Dryers are essential in every home as they make your laundry chores easier, faster and more convenient. Unfortunately, dryer vents are often overlooked, which leads to lint buildup and decreased performance and efficiency.
Here are ways you can prevent lint buildup in your dryer vent.
Effects of Dryer Vent Clogging
After drying clothes with heat and air, your dryer expels debris through an exhaust pipe and into a vent. Different clothes have varying qualities, so dryers tend to shake up loose material from these garments and form lint that goes into your dryer vent. When your dryer vents get clogged, this can cause your dryer to not work properly.
Tips on Preventing Lint Buildup
These are some of the most effective ways to prevent lint buildup in your dryer vent:
- Opt for Shorter Drying Cycles
Longer cycles strain your dryer and decrease circulation in the appliance. This can cause dirt buildup and increase the chances of clogging in your dryer vent. Use shorter 30 to 40 minute drying cycles to allow your dryer to rest.
- Clean the Area Around the Dryer
Cleaning the area around the dryer helps prevent it from sucking up excessive debris that can clog your vent.
- Schedule Dryer Vent Cleaning Regularly
You have to have a fixed schedule for your dryer vent cleaning, too. Cleaning too frequently can be inefficient, especially with regard to costs, while failing to clean the vent on time can cause issues in your dryer’s performance. While cleaning it yourself seems more affordable, it’s not recommended as you might not be able to properly clean the nooks and crannies. You may also damage the pipes during cleaning, so it’s best to hire professionals to spare you the hassle of dry vent cleaning. Ideally, dryer vents need to be cleaned out once a year to get the most out of each service.
Signs That You Need to Have Your Dryer Vent Cleaned
If you didn’t have a regular schedule for dryer vent cleaning before, look out for these signs you need to clean your dryer vent soon:
- Bad odors on your clothes after a drying cycle
- Too much lint in the tray
- Clothes that are too hot after a drying cycle
- Clothes that remain wet after a drying cycle
Chimney Doctors is a company that specializes in dryer vent and chimney cleaning and maintenance. From chimney relining to masonry, we can give you the results you need to keep your chimney in the best condition. For more information on our services, call us at (518) 882-5009, or fill out our contact form. We serve clients in Clifton Park, NY, and other nearby areas.
