Dryer Vent Cleaning: How Often To Clean Dryer Vents

How Often Should You Clean Your Dryer Vents?

Home ownership seems to come with a never-ending list of routine maintenance needs. If you are anything like my wife and I, you probably have many conversations that begin like this:

"Do you remember the last time we...(insert random maintenance here)

"Checked the water softener?"

"Cleaned the gutters?"

"Flushed the water heater?"

The list goes on and on. However, one important thing frequently gets overlooked in most U.S. households that revolves around the laundry room - dryer vent cleaning. Routine dryer vent cleaning is crucial in order to prevent blockages that can cause a laundry list (no pun intended) of problems, including significant fire hazards.

So you may be wondering, how often does my dryer vent need cleaned? Dryer exhaust vents should be inspected and cleaned at least once a year, depending on the size of the household, dryer usage, and the presence of pets in the home. A tell-tale sign that your dryer vent is due for a cleaning is that your clothes take longer and longer to dry.

Here is some helpful information about the importance of cleaning your dryer vent and how often it should be done.

How Often Should You Clean A Lint Trap And Dryer Vent?

According to home experts, the lint trap should be cleaned after every load. This is simple enough to do and can make a difference in dryer performance, as well as keep your house safe from a dryer fire. However, many homeowners have the misconception that this is all the routine maintenance required for a dryer to function properly.

Wrong! The dryer vent itself also needs to be inspected and cleaned, all the way to where it exits the home, AT LEAST once per year. This can change depending on a few factors, including:

Family Size

Home experts have found that family size influences the frequency of dryer vent cleaning. Larger families typically wash more loads of clothes daily, leading to increased dryer usage and greater lint accumulation. As a result, households with more members need to clean their dryer vents multiple times a year.

Pets

We love our furry friends, but they often leave clothes covered in fur and pet dander. If you have pets at home, your dryer vents will accumulate buildup more quickly compared to pet-free households. Because of this, it is essential to clean the dryer more regularly to remove pet hair and fur from the vent.

Type Of Laundry

Bulky items, such as blankets, towels, and sweatshirts produce more lint that causes the dryer vent to clog more quickly. If you frequently dry loads of bulky clothing and items, it is advised to clean your dryer vent more than once per year.

What Are The Benefits Of Regular Dryer Vent Cleaning?

There are many benefits of regularly getting your dryer vent cleaned. As a homeowner, scheduling regular dryer vent cleaning is extremely important. Dryer vent cleaning has the following benefits:

Dryer Vent Cleaning Saves Energy

Cleaning your dryer vent regularly improves your dryer's efficiency, lowering the power that it consumes and putting more money back in your pocket!

Dryer Vent Cleaning Reduces Drying Time

Nothing is worse that opening your dryer and feeling that your clothes are still wet- especially when it's the soccer jersey that your kid needs that morning! Regular dryer vent cleaning allows your dryer to dry clothes faster and more efficiently.

Dryer Vent Cleaning Decreases Maintenance Costs

Just like your car needs regular oil changes, a dryer will perform better when the vents are cleaned regularly. Dryers with dirty dryer vents are forced to work twice as hard to dry your clothes, increasing wear and tear. Clean dryer vents don't place as much mechanical stress and strain on the dryer itself, and as a result it is less likely to break down or need replacing.

Dryer Vent Cleaning Reduces The Risk Of Fire

Dryer lint is extremely flammable. Lint buildup in the dryer or dryer vent, combined with moisture and regular hot air, can ignite, resulting in fire. Regular dryer vent cleaning helps to prevent this lint buildup and reduce the risk of fire in your home.

The Cache Valley Dryer Vent Pros Difference

Regularly cleaning your dryer vent is an important job, and can be difficult to know if it is done properly. That is where Cache Valley Dryer Vent Pros comes in. Our team of professionals are trained and equipped to handle a variety of dryer vent cleaning situations and get the job done right. If it has been a while since your last dryer vent cleaning, let us give you peace of mind with our full-service dryer vent cleaning!

Our full-service dryer vent cleaning includes:

• Airflow test before and after cleaning

• Connection hose check and cleaning

• Cleaning of dryer vent

• Cleaning of inside the dryer itself

Don't overlook the importance of regular dryer vent maintenance - trust the experts here at Cache Valley Dryer Vent Pros to keep your home safe and your dryer running smoothly, giving you that much needed peace of mind. Call us at (435) 554-1159 or schedule an appointment today to experience the Cache Valley Dryer Vent Pros difference!