Cleaning your dryer vent is an important part of maintaining the efficiency of your dryer and reducing the risk of home fires. But should you clean it from the inside or outside?Cleaning the ventilation grille from the inside allows you to remove all lint and dirt, but first you'll have to disconnect the dryer from the vent, which can be uncomfortable. If you clean it from the outside, you won't have to disconnect it, which is easier, but you won't remove all the dirt inside. For this step, you'll need to go outside to locate the ventilation grille.
Remove the ventilation cover from the outside of your house. Using the dryer's cleaning brush, wipe dust from the ducts and use a vacuum with a hose to remove any remaining dirt. Replace the vent cap when you are finished. Using a hose attachment, turn on the vacuum and suck all over the vent inlet.
Put it inside the dryer's exhaust duct and vacuum as much as you can. It's essential to clean your dryer vent regularly. How often? This depends on how much laundry you do, but in general, it's a good idea to clean your dryer vent every three months. Regularly cleaning your dryer's vents helps remove lint and other debris that obstructs its performance.
If this isn't possible, take great care to make sure that your dryer vents are always clean and free of residue. If your dryer vent isn't cleaned regularly, your dryer will be forced to work twice as hard to dry clothes. Before you proceed to clean your dryer vent or move the unit away from the wall, be sure to unplug its power cord. The air that circulates through your dryer to dry clothes is also filled with lint, which passes through its ventilation grille and accumulates there.
Over time, if you don't clean your dryer vent from the outside, this build-up becomes inefficient and, over time, dangerous. Use wipes or, if the dirt is persistent, soap and water to clean the vent cover and unblock anything that has gotten stuck in the grille. If you have pets that lose hair or a large family that requires your electric or gas dryer to be in constant use, you should count on additional cleaning throughout the year. Therefore, if your clothes consist mainly of bulky items, it is recommended that you clean your dryer vent several times a year.
Now that the cleaning is done, it's time to plug your dryer back in and reconnect its duct to its vent. Cleaning your dryer vent is an important part of keeping your home safe and efficient. Knowing when and how to clean it from either inside or outside can help ensure that all residual dust leaves the system and that your dryer vent stays clean. Not only will this help keep your dryer running smoothly, but it will also improve its drying time and decrease the risk of home fires.
