For months, a flood of claims has been sent to insurance companies for dryer fires. Massage gels, massage oils, massage creams, and essential oils all have a certain level of flammability when exposed to high heat. That’s why it is essential to do everything you can to degrease, dilute, and eliminate these residues as much as possible.

Indeed, dryers are among the leading causes of residential fires. According to data available in 2023, over 500 fires on average have been caused by electrical appliances, often due to insufficient maintenance or improper use. Slow combustion is the unexpected enemy. 

A fire forces the temporary closure of the Nordique Spa Stoneham

Often, there are leftover oil inside [...] The sheets were washed, taken out of the dryer, placed on a table in the back, and then, during the night of December 2024, they caught fire. The fire spread to the walls, but its spread was limited to the laundry room. explained the assistant director of the Nordique spa Stonehame in an interview with Radio-Canada.

Slow combustion: What is it?

Slow combustion is a gradual heating without flames, often caused by stacked or compressed fabrics after drying. This process can lead to a fire if the heat does not dissipate properly. To avoid this risk, spread out or fold the laundry immediately after drying.

Recommendation: Print and display this cheat sheet in your laundry room.

Washing and drying procedure

1. Preprocessing: Soak the sheets and towels stained with oil in soapy hot water for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the level of soiling.

2. Washing: Use a laundry detergent along with an effective degreaser such as a professional degreasing detergent. ProTextile+Bio and, for stubborn stains, combine it with Florisa concentrated stain remover. Prefer hot water for sheets and cold water for towels. Do not overload the washing machine to ensure effective cleaning.

Some massage therapists prefer to use other products to degrease the oil, such as vinegar, sodium percarbonate, Tide Ultra Oxy, etc. The important thing is that you find a solution that works for you.

3. Rinsing: Perform a double rinse to eliminate any residue of oil or detergent. If traces persist, repeat the wash.

Clean the lint filter (dryer filter) before each cycle. Wash it periodically with warm soapy water. Limit the use of fabric softener sheets, which can clog the filter.

4. Drying: Air dry with a fan or a dehumidifier. Never dry textiles with traces of oil, cream, or massage gel, or flammable substances inside your dryer. If you take the risk of putting your laundry in the dryer, although prohibited by some manufacturers, remove the hot laundry immediately to avoid slow combustion, a phenomenon where the heat accumulated in stacked textiles can cause a fire.

Dryer fire: a New Brunswicker lost everything

Did you know that, according to Fire Chief Conrad Landry from Moncton, "it's almost always the same thing: we put out the fire, we check the hose and the filter, and they are full of lint. In 99% of cases, that's the cause"? According to firefighters, removing the lint from the dryer filter after each drying cycle is the best way to prevent a fire in the machine.

Train and raise awareness among your staff

As massage therapists, self-employed individuals, or business owners, following clear procedures and training your colleagues or staff on equipment maintenance is essential to ensure safety. A proactive approach reduces risks and preserves your work environment.

For any additional questions or advice on fire prevention, feel free to consult the user guide for your washer and dryer and other relevant resources. Your safety and that of your customers remains a top priority.

Note: This guide does not replace the manufacturer's requirements for your dryer or the recommendations of your insurer or any other entity.

References

How to prevent dryer fires? (2022, September 29). Retrieved from L'Unique General Insurance: https://www.lunique.qc.ca/fr/conseils-prevention/habitation/prevenir-feux-secheuse

Denis, M. (2019, 09 21). When should you clean your air ducts? Retrieved from Radio-Canada: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1310095/nettoyage-conduits-air-environnement-pollution-sante

Deschênes, L. (2024, 12 28). Misfortune strikes the Nordic spa of Stoneham again, which must close its doors once more, this time after a fire.. Retrieved from TVA Nouvelles: https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2024/12/28/le-malheur-sacharne-sur-le-nordique-spa-de-stoneham-qui-doit-encore-fermer-ses-portes-cette-fois-apres-un-incendie

Dryer fire: a New Brunswicker has lost everything. (2019, 12 19). Retrieved from Radio Canada: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1442493/feu-secheuse-incendie-maison-allardville-nouveau-brunswick

Gosselin, V. (2024, 12 28). A fire forces the temporary closure of the Nordique Spa Stoneham. Retrieved from Radio Canada: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2129480/incendie-nordique-spa-stoneham-fermeture

Poulin, M.-E. (2023, 04 12). Second fire in six months at the AMERA Center. Retrieved from Le Nord-Côtier: https://lenord-cotier.com/2023/04/12/deuxieme-incendie-en-six-mois-au-centre-amera/

Fire safety statistics. (2023). Retrieved from Government of Quebec: https://www.quebec.ca/gouvernement/ministere/securite-publique/publications/statistiques-securite-incendie

A fire may have been caused by a dryer. (2022, 11 15). Retrieved from Zone 911 News and Information: https://zone911.com/incendies/33574-un-incendie-aurait-ete-cause-par-une-secheuse