How to clean a dryer vent
DIRTY or blocker dryer vents can cause irreparable damage to your unit or home if not cleaned properly.
Frequently cleaning your dryer vent will allow your unit to work at maximum performance level and will create fewer issues down the road.
How can you clean your dryer vent?
If you want to properly clean your dryer vent, you’ll need the following items:
- Vacuum with hose attachment.
- Electrical or duct tape.
- Broom and dustpan.
- Dryer duct cleaning kit.
- Safety gloves.
Follow these steps to successfully clean out your dryer vent:
- Step 1: Disconnect the dryer – Before you start cleaning the vent, you’ll need to unplug the dryer and disconnect the duct from the back of the dryer.
- Step 2: Vacuum the vent – Make sure to wear safety gloves as you remove the lint from the now-open hole at the back of the dryer. Once you’ve removed the exposed lint, use the hose attachment for the vacuum to clear out the rest.
- Step 3: There is a vent on the outside of your house that connects to your dryer. Go outside and repeat the process with the other end.
- Step 4: Reconnect your dryer – Check your dryer vents to ensure they weren’t damaged during the cleaning and then reconnect them. If necessary, re-seal the ducts with UL-listed metal foil duct tape.
- Step 5: Plug the dryer back in and run for 15 to 20 minutes on the fluff or air dryer setting to dislodge any extra debris.
How can you avoid lint buildup?
In order to avoid building up lint in your dryer, you should take some precautions including:
- Sweep and dust the area around the dryer regularly.
- Remove and clean the lint trap at the front of the dryer after every cycle.
- Vacuum in and around the lint screen regularly.
- Over time, dryer sheets can leave a residue that builds up on the lint screen. To unclog the screen, wash it in warm, soapy water with a scrub brush, rinse it with water, and dry it off with a towel.
Why is it important to clean your dryer vent?
A clean dryer vent is essential to the overall functionality of the machine.
If it isn’t regularly cleaned and maintained, the lint buildup can cause your dryer to work harder to dry your clothes, increasing your electricity bill.
Lint buildup is highly flammable and is also the leading cause of dryer fires, accounting for 3k house fires in the US each year, according to .
Whitney Weaver, the Assistant Fire Chief for the Nixa Fire Department in Missouri told KY3: “It’ll just start to light off and smoke and smolder.”
She advised cleaning your dryer vents at least once per year, although depending on how much laundry you do, you may need to clean it more frequently.
Keith Ostrander, with Cook’s Appliances, told the outlet: “Appliances are very safe to use as long as we’re using them the way they’re designed.”