Despite the promise embedded in its name, a dryer vent doesn’t always perfectly dry your clothes each and every time. That said, if you’re finding yourself with particularly damp clothes even after a full drying cycle, or you’ve noticed that the outside of the dryer becomes very hot while doing its job, it may be time to clean out your dryer vent ducts.
Cleaning these ducts isn’t just important for your clothes and time (and sanity). Over months and years, lint can accumulate in these ducts and mix with hot air and ignite, creating a fire hazard. Every year, dryer duct fires cause $35 million in damages, hundreds of injuries and even deaths. If you ever notice a burning stench in your laundry room, this is another indication you should get cleaning sooner rather than later.
Reasons and Benefits of Dryer Vent Cleaning
Your Health and Life
Clogged dryer vents are not only a threat to your home but also a threat to your life. From producing toxic gases to fire risks, a poorly maintained dryer can result in so many poor scenarios. Therefore, homemakers should thoroughly clean vents to avoid any life-threatening situation.
Your Dryer’s Efficiency
By removing dust and dirt, you allow the dryer vent to work to its full capacity. Your clothes take less time to dry up and won’t lose their shine. If it takes multiple cycles to dry your wet clothing then it’s certainly time to call a professional.
Dryer’s Life Span
With proper cleaning of dryer vents, they last much longer. Clogged dryer vent results in the machine working harder but the functioning is negatively affected. Once your dryer vent is clear of all foreign particles, it runs smoothly and doesn’t need a replacement.
Saving Money
A cleaner machine works for a longer time. Therefore, it won’t require changing for a longer span. When the vents are not blocked, they function to a hundred percent and won’t cause wear and tear to the parts. Not only does this cleaning save you from purchasing a new machine but also helps to avoid repairing costs. The biggest benefit is the lowered utility bills as the running time of a clean dryer is less than a clogged one.
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What you’ll need to clean your dryer vent
- A dryer vent cleaning kit — you can purchase one of these at your local hardware store or online for about $24.
- Power drill
- Vacuum or broom and dustpan
How to Prevent Future Buildups and Clogs of Dryer Vent
Cleaning the dryer vent is not only money-saving but life-saving as well. From protecting people’s clothes to their lives, a simple cleanup can do so much. Therefore, one shouldn’t avoid these cleanups. Nowadays, people can even follow a simple DIY tutorial to clean everything themselves.
- Start by unplugging the dryer and pull out the dryer.
- Once you reach the vent duct, unscrew the clamp that tightens the vent pipe.
- Check the clamp for damages, and if any cracks are visible, immediately replace it. If not, inspect the remaining vent for clogs.
- Take a vacuum and suck all the lint and debris accumulated within the dryer. At this stage, it’s good to check for any unwanted objects that might block the passageway.
- Once you’re done with the cleaning, screw everything back and switch on the machine.
Doing this yearly saves your dryers from being exhausted.