Signs that it is time to clean your dryer vent:

  • Your clothes are taking much longer than usual to dry;
  • Both your clothing and the dryer exterior get very hot;
  • Presence of debris around the dryer hose;
  • The vent hood flap does not open properly;
  • The dryer vent has not been inspected for more than a year;
  • You notice a strange burning smell on the clothes;
  • The laundry room feels excessively hot when the dryer is running.

What does a complete dryer vent cleaning include?

Dryer vent cleaning does not just involve removing dirt from the filter. Many other things need to be checked and cleaned. Below is a step by step process on what a complete dryer vent cleaning involves.

Step 1. Inspection of the dryer vent opening. This involves going outside and inspecting the dryer vent thoroughly.

Step 2. Clearing obstacles. All dirt, debris, leaves, and animal wastes that have accumulated on the outside, thus obstructing the flow of lint, are removed.

Step 3. Lint and other materials that have accumulated on the dryer vent are removed.

Step 4. The area behind the dryer is cleaned.

Step 5. The final step involves cleaning the dryer lint trap and the drum thoroughly.

How often should you clean a lint trap vent and the dryer vent?

According to experts the lint trap vent should be cleaned after every load and dryer vent – at least once per year. However, it is recommended that you clean the dryer vent more often if:

Family size

A large family size means more loads of clothes need to be washed each day. The more often you use the dryer each day, the higher the amount of lint it accumulates. It, therefore, needs to be cleaned several times a year.

Presence of Pets

If you keep pets in your house, then it means that the vents will get clogged more quickly than in pet-free homes. It is, therefore, essential to clean the dryer frequently to remove pet hair and fur from the vent.

How often you purchase new clothes

Research has shown that new clothes produce more lint than old clothes. So, if you like buying new clothes frequently, then you need to clean your dryer vents several times a year.

Type of Laundry

Bulky items like blankets and towels produce more lint that causes the dryer vent to clog quickly. Therefore, if your laundry mainly comprises of bulky clothing, then it is advised that you clean your dryer vent several times a year.

What do you gain from regular dryer vent cleaning?

It saves energy

Cleaning your dryer vent regularly will help improve its efficiency, thus lowering the amount of power that it consumes. Homeowners who clean their dryer vent periodically can save up to 30% on their energy bills.

Reduced maintenance cost

When the dryer vent is cleaned regularly, it is less likely to overheat or get clogged. As a result, it is less likely to break down or experience a technical hitch.

Reduces the risk of fire

Lint is a highly flammable material. If left to accumulate on the vent, it can cause a fire that can cause havoc. Regular cleaning help to prevent lint buildup, thus preventing the risk of fire.

It reduces wear and tear on the dryer

If the dryer vent is not cleaned regularly, then the dryer is forced to work twice as hard to dry your clothes. This excessive strain can wear down crucial parts of the dryer. Regular cleaning helps to improve dryer efficiency, thus reducing wear and tear.

If you need of residential or commercial cleaning in Connecticut or Rhode Island you will be amazed at the results that can be achieved, by treating and sanitizing with the SoftWash System followed by Window Wizards and roof will look brand new!

Cleaning services at Window Wizards can offer include: