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The Pros And Cons Of Using A Leaf Blower To Clean Your Dryer Vent
By ROCHELLE HEATH-HARRIS
Regularly cleaning your dryer vent is crucial for preventing accidental fires, with a recommended frequency of every three to six months, especially if you use the appliance often.
While using a leaf blower is an option if your dryer meets specific criteria, you may want to explore better DIY alternatives to save you time and money and ensure a safer process.
To clean your dryer vent using a leaf blower, the vent must be short and straight and must have smooth metal interior walls with a removable metal screen on the exterior wall.
After confirming your vent meets all of these conditions, create a seal with duct tape around the leaf blower and vent opening, remove the screen, and use quick bursts of air.
Using a leaf blower may seem tempting, but it is considered risky and can cause damage to the vent system; its powerful gusts can separate the vent’s walls and create a mess.
Alternatives like a dryer vent cleaning brush kit for $19.99 at Lowe’s or a specialized vacuum attachment for $10.95 on Amazon are more efficient and safer choices.