The invention provides a self-cleaning filter device for a clothes dryer, comprising a condenser, a filter screen, an air duct, a water storage box, a water storage tank, a drainage pump, an upper drain pipe is arranged between the water storage box and the drainage pump, Set the water level sensor, including the sprinkler, which is set in the air duct, between the filter screen and the condenser, and the lower drain pipe, which is used to connect the water storage box and the sprinkler; the first sensor, located in the air duct, senses the water on the filter screen Amount of lint accumulation; the controller, receiving the signals transmitted by the first sensor and the water level sensor, sends commands to control the opening and closing of the drainage pump and the sprinkler respectively. The self-cleaning filter device of the clothes dryer has a simple structure, the condensed water can be fully used, and manual cleaning of the filter screen and the condenser is not required. The present invention also provides a clothes dryer using the self-cleaning filter device. By adding a sprinkler in the air duct, it can remove lint in real time, keep the air duct unblocked, reduce drying time, save energy consumption, and save manpower at the same time.