Gaming

When Was the Last Time You Cleaned Your Dryer Vent? Be Honest

May 3, 2025 Admin

Summer’s a great time to knock out the chores you’ve been putting off, and cleaning your dryer vent should be near the top of the list. It might not seem as urgent as wiping down shelves or clearing clutter, but a clogged dryer vent is one of the biggest fire hazards in your home. Even if it doesn’t cause a fire, it can still waste time, energy and money without you realizing it.

If your dryer used to handle loads in one cycle but now struggles to get the job done, it’s likely not the machine — it’s your vent. Lint, dust, and debris buildup inside the ductwork can seriously impact performance and efficiency. Giving it a good clean this spring can help your dryer run smoother and save you money on your energy bills, which, according to a recent CNET Money survey, are already stressing out nearly 80% of US adults. A quick clean now can make laundry faster, cheaper and safer all year long.

Also read: Best Robot Vacuums of 2024: Roomba and Ecovacs Tie for Best Overall

Enlarge Image

In my particular setup, the dryer exhaust joined a duct at the foot of a wall inside my laundry room. Located in the basement, from there it runs to an exit vent at ground level and a few feet to the right of my front door. Capping the exist is a louvered plastic cover. It opens to let warm air escape but stays shut otherwise to keep animals out.

Enlarge Image

Step 2: Safely disconnect the dryer

Now that you know the start and end points of your duct, it’s time to disconnect the dryer. It’s a simple task if you own an electric dryer. First unplug the machine’s power cord from the wall outlet. Next remove any metal tape or clamps keeping the dryer vent pipe fixed to its exhaust. If it’s easier you might only want to remove material attaching the vent to the duct inside the wall.

Enlarge Image

Gently pull the vent pipe away from the wall duct. If your dryer is electric you should be able to push the appliance out of the way without any issues. This will open up more space to work.

Homeowners with dryers that run on natural gas need to be more careful. Make sure not to disturb the dryer’s gas line too much if you need to reposition the unit. Like gas ranges, the fuel hookup usually consists of a flexible steel hose. The hose should be tightly attached but it’s best to play it safe. Gas leaks are serious and dangerous business. If at any point you’re unsure, call in a professional.

Step 3: Clean, clean, clean

At this point you should have clear access to the dryer duct opening at the laundry room wall. You can also easily get at the exit point outside the house by removing its duct flap or duct cover. Next you need to buy a specialized dryer vent cleaning kit. I picked this one up at my local Home Depot for $19. It consists of a lint brush and six 2-foot-long flexible segments. You join these parts together to form a rod that spans a full 12 feet.

In my case I purchased an additional unit which both doubles its reach and provides a back-up brush head for safe keeping. The end of the nifty contraption also fits inside standard power drill chucks. So armed, you’ll be able to spin the brush with a good amount of speed and power.  

Enlarge Image