Cleaning the duct of a dryer is not a complicated job. To begin, take out lint from the duct manually and then vacuum the inside of the duct. If you have hose extensions, use them to extract as much of the duct as possible. After that, go outside and remove the outside vent cover.
To go deeper, you can purchase a dryer duct cleaning kit from Amazon. Standard kits come with flexible rods that let you reach up to 12 feet into the duct. To make sure that the connections don't break, cover each one with electrical tape. The kit also includes a rotating brush that must be inserted first.
It's recommended to pull out the vent brush at least once every 12 months to guarantee that the dryer vent is in good condition. However, if you have pets that shed or a large family that needs your electric or gas dryer to be in constant use, you should clean it more often. To finish up, clean the outer vent cover with a cloth and warm water mixed with some dishwashing liquid. Rinse it with water and replace the vent cover.
Plug the dryer back in and reconnect the duct to the dryer vent. If you don't regularly clean the lint filter and dryer vent, your home could be at risk of fire. If it's not possible to clean your dryer vents yourself, hire a professional service. The cost of this service depends on your geographical location, ventilation equipment, and the complexity of your particular cleaning.
Depending on how often you use the dryer, follow these steps approximately every three to six months.
