December 01, 2025

Notify me when the dryer is done

Get alerted when the dryer finishes so you can remove clothes promptly and reduce wrinkles. This clever vibration sensor method works even with 240V dryers.

Use cases

Efficiency

Prompt Clothes Removal - Empty dryer right when cycle ends to reduce wrinkles
Start Next Load - Know when dryer is available for next batch
Laundry Flow - Keep laundry moving efficiently from washer to dryer to folding

Convenience

Save Time - No more checking if dryer is done
Reduce Re-Drying - Clothes won't sit and get wrinkled

Products needed

Essential Equipment - Option 1: Multi-Sensor (Recommended for 240V dryers)

Multi-Purpose Sensor

Popular brands: SmartThings, Aeotec, Zigbee multi-sensors
Vibration detection • Door contact sensor • Battery powered • Attach to dryer door

Essential Equipment - Option 2: Power Monitoring (If standard 120V outlet)

Power Metering Smart Plug

15A rated minimum • Only works if dryer uses standard outlet (rare)
Note: Most dryers use 240V hardwired connection

Optional Enhancements

Smart Light

In laundry room for visual alert when done

Dashboard Tile

Showing dryer status and escalating reminders

Automation setup - Multi-sensor method

IF vibration stops for 5 minutes AND door closed AND dryer was running THEN send notification "Dryer done - remove clothes!" AND set dryer_running to false

💡 Multi-Sensor Requirements & Placement

Platform: Home Assistant, SmartThings (with WebCoRE/SharpTools), or Hubitat with variables/virtual switches
Sensor: Multi-sensor with both vibration and contact detection
Mounting: On dryer door (top or side works best). Should sense vibration when drum spinning and detect door opening/closing. Secure firmly with adhesive or tape.
Testing: Run a dryer cycle. Verify vibration detected throughout cycle, notification when cycle ends, and door opening resets system.

Step 1: Detect Dryer Running

Triggers

Multi-purpose sensor vibration changes to Active or Inactive (any vibration change)

Conditions

Contact sensor is closed (door closed)
Vibration has stayed active for 5 minutes (not just bump/slam)

Actions

Turn on variable/virtual switch "dryer_running"

Step 2: Detect Dryer Done

Triggers

Vibration becomes Inactive (stops vibrating)

Conditions

Contact sensor is closed (door still closed)
Variable "dryer_running" is true
Vibration inactive for 5 minutes (confirms actually done)

Actions

Send notification: "Dryer is done!"
Set variable "dryer_running" to false
Flash laundry room light (optional)

Platform-specific examples

Home Assistant

Start Vibration changes AND door closed AND active 5min

Done Vibration inactive 5min AND door closed AND running

Actions Notify, Turn off running, Turn on needs_emptying

Reset: Door opens → Turn off both booleans

SmartThings

Start Vibration AND door closed AND active 5min → Switch on

Done Vibration inactive 5min AND door closed AND switch on

Actions Notify, Switch off, Flash light

Setup: Use WebCoRE or SharpTools for complex logic

Hubitat

Start Vibration active 5min AND door closed → Switch on

Done Vibration inactive 5min AND switch on → Notify

Setup: Create virtual switch, use Rule Machine

Apple HomeKit

Limitation Cannot directly handle complex vibration+contact logic

Workaround Use Home Assistant or Hubitat as bridge

Alexa / Google Home

Limitation Limited support for complex vibration+contact logic

Workaround Use Home Assistant or SmartThings for automation

Advanced features

Escalating reminders

Remind if clothes left in dryer:

Create two reminder automations:

30 min reminder: If “dryer_needs_emptying” on for 30 minutes, send “REMINDER: Dryer clothes waiting for 30 minutes!”
2 hour urgent: If still on after 2 hours, send high-priority “URGENT: Dryer clothes sitting for 2 hours - wrinkles!”

Dashboard status

Visual indicator:

Create template binary sensor with these states:

Running: Blue tumble dryer icon (when dryer_running is on)
Done - needs attention: Red alert icon (when dryer_needs_emptying is on)
Empty: Gray off icon (when both are off)

Track cycle duration

Measure how long dryer runs:

Create automation that sends notification when dryer finishes, including the total cycle duration calculated from when “dryer_running” was turned on.

Troubleshooting

Issue: False “Done” Notifications

Causes:

Dryer paused temporarily (door opened mid-cycle)
Vibration sensor too sensitive (detecting other vibrations)
Delay too short (drum spins intermittently)
Kids bumping dryer

Solutions: ✅ Increase vibration inactive delay to 8-10 minutes ✅ Require door closed condition throughout ✅ Position sensor away from external vibration sources ✅ Add condition: Dryer must have been running for minimum 15 minutes ✅ Test sensor placement - may need adjustment

Add condition to automation: Dryer must have been in “running” state for at least 15 minutes before done notification can trigger.

Issue: No notification when dryer finishes

Causes:

Sensor not detecting vibration
Sensor battery dead
Door opened before cycle ended
Sensor fell off dryer
“Dryer running” never set to true

Check:

✅ Verify sensor battery level
✅ Test vibration sensor manually (shake it, check state)
✅ Check sensor is securely attached to dryer
✅ Review automation logs - which condition failed?
✅ Monitor sensor during actual dryer cycle
✅ Verify dryer_running variable was set to true

Fix:

Reposition sensor if vibration not detected
Use stronger adhesive or mounting method
Replace battery if low
Add debug notifications at each automation step

Issue: Vibration detected when dryer not running

Causes:

Washer vibration affecting dryer sensor
Other appliances causing vibration
Sensor too sensitive
Kids playing near laundry area

Solutions: ✅ Increase required vibration duration (10 minutes instead of 5) ✅ Add time-based condition (only during typical dryer hours) ✅ Position sensor to minimize external vibration ✅ Combine with other triggers (e.g., laundry room door closed) ✅ Add manual override to disable automation temporarily

Add conditions to automation:

Only trigger during typical laundry hours (7am-10pm)
Require vibration sustained for 10 minutes instead of 5

Alternative: Power monitoring method

If your dryer uses a standard 120V outlet (rare), you can use the same power monitoring method as the washer automation.

Setup:

Plug dryer into 15A+ rated smart plug with power monitoring
Detect start: Power above 200W
Detect done: Power below 20W for 5 minutes

Note: Most dryers use 240V hardwired connections and cannot use smart plugs.

Related automations: