cardboard.
I posted a picture on the post below.
get some bungee cords from the auto parts store it --it may take two to get all the way around the dryer--my brother had to do this to secure the trash can against the wall--his cat and dog would knock the trash over to get into the garbage.
What about velcro?
I had one that did that , and used it til it wore out for years. My husband got a heavy long magnet at the hardware store///also handy, because when not in use you still use to keep closed, and never got lost or broken.
My mother had the same problem. She used a pool stick cut to size and rested it on the floor with the upper part pushed into the door. Clever!
The Magnet idea sounds better than our idea. We found a board that we wedge under the handle and the floor and it holds it shut. Took a few trys to find one the right size.
this also happened to me one time and after further inspection, I had noticed a coin had gotten down in where the door hooks to the machine. You have to really get down and look though because it wasn't visible from a standing point. Coin removed and everything as good as new!
I noticed that my door moved a bit when lifted. Upon closer examination I discovered the screw had worked out. All I did was tighten it, which lasts about two months. So I will simply get a bit larger screw.
A new latch kit costs only costs about $3. It seems scary to put it in yourself, but isn't hard at all. If you're nervous about it, have a handy friend along to do it with you.
Exactly how do I change the latch? It's on the inside of the door. Thanks so much.
I use the bungee cord idea on my front-loading washing machine. The strange part is that the machine works so much better now!
Would magnetic tape work? There's some where I work - sticky on one side, and a magnet on the other. I'm wondering if sticking some where the door meets the machine would be effective.
I purchased a small magnet for $1 for 8 magnets and stuck it on the inside of the door. Works like a charm and dryer door is remaining shut. Sorry, the picture needs to be rotated. Our dryer is a front loader and the magnet is in the right side of the door.
You can either take the door off n squeeze the latch that holds the door shut back together with a pair of needle nose pliers or you can put a magnet in the door sip that it will stay closed
You can either take the door off n squeeze the latch that holds the door shut back together with a pair of needle nose pliers or you can put a magnet in the door sip that it will stay closed
My dryer was only a few years old and doing the same thing.
Your dryer door depresses a small switch somewhere along the dryer opening once you close the door, so the dryer can begin to dry your clothes. A worn catch and strike lets the door pop open, and the dryer stops. A metal clip surrounds the nylon catch, placing tension on the strike to hold it in place once the door shuts. The metal strike also places tension on the catch. The opening and closing of the dryer door can weaken the strike and catch over time, allowing the dryer door to pop open on its own while drying your clothes.
Things You Will Need
Phillips screwdriver
Needle-nose pliers
Replacement catch and strike
Tips
1) Pull open your dryer door to access the hinge screws. Remove the hinge screws from the door panel to release the door from the cabinet. Lay the door on a sturdy work surface.
2) Remove all the screws around the outer edge of the dryer door. Pull the inner door panel away from the dryer door to expose the door catch.
3) Squeeze the metal on both sides of the catch with needle-nose pliers. Wiggle the catch from the door panel.
4) Snap the replacement catch into the opening left by the original catch. Insert the inner dryer door panel into the outer door panel. Replace the screws to secure the panels together.
5) Grab the metal strike on the dryer cabinet with the needle nose pliers. Squeeze the metal strike to wiggle it from the cabinet. Snap a new metal strike into the opening.
6) Attach the dryer door to the hinges with the screws you previously removed.
Some dryer models may have the catch and the strike reversed. If your dryer has the strike on the door and catch on the cabinet, slip a putty knife behind the catch to access the metal bracket holding it in the cabinet. Use your needle nose pliers to squeeze the metal bracket and pull the catch from the cabinet.
Dryers with glass doors do not need the door removed to replace the catch and the strike. Remove the screws from the rear door panel to release the back panel from the dryer door and access the catch.
I use one side of a wood cloths pin as a wedge to keep my dryer door shut.
I had the same prob only it wasn't the latch,the wheels that turn the tumbler had strings and hair ,once I vaccum Ed it out and cleaned the wheels no more door popping open
Yes, there is an answer. It is not always the latch kit on the door and dryer. It may be that the door itself is distorted warped or there is an obstruction somewhere like a bolt. It may also be a hinge adjustment. Use some strong tape to tape down the rocker switch that turns the dryer on and off to eliminate that, then close the door and see how far it shuts and see if it stops short of the opening when it is almost closed and see if the hinges or a bolt is hitting the face of the dryer and not letting the door close. I sandwiched a piece of flat wood in between the dryer and the dryer door on the obstruction bolt and put pressure on the door to push the bolt in a bit and it solved it. Sometimes people may abuse the door on the dryer and can knock it out of adjustment as it is merely sheet metal. It can warp easily
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