The dryer vent of your clothes dryer helps drain the excess moisture when drying your laundry. However, over time, the build-up of lint and dirt from your clothes can clog your vents and make your dryer slow & inefficient.
That’s why your dryer needs regular cleaning by trained experts to prevent this. But how often should you clean your dryer vent to increase its longevity and keep it clean? Most homeowners prefer getting their dryer vents cleaned at least once a year. But this frequency can vary from house to house based on factors we’ll discuss in this blog.
Factors Affecting the Dryer Vent Cleaning Frequency
⇒ Length of Dryer Vent
The length of the dryer vent means the distance from where the vent connects to the dryer to the outlet outside your home. The longer the outlet is, the dirtier it’ll get by accumulating lint, dirt, and grime. So, longer dryer vents will require more frequent cleaning than vents that have a shorter distance from the dryer to the outlet.
⇒ Frequency of a Dryer Cycle
Your dryer generates more lint with each dryer cycle. So, the more you use your dryer, the dirtier it’ll get. A house with more family members will use the dryer more frequently compared to a small family.
The dryer vents of the larger family will require more frequent cleaning, as they’ll be dirtier than the vents of households that use their dryer less frequently. You can reduce the dryer cycle by cleaning the clothes in bulk and occasionally drying the clothes in the sun. Here is a rough list of how often you should clean your dryer vent based on load size.
- Cleaning once every 12 to 18 months is enough for light usage (1-2 times/ week).
- If you use your vent regularly (3-4 times/ week), you need to get your vents cleaned and inspected every 8-12 months.
- You should get the dryer vent cleaned twice a year if you use it more than five times a week.
⇒ Presence of Kids and Pets
Kids and pets significantly increase the dryer usage, as small kids frequently soil their clothes and other fabrics. Likewise, pets shed their fur on clothes, upholstery covers, and rugs, which require cleaning to remove.
This excess use of dryers leads to lint and debris buildup and increases the chances of dryer vent fire, which is a danger of neglecting dryer vent cleaning. So households with small pets and kids should get their vents cleaned every six months.
Signs That Your Dryer Vent Needs Cleaning
In addition to these factors, some signs indicate your dryer vent needs urgent cleaning. These could be a clogged dryer vent, overheating, or a musty odor. Prior identification of these telltale signs and taking vital action ensures your laundry room runs smoothly and safely and evades any chance of further damage.
⇒ Clothes Not Drying Faster
If your clothes take a long time to dry, it’s due to clogged vents. You should increase your dryer cleaning frequency if this happens frequently.
⇒ Dryer Overheating
The dryer may overheat due to strain from overworking and clogging. When that happens, get your dryers cleaned before they malfunction.
⇒ Musty Odor
If your clothes smell musty instead of fresh after cleaning, it’s due to the presence of mold in the dryer vent. If you notice this, you need to get your vents cleaned more frequently.
Similarly, there are many other signs that point out that your dryer vent needs cleaning. You should notice these signs and get your vents cleaned accordingly.
Conclusion
Homeowners should get their dryer vents inspected and cleaned at least once a year. But the actual frequency depends on your needs and other factors like the telltale signs that indicate your dryer vent calls for urgent cleaning. Hence, consider these factors and decide the frequency of your vent cleaning accordingly.
