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Clean the dryer vent

Lint that gets past the filter collects in the duct behind the dryer. Clearing it once a year lowers the fire risk and helps clothes dry faster.

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Last reviewed against 2 official sources.

Who this is for

Anyone with a vented clothes dryer and a duct they can reach. If the duct runs a long way through walls or exits at the roof, hire the job out.

How often should I clean the dryer vent?

The U.S. Fire Administration says to clean the lint filter every time you use the dryer and to clean the dryer vent ductwork once every year.

From: U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA); U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA)

What you need

Tools

  • Vacuum with a hose
  • Dryer vent brush
  • Screwdriver or nut driver for the duct clamp

Supplies

  • Nothing to buy unless the duct is damaged

Steps

  1. Unplug the dryerPull the plug before you move anything. On a gas dryer, slide it out only as far as the gas line allows and do not disconnect the gas.
  2. Disconnect the ductLoosen the clamp and pull the duct off the back of the dryer.
  3. Clear the lintBrush and vacuum inside the duct and around the back of the dryer, where lint builds up.
  4. Look the duct overIt should not be damaged, crushed or restricted anywhere along its length.
  5. Clean the outside ventClear lint from the vent cover outdoors and make sure the flap moves freely.
  6. Reconnect and push backClamp the duct back on and ease the dryer into place without crushing the duct.
  7. Run the dryer and check outsideWith the dryer running, the outdoor vent covering should open.

Safety notes

  • Do not use the dryer without a lint filter. Clean the filter before and after each load.
  • If you smell gas near a gas dryer, leave the home and call your gas company from outside.
  • Plug the dryer straight into a wall outlet, not an extension cord.

When to call a professional

  • The U.S. Fire Administration says to have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.
  • Call a pro for a duct you cannot reach, a vent that exits through the roof, a damaged duct, or anything involving a gas dryer’s gas connection.

Sources

This guide is general information written in our own words from the sources above. Your owner’s manual and the instructions for your own equipment come first.

Tell it once. It remembers.

Clean the duct behind the dryer once a year.

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