How to Clean a Dryer Vent Like a Pro From the Inside Out

Dryer vents need to be regularly cleaned to stay in tip-top condition and prevent your laundry room from turning into a fire hazard. But dryer vents are fairly straightforward to clean, even if it does require some maneuvering and elbow grease. Here’s everything you need to know about cleaning dryer vents.

How to Clean a Dryer Vent From the Inside

If your dryer is easy to move and your vent is easy to access, try cleaning it from the inside, rather than the outside. You’ll need a vacuum with a hose attachment and a stiff-bristled brush or vent cleaning brush, along with any tools required to move your dryer out of the way.

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1. Disconnect Your Dryer

   You’ll need to move your dryer before you can access its vent. Follow your dryer’s manufacturer’s instructions to disconnect it from its vent, but you’ll likely need to start by turning off the dryer’s power source.

2. Vacuum It Out

   Next, grab a powerful vacuum with a hose attachment or a shop vac. Place the hose inside the vent and turn it on. Move it around the inside of the vent to suck up the most lint.

3. Time To Brush

   Use a long-handled stiff-bristled brush or the brush from a dryer vent cleaning kit to brush away the lint inside your dryer vent.

   Brush the lint towards you, where it will fall out onto the floor. If there’s a lot of lint still in the vent, vacuum it again.

4. Reattach Your Dryer

   Tidy up the floor below your dryer vent, collecting any lint that’s fallen onto it. Then, push the dryer back towards the vent and reconnect it. Finally, plug it back in and turn on any fuses you may have switched off.

How to Clean a Dryer Vent From the Outside

If you’re unable to move your dryer or your interior vent is difficult to access, you may need to clean your dryer vent from the outside. For this, you’ll need a screwdriver, a vacuum with a hose attachment, and a stiff-bristled brush.

1. Find Your Dryer Vent

   Your dryer vent could be in a few different places. Some dryer vents vent to the roof, through a small pipe. Others have their vent on an exterior wall, while other dryers will vent to an outlet near the base of the home.

   Once you’ve found it, take a second to clear away any surface-level lint or debris before unscrewing the vent cover.

2. Vacuum Up Lint

   Next, grab a vacuum with a hose attachment and place the hose inside the vent. Use it to suck up any lint that’s stuck inside your vent.

3. If Needed, Brush the Vent

   If there still seems to be plenty of lint within your vent, use a stiff-bristled brush (or dryer vent brush) to brush at the inside of the vent. Follow it with a pass from the vacuum.

4. Reinstall The Vent Cover

   Once you’ve rid your vent of as much lint as possible, reinstall the vent cover and pick up any lint that’s fallen onto the ground (or roof!).

How Often to Clean Your Dryer Vent

Your dryer vent should be cleaned yearly. However, your dryer vent may need to be cleaned more frequently if you’re drying heavy items like comforters or oversized blankets weekly, as these larger items produce more lint.

It may be time to clean your dryer vent if you notice unusually long dry times, a humid laundry area, or a dryer that’s running hotter than normal.

Tips For Keeping Your Dryer Vent Clean for Longer

• The best way you can keep your dryer vent clean for longer is to empty the lint trap after each use. Lint left behind in the trap can end up in your vent, and it’s also a major fire hazard.
• Good washing machine habits can also keep your dryer vent in great shape. Don’t overload your washing machine and consider installing a lint trap on your washing machine hose.

When to Call a Professional

If you’re still having issues with your vent after a home cleaning—for example, if your dryer is running way too hot or taking way too long—it may be time to call a professional. Professional dryer vent services are better equipped to deal with difficult dryer clogs.