How to Clean Your Home’s Dryer Vent Properly

 

Washers and dryers are marvelous inventions that most households count themselves lucky to own. Dryers allow you to skip time-consuming line-drying after washing a load of clothing, plus drying with heat can actually help kill viruses and bacteria in the process.

 

However, collection of microfibers that build up in the lint trap over time. Ideally, your dryer’s lint trap should catch any debris before venting the clothes with a dryer machine typically leads to the air outdoors, but in many cases, a portion of the microfiber debris passes through the screen and into the dryer vent.

 

If your dryer vent isn’t regularly cleaned, lint and other debris can gather within it, which can reduce the efficiency of the dryer and, more importantly, increase the risk of fire.

 

To keep your home safe and secure and your trusty, time-saving appliance working well, we’ve compiled this guide. Learn how to clean a dryer vent, both indoors and outside. If you’re looking to DIY your way to a cleaner (and safer!) home, keep reading!

 

How Often to Clean Dryer Vent

 

 

Most modern dryers have a built-in lint trap that catches most microfiber debris. This dryer lint trap should be consistently cleaned after every use to reduce the amount of dust and lint that passes into the dryer vent. However, you don’t need to clean the dryer vent this frequently to keep up with dryer maintenance. On average, you should clean a dryer vent at least once a year or once every season, depending on the frequency of use.

 

If you aren’t sure if your dryer vent needs to be cleaned or if you are safe to leave it for another month, there are a few signs that could indicate the vent needs cleaning. One obvious sign is when the dryer creates a burning smell while operating. Another sign to clean the dryer vent is that the clothes aren’t completely dry when clothes drying take longer to dry than normal.

 

Additionally, if the dryer unit becomes extremely hot to the touch, the laundry comes out hotter than usual, or the laundry room gets hot and humid during a drying cycle, you should take the time to do dryer duct cleaning.

 

Remember that flexible plastic, foil, or vinyl dryer vents tend to accumulate microfiber debris faster than straight dryer ducts and can increase the risk of fire. If your home has flexible plastic, foil, or vinyl dryer vents, it’s recommended to upgrade to rigid metal vents and metal ducts.

 

How to Clean Dryer Vent From Inside

 

• Unplug the dryer and turn off the gas valve if your have a gas dryer. Carefully move the dryer away from the wall and disconnect the dryer duct or vent pipe from the back of the dryer. You may need to remove a duct clamp or duct tape.
• Using a ShopVac or the hose attachment of your vacuum, suck out the lint that’s built up inside the vent tube opening at the back of the dryer.
• Clear any remaining lint sticking to the sides with an extendable dryer vent pipe brush. These are available at most home goods stores. Move the brush back and forth in a circular motion through the detached vent pipe, wall piping, and dryer opening. It should feel like snaking a bathroom drain to unclog it.
• When the lint is completely gone, reconnect the dryer vent duct to the back of the dryer. Push the dryer back where it was and plug it in. Turn the gas valve back on.

 

How to Clean Dryer Vent From Outside

 

• While the dryer is running, watch the outside vent to ensure the slats are opening and closing. If they are not opening properly, use a lubricant like WD-40 to oil the hinges.
• If lint and debris are stuck within the slats, use a wire vent brush to remove the lint.
• Wash off the exterior wall vent cover using a cloth with warm water and some dish soap to remove dirt, dust, and soil. Rinse with water and reattach the vent cover.

 

Tips for Minimizing Lint Buildup

 

 

• Habitually peel off as much lint as possible from the filter after every load of laundry. This step is important not only for safety but for the overall performance of your machine.
• Regularly remove the excess lint gathered in the lint filter housing with your vacuum cleaner hose attachment.
• The filter may need a good scrubbing every few months, especially if you use laundry dryer sheets. (Residue from dryer sheets can clog the pores of the filter.)
• Scour the filter with hot water, soap, and a hard bristle brush.
• Let it dry before replacing it in the filter housing.

 

FAQs

 

What is the difference between a dryer duct and a dryer vent?

 

Both terms describe the tube that runs from the dryer to the outside of the home. This exhaust pipe for your dryer can either be called a dryer duct or a dryer vent.

 

How do I know if my dryer vent is clogged and it’s time to clean it?

 

 

The most common sign that your have a clogged dryer vent is longer drying times. Other hints would be a burning smell or excessive lint in the lint trap, laundry room hotter than normal, blocked vent hood, or if it’s been over a year since last cleaning the vent.

 

Can I clean my dryer vent myself?

 

While you can always do DIY dryer vent cleaning with vent dryer cleaning kits, you’ll need professional services for long-term resolutions. Opting for professional dryer vent cleaning and ductwork is the best way to ensure peak performance, cleanliness, and safety for your dryer system.

 

When should I call a professional to do the cleaning?

 

Though you can clean the air dryer vent yourself, as explained above, it’s certainly not a task for everyone. If you’re not ready to tackle it or it’s been a long time since the machine has been cleaned (or has never been cleaned!) –often a case when you buy a new property where appliances are included—simply call a professional.

 

Also, if your clothes take a long time to dry; your dryer is too hot to the touch; or there’s a burning smell while running, it’s recommended to reach out to an expert as soon as possible.

 

Can clogged dryer be a fire hazard and cause house fire?

 

Yes, and it happens more often than you’d think. Nearly 92% of home fires are caused by clothes dryers, and 26% often are due to dust or lint in the dryer vent. A clogged vent can lead to overheating and pose a significant fire in your home due to the flammable nature of lint. Regular cleaning is crucial for safety.

 

For more tips and tricks from your favorite apartment and home cleaners, check out our blog full of helpful hints and DIYs for around the house. Be sure to also check out and book any of our available services so that we can help you keep your home happy and healthy all year long!

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