We all depend on our clothes dryers to see that our clothes are ready to wear. After all, just having damp, clean clothing is not enough—it needs to be dried. Of course, that can be most easily attained by simply placing your clothing in the dryer. However, having a dryer that works effectively and efficiently is not something to be taken for granted. It doesn’t just happen. Rather, it is accomplished by taking care with your dryer and the dryer vents so that you can be sure of a properly working dryer.
Your dryer is a carefully designed machine that requires some basic knowledge to be used for many years successfully. So, what proactive measures should you take? Here are tips for dryer vent cleaning that will result in successful usage.
- Check the lint trap in your dryer after each use, and clean it out.
- Pull your dryer away from the wall.
- Check the flexible air duct hose from the back of the dryer and clean out any visible lint.
- You can clean out the dryer vent even more, by inserting a wet/dry vacuum wand as far into the duct as you can. If you do not have a wet-dry vac, you could also use a leaf blower at the open end. Another option is to use a straightened out coat hanger, with a dust cloth attached to the hook end.
- Repeat the blowing/dusting process on both ends of the dryer ductwork.
- Check the dryer’s vent cap where the dryer blows outside the house. It can be blocked with lint, bits of debris and even bird’s nest.
- Be sure that your dryer vents are independent of all other systems and end outside, not into a chimney or crawl space.
- Your outside dryer exhaust vent should be equipped with a back draft damper to be certain the exhaust cannot come back into your home.
- Metal transition ducts should be used between the dryer and the exhaust duct; however, flexible transition ducts should never be used in an attic, a crawl space, or inside a wall.
- Though not related to the dryer’s efficiency, if you have a flex foil dryer vent tube, then you need to replace this with a metal one. The flex tube can get too warm and will result in a home fire!
Dryer vent cleaning and proper maintenance will go a long way to successful dryer usage for many years. The pros at Dryer Vent Wizard are well versed in what it takes to keep your dryer working in prime condition. Don’t hesitate to call someone if you are uncertain if your dryer vent is working properly.
Many websites provide additional information on the topic of dryer vent cleaning. One such site worth visiting is Dryer Vent Wizard.
The Author
Janet Slagell independently authors articles for WebDrafter.com, Inc. for search engine marketing.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those solely of the author, and not of any other person, company or organization. No guarantee or warranty, express or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, fitness, or use of the content herein.
We have been pretty good at following each of these tips when dealing with our dryer vent. I am certain there are areas where we could improve though. At the moment I think we just need to replace our vent completely.
It’s great that you’ve been following most of the tips! Replacing the vent completely might solve any remaining issues and ensure proper airflow. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Thanks for the cleaning tips. I have to admit I haven’t been able to clean mine at home for quite a long time now.
You’re welcome! It’s important to regularly clean your dryer vent to prevent any potential issues. Give it a try and see the difference it makes.
Does this get cleaned out when all the ducts get cleaned? I don’t want to neglect it and start a fire in the house. I’ve heard that that’s one of the main causes for house fires. It doesn’t seem worth the risk to not clean it out. Thanks for the great step by step, I’ll have to check it out this weekend.
Yes, the dryer vent should be cleaned separately from the other ducts in your home. Neglecting it can indeed be a fire hazard. It’s definitely worth cleaning it out yourself or hiring a professional to ensure your safety.
Hey, thank you for finding this article and posting it on your site! My biggest fear is a home fire due to a clogged dryer duct, so I have been looking for tips to get it cleaned or how to check for a clog. If and when I get around to actually doing some work around the house, this will be a great article to reference, duct cleaning is quite important, after all.
You’re absolutely right, clogged dryer ducts can be a serious fire hazard. This article provides great tips on how to clean and maintain your dryer vent to minimize that risk. Definitely keep it in mind for your next house maintenance project.
I always clean the vent trap from the dryer itself. However, I tend to forget to clean the trap on the outside of my home. I was even told this could potentially cause a fire. Now, I will have to make sure I do this as frequently as I can.
Cleaning the vent trap inside your dryer is important, but don’t forget about cleaning the outside trap as well. It’s crucial for preventing any potential fire hazards. Make sure to incorporate it into your regular cleaning routine.
I’ve never cleaned out my air duct or my dryer before. Your step by step instructions on thoroughly cleaning every component are really helpful! I’l be sure to replace the flexible tubing with a solid metal one as well.
It’s great that you found the step-by-step instructions helpful! Thoroughly cleaning every component of your dryer vent ensures optimal performance and reduces the risk of fire. Replacing the flexible tubing with a solid metal one is a smart move for added safety.
I know dryers that aren’t clean can be fire hazards, so I’ve been trying to decide what to do about ours. We rent, but our landlord doesn’t seem interested in helping us clean out the vent tubes or anything. I really appreciate this step by step article about how to clean it all up. We might end up hiring someone and sending the landlord the bill, though!
It’s unfortunate that your landlord isn’t interested in helping with the dryer vent cleaning. Hiring a professional and passing the bill to your landlord is a good option to ensure the safety of your home. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to get it done properly.
A couple of lessons like these on dryer vent cleaning would be something to share with my son. He called me up this morning to talk to me about his vent. It seems like because of all the dust buildup that occurred there, the vent has been blowing out dust on every room.
It’s great that you found these tips helpful! Dryer vent cleaning is definitely an important task to maintain the efficiency and safety of your dryer. Sharing these tips with your son is a great idea, as it can help him prevent any issues caused by dust buildup. Hopefully, these tips will help him resolve the problem he’s experiencing with dust blowing into every room.
These are surely useful tips for cleaning dryer vents. I will be sure to follow them, as I don’t want to experience trouble should I decide not to air dry my clothes.
Absolutely, following these tips for cleaning dryer vents can save you from potential trouble down the road. Proper maintenance of your dryer vent not only improves its performance but also reduces the risk of fire hazards. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to home appliances.
My husband and I are going to be putting our home up for sale in the next few weeks and we really want to get our dryer vent cleaned. I don’t really want to break anything so we are thinking about calling someone in for the job. We will have to keep this information in mind, thank you for sharing!
Calling in a professional for dryer vent cleaning is definitely a good idea if you’re concerned about breaking anything. Professionals have the experience and tools to efficiently clean out the vent without causing any damage. It’s better to leave it in the hands of experts to ensure a thorough cleaning and avoid any potential risks. Good luck with getting your home ready for sale!
All this while I thought dryer vent cleaning isn’t possible without a pro. But after reading your blog I am sure that I can clean the dryer vent thoroughly. Thank you for the tips. Is there anything else you would recommend for more effective cleaning?
It’s a common misconception that dryer vent cleaning can only be done by professionals, but with the right knowledge and precautions, it’s definitely possible to clean it yourself. These tips will definitely help you in thoroughly cleaning your dryer vent. To make the cleaning even more effective, you can consider using a vacuum with an extended brush attachment to reach deep into the vent and remove any remaining lint or debris. Additionally, regular maintenance, such as cleaning the lint trap after every load and checking the vent for blockages, will help keep your dryer running efficiently.