According to home experts, there's one common dryer vent mistake that can be both costly and dangerous. If you have a gas dryer, you probably already know that it's important to maintain the dryer vent. But the mistake many people make is putting off this maintenance task until it's too late.
According to data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fire departments respond to more than 15,000 home fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines each year. A dryer fire is extremely dangerous, with the potential to cause death and injury. Beyond these tragic outcomes, dryer fires also cause more than $200 million in property damage each year.
In many dryer fires, the items that ignite first are built-up collections of dust, fiber, and lint. That's why home experts say it's important to clear your dryer vent, replace the vent itself with one that's less likely to collect debris, and ensure none of the connections are loose. According to home services marketplace Angi, you can book a professional dryer cleaning service and expect to pay between $103 and $186.
If you'd rather tackle this project yourself, experts from the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab have outlined step-by-step instructions for how to do so below.
Step One: Clear the dryer vent.
Skipping this upkeep is by far the biggest mistake homeowners make when it comes to dryer maintenance. That’s because a blocked vent can lead to the buildup of highly flammable lint. Indeed, the leading items ignited in dryer fires are lint, dust, and fiber, all of which will move freely through a clear, well-maintained vent.
The first sign of a clogged vent is clothes taking longer to dry. This is due to impeded airflow and dampness getting trapped in the dryer.
To clear the dryer vent, first turn off the power to the machine at your home’s electrical panel. Then pull the machine away from the wall until you can access the vent. Separate the vent from the dryer, then use the crevice tool on your vacuum to suck up lint and other debris from both ends of the duct.
Our experts in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab also recommend the Hurricane Lint Lizard, which eliminates the need to move the dryer. Instead, simply attach the plastic contraption to the end of your vacuum, insert it into the dryer through the lint screen compartment, and it will suck lint from deep inside the vent.
Step Two: Inspect the dryer duct material.
While you’re clearing the vent of built-up debris, check to see what kind of material is used for the duct that carries hot air out of the house, through a hole in the roof or exterior wall. This duct is often made of accordion-style plastic, which our experts don’t recommend because it can trap lint in its ridges. The material is also prone to sagging, which accelerates the buildup of lint, dust, and other particulates.
Replace the accordion-style duct with one made of rigid metal. Its smooth walls will allow air to exhaust freely, and there are no grooves to trap lint. If you need to connect multiple sections of metal duct, use foil tape instead of sheet metal screws, since the screw ends will be another thing for lint to get caught on.
Step Three: Check for loose connections
A dryer creates a lot of vibration, which, over time, can cause connections to pull apart. The breach could be between two sections of rigid metal duct. Or it could happen where the ductwork connects to the dryer vent or your home’s exhaust vent. Take a moment when the dryer is pulled away from the wall for vent clearing to tighten any connections that might have come loose since the last cleaning.
More dryer maintenance tips
- Empty the lint filter. Remove the screen and discard any trapped lint. This should be done at least weekly, or more often if you use the dryer multiple times a day.
- Check the moisture sensors. The sensors, which the dryer uses to determine drying time, can develop a residue from detergent and dryer sheets. The sensors are thin metal bars, about 6 inches long, usually located underneath the door. Use a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol to remove any film or grime.
- Clean the drum. Once a month, wipe down the dryer drum with a damp cloth to remove any residue. While you’re at it, check the drum for sharp edges that could snag clothes.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
