A dryer duct is a tube that connects your dryer to a vent in the wall. The duct does the function of venting warm air out from your dryer.  However, these ducts can get soiled owing to a regular accumulation of lint fibers from the clothes. Cleaning such soiled ducts is very important because lint is combustible and can lead to accidental fires.

  1. Clean the Lint Screen

Before you start cleaning the dryer duct you should clean the lint screen. The lint fibers that get collected on the lint screen can eventually travel into the dryer duct and add to the clogging process.

  • Remove the lint screen and empty it. Remove all the lint fibers stuck to its surface and place it back.
  • After cleaning the lint screen, turn off the dryer and unplug it from the power source.

  1. Remove the Duct

After unplugging the dryer, you need to access the backside of your dryer to find the dryer duct. Since dryers are too heavy you may need assistance while moving the dryer to locate the vent.

  • At the backside, you will find a thick tube that connects the dryer and the vent on the wall. The tube would be secured to the wall with 2 screws. You have to remove the screws to disconnect and remove the duct.
  • After removing the screws, set them aside carefully as you would need them while reconnecting the duct to the vent.
  • Note that, you should use a suitable screwdriver to remove the screws. Depending on the type of screw you may require a flathead or Philips screwdriver.

  1. Clean the Duct

Once you detach the duct from the wall, you will be able to access and clean the inside areas of the duct.

  • You can clean it using a cloth to remove the lint stuck on its inner surface. Even though the duct is quite thick you will not be able to insert your hand. So it would be difficult to reach the inner areas. Hence, you may try using a vacuum cleaner.
  • You can either use a car vacuum cleaner with a long nozzle or use the crevice nozzle of your regular home vacuum cleaner.
  • Insert the nozzle of your vacuum cleaner deep into the duct to suck out all the lint fibers. Make sure that the nozzle reaches all the areas within the duct.

  1. Use a Pipe Cleaning Brush

If you do not have a vacuum cleaner you can also clean with a pipe cleaning brush. These brushes come in various sizes and shapes.

  • Instead of a vacuum cleaner, you can try cleaning with a flexible cleaning brush used for cleaning tubes and pipes. They have an extendable handle so you will be able to reach far inside the duct.
  • Make sure that you use a cleaning brush with plastic bristles. Brushes with metal bristles can damage the surface of your duct.

  1. Use an Air Blower

Depending on the extent of cleaning required, you can use multiple techniques to clean the duct. Even though cleaning with a flexible “tube cleaning brush” can make your duct fairly clean, there may be residual lint fibers still left inside. You can use an air blower to get rid of these residues.

  • After cleaning with a brush or vacuum cleaner, you can try using an air blower. Such blowers are generally used for cleaning air conditioners.
  • The technique of blowing compressed air is quite powerful in removing all the leftover particles of lint fibers from your dryer duct. Make sure that you use a quality blower that has an impressive blowing pressure.
  • When you are using a blower the lint particles would be dispersed into the air. So if you have kids or pets at home, make sure that they are kept at a safe distance.

  1. Reconnect the Duct

Once you are done with the cleaning process, you need to reconnect the duct back into its original place.

  • Place the duct back in its position against the vent on the wall. Get the screws in place and drive them in using your screwdriver.
  • While reconnecting the duct you should not pull the duct or exert undue pressure on it. This can cause the duct to loosen from its base where it is connected to the dryer.

  1. Check the Working

Whenever you perform a cleaning procedure on your dryer or other heating equipment in your home, you should always check their functioning after you are done. This is to ensure that you haven’t made any mistakes.

  • After connecting the duct to the vent, reposition the dryer back to its original place. Put some wet clothes and turn on the dryer. After the drying session, check the dried clothes.
  • A dirty dryer duct often leads to low-quality drying or generate excess heat while drying. But after cleaning the duct you should be able to see a considerable change in the performance.

TIPS

  • During the cleaning process, if you experience any kind of difficulty in removing the duct or cleaning it, you should always call a professional who is an HVAC specialist.

In order to prevent your dryer duct from getting dirty in the future, you should avoid the use of dryer sheets. These sheets can cause excessive lint accumulation. Also, the fibers released from various types of fabric softeners can make your dryer duct more clogged.

How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?

Dryer exhaust vents should be inspected and cleaned at least once a year depending on the size of the household and dryer usage.

How do you clean dryer vents?

How do I know if my dryer vent is clogged?

How To Tell If Dryer Vent Is Clogged
  1. Excess Dry Times. One of the first signs that your dryer vent is clogged is when your clothes are no longer fully drying during a regular dry cycle.
  2. Burning Smell. Have you noticed a burnt odor coming from your dryer whenever you have a load going?
  3. Hot Exterior.
  4. Sizable Lint.

Is dryer vent cleaning worth it?

It Mitigates the Fire Hazard

Lint itself is highly flammable and its collection in the dryer creates a reason for why dryer vent cleaning is necessary. The more lint sits in the vent, the more probable it is that it may ignite as the lint is exposed to the hot air that the dryer gives off.

Can you clean dryer vent yourself?

What is the best dryer vent cleaning kit?

By now you should be able to get a clear look inside your dryer vent from inside your laundry room (or nook). Use the hose attachment of a vacuum cleaner or shop vac to suck up any lint in or around the hole. If you‘ve got a handheld vacuum, you can repeat this process on the outside duct.

Is there a tool to clean dryer vent?

Can you snake a dryer vent?

Designed for homeowners by a leading manufacturer of professional duct cleaning equipment, the LintEater Jr. provides a means for regularly cleaning your dryer vent system. It effectively removes dangerous lint buildup in almost every type of dryer vent, eliminating a leading cause of house fires.

How do you clean a dryer vent without a moving dryer?

The easiest way to clean a dryer vent is to use an electric leaf blower, if you have one. Then, insert the leaf blower where the dryer vent begins at the dryer location and let the air blow all of the lint out. This may take a few minutes.

How do you clean a dryer vent with bends?

Most lint accumulates at the end of a vent. If there is a clog in the middle, you may need to use a plumbing snake to remove the debris. Once removed, start again with the cleaning brush. Reconnect the vent, and move the dryer back into position.

How do you get lint out of outside dryer vent?

Vacuum out the vent.
  1. If you do not have a vacuum cleaner, use a flexible dust brush with an extendable handle. You can also use compressed air to blow lint out of the dryer vent.
  2. You can also purchase a dryer vent cleaning kit from your local hardware store. X Expert Source Allen Lee

Is it normal for lint to come out of dryer vent?

What can I put in dryer to catch lint?

Put some type of screen, that extends pass the lint opening, which wil catch the lint. Make it so you can take off the screen, and clean it. Your lint pipe should catch excess lint. Vacuum your lint trap once a month.

Why does lint come out of dryer vent?

4. You see lint coming out the outside vent opening. The outside vent opening is where the air from your dryer exits into the world. If you see lint around the opening, chances are, the vent system needs cleaning.

What is the best outside dryer vent?

Bounce® Dryer Sheets also act as a lint repellent. Just toss a sheet into the dryer to remove lint while your clothes dry. Dryer sheets help reduce the build-up of static electricity in fabrics. This means the fabrics won’t cling to each other, and your clothes are also less likely to attract lint.

How hot is dryer vent?

Most outside dryer vents have hinged slats or “doors” that are forced open when the dryer is running to allow moisture and lint to escape. If these become clogged with lint, the moisture will remain in the dryer venting, If your dryer is taking longer and longer to complete a load, check the outside vent.