Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

Dryer Vent Cleaning

For most of us, dryer maintenance begins and ends with emptying the lint trap after every load. However, your dryer may be in need of a vent cleaning in order to run more safely and efficiently.

The danger of clogged dryer vents

Clogged dryer vents can do more than just cost you money on your electric bill or lead to longer drying cycles; clogged dryer vents are the leading cause of dryer fires. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, clogged dryer vents cause more than 15,000 house fires each year. Thankfully, many dryer fires can be prevented through good dryer vent maintenance.

Benefits of cleaning your dryer vents

There are a number of benefits to having your dryer vents cleaned each year. Not only do clean dryer vents drastically reduce your chance of dryer fire, but it can also help your dryer run more efficiently and save on energy costs. The following are the top three reasons to have your dryer vents cleaned.

1. Prevent dryer fires. The same flammable lint that gets caught in the lint trap after every load can also accumulate in your dryer vents. Over time this can constrict the air flow through the dryer vents, causing the dryer to produce hotter and hotter air in an effort to dry the clothes. This supercharged air then ignites the lint, causing fires that can quickly spread to other areas of the home.
2. Improve efficiency. When dryer vents are clogged it can impact dryer efficiency; this is especially true of newer, high efficiency machines. Taking longer than one cycle to dry a load of clothes is one example of how efficiency is impacted. Many homeowners are surprised to learn they don’t need a new dryer – they just need their dryer vents cleaned!
3. Save energy. Clogged dryer vents cause the dryer to work harder each cycle to dry clothes. When dryer vents are regularly cleaned, the dryer is able to run more efficiently; after having their dryer vents cleaned, most homeowners notice a drop in the energy cost of operating their dryer each month!

Signs your dryer vents need to be cleaned

The average family needs to have their dryer vents cleaned at least once per year; however, depending on how often your dryer is used, your vents may need to be cleaned as often as every six to nine months. The following are a few signs your dryer vents need to be cleaned.

• Clothes take more than one cycle to dry
• A normal load of clothes takes longer than 45 minutes to dry
• More and more lint begins accumulating in the lint trap after each load
• Clothes are too hot to touch after coming out of the dryer
• The laundry room is excessively hot after running the dryer
• Clothes or the dryer have a damp, musty odor

Despite being one of the most frequently used appliances in our homes, many of us rarely have our dryers serviced. Having your dryer vents cleaned is an important way to improve the safety and efficiency of your dryer – while saving you money on your energy bill. To schedule your next dryer vent cleaning, contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today!

Why Every Home Needs Regular Dryer Vent Cleaning

When most people do their laundry, they do not give very much thought to dryer vent cleaning. Then, when their dryer stops working or their electricity bill is high, they wonder what the problem is. Having dryer vents professionally cleaned on a regular basis can help solve a number of common household problems.

Anyone who is responsible for household laundry knows how frustrating it is to find the cycle finished and clothes still sopping wet. Dryer vent cleaning is the best way to make sure that clothes are drying in a timely fashion and that they are not covered in excess lint. Having a professional cleaning is far less expensive than unnecessarily buying a new dryer when the old one seems to slow down.

These days, every homeowner needs to cut expenses in any way they can. Having the vents of the dryer cleaned is one of the most effective ways to lower the monthly power bill. When the vents are clean, the appliance does not have to use as much power to do its job properly. As a result, the amount of power used by the household each month will come down drastically.

Although money is an issue for many families, anyone would agree that the most important issue is the safety of the family. When a dryer vent is left without regular maintenance, lint and other debris builds up. This increases the chances that the dryer will eventually overheat, which can lead to dangerous house fires.

If the dryer is not working as well as it used to or the power bill seems to be out of control, it may be time to have the vents cleaned. It may seem like an unnecessary expense but the alternative is purchasing a new dryer or enduring a devastating fire. This simple home maintenance helps ensure that the dryer works as safely and efficiently as possible.