How to Clean a Dryer Vent

• While wearing safety gloves, remove lint from the hole at the back of the dryer.
• Cleaning lint from a dryer duct requires a vacuum. Use the hose attachment of a vacuum cleaner or shop vac to clean in and around the hole at the back of the dryer.
• If you can detach the length of duct where it meets the wall, do so. It will make cleaning it easier.
• Cleaning a dryer duct isn't difficult. Remove lint from the duct by hand and then vacuum the inside of the duct. Use hose extensions, if available, to vacuum out as much of the duct as you can.
• Go outside the house and remove the exterior vent cover.
• Clean out the dryer vent from the outside using a vacuum.

Tip: Some homeowners use a leaf blower to expel dust through the vent from inside, but this tends to be a less efficient system for most homes. 

• If your dryer vent is too long to efficiently use a vacuum to remove the lint, buy a dryer vent kit for an alternate method. These kits contain flexible brushes with extensions that can be used comparably to drain snakes and more thoroughly clean the vent’s interior walls.
• The first step to cleaning a dryer duct is to feed the brush into the duct and move it back and forth while slightly rotating it.
• Extend the brush as needed and continue until the vents are free of dust and lint.

Tip: Determine whether the interior or exterior opening of your house is higher and begin brushing on the higher side, so gravity will help loosen the lint. 

• When finished cleaning, inspect the ducts to make sure that they are undamaged and up to safety codes. Replace ducts if needed.
• Reattach ductwork and vent cover. If necessary, seal sections of ductwork with UL-listed metal foil duct tape.
• Push the dryer back into place and plug it in or turn the gas valve back on.
• To test the dryer, run it for 15 to 20 minutes on the fluff or air dry setting to make sure all the connections are strong and to dislodge any remaining debris.

Tip: If the above vent cleaning steps are insufficient, consider hiring a dryer vent cleaning service.

Reducing the amount of dust and lint in and around your dryer may reduce how often you need to clean the dryer vent. 

• Regularly sweep and dust the area around the dryer.
• Remove the lint trap filter and clean it out before every cycle. It’s quick, easy and makes a big difference in your dryer’s performance.
• On a regular basis, remove the lint screen and vacuum in and around the lint filter housing with the hose attachment of the vacuum cleaner.
• Dryer sheets can leave residue on a lint screen that can build up over time. If the lint screen is clogged, use a scrub brush to wash it in warm, soapy water, rinse it with clean water and dry it off with a towel.

It's important to remove lint regularly to avoid lint buildup. Cleaning lint from a dryer ultimately protects your home from house fires as well. Not only can the lint catch fire due to buildup, but if a fire were to start due to other circumstances, the lint would provide fuel, causing the fire to grow. Cleaning a dryer vent not only keeps your home safe, but keeps your dryer working properly and efficiently.