Home Maintenance Monday 2/24/25: Clean the Dryer Vent (and Lint Trap) to Prevent Fires and Improve Efficiency
Welcome to this week’s Home Maintenance Monday! Today, we’re focusing on an essential, yet often overlooked, task: cleaning your dryer vent and lint trap. This simple maintenance step can help prevent fires and enhance your dryer’s performance.
Why Does This Matter?
🔥😱 Did you know that clogged dryer vents and lint traps are one of the leading causes of home fires? Lint is highly flammable, and when airflow is restricted, your dryer works harder, leading to longer drying times and higher energy costs. Regular cleaning improves safety and efficiency.
How to Clean the Lint Trap:
You should be removing the lint from your dryer's lint trap after every load! Simply locate your dryer’s lint trap, pull out the lint trap and clear away any lint after every load of laundry that you dry. Most people know and do this already, but we’re getting down to the basics here!
Advanced Lint Trap Maintenance: Every few months, rinse the lint trap with water to remove any trapped debris and inspect for damage. Check for any holes or tears that may require repair or replacement.
How to Clean the Dryer Vent:
Unplug the dryer. Always start by unplugging the dryer for safety!
Disconnect the vent hose. Pull the dryer away from the wall and detach the vent hose.
Clean the vent hose and vent. There are multiple ways to go about doing this. You can use a specialized vent cleaning brush or a vacuum attachment to remove lint from the hose and vent. At our house, we blow out the vent with our leaf blower!
Check the exterior vent: Ensure there is no blockage outside where the vent exits the house.
Reattach and reposition: Once cleaned, securely reattach the hose and return the dryer to its original position.
Call in a Professional!
If you’re having a hard time finding or accessing your exterior vents, or even moving your dryer unit and accessing the interior side of your dryer vents, it might be best to call in a professional to have this maintenance performed.
How Often Should You Clean?
It is generally recommended to clean the dryer vent at least once a year, though more frequent cleaning may be necessary if your dryer is used heavily or if you notice that your clothes are taking longer to dry.
Signs It’s Time to Clean:
Clothes are taking longer to dry.
The dryer feels excessively hot.
There’s a burning smell or visible lint buildup around the dryer. 😬
Don’t let it get to that point though! Regular maintenance can prevent safety hazards, reduce energy use, and extend the life of your appliance. Please make SURE to make cleaning your dryer vent and lint trap part of your annual home maintenance routine. If it's been awhile for you, you should think about making it a priority THIS week!