How to Clean Dryer Vents, Improve Dryer Efficiency and Keep Your Home Safe

Maintain your clothes dryer to make it last longer.

Most of us are familiar with cleaning the lint from the trap in the dryer, but that's only one step in getting all the lint from the system. Dryer lint is extremely flammable and is the cause of many household fires. Lint buildup also results in longer drying times. Keep the vent and dryer tubing clean of lint to ensure your family's safety and maximize your dryer's efficiency.

Instructions

1. Remove the lint trap from the dryer and clean the lint from the trap. Using the extension attachment on your vacuum cleaner, vacuum the lint that has collected underneath the lint trap.

2. Disconnect the power or the gas from your dryer. Pull the dryer away from the wall to access the dryer vent in the back. Remove the tubing from the dryer by loosening the clamp.

3. Vacuum any lint from the vent on the back of the dryer, the end of the tubing and as far inside the tubing as you can reach. If possible, remove the tube completely, go outside and shake it to remove more lint.

4. Vacuum the floor around the dryer and wipe down the wall behind the dryer. While you're at it, sweep and mop the floor under the dryer.

5. Check the louvered vent on the outside of the house and remove any lint at that end. Use the vacuum to remove lint that's out of reach.

6. Reattach the tubing to the dryer and replace the clamp. Reposition the dryer and reconnect the power. Put the clean lint catcher back in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider replacing flexible plastic tubing with smooth metal tubing. The creases and pleats in the plastic tubing collect much more lint, increasing the potential for fire and adding to the drying time by restricting air flow.

References

• This Old House: Cleaning Out Dryer Ducts