01 Sep How Often Should You Clean Your Dryer Exhaust Vent?

Dryers are a crucial part of our everyday lives. There is something magical about throwing your clothes into a machine and having them come out clean and dry less than an hour later.

Unfortunately, we tend to take our dryers for granted until they break and we’re left with piles of dirty laundry and nothing to wear. Preventative maintenance can go a long way toward extending the life of your dryer and preventing sudden breakdowns that leave you in a tight spot.

One crucial aspect of dryer maintenance is cleaning the dryer exhaust vent. But how often should you clean your dryer exhaust vent? Here is what you need to know about dryer exhaust vent maintenance.

Why Should I Clean My Vent?

The dryer exhaust vent takes fumes, lint, and dust from the dryer out of your home. Over time, lint and dust accumulate in the vent. If you don’t clean it out, the vent can clog. A clogged exhaust vent poses several dangers to your health and home.

One of these hazards is carbon monoxide poisoning. Your dryer creates carbon monoxide in the process of drying your clothes. If this carbon monoxide has no way to escape the dryer, it can build up to dangerous levels.

Another danger that a clogged dryer exhaust vent can cause is a house fire. If the vent is clogged, heat from the dryer can ignite the dust and lint inside the vent.

A final, less hazardous reason you should clean your dryer exhaust vent is that your dryer may not work correctly and can even break down, leaving you with piles of wet laundry.

How Often Should I Clean My Vent?

How often should you clean your dryer exhaust vent? Ideally, you should hire a professional dryer exhaust vent cleaning service to inspect and clean your vent at least once per year. If you use your dryer frequently, however, bump that number up to twice per year.

Signs Your Dryer Exhaust Vent Needs Cleaning

Here are some signs your dryer exhaust vent needs to be cleaned.

• Your clothes take much longer than normal to dry
• Your clothes come out feeling much hotter than usual
• The dryer becomes hot to the touch when in operation
• An unusual burning or musty odor is emanating from the dryer

If your dryer exhaust vent needs cleaning, give Duct Squads a call! We offer professional exhaust vent cleaning services in Oklahoma City. We use the notable Rotobrush duct cleaning system to thoroughly clean your vents, reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and fires and improving the quality of air in your home.