A dryer is now one of the most common appliances in modern homes. Like other appliances and systems in your house, your dryer needs proper maintenance to continue working effectively. One of the components of a dryer that needs regular maintenance is the vent.
Dryer vents must be cleaned and restored regularly to prevent serious problems related to clogged and faulty dryer vents. This article shows how to clean a dryer vent yourself.
How to Clean Your Dryer Vents
Learning how to clean your dryer vents effectively is not just a matter of unclogging them and keeping them clean but of keeping your home and everyone in it safe. A clogged dryer vent can easily cause a fire when the hot air from the dryer comes into contact with the dry lint stuck in the vent. The U.S. Fire Administration lists clogged dryer vents as one of the country’s leading causes of domestic fire accidents.
The administration encourages homeowners to clean their dryer vents at least once a year to prevent accidents. A clogged dryer vent can increase your electricity bills because it’ll force your dryer to overwork, thus consuming more energy. So, keeping your dryer vents clean all the time is essential. Here are simple steps you can take to clean your dryer vents.
Obtain the Right Cleaning Supplies
Several important cleaning supplies are needed when cleaning your dryer vents. For instance, you need a vacuum with a hose attachment, duct tape, brush and dustpan, a power drill, and a dryer duct cleaning kit.
Disconnect Your Dryer Duct
If it’s a gas dryer, turn off the gas valve. Then disconnect its duct. The duct is located at the back of the unit.
Vacuum the Vent
With your vacuum cleaner, suction the inside of the dryer vent and around its entrance, and you should also vacuum the dryer exhaust duct.
Use the Dryer Duct Cleaning Kit
Dryer duct cleaning kits come with flexible rods that allow you to go deeper into the dryer duct. Connect the rods and the rotating brush to the power drill and insert them into the dryer duct.
Once the cleaning is done, sweep the mess and reconnect the duct to the dryer. Plug the dryer into the power supply.