When you have kids and pets around the house, laundry is an essential task. When you have loads of clothes to wash and clean, the last thing that comes to your mind is cleaning the appliance, dryer vent cleaning to be precise. You cannot keep drying your shirts, t-shirts, skirts, and jeans without cleaning the dryer vent.
According to an article published on https://edition.cnn.com, though emptying the dryer lint filter is fine after every use, the buildup of lint may lead to fire hazards in your home. So here are some of the best dryer vent cleaning tips for safety and efficiency.
Unplug the dryer from the electrical outlet: First things first, start by unplugging the appliance from the socket. It is done to maintain safety and avoid electric shocks.
Move the dryer a little from the wall: This step is necessary because when you move the dryer some distance from the wall, you can see the vent and hose. In case, you do not know, or how to access the vent, make sure you always hire a professional trained in this type of job. However, it will cost your approx $150.
Disconnect the hose of your dryer: Yes, you will need to disconnect the hose, which is usually a foil-like silver tube, a flexible pipe made of plastic, or a tough and sturdy metal pipe. The tube connects to your dryer and accesses the wall, going inside the vents found outside your house. The hose is fastened with screws;therefore,make surethat you have a screwdriver handy to complete the job efficiently. If you are unsure, call a professional. For info visit airqualitytech.com or similar websites.
Begin to Vacuum: Next, you need to vacuum out the dryer vent that has entered the wall. If you can access the vent from outside, clean from there, as well. Then, you need to vacuum out the hose from each end very carefully. If you notice some lint clinging in the center of the hose that the vacuum cannot access, use something like a wire hanger to pull out the lint. Do this task very carefully so that you do not end up puncturing the hose.
However, it is recommended you take professional help to do dryer vent cleaning to avoid messing up things. There is no point in damaging the hose, vent, or the whole dryer.
Re-attach the hose with screws: The final step is equally important. In case, the dryer hose has a flexible foil, you will need to seal all connections using duct tape. Once you are through, you need to move the dryer back in its place and plug the appliance. Start the dryer with the setting ‘air-only’ for about 15-20 minutes to ensure connections are right.
Final words
Always ensure that the lint trap is clean after each use. Do not use dryer sheets because they will leave behind sticky remnants that could catch lint. Make sure you hang big items such as towels and bedspreads, as these take more time to dry, leaving behind excess lint.
