Dirty and unmaintained dryer vents can late cause significant negative health effects which necessitates the need to have a reliable knowledge on how to clean dryer vents at home. However, you need not worry as this blog will help you learn more about how to clean your dryer vent in 7 steps.
If you’re cleaning the laundry room thoroughly, you might as well clean dryer vent. It’s not just about hygiene when it comes to dryer vent maintenance: The United States Fire Administration reports that dirty dryer vents are the leading cause of home dryer fires.
Dryer cleaning is a simple DIY project that can be done whenever you have a couple of hours to devote to home improvement and is recommended once a year at the very least. However, should you think your DIY dryer vent cleaning skills are lacking, you may reach out to us at Samsung Repairs to be provided top-notch cleaning and Samsung laundry appliances repair assistance. Which leads to what? Dry garments, lint-free screens, and a greater sense of accomplishment in the laundry room.
Here are the following steps on how to clean your dryer vents:
Gather your cleaning supplies.
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- Vacuum with hose connection
- Electrical or duct tape
- Broom and dustpan
- Cleaning kit for dryer vents
- Power drill
Remove the dryer from the wall, detach the cord, and disconnect the duct.
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- The dryer must be removed from the wall. Remove the plug, and close the gas valve if a gas dryer is in use. Unplug the dryer’s exhaust duct from its location behind the machine.
Assemble your power drill with the bending rods from your dryer vent cleaning kit.
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- You’re about to delve even further into this. You can go far with a dryer duct cleaning kit. The bendable rods included in the standard kit allow for a working depth of up to 12 feet inside the duct.
- The rods will need to be joined together. They’re designed to click together, but you can rest easy knowing there’s no chance of disconnection by taping over each connection with electrical tape. A spinning brush is included in the set that you should use first. An electric drill is fastened to the rod behind you.
Put the brush to work with the drill.
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- Once you’ve got it all hooked up, spin the drill clockwise on medium power. You can remove the brush using a slow, back-and-forth motion of pushing and pulling.
- The gradual disappearance of the lint buildup in the dryer duct and the release of debris, lint, and dirt into your travel path will mark your progress. It would be best if you always turned the drill in a clockwise direction, as turning it in the opposite direction could cause the attachments to come loose and become lodged in the dryer’s duct.
Sweep up the mess
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- Clean up the mess you made during cleaning before proceeding to the exterior vent. Clean up the trash and throw it away. You might have to clean with soapy water if the lint leaves residue behind.
Examine the external vent.
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- Your exterior vent may be on an exterior wall high above the roof or below the ground. You can’t clean it if it’s close to a roof on a multi-story building because it won’t be convenient to access. The process of snaking the flexible rods through and drill brushing can be repeated, but this time from the outside if your exterior vent is close to the ground.
Reassemble the dryer.
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- Once the area has been thoroughly cleaned, re-plug the dryer and attach the duct to the vent. Go to the gas line and, if necessary, turn the gas valve back on.
Lint traps hold the key to consistently maintaining a clean dryer exhaust vent. Always clean out the lint trap after using the dryer, especially if you use dryer sheets. This is important. This will not only keep your dryer vent clean, but it will also improve the drying time of your machine and lessen the possibility of house fires.
It’s advised to never leave a dryer running unattended in addition to just keeping it clean. Never start a load and then go outside the house. When a dryer fire starts while you’re away from home, it may cause major damage before anyone notices and calls the fire service.
Finally, make sure your dryer has enough space to breathe. Should you have a dryer vent disconnected, it could mean that the dirt has been accumulating and overflowing in your dryer vents. You should keep clutter and storage items away from the dryer and the surrounding area.
Dangers Presented by a Clogged Dryer Vent
It would be best to ignore the red flags lest you end up in a bad situation. clogged dryer vents result in:
House fires
The laundry room is the origin of just under 5% of all house fires in the United States, which result in fatalities, injuries, and annual losses of hundreds of millions of dollars. One-third of those fires were started by homeowners who neglected to clean their dryer vents.
Higher bills
Your equipment may break due to overheating, necessitating costly repairs or replacement. When you factor in increased utility costs due to an inefficient dryer, the cost of a blocked dryer vent can mount up.
Pests
Many people never think about this, but if there is enough accumulation to force open the exterior laundry flap, you create a simple entry point for pests like rodents into your house.
Our utmost duty is to keep our homes in the best condition and danger-free. So if you doubt that your dryer vents are due for a cleaning, don’t put it off. If you aren’t confident enough to clean dryer vent, you can always count on the experts at Samsung Repairs to do the necessary dryer vent cleaning for your appliance needs.
MOST FREQUENT QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Can you clean the dryer vent yourself?
It’s simple to clean the dryer duct. The lint should be manually removed from the duct, and the interior should be vacuumed. If available, vacuum out the largest portion of the duct using hose extensions. Homeowners should take off the exterior vent cover outside the house. If you need detailed instructions, you may check out our blogs for more.
How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?
A general rule of thumb is to have a professional inspect and clean your dryer exhaust vents at least once a year. However, you might consider increasing that frequency to every six months if your household uses the dryer frequently, like one with many kids.
How do you tell if your dryer vent is clogged?
Here are five signs that can indicate you have a bad dryer vent clog:
- The drying of clothes takes longer than usual.
- You pick up on a burning odor.
- After a load, your clothes are warm to the touch.
- Lint or other debris can be seen in the hose or around the exterior dryer flap.
- You have not cleaned your vents for more than a year.
If you’re looking for a professional to rely on to clear your dryer vents from accumulated dirt, you can rely on us at Samsung Repairs to accommodate you. Call our lines whenever you need our assistance.