A good rule of thumb is to have your dryer's exhaust vents inspected and cleaned by a professional at least once a year. As a general rule, you should clean the dryer vent annually to remove any lint build-up. However, if you use the dryer frequently and the dryer duct is very long and has several turns, it is recommended to clean the ventilation grille every six months. Setting aside a few hours at least once a year (more if clogged) will help your clothes dry faster and more evenly.
If the ventilation grille gets clogged and isn't cleaned, you could run the risk of the dryer overheating, which can cause a fire fairly quickly. Even with light use, it is advisable to have a professional clean the dryer vent at least once a year to prevent lint from accumulating and to ensure that the dryer works efficiently. In addition, if you know what the ideal air flow is (for example, after cleaning the dryer vent), you can compare the weakest air flow to the ideal one. Regularly cleaning the dryer vent can prevent fires in the home, but it is best to leave the work in the hands of a professional.
Turn off the dryer right away if you ever notice a strange smell, such as a burning smell, and make an appointment with a cleaning professional. This is because there is so much lint in the dryer duct that it restricts air circulation and makes it difficult for heat from the dryer to escape to the outside. While it may be tempting to do it yourself, covering the ventilation grille of the dirty dryer with a vacuum and ending the day isn't a good idea, even if the ventilation is short. The risks of cleaning dryer vents yourself include involuntary compaction of lint and the formation of an obstruction, which could cause a fire. The fact that garments take a long time to dry or that they don't dry at all is probably the biggest indication that the dryer vent needs to be cleaned. The subsequent drying cycle tends to expel fresh items wherever they are when the dryer vent tube is overloaded with lint and debris.
Because of the high flammability of lint, if it obstructs the dryer vent, the heat from the dryer can set it on fire. Long metal wires with a brush on the end are the other main method for cleaning dryer vents. However, if air movement is poor or non-existent, you'll know that the dryer vent needs to be cleaned. Use a fine wire brush to remove any clogged lint and clean the vent cover with warm water and dish soap. This is all because the clogged ventilation grille absorbs moisture from the dryer and does not release it properly, which in turn causes clothes and the ventilation grille to be too hot. A dryer with a partially blocked or fully obstructed vent has to work harder to remove moisture from clothes and generate heat to dry them. It's important for homeowners to understand how often they should have their dryer vents professionally cleaned.
A good rule of thumb is that you should have your exhaust vents inspected and cleaned by a professional at least once a year. If you use your dryer frequently or if your ducts are long or have several turns, then it's recommended that you clean your ventilation grille every six months. This will help your clothes dry faster and more evenly while also preventing fires in your home. If you ever notice any strange smells coming from your dryer such as burning smells then turn off your machine immediately and make an appointment with a professional cleaner. This will help prevent any lint build-up in your ducts which can cause overheating and fires.
You should also use a fine wire brush to remove any clogged lint from your vents as well as cleaning them with warm water and dish soap. In conclusion, having your dryer vents professionally cleaned at least once a year (more if clogged) will help keep your home safe from fires while also helping your clothes get dried faster and more evenly. If you ever notice any strange smells coming from your machine then turn it off immediately and make an appointment with a professional cleaner.
