Cleaning the duct of a dryer is not a difficult task. To begin, you can manually remove lint from the duct and then use a vacuum cleaner to clean the inside. If you have hose extensions, they can be used for vacuuming. To go deeper, you can purchase a dryer duct cleaning kit from Amazon.
Standard kits come with flexible rods that allow you to reach up to 12 feet into the duct. Make sure to cover each connection with electrical tape to prevent them from breaking. The kit also comes with a rotating brush that must be inserted first. At the back, you'll place an electric drill on the rod that's near you.
It's recommended to pull out the vent brush about once every 12 months to ensure the dryer vent is in optimal condition. However, if you have pets that shed or a large family that requires your electric or gas dryer to be in constant use, you should consider additional cleaning throughout the year. When reconnecting the dryer, avoid using a soft sheet-type ventilation grille that connects to the wall duct, as they are known to pose a fire hazard. You can reduce the amount of dust and lint in and around the dryer by cleaning the dryer vent regularly.
The dryer ventilation brush kit comes with a lint brush and flexible segments that you can connect to each other, depending on the length of the dryer ducts. Use a fine wire brush to remove any clogged lint and clean the vent cap with warm water and dish soap. It's important to remove lint from the dryer every time you use it while doing laundry, especially if you use dryer towels. For families with four or more members or households that use the dryer more than average, it might be wise to clean the dryer vent twice a year.
Knowing how to clean a dryer vent can protect your home, save money, and make your clothes look better. This is because cleaning the ventilation grille from the inside can be difficult and there is a greater risk of injuring yourself or damaging the dryer. You can clean the dryer's ventilation grille yourself, but if after vacuuming and brushing it to remove any stubborn dirt or lint, there are still obstructions in the ventilation grille, it's time to call an expert. Now that the cleaning is over, it's time to plug the dryer back in and reconnect the duct to the dryer vent.
While doing so, it's important to check that the dryer's outdoor ventilation is also in good working order. Vacuuming will remove most of the lint and dirt, and then a dryer vent brush should be used to clean any remaining lint and dirt from the vent walls. In addition to posing a fire risk, a dirty dryer vent hole can increase drying time and energy costs. Cleaning your own dryer vent is not only possible but also easy when following these steps.
Whether you want to dry a duvet or clothes, you can learn how to clean your own dryer vent with this simple guide. With just some basic tools and knowledge of how your appliance works, you can keep your home safe from fire hazards while saving money on energy costs.