A good rule of thumb for homeowners is to have their dryer's exhaust vents inspected and cleaned by a professional at least once a year. However, if you have a household that uses the dryer frequently, such as one with many children, it is recommended to increase the frequency of inspections and cleanings to every six months. When it comes to dryer's ventilation system maintenance, there is no one size fits all. Generally speaking, the clothes dryer itself, as well as the ventilation, should be cleaned every 1 to 3 years.
Households that use their dryers more often should clean dryer vents at least twice a year. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends cleaning dryers once a year, but this is based on the average household. If you have the feeling that the dryer is not completely drying the clothes inside, it is highly recommended that someone come and see them. If you're not willing to pay a technician to check it out, at least take a look at the vent hose with a flashlight.
This can be done by just about any fan. If you notice a buildup of lint, you'll now know it's time to clean the dryer vent. As a general rule, you should clean the dryer vent once a year to remove any lint build-up. However, if you use the dryer frequently and the dryer duct is very long and has several turns, you may want to clean the ventilation grille every six months.
The difficulty with this situation is that you don't want to let animals or birds through the dryer vent pipe. If used by someone who is not on the street and has no previous knowledge of cleaning the ventilation grilles of commercial dryers, it could damage the hose and make it difficult for the appliances to operate. The NFPA states: “The main cause of fires in household clothes dryers is the lack of cleaning of the clothes. There will be less room for particles to escape when the dryer doesn't expel properly, making it easier for lint to build up inside the dryer's ventilation grille”.If you ever smell something strange in the dryer, such as a burning smell, you should turn it off immediately and schedule a professional cleaning.
Some of it sticks to the damp ducts inside the dryer, to the transition hose, and to the dryer's ventilation system, just like sand sticks to wet feet on the beach. Long metal wires with a brush on the end are the other main method for cleaning dryer vents. When the dryer doesn't eject properly, there will be less room for particles to escape, making it easier for lint to build up inside the dryer vent. This will help you not have to clean the ventilation of your own dryer and also to save and preserve its long lifespan. The other main method for cleaning dryer vents is to use long metal cables with a brush on the end.
These vents are at least twice the size of a residential dryer and can hold many fuel elements. You should hire a laundry dryer rack cleaner that can do a thorough job on all clothes dryers. If you want to learn more about how to clean the dryer vent grill yourself, you can read my guide on using a leaf blower and brush to clean the dryer duct. The easiest way to check if the dryer vent needs to be cleaned is to turn it on and check for air flow in the outdoor ventilation hood.
That's why it's highly recommended to hire a rack cleaner for laundry dryers that is licensed and insured.
