Your dryer could be a fire risk — check for this one sign right now

There’s a hidden danger in your clothes dryer that could cause a fire if it’s not cleaned out. And according to the U.S. Fire Administration, it’s the biggest factor resulting in this type of appliance fire.

Dryer lint is highly flammable, and apart from your clothes taking longer to dry, a clogged vent combined with heat can cause your appliance to ignite.

It’s therefore essential that the dryer vent is properly maintained to avoid fire risk. However, rather than calling in a professional to clean your dryer vent, you can regularly maintain your clothes dryer by cleaning the vent yourself.

The red flags that indicate your dryer vent needs cleaning

“The most obvious sign your dryer vent needs cleaning is that your clothes are taking longer to dry, or are coming out still damp,” explains Michael Bogoyavlenskiy, CEO at Cleaning Express. “This usually means the dryer isn’t dealing with the moisture properly, which is due to the build-up of lint in the hose and vent.”

Cameron Welch, director of cleaning systems at Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning, and a certified dryer exhaust technician at the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), says another sign is if your dryer seems hotter than usual when it’s running, “or even shuts off mid-cycle due to overheating.”

And he adds, “If the exterior vent flap isn’t opening outside when the dryer’s running, that’s another major indicator that you’ve got a serious clog.”

Marisol Rivera, a cleaning expert at professional organizer Sparkly Maid Austin, says detecting a smoky or musty odor when the dryer is operating is another sign. “This indicates that lint is building up close to the heating element and is getting overheated,” she says.

She also adds that you might see lint building up around the dryer, “at the point where the vent connects to the dryer or on the ground just outside the exit of the vent.”

The dangers of not cleaning your dryer vents

“Thousands of dryer fires start in the U.S. every year, and failure to clean the dryer is the leading cause of those fires,” says Welch. “Over time, lint builds up in a dryer vent, reducing air flow and potentially causing the dryer to overheat. That mix of high temps and highly flammable lint is a dangerous combo.”

Welch also explains that a clogged dryer has to work harder and run hotter to get your clothes dry, which can reduce the lifespan of the appliance and increase the likelihood of repairs.

Rivera confirms that it can significantly reduce the longevity of your appliance. “If your dryer typically lasts 10 to 15 years, but you fail to clean the vent on a regular basis, you could potentially shorten its lifespan to 5 to 6 years.”

There's also the danger of mold growth that can form when the vent is clogged with lint and then filled with hot, moist air. Besides being difficult to clean, mold and mildew have a negative impact on indoor air quality.

Regularly maintaining your dryer vents will help reduce all of the above risks.

How often should you clean your dryer vents?

All experts agree that your dryer vents need to be cleaned at least once a year, though this will depend on how often you use your dryer and other factors. “If you live in a large family and run your dryer multiple times per day, or if you have pets that shed and add lint to every load, consider increasing the frequency to every six months,” explains Rivera.

And she adds, “Regardless of how frequently you clean your dryer vents, always clean the lint trap after each load and visually inspect the exterior vent every 2-3 months to ensure the flap is unobstructed and that air is flowing from the exterior vent.”

How to clean a dryer vent

If you choose to clean your dryer vent yourself, rather than calling in a professional, you can purchase a vent cleaning kit from your local hardware store or online. The Holikme 15 ft dryer vent cleaning kit, is $14 at Amazon.

However, if your dryer hose is particularly long or your vent is inaccessible, Bogoyavlenskiy advises calling in a professional, which he estimates will cost between $140-$250 for a cleaning service.

Here, Rivera shares the eight steps you need to follow when cleaning a dryer vent.

• Turn off your dryer and disconnect it from the power outlet. If you have a gas dryer, shut off the gas supply valve located behind the appliance.
• Pull your dryer approximately 1-2 feet away from the wall. This will allow you to access the vent hose connection at the back.
• Release the vent hose from the back of the dryer using a screwdriver to loosen the hose clamp.
• With your hands gloved, insert your fingers into the opening in the back of the dryer to manually pull out any lint you can see. Next, use the crevice tool on a vacuum cleaner to clean as far into the opening at the back of the dryer as you can reach.
• Remove the vent hose from the wall if possible, then use the vacuum to clean both ends of the hose. If the hose is flexible and short, take it outside and vigorously shake it out.
• Insert the long flexible brush (from your dryer vent kit) into the vent duct running through the wall towards the exterior. While rotating the brush, push it through the vent duct to dislodge lint from the duct walls. Add additional rods to extend the brush as necessary until you reach the exterior vent opening.
• Take the exterior vent cover off and use the vacuum to clean out any lint and debris from the outside opening. Check that the flap moves freely and is not obstructed.
• Reattach the vent hose to both the wall and the back of the dryer. Ensure all clamps are securely tightened. Move the dryer back into position, plug it back in and turn the gas supply back on if applicable.
• Run the dryer on air fluff or a no-heat cycle for a few minutes to blow out any loose lint. Go outside and check that you can feel a strong flow of air coming out of the exterior vent.

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