How to Clean Your Dryer Vent & Lint Trap

A good dryer is as reliable as they come, faithfully drying multiple loads of laundry every week in busy households. But if your dryer is no longer performing optimally, there are some sure signs your dryer vent is clogged and your faithful friend needs a cleaning. We’ll show you how to clean your dryer vent so that your dryer is back in tiptop shape.

Longer drying times, using multiple drying cycles, and a dryer that’s hot to the touch are all signs that you need a dryer vent cleaning. Wondering how often should you clean your dryer vent? Manufacturers recommend every 6 months. Skipping a cleaning could lead to costly repairs or, worst of all, a fire hazard.

So your machine can safely operate at it’s best, the dryer repair experts at A+ Appliance have broken down how to clean your dryer vent into three simple steps:

Clean Dryer Lint Trap

The first step in how to clean your dryer vent is quick and easy:

Unpeel the lint from the trap and dispose of it (this should be done after every drying cycle).
Clean your dryer lint trap under running water to wash away residue from dryer sheets and fabric softeners
Scrub gently with a toothbrush and warm soapy water
Allow the trap to air dry before replacing.

Clean Lint Trap Vent

The next step in how to clean your dryer vent is cleaning out the lint trap vent:

Use a long flexible appliance brush to catch all the lint in the trap, circling the brush around the vent multiple times.
With a narrow hose attachment, vacuum out the remaining lint.

Photo Credit: The Dryer Vent Store

Clean Dryer Vent

Cleaning the dryer vent itself is often uncharted territory for owners. But since this is where the most lint builds up, it’s an essential step in knowing how to clean your dryer vent. We break it down here:

Unplug your dryer.
Gently circulate the appliance brush throughout the vent and duct to pick up any lint.
With the narrow hose attachment, vacuum out any lingering lint in the duct and around the dryer.
Clean out the vent on the outside of your house using the same equipment.

If your dryer is still not drying appropriately, it may be time for a professional assessment. Give A+ Appliance a call for expert assistance!