Like most things your clothes dryer vents need periodic cleaning. Keeping the dryer vent clean will save you money because it will run more efficiently. Periodic dryer vent cleaning will also prolong the life of your dryer and keep your home safe from a potential fire hazard and save money on energy consumption.

If a clothes dryer has a damaged, broken or clogged vent, moisture will accumulate inside the vent hose and cause the dryer thermostat to eventually fail. In newer model units, moisture can cause the thermal fuse to shut down the machine completely. Dryer repairs can be more expensive than the cost of cleaning the vent even if you have to hire a dryer vent cleaning service to do it for you. In most cases cleaning the vent is an easy homeowner DIY task.

If the dryer is running hot to the touch with your bare hand or the clothes are coming out hot to the touch and smelling burnt or moldy it is an indication that there is humidity in the vent line.

In addition, if there is a lot of dust accumulating in the laundry room or the drying cycle is taking longer than usual, these are also indications that your vent line needs cleaning before the thermostat or thermal fuse dies. If moisture from the wet clothes drips inside the hose, it will pool and cause a leak, forcing the unit to work harder and over heat which can damage the dryer.

Cleaning the vent periodically will make the dryer run more efficiently and use less power. Cleaning the vent will provide a safer environment for the household by reducing lint and dust and eliminate any potential fire from an overheated vent hose.

To clean the vent, simply remove the screen at the end of the vent tube and remove the lint that builds up on the screen. This will allow the dryer to vent freely. Be sure to reinstall the screen to prevent rodents or bees from entering the vent line.

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