How to Clean a Dryer Exhaust

You should clean your clothes dryer vent to keep it working efficiently. A lint-clogged exhaust vent hose or pipe can catch fire. Clean your dryer exhaust system out at least once a year. It's an easy task that takes about half an hour.

Things You'll Need

• Shop vacuum Hoses and vacuum attachments Brush with long handle Screwdriver

Instructions

Step by Step to a Clean Dryer Vent System

1. Unplug the dryer and/or turn off the gas. Remove and clean the lint trap filter. Vacuum the lint trap and the area around the dryer with a shop vacuum. Then, replace the lint trap. Next, disconnect the dryer hose and remove the back of the dryer. Wash the area around the dryer and wipe off any lint trapped in corners or crevices. Vacuum the lint from inside the dryer, then replace the back.

2. Clean out vent pipe that leads outside; use a long-handled brush or vent brush to loosen any trapped lint clinging to the walls of the vent pipe. Scrub the inner wall of the pipe, using circular motions so that you remove lint in crevices along the ridges in the vent hose or pipe. Scrubbing back and forth inside the pipe may allow the bristles to jump over lint tucked up against joint ridges. When you've thoroughly brushed the inside of the vent pipe, disconnect the hose from the exterior vent exhaust fitting, carry it outside or hang it over a large garbage bag and shake out the loose lint. Brush the inside again in case some lint remains, then shake it out again. Lay the vent hose aside.

3. Clean around the exhaust fitting where it goes outside the wall and wash loose lint off with a soapy rag. Go outside and wash off the outside of the fitting. Remove the hinged vent flaps and clean them, then clean the inside of the exhaust vent. If you can easily remove the fitting, do so and clean out any lint that may have collected in the wall space.

4. Reassemble the exhaust vent, go inside and reattach the vent hose or pipe. Reattach the vent hose/pipe to the back of the dryer. If the hose clamp is damaged, replace it. Use a worm drive stainless steel duct band for semi-rigid and metal duct work.

5. Finally, make sure the lint screen is in place and plug the dryer in and/or turn on the gas; slide the dryer back into place.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a trash bag to collect lint brushed from the vent. Replace worn fittings on duct work so they don't impede flow of lint or moist air outside instead of into your laundry room

• Be careful unplugging the dryer vent. That's 220 volts there and it often takes quite some force. It's really easy to get a finger onto a hot prong!

References

• How to Repair a Dryer: How Stuff Works
• How to Clean a Dryer Vent: by Bob Vila
• Dryer Vent Cleaning - Dryer Repair by Bob Formisano