How to Clean your Dryer Vent from the Inside

Every time you do a load of laundry, you clean the lint trap in your dryer. After all, lint is extremely flammable, so it’s important to keep it far from the heat your dryer generates as your clothing dries. But even after all these years of responsible dryer cleaning, do you know how to clean your dryer vent from inside? The process is very simple and should take less than an hour. You don’t even need special equipment.

How to Clean Your Dryer Vent from Inside

The very first thing you’ll need to do is unplug your dryer, and move it as far away from the wall as you possibly can. Be careful as you do this- dryers are very heavy, and you want to avoid injury! It’s also important to not over-extend the ventilation hose.

You’ll need to gather a few supplies to fully clean your dryer vent from inside. Once you’ve unplugged and moved your dryer, grab the following:

• Your vacuum cleaner
• A crevice attachment for your vacuum
• A screwdriver
• A long-handled wire brush (or wire hanger)
• Work gloves
• A face mask

Once you’re ready, use the screwdriver to detach the vent hose from the wall. You’ll typically find a circular clamp holding the hose to the wall vent. Make sure you loosen all of the screws before removing the hose from the vent; otherwise, you might damage the hose.

Next, use the screwdriver to remove the vent hose from the dryer itself. As you do this, puffs of lint and debris might fill the air, which is why you might want to have work gloves and a face mask handy. A dryer that has a lot of accumulated debris might also have built up mold or mildew in that debris, so protect your skin and breathing.

Use the vacuum cleaner and crevice tool to remove all the debris from the vent hose. You’ll work from both ends of the hose, as there’s a chance of lint build up all along the hose. If you find an area that is very clogged, use the wire brush or hanger to very carefully loosen the build-up. Do not scratch or pierce the sides of the hose, as a leaky hose needs to be replaced immediately.

Once you have cleaned the dryer vent from the inside, make sure the connection surfaces are clean of lint, as well. Reattach the vent hose to both the wall and the dryer, return the dryer to its normal place, and plug it back in.

How to Tell If Your Dryer Vent Needs to be Cleaned

One of the main signs that you need to clean your dryer vent from inside is reduced dryer efficiency. If you find it taking longer for your laundry to dry, it is a good idea to check your dryer vent.

Additionally, the outside dryer vent should blow warm air and small bits of lint when everything is performing correctly. If you notice large amounts of lint outside, or hot air accumulating inside the dryer, it may be time to clean your dryer vent from inside.

Clean Your Dryer Vents Regularly

Not only is cleaning an important part of regular maintenance for your dryer; it’s a great time to inspect all of the pieces of your dryer ventilation system to make sure they’re all in good shape and working properly.

Having a professional take a look at your dryer ventilation system once a year can not only improve your dryer’s overall performance and efficiency but help you avoid problems and disasters down the line. Call 844-962-2681 for a consultation with an HVAC technician. A trained professional in your local area will be in touch to inspect your equipment, as well as provide a quote, with no obligation.

Once you’ve learned how to clean a dryer vent from inside, you’ll rest easier, knowing that your ventilation systems are free from lint and debris, and your dryer is operating at peak performance.

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