Clothes Dryer Maintenance - Cleaning the Exhaust Vents

In today's tough economy you need to do everything you can to stretch your dollar. Compact florescent lights, programmable thermostats, low flow toilets and more are great ways to save money and help save the environment. But did you know that regular dryer exhaust vent maintenance can also save you time, money and possibly grief?

To keep your household clothes dryer operating its best some regular maintenance is essential. One of the most important things you can do is to check and clean your dryer and dryer exhaust vents on a regular basis. This is important for a number of reasons besides simply drying your clothes.

First, a clothes dryer works by tumbling your clothes around the drum while hot air is circulated around them. As they dry, hot air and moisture evaporating from the clothes are discharged from the dryer through the dryer exhaust vent to the outside of the house. As it does this, tiny fibers of fabric, lint and other small debris separate from the clothes being dried. A large portion of this lint is caught in the lint trap. However, a certain amount of lint will get past the lint trap and into the exhaust vent ducting or inside the dryer housing itself.

If enough lint accumulates in either the lint trap or the dryer vent, proper flow of hot, moisture laden air out of the dryer will be impeded causing moist air to remain in the dryer longer than normal. This means that your dryer will have to run longer and possibly hotter in order to dry your clothes.

This is problematic for several reasons. First, as mentioned above, it will take longer to dry your clothes completely. This not only costs you time but also money. The longer it takes to dry the more electricity (and possibly gas, if you have gas dryer) it will use in doing so. This you can see directly on your electric bill each month.

Secondly, if your dryer is not venting properly it may run hotter which will shorten the useful lifespan of your dryer. Dryers are designed to operate most efficiently with optimal venting. Hot, moist air backing up into your dryer due to clogged vents can result in heat and moisture building up that can damage the mechanical and electrical parts of the dryer. In addition, having to run longer to dry your clothes will also shorten its useful lifespan.

Finally, and by no means least important, is that lint build up can result in a dryer fire which can minimally destroy your dryer and quite possibly spread further threatening life and home. According to a 2007 U.S. Fire Administration report, there are over 15,000 clothes dryer fires resulting in 15 deaths and 400 injuries in the US every year. The report also states that failing to clean dryers regularly is the primary cause of these fires.

So, regular dryer maintenance to remove lint from your dryer is a good thing to do for a number of reasons. But doing so entails more than simply cleaning that flexible vent tube that goes from the back of the dryer to the outlet on the wall. Here are a number of things you should regularly check and clean as necessary to insure the safest and most efficient operation of your clothes dryer.

Clean the Lint Trap After Every Use

This seems obvious but you would be surprised the number of people fail to do this regularly. Failure to clean the lint trap, even running two or three loads between lint trap cleanings can hasten lint build up elsewhere in your dryer and venting duct work.

It’s quick and easy to do so make a point of cleaning the lint trap between each and every load. It will help make your yearly or semi-yearly cleaning go more quickly and easily.

Disconnect and Clean the Flexible Exhaust Vent Hose

Most dryers are connected to the exhaust vent duct work through a flexible vent hose. Loosen the hose clamps from the dryer and wall vent outlet and inspect the hose for lint or debris build up.

Thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the flexible vent hose before reattaching it to the dryer and the wall outlet. I prefer to clean it first with a brush and then spray the inside down with a hose. Make sure it dries thoroughly before re-installing. A damp vent hose will collect lint much faster than a dry one.

Clean the Dryer Housing Vent Slots

Pull the dryer away from the wall and check for lint and debris that can be blocking the housing vents on the back of the unit. It is not uncommon for clothing and other objects to fall behind the dryer and block these vents as well.

The back housing of your dryer likely has vent slots to allow heat to exit the rear of the dryer while in use. Lint and debris can accumulate here just as in the dryer exhaust vent tube and ducting. Objects, particularly clothing, that may fall behind the dryer can effectively block these vents causing the dryer to be unable to cool itself properly.

If possible, remove the back panel and clean both sides. Lint can and will build up in the vents slots themselves and the inside of the panel.

Clean the Interior of the Dryer

While you have the back panel off, inspect the interior of the dryer itself for and lint or debris build up. Lint can build up on electrical wiring and and components. It can be easily removed with a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner. Be sure to unplug our dryer first and work gently so you don't damage any wiring or components.

Lint and debris build up on the inside of your dryer can not only cause excess heat build up, which can harm components, but can also pose a real fire threat.

Clean the Exhaust Vent Duct Work

Unless your dryer is situated against an outside wall there is a good chance there is some duct work that will need to be inspected and cleaned. First, check the wall outlet duct work before you re-attached the flexible dryer vent hose. Lint and debris can build up here as well.

Check the aluminum exhaust vent duct work. In my home I have over 9 feet of duct work before the dryer exhaust exits the house. I have to disconnect two wall straps holding the duct work in position in order to inspect it and clean it. I own a round dust brush which I can attach to a 10 foot pole to push through the duct work to remove the majority of lint and debris buildup. Finally, I hose down the interior of the duct work and let it dry thoroughly before re-installing.

Following these steps on a regular basis can help your dryer do its job quickly and efficiently which will save you time and money. It can also help extend the life of your dryer making your investment an even better one. Finally, it could save you the inconvenience and possibly the tragedy of a dryer or house fire. An hour or so of your time one or twice a year really is cheap insurance!