Homeowners are often puzzled why their clothes dryer takes longer to dry a load of clothes than it used to. The answer is pretty simple, but it has some serious implications.
A buildup of lint in the dryer or its vent pipe could not only reduce the efficiency of the dryer, but it could also be a fire hazard.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission found that in just one year 15,000 fires were attributed to the buildup of lint in the dryers or exhaust vents.
This buildup reduces airflow, causing the dryer to work harder and heat up excessively, which can lead to a fire.
There are two things you can do to stop this buildup.
- Clean out the dryer’s vent pipe periodically. There are brushes designed specifically for this job.
- Clear the dryer’s lint screen every time you use it.
With just a little bit of work, you can get big peace of mind.
Watch this video for more information.
Thanks for the tips! Never gave a second thought about this equipment until now.
i like your site thanks
That white plastic vent hose shown in the video should NEVER be used to vent a dryer. You should always use either rigid metal duct or semi-rigid metal duct that can be bent. Search “semi-rigid duct” if you don’t know what it is.
I have a dryer that vents to the roof. I see a lot of videos use a lint brush/ snake from the outside. Can I use a brush/snake attached to a drill from the inside by removing the semi ridgid piping?
How often should a clothes dryer vent be professionally cleaned? I live in a gated condo community and they are recommending 1.5 years apart for each cleaning. My clothes are starting to take longer to dry, so I am thinking something is needing attention.
Thank You
I’ve always cleared the dryer vent from time to time, but never after each use. Also, I’ve never ever cleaned the vent pipe. So, I’m headed downstairs to take care of this long over due issue. Thank you so much for this valuable tip.
Hi, Patricia!
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I’ve always cleared the dryer vent from time to time, but never after each use. Also, I’ve never ever cleaned the vent pipe. So, heading downstairs to take of this long over due issue. Thank you so much for this valuable tip.
I ran a vent brush through the vent that exits through the roof,and cleaned all the lint out,but the dryer has moisture that comes out the bottom of dryer,what the heck is that from and how do I Stop this from this happening?
my dryer vent pipe is about 15′-18′ feet long. How do I clean it out?
Hi, Randal,
We haven’t covered that topic yet, but you might try this tip from our friends at Instructables: https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Clean-Out-Long-Dryer-Vents/
Let us know how it works for you!