Key takeaways
As your dryer dries your clothes, heat and moisture build up in the dryer. Your dryer’s vent ducts allow that hot, moisture-filled air to escape your dryer—and your home. This is a safety feature that helps prevent your dryer from overheating and starting a fire, but over time, lint from your clothes can clog your vent ducts, increasing the risk of a fire. Each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments respond to close to 14,000 home fires caused by clothes dryers.
Dryer manufacturers recommend cleaning the lint filter after every load, but sometimes, lint gets through that filter and collects in your dryer vent ducts.
To reduce the chances of a dryer fire, clean your dryer vent ducts once a year.
If you have a large family, a long duct, or an old dryer, the ducts may require cleaning more often.
Signs that your dryer vent ducts are blocked
If your dryer isn’t venting properly, it could overheat and cause a fire. Some dryers have a “Check vent” indicator. If this light comes on, it means that your dryer’s airflow is restricted. Clogged vent ducts are the most likely cause, but the indicator may not detect a partially blocked vent. Be on the lookout for other warning signs as well. Ask yourself these questions:
- Have you noticed a burning smell coming from your dryer?
- Is the dryer area hotter than usual?
- Are your clothes taking longer to dry?
These are all signs that your dryer vent ducts may need cleaning. If you find lots of lint on your clothes when you remove them from the dryer, that’s another sign.
While lint buildup is the most likely culprit of clogged dryer ducts, you’ll also want to take a look at the dryer vent cover located where your dryer duct exits your home. When your dryer is running, the vent cover outside your home should open to release air. If the vent cover is missing or damaged, insects, rodents, or birds may have made themselves at home inside the warm vent.
How to clean your dryer vent ducts yourself
Step #1: Assess the scope of the project
If your dryer vent duct is very long or hard to reach, consider hiring a professional to do the job. If you decide to clean the dryer duct yourself, read through the following instructions and be sure you have the right tools.
Step #2: Gather your tools
Here’s what you’ll want to have handy: utility gloves, a screwdriver, a trash bag, a vacuum, and a dryer vent duct cleaning kit. The cleaning kit will include a brush with a long extension that allows you to reach much further inside the ducts than you could with your hands alone. If you have a power drill, a cleaning kit with a drill attachment will make the job easier. Cleaning dryer vent ducts is a dusty job, so you’ll also need a ventilation mask and goggles.
Step #3: Disconnect the dryer
If your dryer is hot, let it cool down before you begin. Unplug your dryer from the power outlet. If you have a gas dryer, turn off the gas supply, and be very careful not to disturb the gas line as you clean out the ducts.
Step #4: Move the dryer away from the wall
Pull the dryer away from the wall so you have access to the vent area.
Step #5: Remove the vent cover
Use a screwdriver to remove the vent cover from the wall so that you can detach the dryer vent hose from the wall.
Step #6: Clean out the ducts
Which end of your dryer vent duct is higher up—the one inside your house or the one outside? You’ll want to start with the higher end of the duct so gravity can help you clear the ducts. Feed the brush from the cleaning kit into the dryer vent duct, adding extensions as needed. Turn the brush by hand or with a drill attachment, and move it back and forth to remove lint and any other blockages in the duct. If your vacuum has a hose attachment, you can use it to vacuum the lint or debris from the duct.
Step #7: Inspect the duct
Before reattaching the duct, look it over carefully for any signs of damage. If you have a vinyl dryer duct, take this opportunity to replace it with a rigid or semi-rigid metal dryer duct. Metal ducts are less flammable and trap less lint.
Step #8: Reattach the duct and vent covers
Securely fasten the dryer vent duct and vent cover back into place.
Step #9: Clean around the dryer
Vacuum any remaining dust and debris from around the dryer.
Step #10: Move the dryer back into place
Push the dryer back to its normal location.
Step #11: Plug the dryer back in
Once the dryer is in the correct position, plug it into the power outlet. If you have a gas dryer, turn the gas back on.
Step #12: Test the dryer
Now, it’s time to make sure the dryer is functioning correctly. Thanks to your newly cleaned ducts, you should have better airflow through the vent duct. To confirm this, check that hot air is coming through the outside vent.
Bottom Line
Cleaning out your dryer vent ducts doesn’t just prevent fires—it makes your dryer more efficient, which means your clothes dry faster and your energy bill goes down. This DIY project may leave you a little dusty, but it will also leave you with a safer home and save you money.
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