Learn how to locate , void , and sweep out a dryer vent-hole .
Getty Images / Benjamin Clapp
Many regard a apparel dryer an essential household appliance . A drier allow you to skip time - consuming line drying after wash a load of clothing , and dry with hotness can help oneself shoot down viruses and bacteria in the appendage . However , dry out clothes with a dryer machinetypically go to the collection of microfibers that build up in the lint yap over time , so understanding how to clean a dryer vent is an important attainment to keep your drier working expeditiously and keep your home safe from fervidness .
Credit:Getty Images / Benjamin Clapp
Ideally , a lint trap should catch any debris before ventilate the air travel alfresco , but in most cases , a portion of the microfiber debris passes through the screen and into the drier vent . If the drier vent is n’t regularly cleaned , lint can pucker in it , increasing the risk of exposure of fireand reducing the dryer ’s efficiency .
How Often to Clean a Dryer Vent
Dryers have a built - in lint hole that catches most microfiber debris . This lint ambuscade should be cleaned after every usance to reduce the amount of debris that take place into the dryer outlet . However , you do n’t need to pick the dryer vent this frequently to keep up with dryer maintenance . On average , you should houseclean a dryer vent about once or twice a year , depend on the frequency of usance .
If you are n’t sure if your drier vent-hole needs to be clean or if you may leave it for another calendar month , there are a few signs that could suggest it needs cleaning . One obvious clue is when the dryer creates a burning olfactory sensation while manoeuvre . Another sign to scavenge the dryer venthole is that the clothes are n’t completely wry when the cycle ends or take longer to dry than usual .
to boot , if thedryer unitbecomes hot to the touch , the washables occur out hotter than usual , or the laundry elbow room have live and humid during a drying cps , you should clean out the dryer outlet .
Dryer Vent Cleaning Tips
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
Materials
Instructions
How to Clean a Dryer Vent
Remove and Clean the Lint Trap
The lint trap onmost dryersis site at the top of the appliance , though it can also be found at the bottom of the door . If you are n’t sure where the lint trap is on your specific drier role model , check the maker ’s info in the manual or caller site .
Once you observe the lint bunker , pull it out , take away any big spell of lint , and practice a shop vacancy to make clean out the inside of the lint sand trap caparison . check that to use a thin hose attachment to extend the vacuum cleaner into the bottom of the caparison cavity .
If necessary , you could also expend the thicket from the dryer epithelial duct cleaning kit to soundly scrub the inside of the lint trap housing .
Locate the Dryer Vent
The dryer vent has two end you need to locate before you may initiate cleaning . The indoor vent end is typically located directlybehind or above the dryer , while the outdoor vent death can usually be feel on the outside of the domicile , close to the location of the washables room .
Disconnect the Dryer
disconnect the drier and call on off the gas supply valve , if applicable , then slide the dryer out about one or two feet from the wall , so you may reach the indoor release end . If the appliance is too sound to move on your own , ask a pardner , friend , or family member for assist .
Disconnect the drier from the dryer vent . Some drier hoses simply slide into the vent connection bracket , while others are attached with screws .
Vacuum Dryer Vent
Plug in theshop vacuumand apply the long hosepipe attachment , which can extend a significant length into the dryer vent . deform on the vacuum cleaner and bulge out by sucking up any loose lint around the venthole opening . Next , slew the shop vac hose into the juiceless exhaust venthole to collect as much debris as possible .
Brush Out the Dryer Vent
Sometimes , the dryer vent is too longsighted for a vacuum hosepipe to reach the other remnant . In these cases , you could buy a drier canal clean outfit with a whippy vent cleaning brush and several extensions . Depending on the product , if you have it off how to habituate a recitation , you may even be capable to use the attachment coppice for powered cleanup .
lead off by feed the vent clean brush into the dryer volcano . append thicket extensions as necessary to reach the end of the vent . If applicable , bind the brush to a drill and use the practice ’s rotation to scavenge the inside of the vent . While the practice session rotate the brush , slowly draw the thicket out of the vent .
If the brush can not be confiscate to a exercise , you will need to move it back and forth while rotate it to brush out the inside of the dryer outlet . When you rive the brush out of the vent , be prepare for the collected debris to come out with it .
Vacuum the Exterior Dryer Vent
Aftercleaning the dryervent from the inside , head outdoors . fit the vent-hole opening to ensure the slats move freely . If they are seize , use a lubricating spray , like WD-40 , to loosen the hinges .
Next , connect and flex on thevacuum cleanerto suck up any hair , dust , dirt , and lint from around the entrance of the vent . Slide a recollective , narrow hose bond into the release as far as possible to collect any loose dryer junk .
Brush Out the Exterior Dryer Vent
If you are n’t certain that you cleaned every in of the dryer vent , you could set up the vent cleaning brush out of doors . Feed the clash into the release , add encounter annexe as necessary . Either spread out the brush manually or attach it to a drill to quickly and efficiency light touch out the inside of the dryer vent . Keep in thinker that some debris will be draw out out of the vent when you remove the brush .
Sweep Up Any Debris
Before heading back inside , habituate amicrofiber clothand warm , soapy water to clean the exterior outlet cover . Also , drag or go down on up any liberal debris that come out of the drier vent . When you are done outside , you will also involve to brush or hoover up hair , lint , and other debris that fall out of the dryer venthole indoors .
Reconnect the Dryer
Once you ’re finished cleanse the dryer vent-hole and the surrounding interior and exterior areas you’re able to reconnect the dryer to the dryer vent . nag in the dryer and change state on the natural gas valve to the contrivance , if applicable . Double tick the connections , then slide the dryer back into position , making sure that the ductwork is n’t crush or otherwise deformed in the process .
Test the Dryer
Put the lint screen back into the drier , then sour it on to try out that it works correctly . If done correctly , the dryer shouldfunction normally , venting hot air outside without any exit .
Frequently Asked Questions
leap and fall are the peak times during the year advocate for athorough cleaning caper . Regardless , it ’s necessary to do it every 12 calendar month or as often as twice a year if you use your drier more than once a week ( if you have a large family or have favorite , some experts advise make clean a drier venthole every trimester to avoid possible fervour hazards ) .
Yes , and it happens more often than you ’d intend . Nearly92%of home ardour are cause by apparel dryers , and 26 % often were due to debris or lint in the dryer vent . If the machine is n’t running swimmingly , it may lead to overheating , thus ignite the fire if lint or detritus are present .
Though you could clean the air dryer vent yourself , as explained above , it ’s certainly not a undertaking for everyone . If you ’re not ready to tackle it or it ’s been a farsighted time since the machine has been clean ( or has never been houseclean ! ) – often a case when you buy a fresh belongings where appliances are included — simply call a professional . Also , if your wearing apparel take a long metre to dry out ; your drier is too red-hot to the touch ; or there ’s a burning smell while go , it ’s recommend to reach out to an expertas presently as possible .
Vacuums are an obvious selection , however , you could also use a leaf electric fan to blow out lint , debris , and debris from inside the release , as it provides a steady yet strong airstream capable of doing the business faster . Keep in mind that leaf blowers may not pass some tiny bits of material that are stuck , so here ’s where a Mandrillus leucophaeus clash is recommended .
