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Dryer vents often go unnoticed—until there’s a problem. But when was the last time you actually cleaned yours? 

If you’re like most people, the answer might be “never” or “I don’t remember.” The truth is, cleaning your dryer vent isn’t just about keeping your dryer running efficiently—It’s also about safety, saving money, and your home’s air quality. 

Let’s talk about why and how often you should clean your dryer vent.

Why You Need to Clean Your Dryer Vent 

A dryer vent, also referred to as a duct, is key to the proper, efficient operation of your clothes dryer. 

Your dryer works by tumbling wet clothes through heated air in a rotating drum. The heated air evaporates and picks up the moisture inside the drum, then pushes it out of the dryer. 

The vent located on the back of the dryer expels this water-laden air from the dryer to the building’s exterior. This prevents the moist air from being vented directly into the home, where it can lead to mold, mildew and damage.

With time and repeat usage, your dryer vent can get clogged up with lint and dust collected from clothes and laundry loads. The more clogged the vent gets, the less effective it is in expelling this moisture-heavy air. And that’s bad news for a number of reasons.

How Often Should You Clean Your Dryer Vent?

Experts recommend cleaning your dryer vent at least once a year. However, there are a few exceptions:

• Large families or frequent laundry loads: Every 6 months.
• Pet owners: Every 6 months to avoid lint buildup caused by pet hair.
• Heavy dryer use (e.g., towels, bedding): Every 3-6 months.
• Single or occasional users: Every 12-18 months.

Neglecting regular cleaning can lead to serious issues like reduced efficiency, higher utility bills, or even house fires. 

How Do I Know If My Dryer Vent Needs Cleaning?

Here are some clear warning signs your dryer vent might be clogged:

1. Hot Clothes and Dryer: If your dryer or clothes are excessively hot to the touch, it’s a sign the vent isn’t expelling heat properly.
2. Longer Drying Times: A clogged vent traps moisture, making it harder for the dryer to do its job.
3. Burning Smell: Lint is flammable. If you detect a burning smell while drying clothes, turn off your dryer immediately.
4. Lint or Debris Buildup: Check around the vent or hose for visible lint accumulation.
5. Difficulty Opening the Vent Hood: The vent hood outside your home should open easily when air flows through. If it doesn’t, you might have a blockage.

Why Regular Dryer Vent Cleaning Matters

Dryer Vent Cleaning Reduces Risk of Fire

First and foremost, a dryer vent clogged with lint poses a significant risk to your home and family’s safety. According to the National Fire Protection Association, clothes dryers and a build-up of lint are a leading contributor of house fires. The U.S. Fire Administration reports around 2,900 dryer-related fires in homes each year, with failure to clean the dryer as the number one cause. Regularly cleaning your dryer vent is one way to make your home environment safer.

The Cost of Linty Dryer Vents 

Clogged dryer vents also cost you money. When dryer vents get overladen with lint and dust, they can become traps for moist air that can weaken the hose, leading to failure and costly repairs or replacement. 

A clogged dryer vent also means your dryer is going to have to work much harder to get your clothes dry, which can put added wear, tear and stress on your appliance that may also shorten its lifespan. Longer drying cycles caused by clogged vents additionally exposes your clothes to excessive heat and tumbling that can damage them. 

Longer drying cycles mean more energy consumption and higher utility bills, as well. Cleaning dryer vents regularly can lower those bills while also prolonging the working life of your dryer — saving you the significant cost of replacing it. Plus, you’ll spend less time re-drying loads of laundry, when you have better things to do (and are running out of clean socks to wear).

A Clean Dryer Vent Means Cleaner Indoor Air

That trapped moist air inside your clogged dryer vent is the perfect breeding ground for potentially harmful bacteria and mold. If your dryer vent isn’t properly cleaned, it may also be circulating heat, dust, bacteria and other contaminants throughout your living space — contributing to poor indoor air quality that can worsen allergies, asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Can I Clean My Dryer Vent Myself?

Yes, you can clean your dryer vent yourself, especially for minor maintenance. Here’s a simple DIY guide:

How to Clean Your Dryer Vent (DIY Steps)

1. Unplug the Dryer: Safety first—disconnect the dryer from the power source.
2. Remove the Vent Hose: Detach the hose from the dryer and the wall. Use a screwdriver if needed.
3. Vacuum the Hose: Use a vacuum with a hose attachment to suck out lint and debris.
4. Brush the Vent: Purchase a dryer vent cleaning brush kit to scrub the inside of the vent hose and the vent pipe leading outside.
5. Check the Vent Hood: Go outside and ensure the vent hood is clear of obstructions like leaves or dirt.
6. Reconnect and Test: Reattach the hose, plug in the dryer, and run a test cycle.

While DIY cleaning is helpful for maintenance, it doesn’t always address deeper clogs or hard-to-reach areas. For a thorough job, professional cleaning is best.

Is Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning Necessary?

Yes, professional dryer vent cleaning is a good idea, because properly cleaning a dryer vent can be tricky and time-consuming if you’re not familiar with how it works or don’t have the right equipment. 

At COIT, our dryer vent cleaning specialists use our exclusive HEPA-AireTM vacuum and Aire-SweepTM compressor system to thoroughly and quickly clean the lint and debris from your dryer vent. We’ll make sure it’s working properly and safely to dry your clothes and keep your home environment safe. 

Call to schedule a professional dryer vent cleaning service today.

When to Call a Professional:

• You’ve noticed the warning signs mentioned earlier.
• You can’t remember the last time your vent was cleaned.
• You’ve attempted DIY cleaning, but the problem persists.
• You want peace of mind knowing the job is done right.

How Dryer Vent Cleaning Saves You Money

1. Lower Energy Bills

A clean dryer vent reduces drying time, which translates to less energy use. According to Energy Star, improving dryer efficiency can cut utility bills by up to 30%.

2. Fewer Repairs

Clogged vents put unnecessary strain on your dryer, leading to breakdowns. Regular cleaning prevents costly repairs by keeping the appliance in top condition.

3. Protects Your Clothes

Excessive heat from a clogged vent damages fabrics, causing shrinkage, fading, or wear. By cleaning the vent, your clothes last longer and look better.

Common Myths About Dryer Vents

Myth 1: Cleaning the Lint Trap is Enough

While clearing the lint trap after each load is essential, it doesn’t address lint buildup in the vent pipe or hose. Over time, small particles of lint bypass the trap and accumulate in the vent system, where they can create blockages that restrict airflow, reduce efficiency, and pose a fire hazard.

Myth 2: New Dryers Don’t Need Cleaning

Even new dryers produce lint because the drying process inherently creates loose fibers from your clothes. Without regular maintenance, lint can still accumulate in the vent, especially with frequent use, heavy loads, or items like towels and bedding that shed more fibers.

Myth 3: Dryer Sheets Reduce Lint

Dryer sheets can reduce static and make clothes feel softer, but they have no impact on the lint that escapes into the vent system. In fact, the residue left behind by some dryer sheets can coat the inside of the vent, contributing to clogging over time if not cleaned regularly.

Your Dryer Vent Cleaning Checklist

• Check for warning signs (hot dryer, burning smell, etc.).
• Schedule annual professional cleaning.
• Clean the lint trap after every use.
• Perform DIY maintenance every 6 months.
• Inspect the vent hood for blockages.

Don’t Wait—Schedule Your Dryer Vent Cleaning Today!

Ready to improve your home’s safety, save money, and enjoy fresher air? 

Call COIT today and let our professionals handle your dryer vent cleaning. With our expert care, you’ll have one less thing to worry about.

Contact COIT for a professional cleaning!