Why Clean Your Dryer Vent?
Your dryer vent is out of sight, so it's easy to forget. But it does a big job: carrying hot, damp, lint-filled air out of your home every time you do laundry. When it clogs, the problems add up quickly.
Fire safety
The U.S. Fire Administration estimates that about 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year, causing an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss. The leading cause is failure to clean.
Lint is highly flammable. When a vent clogs, heat builds up inside the dryer and the vent, and that lint can ignite.
Lower energy bills, longer dryer life
A clogged vent makes your dryer run longer to dry the same load. That means more electricity or gas every time you do laundry, and more wear on the heating element, thermostat, and blower.
Many "my dryer is broken" calls turn out to be a blocked vent. Cleaning it first can save you a repair bill or an early replacement.
Moisture and air quality
A dryer pushes a lot of water out of your clothes. When the vent is blocked or disconnected, that moisture can end up inside your walls, attic, or laundry room, along with lint. For gas dryers, a blocked vent can also let combustion gases back into your home.
How often should you clean it?
For most homes, once a year. Clean it more often if you have a large household, pets, a long vent run, or a vent that exits through the roof. Clean your lint screen after every load either way.
Simple habits that help
- Clean the lint screen before or after every load
- Wash the lint screen with soap and water every few months to remove dryer-sheet film
- Keep the area around your dryer clear of boxes, laundry, and anything flammable
- Don't run the dryer when you leave home or go to bed
- Check that the outside vent flap opens when the dryer runs
- Replace plastic or foil hose with metal duct
Ready for a cleaner, safer dryer vent?
Call (517) 555-0123 or request your free estimate online. We'll get back to you quickly with honest answers and a clear quote.