A clothes dryer is seen by many as a necessary home item. After washing a load of clothes, you may save the time-consuming line-drying procedure by using a dryer. Moreover, the process of drying with heat can help eradicate bacteria and viruses. On the other hand, using a dryer to dry clothes usually results in the accumulation of microfibers, which eventually accumulate in the lint trap.
While a lint trap should ideally capture all debris before releasing the air outside, most of the time some microfiber debris gets past the screen and into the dryer vent. Lint can accumulate in the dryer vent if it isn’t cleaned on a regular basis, which raises the possibility of a fire and lowers the dryer’s performance.
Learn how to clean an indoor and outdoor dryer vent with this tutorial to keep your house safe and secure and your appliance functioning properly.
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How Often to Clean a Dryer Vent
Most microfiber dust is captured by the lint trap that is included in dryers. To lessen the quantity of debris that enters the dryer vent, this lint trap needs to be cleaned after each usage. To maintain dryer maintenance, though, you don’t need to clean the dryer vent as often. Depending on how often it is used, an average dryer vent should be cleaned once or twice a year.
There are a few indicators that your dryer vent may require cleaning if you’re not sure whether to clean it right away or if you can wait another month. A burning smell coming from the dryer while it’s running is one obvious indicator. If the garments take longer than usual to dry or aren’t dry when the cycle concludes, this is another indication that the dryer vent needs to be cleaned.
You should also take the time to clean out the dryer vent if the dryer unit is hot to the touch, the laundry comes out hotter than usual, or the laundry area gets steamy and muggy during a drying cycle.
How To Clean A Dryer Vent
Take out and tidy the lint trap
The majority of dryers have a lint trap on top, while some additionally have one at the bottom of the dryer door. Check the manufacturer’s information in the handbook or on the company website if you’re unsure of the location of the lint trap on your particular dryer model.
After locating the lint trap, remove it, take out any large lint particles, and clean the interior of the lint trap housing with a shop vacuum. Ensure that the vacuum is extended into the housing cavity’s bottom using a thin hose attachment.
If required, you may also give the inside of the lint trap housing a thorough scrub with the dryer duct cleaning kit’s brush.
Find the dryer vent
Finding the dryer vent’s two ends is necessary before you can begin cleaning. The outdoor vent end is normally positioned on the outside of the house, near the laundry room, while the internal vent end is usually right behind or above the dryer.
Unplug the dryer
To access the indoor vent end of the dryer, unplug it, turn off the gas supply valve (if applicable), and move the dryer out of the wall, about one or two feet away. Seek assistance from a spouse, friend, or family member if the appliance is too heavy for you to move on your own. Cut the dryer’s connection to the dryer vent. While some dryer hoses are screwed on, others just slip into the vent connection bracket.
Vacuum Dryer Vent
Use the long hose attachment on the shop vacuum, which may reach a good distance into the dryer vent, after plugging it in. Start by sucking up any loose lint surrounding the vent opening when the vacuum is turned on. Next, to gather as much debris as you can, insert the shop vacuum hose into the dry exhaust vent.
Brush Out the Dryer Vent
You can get a dryer duct cleaning kit with a flexible vent cleaning brush and multiple extensions if your dryer vent is too long for a vacuum line to reach the other end. If you know how to use a drill, you might even be able to utilize the attachment brush for powered cleaning, depending on the product.
Start by inserting the dryer vent cleaning brush into it. To reach the vent’s end, add brush extensions as needed. If necessary, fasten the brush to a drill and clean the vent’s interior by rotating the drill.
Carefully remove the brush from the vent while the drill is rotating it. To clean the inside of the dryer vent, you will need to rotate and move the brush back and forth if it cannot be fastened to a drill. Be ready for the gathered debris to emerge with the brush when you remove it from the vent.
Vacuum the Exterior Dryer Vent
Go outside after cleaning the dryer vent internally. Verify that the slats may move freely by checking the vent hole. In the event that the slats are jammed, lubricate the hinges with a lubricating spray such as WD-40.
After that, attach and start the vacuum to remove any hair, dust, debris, and lint from the area surrounding the vent opening. To gather any loose dryer debris, insert a long, narrow hose connection as far as possible into the vent.
Brush Out the Exterior Dryer Vent
You can set up the vent cleaning brush outside if you’re not sure if you cleaned the dryer vent completely. As needed, insert brush extensions as you feed the brush into the vent.
Brush out the inside of the dryer vent fast and effectively by either manually rotating the brush or using a drill attachment. Remember that when you take the brush off, some debris will come out of the vent.
Sweep Up Any Debris
Clean the outside vent cover with a microfiber cloth and warm, soapy water before going back inside. Additionally, vacuum or sweep away any loose particles that emerge from the dryer vent. Once you’re done outside, you’ll also need to clean up any hair, lint, or other material that may have fallen from the indoor dryer vent by sweeping or vacuuming.
Reconnect Dryer
Reconnect the dryer to the dryer vent after cleaning the dryer vent and all surrounding exterior and interior locations. If applicable, switch on the appliance’s gas valve and plug in the dryer.
Make sure the ductwork is not crushed or otherwise deformed by sliding the dryer back into place after again checking the connections.
Test the Dryer
To make sure the dryer is operating properly, replace the lint screen and turn it on. If everything is done correctly, the dryer should operate normally and be able to vent hot air outdoors without any problems.
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