Dryer Vent Cleaning Tips

Think you need to hire someone to do a dryer repair because you don’t know anything about cleaning dryer vents?

This is an easy problem to overcome whether you’re a repair expert or just a regular Joe or Jane! While same-day appliance repair is almost always available and very convenient, read on for helpful tips and insights into the tools you need to do basic clothes dryer repairs yourself.

Why clean your dryer vent?

It’s pretty counterproductive to do laundry, only to have it come out of the dryer smelling worse than before. This could be due to a dirty breather. When these are not cleaned properly, the heat from the clothes could create small fires in the lint, filling the machine with a bad smell.

Let’s face it, when you spend all that time and effort outside of your busy schedule to pick up your laundry, put it in the washer, dry it, fold it, and hang it up, you want to make sure it smells and feels fresh and clean. It’s not damp or wrinkled, which is the result you get when you have a dryer with a dirty vent!

Tips for cleaning dryer vents

Make sure your dryer is unplugged before beginning the cleaning process. Double check that the gas is also turned off if you have a gas dryer. (Security First!)

Once you separate the machine from the wall you can reach the vent and you should use a screwdriver to loosen the vent clamp on the dryer enough to be able to slide the vent out. Here’s the fun part about cleaning dryer vents! Reach as far as you can into the hole at the back of the machine and blow lint and buildup out into the wind. You can use your vacuum’s hose attachment for very deep cleaning. Repeat the cleaning process on the tube you just removed.

Be sure to check the outer edges of the vent and hose, as that is where most of the buildup will be. Look through the vent and tube to see if you missed anything before reattaching the dryer vent clamp. To complete a dryer vent cleaning, run the dryer for about ten minutes with nothing in it. This cleans the machine of any residue left over from cleaning.

Have you tried all the tricks but still think you might need a professional cleaning?

If you think you need a professional dryer vent cleaning, or the advice in the article hasn’t helped you solve your problems, don’t worry! Even if you can’t fix your dryer yourself, knowing what the problem is saves you time and money helping your technician identify the problem.