Why Should I Clean My Dryer Vent?

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West Michigan dryer vent cleaning Dryers are appliances that are used several times a week in every household. But do you ever think of checking the vent on your dryer? Below are some reasons why cleaning your dryer vent is important. Vent cleaning doesn’t have to be done more than a couple times a year. springtime is an excellent time to check your vents, you can find our West Michigan spring cleaning guide here. 
  1. Fire The lint that comes off your clothes and into the dryer can easily clog up the dryer’s vent system. Unfortunately, clothing is extremely flammable, therefore the use of the motor combined with the lint will cause a fire hazard in your home.
  2. Toxic Gases It may come to you as a surprise, but the fumes given off from a clogged vent can cause toxic gases such as carbon monoxide. Be sure to have a carbon monoxide monitor in your home and check the vent regularly.
  3. Save The Earth (and Your Pennies!) One common sign of a clogged vent in the dryer is it takes a lot longer than usual to finish a load. Obviously, this causes problems for the environment by overusing energy in your home. By checking your vent, the dryer will automatically maintain its old speed and save you some money on your bills.
  4. Increases Lifespan Of The Dryer As previously mentioned, a clogged vent will cause your dryer to run a lot longer than usual. Obviously, the more you use your clogged dryer, the more chance you have of the dryer fully giving up and burning out. Not keeping up with the maintenance including unclogging the vent will mean you will have to replace your dryer sooner.
  5. Give Animals A New Home In the cold Michigan winter days, our little animal friends such as mice, rats or even birds get awfully cold. A clogged vent heats up your exterior hood flap, therefore making it more inviting for these creatures to make a nest in your home.
If in doubt of how to clean your dryer’s vent, you can always contact us to help you out and we can do the work for you or simply follow these instructions:
  • Empty the lint screen the same as you would empty the laundry and remove any visible lint.
  • Unplug your dryer to ensure you’re safe from electric shocks.
  • Move the dryer to access the vent. In case the dryer is heavy, ask someone to help you.
  • Unscrew the connecting tube between the wall and the dryer.
  • Use a vacuum to clean the vent by using the nozzles and extendable handle. Be sure to check outside also.
  • Reattach the tube and put your dryer back in place.
As stated before, if you’re in doubt over your dryer’s vents, we are more than happy to help! check out our contact page or reach us on our Facebook page. We use special tools to reach both ends of your dryer’s vent system, you can even schedule a yearly checkup and we will remind you!