Pros Recommend How Often You Should Clean Your Dryer Vent
Pros recommend how often you should clean your dryer vent, including why it’s important and the signs to look for.
Home maintenance tasks can feel like a never-ending list. On top of the daily dishes, the weekly lawn mowing, and the monthly mortgage payments, there is a litany of annual items you need to check off — and that includes cleaning your dryer vent.
“Cleaning the dryer vent is an important task that every homeowner needs on their home maintenance checklist,” says Courtney Klosterman, a home insights expert at Hippo. “A clean dryer vent can help prevent home hazards and contributes to a more efficient household.”
Here, we share exactly how often you should clean your vent, why it matters, and how to go about it.
How Often Should You Clean Dryer Vents?
Experts say cleaning your dryer vent is an annual maintenance task. “While most of us remember to clean the lint filter in between laundry loads, Hippo’s Housepower Report revealed that most homeowners wait two or more years to clean their dryer exhaust vent — if ever,” Klosterman says.
Cleaning the vent each year prevents problematic buildup, and it’s something most homeowners can do themselves.
When it comes to a professional cleaning, Gary Collins, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard of Greater Cleveland, recommends having your dryer vent cleaned at least once every two years.
“The most important thing is the connection between the vent and wall,” Collins says.
Collins notes that cleaning a functioning or newer dryer once every two years is usually sufficient to clear major blockages and prevent serious complications such as clogs that can lead to fires.
In fact, the National Fire Protection Association responded to an average of nearly 14,000 dryer-related fires annually between 2014 and 2018. About one-third of those fires were caused by a buildup of lint, dust, or fibers due to a failure to clean.
Cleaning your dryer vent every other year also helps keep your dryer running efficiently. Collins adds that households that do more laundry — such as those with kids in sports or pets that shed — may need cleaning more frequently, such as every 18 months or even annually.
“Once a vent is clogged with lint, it fills up with moisture and you can sometimes see dripping at the seams of the vent,” Collins says. “Or the inside of the dryer is full of wet lint.”
You may also need more frequent cleanings if your laundry room is on the second floor, located on an interior wall, or if you have an older, less efficient dryer.
“It’s important to remember that not all dryer vents are the same,” Klosterman says. “If the dryer vent is particularly long with multiple turns, it may be more challenging to clean.”
Not only does a clean dryer vent protect against fires, but it also makes your dryer more efficient and can save money on your electric bill.
“In some instances, you may even see a reduction in overall energy usage in the home,” Klosterman says, “which is something many homeowners think about during warmer months.”
Signs It’s Time to Clean Your Dryer Vent
If you stay on top of the task, cleaning your dryer vent every one to two years should be sufficient. However, there are signs that may indicate your dryer needs attention sooner.
One common warning sign is longer drying times.
“That’s your cue that something is going on and it’s time to address it,” Collins says.
Longer drying times often indicate a clog in the vent, though they can sometimes be caused by an aging dryer or another maintenance issue.
To check, Collins recommends using the timed setting on your dryer and seeing whether a normal 60-minute cycle still gets clothes fully dry.
“Sometimes the clothes come out a little damp, but after 10 more minutes they’re dry,” Collins says. “Now you’re adding 20 more minutes before they’re dry.”
Many homeowners use energy-efficient automatic settings that sense when clothes are dry. While convenient, Collins warns these settings can make it harder to notice declining efficiency.
“The automatic cycle can fool you,” he says.
To stay ahead of the issue, switch to a timed cycle occasionally or use a timer to monitor drying duration. If you notice an increase in drying time for regular loads, it may be time to schedule a cleaning.
Dryer Vent Cleaning Tips
Whether you can handle dryer vent cleaning yourself depends on your dryer setup.
If your laundry is in the basement and vents directly to an exterior wall with only a few feet of ductwork, this may be a manageable DIY project. However, second-floor laundry rooms or vents that run through interior walls are better left to professionals.
For DIY cleaning, start by wiping down the entrance to the vent with a damp cloth.
“Make sure to clean the vent hood outside the house and regularly clean the lint filter in the dryer, removing any lint or debris,” Klosterman says. “After cleaning, reconnect the vent duct to the dryer.”
You can also purchase vent-cleaning kits online that include long, screw-together wands. Collins cautions that these tools can come apart and become stuck if used incorrectly.
Some homeowners use a leaf blower to clear longer vents, but for most situations, calling a professional is the safest and most effective option.
Source: Better Homes & Gardens
By: Kristine Gill
Published: June 27, 2024