Cleaning your dryer vents is an essential part of home maintenance that should not be neglected. Experts suggest cleaning the dryer ducts twice a year, and depending on the size of your home and how often you use the dryer, you may need to do it more frequently. Doing it yourself may seem intimidating, but there are ways to do it easily, affordably, and relatively quickly. A large family means that more clothes need to be washed every day.
The more you use the dryer each day, the more lint it accumulates. Therefore, it must be cleaned several times a year. Dryer vents should be inspected and cleaned at least once a year, depending on the size of the house and the use of the dryer. If you have pets that shed a lot or a large family that requires your electric or gas dryer to be in constant use, you should count on additional cleanings throughout the year. So how often should you clean your dryer vents? If you live in a condo, you should clean the dryer vent at least once a year.
For families and intensive use, do it every six months. You should also clean it twice a year if you have pets. Call a professional immediately if you notice lint accumulating, if your clothes take longer to dry, or if you smell a burning odor while your clothes are drying. Not only will this help you keep the dryer vent clean, but it will also keep the entire dryer running smoothly, improve the drying time of the machine, and reduce the risk of home fires. Now that the cleaning is done, it's time to plug the dryer back in and reconnect the duct to the dryer vent. In this case, they will usually book a professional dryer rack cleaning service and the cost will be included in the HOA rates. Cleaning lint traps and drums isn't too difficult, but you should still make sure you clean them regularly.
Also, if you notice a buildup of debris and lint, it's probably time to clean the dryer vent. It may be intended for cleaning ceiling fans, but it also works well to get lint out of the dryer vent. Vacuuming will remove most of the lint and dirt, and then a dryer vent brush should be used to clean any remaining lint and dirt from the vent walls. Dryer vents accumulate highly flammable lint, and lack of lint cleaning is the leading cause of fire in dryers. Regardless of whether you own or rent, make sure you know who is responsible for ensuring regular cleaning of dryer vents. In addition to regular maintenance cleaning, you'll also need to thoroughly clean the dryer's ventilation grille if it gets clogged.
Use a fine wire brush to remove any clogged lint and clean the vent cover with warm water and dish soap. Cleaning your dryer vents is an important part of home maintenance that should not be overlooked. Make sure you do this job regularly to keep your home safe from fire hazards and improve your drying time.
