Step one: The first thing you have to do is locate where the duct begins and ends. Most dryers will have a short 4-inch diameter exhaust in back that connects to the ductwork through an aluminum elbow. Hot air goes through those pipes and exits your house through an opening on an outside wall.
Step two: Safely disconnect your dryer by unplugging the power cord from the outlet or turning off the gas or propane valve. Remove any clamps or metal tape so that you can pull the dryer vent pipe free from the exhaust. If you own a dryer that runs on natural gas, be extremely careful you don’t disturb the dryer’s gas line when disconnecting the power. A gas leak is serious; call a professional if you’re unsure of the process.
Step three: Pull the vent pipe away from the wall duct. And then remove the duct cover from the exit point outside so that you have clear access to the entire ductwork. The dryer vent brush kit will come with a lint brush and flexible segments that you can connect together, depending on the length of your dryer ducts. You do need special vent brushes in order to effectively clean a dryer vent duct.
Step four: Insert the vent brush into the ductwork and spin it counter-clockwise while pushing the brush as far as you can down the dryer ducts. If you need more length to reach the other end of the duct, add another segment from your brush kit. The brush should loosen lint that has become lodged along the ductwork.
Pro tip: enter from the outside of the house if it’s located higher than the dryer. Gravity can help clear lodged debris and it’s easier to clean lint on your laundry room floor than have it clutter any landscaped areas. While you have the vacuum out, remember to clean out the inside of the dryer outlet as well.
Step five: Clean all of the lint that comes out of the duct work with a vacuum. (Heads up: It may be a lot!) Use the flexible hose attachment to clear out the openings on both ends, as well as the lint trap housing. Repeat as needed until there is no more existing lint that needs to be removed.
Step six: Put all of the dryer components back together and plug it in. Then give it a trial run before sliding it back into place, recommends Vince Christofora, owner of Woodstock Hardware, a full-service, family-owned store in Woodstock, NY. “Check to make sure all of the venting remains connected and there are no gas leaks, if your dryer runs on natural gas,” he says. “Bad connections can lead to problems later on.”
While you’re at it, Christofora recommends checking to ensure that your outside dryer vent is in good working order, too. “Make sure it’s well fastened or caulked to the building,” he says. “A poor installation can lead to extra heat or air conditioning costs and allow pests to enter your home.”
Hello, dryer vents are a very important part of the matter of cleanliness. If we can’t maintain cleanliness in dryer vents, the disposals, backflow and give us garbage back. In your blog, you explain the methods of cleaning dryer vents is best. Many peoples get confuse about cleaning the vents, you explain every single step which is very helpful to many people. Thank you