How to Clean Your Dryer Vent for Safety and Efficiency—and How Often You Should Do It

When it comes to home maintenance, some tasks are easy to overlook—and cleaning the dryer vent often falls into that category. But this is one of those jobs you’ll want to tackle; not just because it improves your dryer’s performance, but because it keeps your home safer.

Consider this your friendly reminder that it's time to give this appliance a little TLC. We promise that the process is more straightforward than it seems.

How Often to Clean Your Dryer Vent 

It’s generally recommended that you clean the vent at least once a year. However, if you do laundry often (e.g., if you have a large household with multiple loads per week), consider cleaning the vent more frequently—every six months or so. A good rule of thumb is that if your dryer takes longer than usual to dry clothes or if you notice that it’s hotter than usual to the touch, those are signs that it’s time for a cleaning.

Cleaning your dryer vent regularly will keep your dryer running smoothly and ensure your laundry room doesn’t become a potential fire hazard, says cleaning professional and founder of Maker’s Clean cleaning tools.

Why It's Worth the Effort

Lint builds up over time, and when that lint accumulates in the vent, it restricts airflow and can cause the dryer to overheat.

On top of safety, regularly cleaning your dryer vent will keep the dryer itself running efficiently. When the vent becomes clogged, your clothes can take longer to dry. This uses more energy and increases wear and tear on your appliance. Read: Learning how to properly clean a dryer vent can help extend the life of the machine.

"Neglecting vent maintenance can also cause your dryer to work harder, leading to potential breakdowns and costly repairs,” says Maker.

How to Clean a Dryer Vent

There’s no getting around it. Cleaning your dryer vent is important for both safety and efficiency, says both Maker and N.J.-based professional cleaner Dawn Arias-Spinelli.

With just a little effort, you’ll ensure this appliance runs smoothly. 

Materials Needed:

• Vacuum with a hose attachment
• Lint brush
• Vent cleaning brush (available online or at home improvement stores)
• Screwdriver
• Flashlight (optional)

Instructions:

1. Start by unplugging your dryer to ensure safety. If your dryer is nestled up against the wall, gently pull it out. Be careful not to damage the hoses or vents while moving the dryer, warns Arias-Spinelli.
2. Locate and detach the vent hose, which is the long, flexible tube connected to the back of your dryer. Using a screwdriver (if necessary), disconnect the hose from the back of the dryer and the dryer's exhaust outlet.
3. Clean the vent hose by shaking out any loose debris and using a narrow vacuum attachment or elongated lint brush to clean inside.
4. Use a vent cleaning brush to clean within the dryer vent opening. Carefully insert it into the duct, twisting the brush as you go.
5. Vacuum any lint and dust that may have accumulated around the area of the exhaust outlet and vent opening, says Arias-Spinelli. (You're almost done!)
6. Check the dryer’s exhaust opening for any additional blockages. Using a flashlight, check the opening to ensure it’s clear of lint and debris.
7. Reconnect the dryer vent once everything is clean by carefully reattaching the vent hose to your dryer. Then, plug the dryer back in and give it a quick test run to make sure everything is working properly.

How to Better Maintain Your Dryer Vent

Now that your dryer vent is clean, you can help keep it that way in between cleanings with a few simple considerations.

Firstly, use a lint trap. This is your first line of defense against lint buildup. Wipe it clean after every laundry load, and you’ll be removing a lot of the debris before it even reaches the vent.

It can also be tempting to load your dryer to the brim, but avoid overloading your dryer. This can impede airflow, which leads to longer drying times and more lint buildup.