How often should you clean your dryer vent?
· 4 min read
Short answer
Clear the lint screen every load and have the dryer vent duct cleaned all the way to the outside at least once a year. NFPA's fire data names failure to clean as the leading cause of home fires involving dryers.
Lint that gets past the screen collects in the duct behind the dryer and along the run to the outside wall. It burns easily, and a blocked duct also makes every load take longer and use more energy.
Every load: the lint screen
Clear the screen before or after each load. If dryer sheets leave a film on the mesh, wash the screen in warm soapy water now and then and let it dry before putting it back.
Once a year: the vent duct
Pull the dryer out, disconnect the duct, clean it with a vent brush kit and a vacuum, and make sure the flap outside opens freely. Long runs, ducts with several bends and roof exits are easier to leave to a dryer vent cleaning service.
Signs the vent is blocked
- Clothes need more than one cycle to dry.
- The dryer, or the clothes, are very hot to the touch.
- A burning smell while it runs.
- The outside flap stays shut while the dryer is on, or lint collects around it.
Use the right duct
Rigid or semi-rigid metal duct is the safe choice. Plastic and foil accordion ducts sag, trap lint and can burn, and fire safety agencies and dryer makers advise against them.
Common questions
How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?
At least once a year, all the way from the dryer to the outside. A big household running many loads, or a long duct with several bends, may need it every six months. The lint screen itself should be cleared every load.
Can a clogged dryer vent cause a fire?
Yes. Lint burns easily, and NFPA's fire data names failure to clean as the leading cause of home fires involving dryers. A blocked duct also traps heat around the dryer.
Can I clean a dryer vent myself?
For a short, straight run, yes, with a vent brush kit and a vacuum. Long runs, ducts with several bends and roof exits are better left to a dryer vent cleaning service.
Your Home Docket keeps all of this in one place: every appliance, its warranty, its service history, and a reminder before the next service is due, shared with your whole family. It's free. Create yours in a couple of minutes.
Keep your home's records in one place
Free to use. Set it up in a couple of minutes.
Start your home docketOr plan the year first with the free maintenance planner.