When it comes to your dryer, consistent maintenance isn’t just about making sure your clothes come out dry on every cycle. It’s also about ensuring your dryer doesn’t catch into flames! By regularly cleaning your dryer vents, you can prevent serious property damage while simultaneously protecting your family and yourself.
To ensure you’re properly addressing your dryer and its vents, let’s review some important information.
Why Should You Clean Your Dryer Vents?
Your dryer vent is a round tube that carries hot, moist air from your dryer to the exterior of your house. This vent is usually made from aluminium, metal, or vinyl, and it can gradually become clogged with lint or debris.
You’ll find numerous reasons for cleaning your dryer vents:
- Clean dryer vents help dryers perform more efficiently.
- Clean dryer vents lead to less energy use, which reduces electric bills.
- Clean dryer vents lead to lower drying times.
- Clean dryer vents may even extend the lifespan of your dryer.
- Clean dryer vents reduce the risk of fire.
That last one is also the most important. Every year, the U.S. Fire Administration records nearly 3,000 house fires (and around $35 million in property damage) as the direct result of clothes dryers.
The biggest cause of dryer-related house fires? Clogged dryer vents.
How to Clean Your Dryer Vents
For safety reasons, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends the following cleaning schedule:
- Clean your dryer’s lint trap after each cycle.
- Clean the dryer dent and ductwork every three months.
Here’s how to clean your dryer vents:
- Unplug your dryer.
- Locate and remove the vent on the back of the dryer. Use a screwdriver if necessary.
- Vacuum away any visible lint or debris with a vacuum hose attachment or a shop vac. Note: There may be a lot of dust, so avoid breathing in particles or getting any in your eyes.
- Go outside and find the exhaust vent.
- Remove the cover and vacuum the duct.
If your dryer vent needs extra attention, head to your local home improvement store. Most of these shops sell dryer vent cleaning kits with special brushes and flexible rods that attach to drills.
