There seems to be a neverending pile of laundry to be done. If you don’t perform regular maintenance on your dryer though, you may be prolonging your chore even more. Follow these step-by-step instructions for how to clean your dryer vent and keep it operating efficiently.
How to Clean a Dryer Vent
Regular dryer vent cleaning may save your time and money, but it also helps prevent a fire hazard in your dryer. When dryer vents become clogged with lint buildup and debris (read: Kleenex left in the pocket) you may notice that your dryer takes too long or needs more than one cycle.
Dryers need uninhibited airflow to operate safely and efficiently. One of the number one causes of house fires starts with a dryer- and we don’t want that.
Step 1: Clean the lint trap
It may sound like a death grip on the obvious, but you need to clean the lint trap. When you are busy doing load after load of laundry, it can be easy to forget this simple step. Knowing how to clean a dryer vent begins here.
The lint trap should be cleaned every time you run the dryer. This trap will catch the majority of lint fibers and debris from drying the clothes. If the lint trap gets to full, the clothes will not dry properly and you’ll end up wasting time and money having to rerun the dry cycle.
Step 2: Clean the trap vent
The next step involves the area where the lint trap is housed. Although the lint trap catches most of the clothing fibers that detach from the clothes, some of those itty-bitty fibers do make their way through the trap. These fibers eventually collect inside the trap vent and beyond and lint buildup becomes a problem.
Every 4-6 months, clean out the trap vent with a long, flexible dryer vent brush. We recommend this dryer vent cleaning kit.
First, use a vacuum hose attachment to remove the loose lint that can be removed with a quick suction. Next, use the dryer brush to sweep out the inside of the trap vent, scraping the more stubborn fibers onto the brush and pull them out. Give the trap vent one last swipe with the vacuum and it should be good to go.
Step 3: Clean the dryer vent/duct
This last step of dryer vent cleaning should be done at least every 6 months. Performing this routine maintenance helps prevent a fire hazard and boosts the efficiency of your dryer. Here is how to clean a dryer vent:
- Pull the dryer away from the wall
- Disconnect power supply
- Disconnect the duct to access the inside that runs from the wall to the dryer
- Vacuum visible lint and dust
- Use the dryer brush to gently spin inside the duct, scraping away the lint inside
- Vacuum again until all lint and dust is removed
Photo Credit: hvachowto.com
Now that you know how to clean a dryer vent, include this with your regular fall and spring cleaning schedule for routine maintenance. Happy cleaning!
For more information about dryer maintenance or to have your appliance serviced, contact D&T Appliance Service today!
