How Often Should You Clean Your Dryer Vent?

It’s a bit frustrating to get your clothes out of the dryer and find they’re not dry. If you haven’t thought to clean your dryer vent for a while, that might be the culprit. 

As springtime approaches, be sure to include dryer vent cleaning on your to-do list. A clogged dryer vent can cost you more money by repeating dry cycles and is a leading cause of house fires.

Time to Clean Your Dryer Vent

Why You Should Clean Your Dryer Vent

When lint fibers get clogged inside the dryer vent, airflow within the dryer becomes constricted. You may notice the symptoms of this when your clothes don’t dry thoroughly.

The most important step you take when drying your clothes is cleaning out the lint trap with every load. This quick and easy step is your first defense against insufficient drying. If you have to run the clothes through more than one dry cycle, the most likely cause is lint buildup inside the dryer vent.

Aside from the fact that waiting twice as long for your clothes to be finished is annoying, having to go through two or three dry cycles is costing you money! Nobody should have a high utility bill just to get their clothes clean.

 

When You Should Clean Your Dryer Vent

So how often should you clean your dryer vent? The lint trap should be cleaned every time you operate the dryer. If thorough cleaning hasn’t been done recently, now is the time to add the task to a bi-yearly cleaning schedule.

Dryer vent cleaning should be part of your seasonal cleaning checklist. Spring and fall cleaning schedules are a great time to perform a thorough cleaning on the dryer vent, including the duct in the back of the unit.

Incorporating regular opportunities to clean your dryer vent will keep your dryer at optimal performance and operating safely.

How to Clean Your Dryer Vent

Here are basic instructions on how to clean a dryer vent. Remember: you should clean your dryer vent every 6 months.
Clean the Lint Trap

1. Remove the lint trap screen and scrape out the layer of lint fibers.
2. Use a vacuum hose attachment to remove remaining lint particles that are stuck within the mesh lining.
3. If necessary, gently scrub the mesh with a dryer brush and vacuum again.

Clean the Lint Trap Vent

1. Remove the lint trap.
2. Use a long-handled dryer brush to sweep the inside of the lint trap vent.
3. Vacuum the exterior of the vent.

Clean the Dryer Vent Duct

1. Pull the dryer away from the wall.
2. Disconnect from the power supply – always do this before servicing an appliance!
3. Disconnect the large flexible duct from the back of the dryer.
4. Vacuum the back of the appliance and what you can see from the duct.
5. Use a gentle spinning action to clean the inside of the vent duct.
6. Vacuum again and reconnect the duct.

If you clean your dryer vent and still have trouble getting your clothes dry, let a professional take a look. Sharper Service Solutions will service and repair your appliance and get you back in business!