How To Clean Your Dryer Vent Line
According to the National Fire Protection Association, 32% of house fires caused by dryers were because of failure to clean them. It’s important to keep your dryer vent line clear of lint, debris, and clogs. Not only for added safety for your home, but to keep your dryer running efficiently as well. If you’ve noticed your dryer taking longer to dry your clothes than normal, or drying them unevenly, then it could be time to clean the vent line. Here are step by step instructions on how to clean your dryer vent line.
How Often Should You Clean The Dryer Vent Line?
At least once per year for the average home. If you do more laundry than average, then you could benefit from doing it more often. If you’re noticing it taking longer to dry your clothes, then definitely clean it out more often.
It’s an easy do it yourself project that you can tackle in under an hour. You can also have a professional duct cleaner to do it for you.
Add this task to your home maintenance checklist. Don’t have a checklist? Grab a free copy from The Daily DIY so you’ll remember to do it annually.
How To Clean The Dryer Vent
The best way I’ve found to clean out the dryer vent is to get a rotary dryer vent cleaning kit, like the LintEater Plus Rotary Dryer Vent Cleaning System. It’s easy to use with a cordless drill. I also like to use this vacuum hose attachment to get the lint on the inside of the lint trap. Grab your drill and shop vac and let’s get to it.
Step 1
Unplug the dryer. Turn off the gas supply valve (if applicable), and disconnect the gas line (if needed).
Step 2
First, attach the lint trap brush that comes with the dryer vent cleaning system to your drill. Then run that through the lint trap on your dryer by running your drill on the “forward” function. You can also sweep the lint trap brush along the lint trap by hand. Then, using your shop vac, vacuum the lint trap. Finally, attach the vacuum hose attachment to the shop vac hose to vacuum inside of the dryer’s lint trap.
Step 3
Inside: Disconnect the dryer lint duct line from the dryer exhaust vent (usually found in the back). Pull the dryer out a few feet from the wall.
Outside: Carefully remove the plastic louvers on dryer vent cap.
Step 4
Assemble the dryer vent cleaning system by connecting the flexible rods together, then connecting them to the augur brush. You can buy extra flexible rods if your dryer exhaust is longer. Insert this assembly into your cordless drill.
Step 5
Feed the auger brush into the dryer exhaust vent from the inside. Then continue to push all the connected flexible rods until you have it all inserted into the exhaust vent.
Step 6
Finally, begin to rotate the auger brush by pressing the button on your cordless drill to spin it. Only use the forward function on the drill, never use the reverse. While depressing the button on the drill, slowly back out the flexible rods. Continallil all of them have made their way out and the auger brush is visible.
Vacuum all the lint that came out along with the auger brush.
Repeat Steps 5 and 6 from the outside, feeding the cleaner into the dryer vent line from the outside cap.
Vacuum the inside outside of your home where your exhaust line enters and exits.
Repeat these steps to run it through as many times as necessary until you get all the lint out.
Step 7
Run the vent cleaning system through the back of the dryer duct line as well.
And that’s all there is to it. A quick and easy way to clean out your dryer vent line. Whether you live in a house, condo, or apartment, it’s important to do this at least once per year. Here is a quick one minute video showing how:
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