Clean your dryer vent about once a year, and sooner if clothes take longer to dry, the dryer feels hotter than usual, or the outside vent barely opens while the dryer runs. Clean the lint screen every load.

Quick answer

  • Every load: clean the lint screen.
  • About yearly: clean the dryer vent duct and outside vent hood.
  • Sooner: if drying time increases, the dryer gets unusually hot, or airflow outside feels weak.
  • Call for help: if the duct is long, hidden, disconnected, crushed, or packed with lint.

What counts as the dryer vent?

The dryer vent path includes the transition duct behind the dryer, the duct inside the wall or crawlspace, and the exterior vent hood. All three need steady airflow.

The lint screen catches a lot, but not everything. Lint can still collect in the duct, especially if the run is long, bent, crushed, or uses the wrong material.

Signs it needs cleaning now

  • Clothes need a second cycle.
  • Towels come out hot but still damp.
  • The laundry room feels warmer or more humid than usual.
  • The dryer top or door feels unusually hot.
  • The outside vent flap barely opens.
  • You smell burning, dust, or heat while drying.
  • Lint collects around the exterior vent.

How to check airflow safely

Run the dryer on an air or low heat setting if your model allows it, then go outside and look at the vent hood. The flap should open and airflow should feel steady. Weak airflow means the blockage may be in the screen, transition duct, wall duct, or outside hood.

Do not keep running a dryer that smells like burning or gets unusually hot. Stop and inspect the vent path.

Basic cleaning steps

  1. Unplug the dryer. If it is gas, avoid disturbing the gas line unless you know what you are doing.
  2. Pull the dryer out carefully.
  3. Disconnect the transition duct if it is safe to access.
  4. Vacuum lint from the dryer outlet and duct opening.
  5. Clean the transition duct or replace it if crushed or damaged.
  6. Clean the exterior vent hood and make sure the flap moves freely.
  7. Reconnect everything without sharp bends, then test airflow.

When to call for service

Call a pro if the duct run is long, goes through the roof, is hidden behind finished walls, has multiple bends, or you cannot confirm that lint came out. Also stop if moving a gas dryer would strain the gas line.

If airflow is good but the dryer still takes too long, the issue may be the washer spin cycle, heating element, thermostat, blower, or moisture sensor.

Good maintenance rhythm

  • Every load: clean the lint screen.
  • Monthly: notice drying time and check that the outside flap opens.
  • Yearly: clean the vent duct and exterior hood.
  • Sooner than yearly: heavy laundry, pets, long duct runs, or any sudden performance change.
Add dryer vent cleaning to the Dome mobile app once. Dome is coming soon to iOS, so the yearly reminder comes back before the dryer starts begging for attention.

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