Using the Whirlpool stack dryer (CSP2940HQ and CESP2958JQ)

Clean the lint trap, load, pay, then press a heat button for your dryer.

This page covers the white Whirlpool stack dryers: two dryers in one cabinet, one above the other. They share one display and one coin slot, and each dryer has its own set of three heat buttons (models CSP2940HQ0, CSP2940HQ1 and CESP2958JQ0). How long a dryer runs depends on how much you pay.

1. Look first

Take 30 seconds before you load. If anything below is off, use another dryer and tell me (see If something goes wrong).

  • The display shows a price. It doesn't show a code, and there's no out-of-order sign.

  • The drum is empty. Check for things left behind.

  • The door closes firmly and stays shut.

  • Nothing smells like burning.

  • Wipe it down first if it needs it.

2. Clean the lint trap

Do this before every load, and again after.

  • Open the door. The lint trap is the screen in the door opening.

  • Pull the screen out.

  • Roll the lint off with your fingers. Don't rinse or wash the screen.

  • Throw the lint in the trash.

  • Push the screen firmly back into place. Never run the dryer without it.

A clean lint trap dries your clothes faster and keeps the dryer safe.

3. Load

  • Empty pockets: lighters, matches, pens, coins and tissues.

  • Fill the drum about half full. Clothes need room to tumble.

  • One dryer sheet is enough. Two is the limit. More than two is not allowed: it means extra cleaning of the dryer and its ducts.

  • Close the door firmly.

Keep out of the dryer: rubber-backed rugs and mats, foam pillows, plastic, and anything with oil, gasoline or chemicals on it, even after washing. Hang those to dry. They can catch fire.

4. Pay

  • Pay with quarters or the payment app posted in your laundry room. What's accepted varies by building.

  • One coin slot serves both dryers.

  • The display shows the price and counts down as you pay. With an app, it counts down fast.

5. Pick a heat for your dryer

Each dryer has its own three heat buttons. Use the set for the dryer you loaded. Pressing a button starts that dryer.

  • Heavy Duty: The hottest. Towels, jeans, sheets and heavy cottons.

  • Normal: Medium heat. Everyday loads.

  • Delicates: The coolest. Light or heat-sensitive things.

Not sure? Check the care label inside the garment.

6. While it dries

  • The display counts down the minutes.

  • Need more time? Pay again while the dryer is running. Each quarter adds minutes.

  • Opening the door stops the dryer, for safety, but the time keeps running down. Close the door and press your heat button again to keep going.

  • The last few minutes tumble without heat, so your clothes are safe to handle.

  • Let the cool-down finish. If you must stop early, take everything out at once and spread it out to cool.

7. When it's done

  • The display shows 0 MINUTES.

  • Take your clothes out right away.

  • Clean the lint trap again.

  • Check the drum for anything left behind.

  • The dryer is yours only for the time you paid for. Laundry left after it ends may be moved by the next person (see Idle & Abandoned Stuff on the Policies page).

What the display means

  • A price: Ready. Load, pay, then pick a heat.

  • A smaller amount: Partly paid. Pay the rest.

  • Minutes counting down: Drying. Come back before it reaches 0.

  • 0 MINUTES: Done. Unload now. Opening the door brings the price back.

  • RESELECT CYCLE (flashing): The power went out. Press your heat button again to restart.

  • A blank display: No power. Don't use it. Tell me.

  • The letter d with a number, or anything else: A fault. Don't use it. Tell me, with a photo of the display.

Clothes still damp?

  • Clean the lint trap and dry again.

  • Don't overfill. Split a big load in two.

  • Dry heavy things, like towels and jeans, apart from light things.

  • Add time while the dryer is running.

  • If loads take longer than usual to dry, text or email me, or tell building maintenance. The vent may be blocked.

If something goes wrong

  • Stop using the dryer and tell me. Don't open panels, unplug it or try a repair.

  • Paid, but the dryer won't start? Check that the door is closed, then press a heat button for your dryer. If it still won't start, don't add more money. Tell me.

  • Power went out? When it comes back, the display flashes RESELECT CYCLE. Press your heat button again.

  • One dryer in the stack not working? The other one may still be fine to use.

  • To reach me, text the number posted in your laundry room, email info@stuffthatspins.net, or use the contact form. Send your full name and unit, the laundry room and machine, the date and time, what happened, and a photo of the display. I reply within 1 to 3 business days.

  • Refunds: if the dryer fails and it wasn't something you did, I'll refund you. Ask within 7 days. Details are on the Policies page.

  • Emergencies: water on the floor (more than a little), smoke or sparks. Get clear and tell building staff or someone nearby right away. For fire or injury, call 911. Then let me know.

Machine facts

  • Brand and models: Whirlpool CSP2940HQ0, CSP2940HQ1 and CESP2958JQ0, commercial electric stack dryers. Residents use all three the same way.

  • What it looks like: white, two dryers in one cabinet, one above the other. One display and one coin slot serve both. Each dryer has its own set of three heat buttons.

  • Payment: a quarter slot. Some laundry rooms add a PayRange or Tangerpay reader; the sign in the laundry room says which.

  • Heat settings: Heavy Duty (hottest), Normal and Delicates (coolest). Every cycle ends with a cool-down.

  • Time: set by how much you pay. Paying more adds minutes.

  • Door: doesn't lock. Opening it stops the dryer while the time keeps running; close it and press a heat button to carry on.

  • Lint trap: a screen in each door opening that pulls out. Clean it before and after every load, and put it back.

  • Display: a price means ready; minutes counting down means drying; 0 MINUTES means done; RESELECT CYCLE means press a heat button again; the letter d with a number means a fault. For a fault, stop and tell Harlan, with a photo of the display.

Covers models CSP2940HQ0, CSP2940HQ1 and CESP2958JQ0. Last updated November 11, 2026.