8 Tips For Cleaning Your Dryer Vent

If your dryer isn't working quite as well as it typically does, it may be time to clean your dryer vent. In addition to making sure it stays in top working condition, keeping your dryer vent clean also helps eliminate the fire hazard that comes with dirty vents. It's not a home improvement project you'll need to do every month or even every season, but that doesn't make it any less critical. Learn how to keep your dryer running properly with our eight tips for cleaning your dryer vent.

1. Clean Vents Every 6 to 12 Months
   For most newer dryers, you'll want to clean your vents every 6 to 12 months. If your dryer is older or sees unusually heavy use, then you may need to clean the vents more often. It's also a good idea to check the vent any time that you're having issues with your dryer.
2. Start By Turning Off and Unplugging Your Dryer
   The first step in cleaning vents is making sure your dryer is turned off and unplugged. You may also want to clear some space in your laundry room so that you can you'll have room to move the dryer out of the way before you access the vent.
3. Move the Dryer Away from the Wall to Access and Remove the Vent Clamp
   Once your dryer is turned off, move it away from the wall to gain access to the vent. Before you clean the vent, you'll need to remove the vent clamp. Depending on the design, you may need a screwdriver to remove the clamp.
4. Clear Clogs Close to Interior Vent
   With the vent clamp removed, the fun part of this home improvement project begins. Start by clearing out any clogs and debris you can reach with your hands. Depending on how long it's been since you've cleaned the vents, there may be substantial build-up to remove. Get rid of as much as possible with your hands before moving on to the next step.
5. Use a Vacuum for Deep Cleaning
   You won't be able to reach everything with your hands, so you'll also want to have a vacuum handy to clean deeper inside the vent. Try to remove as much debris as possible with a vacuum attachment.
6. Remove Clogs and Obstructions from the Exterior Vent
   After the indoor vent is clean, you're nearly done. The final step before reattaching your dryer is cleaning the outdoor vent, repeating the same process as you did to clean indoors.
7. Reattach Indoor Vent
   With your vents clean, all that's left is putting things back together. Start by reattaching the indoor dryer vent, before you move your dryer back into place.
8. Plug the Dryer In, Turn on, and Enjoy
   Now plug your dryer in, turn it on, and enjoy the efficiency that comes with clean dryer vents. Stick to a regular schedule for cleaning your dryer vents to make the process as painless as possible.

Cleaning your dryer vent is a home improvement project that doesn't require a huge investment of time, and the results are more than worth the effort. Stay on top of dryer maintenance once or twice per year, and you can get more mileage out of one of the most used appliances in any home.

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