How to Clean Your Dryer Vent in 5 Easy Steps
A dryer vent that’s full of lint is a fire hazard. Not to mention, it can cause your dryer to overheat and wear out faster. The good news is that cleaning your dryer vent is a pretty easy DIY job. Follow these five steps and you’ll have it done in no time!
Step One: Manually remove lint from the duct. Begin by using a screwdriver or pliers to unscrew the dryer vent from the back of the dryer. Then, use your hand to reach in and remove as much lint as possible. If you have a wire hanger, you can also use that to help loosen and remove the lint.
Step Two: Vacuum the inside of the duct. Once you’ve removed as much lint as possible by hand, use a vacuum with a hose attachment to suction out any remaining lint. If you don’t have a vacuum with a hose attachment, you can borrow one from a friend or neighbor. Just make sure to return it when you’re finished!
Step Three: Remove the outside vent cover from the home. This step is optional, but if you want to really get rid of all the built-up lint, you’ll need to take off the outside vent cover and vacuum that out too. Just be careful not to lose any of the screws in the process!
Step Four: Clean out the dryer vent from the outside. Using your vacuum and hose attachment (or your friend’s vacuum and hose attachment), suction out as much lint from the outside vent as possible. You might be surprised at how much lint has accumulated over time!
Step Five: Reattach the dryer vent and outside cover. Once you’ve finished vacuuming out all the lint, reattach the dryer vent to the back of the dryer and screw it into place. Then, put the outside cover back on and screw it into place too. And that’s it—you’re done! Just remember to repeat this process once a year so that your dryer stays in good working condition and poses no fire hazard.Â
Cleaning your dryer vent may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually pretty easy! Just follow these five simple steps and you’ll have it done in no time—and without having to call in a professional (and pay their fees!). So roll up your sleeves, grab your vacuum, and get ready to clean!
