You're Likely Not Cleaning Your Dryer Vents As Often As You Should Be

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You may remember to clean your lint trap, but what about the dryer vent or duct? Chances are you're not cleaning it enough. HVAC experts recommend cleaning your dryer vent every one to three years, with adjustments based on use frequency and household size. Homes with pets often need to have their vents cleaned more frequently because of fur buildup, as do larger families or anyone who uses their dryer for heavier loads, like towels. You should also clean your dryer vent when you notice a dip in the machine's performance. 

While some people choose to buy a ventless dryer, many opt for a traditional dryer vent system. The vent is a long tube that connects to your appliance. Each time you run the dryer, the process collects hot air, moisture, and lint. Some of that ends up in the lint trap; the rest is exhausted through the dryer vent. Repeated use of the machine means that the vent lint keeps building up over time, where it sits until removal. All that lint is highly flammable and could lead to a house fire. Lint can restrict the vent's air flow, causing your dryer to work harder each time it runs. If the dryer overheats, it too can cause a fire, potentially causing serious injury or death. Dryer fires often result from issues such as poor maintenance, lint buildup, and inadequate venting so routine maintenance is the key to your safety.

Although cleaning your dryer vent once a year is advised, there can be instances where it is needed more often. Your laundry can hold the clue, as your clothes or linens may have a musty smell or it takes longer to dry than normal. This indicates your dryer is working harder and has trouble removing all the moisture from your laundry. Visible clues may also point to a needed cleaning, such as buildup on the lint trap and/or the vent itself. Consider the way lint appears in your dryer as a "lint-mus" test. If lint continually appears all over your laundry even after cleaning the trap, it's a warning sign that something might not be right. If the collected lint is unable to escape through the vent, it ends up sticking to your sheets. 

Temperature can be a good indicator as well, especially if the outside of your dryer or the laundry room is hot. A burning smell when the dryer operates is also a sign you or a professional should check out the vent's condition. To do this, turn off the dryer and unplug it, and then examine the vent. Sometimes the signs are not even inside the house. Check outdoors to see if you notice birds or pests hanging around the exhaust vent as critters may try to make a home there due to a blockage. If this is the case, it's definitely time for cleaning.

When you are ready to clean your dryer vent, unplug the dryer or cut off the supply if you use a gas-powered model. You do not want to work with any appliance while it's plugged in, or you could risk electrocution. Slide the dryer away from the wall so it is easier to remove the vent. Next, you will need to loosen and remove the clamp connecting your vent to the dryer. Wearing gloves is recommended, as the vent pipe edges can be sharp. Once you have the vent removed, use a vacuum with a hose attachment to suck up all of the lint and debris inside.

After you have finished cleaning the vent inside, head outside and brush the dryer vent to remove even more debris. You can use an option like this 3Pack Dryer Vent Cleaner Kit to get the outside vent clear. If all of this sounds like too much trouble or if you would rather trust the job to a professional, expect on paying an average of $144, according to Angi.com. Professional fees of $200 or more are possible for severely dirty vents or those with pests.