How to Clean a Clothes Dryer Vent

How to Clean a Clothes Dryer Vent: 14 Steps - wikiHow/**/var WH = WH || {};WH.lang = WH.lang || {};button_swap = button_unswap = function(){};WH.exitTimerStartTime = (new Date()).getTime();WH.mergeLang = function(A){for(i in A){v=A[i];if(typeof v==='string'){WH.lang[i]=v;}}}; Sign Up or Log In or Log In via

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Pin ItArticle EditDiscussIf your dryer vent hasn't been cleaned in the past year or two, it probably needs it. How do you clean it?

Edit Steps1Unplug the dryer from both gas and electric. If you have a gas dryer, shut off the gas.

2Pull the dryer out just to the extension of your vent. This is usually about 1 1/2 to 2 feet.

3Using a screwdriver or nut driver, loosen the 4" clamp (vent clamp) on the back of the dryer.

4Slide the vent off the dryer.

5Reach into the hole on the back of the dryer, and pull out any lint and buildup. Reach in as far as you can. A shop or house vacuum cleaner can help reach inside and usually does a good job of removing the lint.

6Reach into the vent tubing you just took off and pull out lint from there, as well. The vacuum works well here also.

7Look at the ends. Most of the lint will build up at the ends (within a foot), and not so much in the middle of the vents. If you do find a large buildup in the middle, you can use a plumbing snake to pull it out. A coat hanger or dowel can also extend your reach if the path is fairly straight. However, these can get caught in the material and even cause leaks. Try the flexible hose on your vacuum cleaner to reach inside, whether it is running or not.

8Slide the clamp back over the vent. Reattach the vent, tighten the clamp, and slide dryer back into place.

9Remove the vent on the outside of the house as well. This one may have caulking around the cover, as well as screws. Use a razor knife to cut away the caulk. It may have a sleeve about a foot long. If this is the case, slide it straight out.

10Reach in and clean out the lint or insert your vacuum cleaner tubing into the dryer exhaust tubing. You can reach as far as your arm will go or use the vacuum tubing.

11Look into the vent to see if you missed anything. If it's out of reach use a plumber's snake or other tool (vacuum cleaner tubing).

12Turn on gas and plug unit back in.

13Run dryer on air fluff for 10 minutes. Debris you just loosened may fly out, so don't stand right outside.

14Recheck the outside vent for obstructions and reattach the outside vent.

Edit Video

Edit TipsVent hoods (terminations) styles: Roof, wall and soffit. Vent hood styles and features vary greatly and can make a huge difference in how efficient your dryer runs and how fast the duct pipe fills up with lint. In many instances a termination is used that exhibits a grate or screen with small openings. It can take only a few months before this opening is clogged. Louver types or popular but do not keep small birds from lifting the louver and using the warm pipe as a nest. Some of the old 22 degree vents do not open enough and are inefficient in design. Be suspicious of vents with grills or grates. Dampers are required.There are devices available to clean out the entire tube—from dryer to final termination; basically a brush on a flexible pole. These are most appropriate for long duct runs, usually include 12 feet of flexible shaft, connect to a cordless drill and come with several brush styles.While cleaning the vents, you may also want to remove the bottom front panel of the dryer and clean there also. Pay attention to the area around the lint filter, too.Your dryer outlet may not be on the roof, but sticking out the side of the house. It will always vent directly to the outdoors.If you have a shop vac of some type, they are perfect for cleaning the exhaust tube. The diameter and length of the shop vac hose is long enough, and the hose ridges give a great reaming to break any lint on the sides of the hose. First Vacuum by inserting the shop vac hose in the exhaust hose and slide it briskly back and forth... then blow out the rest. Clean as the day you bought it.Clean the lint filter every time you run your dryer. It will help keep lint from building up in the vent (but not prevent it completely). It will also help your dryer run as efficiently as it can.If your dryer vent is very long with several bends, and you have a leaf blower, you can buy a rubber hose adapter that fits onto both the leaf blower end and the vent piece sticking out of the wall (mine was a 3" to 4" adapter - found in the outdoor PVC pipe area of a home and garden box store), along with some hose clamps. Clamp everything down tightly, and turn leaf blower on. It might surprise you how much lint comes out of the vent even after cleaning it with conventional methods. Some vacuum cleaners also reverse to blow air. If you can't find a fitting, you may be able to improvise one.Vent locations: In most cases, the shortest, least restrictive run determines the termination location, but other factors like windows, doors, AC compressors should be considered. Roof vents are very popular in the south and work well for laundry rooms located in the middle of the house. Pushing hot air upwards uses about the same effort as pushing air horizontally or down. If you have adequate soffit width, a soffit vent works well.

Edit WarningsClean the vent every year or two. Buildup can cause a fire.Reach in and out of the vent slowly. There are many sharp screws and edges inside the vent. Use caution. Wear gloves and use tools wherever possible.In some older homes, small homes, converted apartments, etc, it may be impossible and or impractical to duct the dryer to the exterior. This is a serious health issue and you should consider the ill consequences of using an Indoor Lint Trap Kit (tub of water) or venting directly into the attic or crawlspace. Moisture and lint are bi-products of a tumble dryer. Expecting the tub of water to eliminate the moisture and lint is unlikely. Health related articles regarding this issue are numerous and can be found easily online. Mold, allergies, illness, paint peeling off the wall, heavy dust accumulation… Please avoid or minimize the use of these lint traps. An alternative may be a condensation type of dryer or a HVAC contractor that can install ductwork to the exterior.

Edit Things You'll NeedScrewdriverNut DriverTrash basket or bagPlumbing Snake or dowel (optional)

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