How to Keep Dust From a Dryer Vent

Keeping dust from your dryer vent will help prevent fires.

A dryer vent is the flexible hose that is connected from the dryer to the outside. The vent deposits the lint and dust from inside the dryer. Because of this, lint and dust will collect in and around the dryer. While you cannot keep dust from getting inside the vent, you can prevent dust from building up outside the vent. One thing to remember is that dust and lint are flammable. Therefore, you must keep dust from gathering around the vent, and clean the dust and lint from inside the dryer vent.

Things You'll Need

• Industrial vacuum cleaner
• 2 cups white vinegar
• Medium-size bucket
• 1 qt. warm water
• Sponge
• Lint-free cloth
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Flashlight

Instructions

Keeping Dust From Vent

1. Open the dryer door. Using the inside of the dryer as a handle, pull the dryer from the wall.

2. Unplug the dryer's plug to ensure that the dryer is turned off. Never work or clean around major appliances, especially when using water, when the appliance is plugged in.

3. Plug in the industrial vacuum cleaner in an outlet away from the dryer. Vacuum up all of the dust and lint around the dryer using the industrial hose. Ensure that you vacuum around, under and on the sides of the dryer.

4. Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into a bucket. Add 1 qt. warm water to the vinegar.

5. Soak a sponge in the cleaning solution, and wash the floor around the dryer. Soap scum, mold and dirty water will attract dust and lint to the floor. Cleaning the floors thoroughly will keep dust from collecting there.

6. Dry the area completely using a lint-free cloth.

7. Repeat Steps 1 through 6 once a week to keep dust from the dryer vent as well as keep your home safe.

Cleaning the Dryer Vent

1. Repeat Steps 1 through 6 in section 1 before cleaning out the vent itself.

2. Unscrew the clamp securing the vent hose from the aluminum elbow with a flat-head screwdriver; detach the vent hose.

3. Slide the aluminum elbow from the dryer to remove it. Use a flashlight to look inside the vent in the dryer. Ever wonder where that missing sock went? This is where. If an article of clothing gets clogged in the dryer, more dust and lint buildup can occur.

4. Vacuum the inside of the vent pipe, the aluminum elbow and the flexible vent hose with the industrial vacuum.

5. Slide the aluminum elbow back onto the vent pipe, and attach the flexible vent hose back onto the elbow. Use the screwdriver to screw the clamps back onto the vent hose. Plug the dryer back in, and push the dryer back into place.

Tips & Warnings

• To ensure that dust and lint does not build up inside the vent, repeat Section 2 twice a year.

References

• BobVila.com: Cleaning a Dryer Vent