Clean Your Dryer Exhaust Duct
Preventing dryer fires
By:
Chris Hall
Online Rating:
   (6.5/10) Did you know that cleaning the lint filter of your clothes dryer is not the only step you need to take to prevent a dryer fire? With winter weather approaching, clothes dryers will get extra use, so jump on this annual maintenance task. You probably routinely remove lint from your dryer’s lint filter between loads. But lint can still build up inside the ducting that vents hot air outdoors. This as a potential hazard, which means you should thoroughly clean out your dryer at least one a year. Lint build-up reduces the efficiency of dryers, and lint can catch fire if it accumulates inside the dryer. The good news is dryers are pretty simple appliances, and most consumers can easily handle routine maintenance to keep the dryer safe — and keep their utility bills in check. You see, dryers need good airflow to remove moisture from clothes. When lint accumulates in the exhaust duct or the dryer’s internal ducts, the dryer cannot dry clothes efficiently. A dryer that runs twice as long uses twice as much energy, lengthens the task of doing laundry and is harder on clothes. Here are three handy tips from RepairClinic.com for keeping dryer lint under control: 1. Clean the lint filter after each load. If you use fabric softener sheets, these can lead to a build-up of gummy residue on the filter and sensors inside the drum. Wipe the sensors with a damp cloth and use a soft bristle brush and hot, soapy water to clean the filter. If the filter is torn or won’t clean up, replace it.
2. Clean out lint from the area around the lint filter. If you can, use a crevice tool on a vacuum cleaner to reach into the dryer.
3. Clean the dryer exhaust duct at least once a year. Do this more often if you dry more than six loads of laundry each week, if your dryer’s duct is longer than eight feet, or if the duct has more than three 90-degree bends.
Here’s how to properly clean the dryer exhaust duct: 1. Use a specially designed and inexpensive vent brush to clean the duct (See opening photo). It’s available in 10- and 20-ft. lengths, starting at around $20. To order, visit http://www.repairclinic.com/referral.asp?R=1511&RccPartID=424663&Acc=1 2. Begin at the dryer and feed the vent brush all the way to the outside. At the other end, remove the exterior cap so you can push out the lint.
3. Tip: straight-walled venting allows better air flow than flexible venting, so for longer runs, straight-walled venting is recommended.
RepairClinic.com was founded in 1999 with the idea that, armed with the right advice, tools and parts, savvy consumers can extend the life of their appliances, save money and conserve the environment. Consumers can visit www.RepairClinic.com for free appliance-repair help, or call a customer service representative at 800- 269-2609 for help locating specific parts. |