Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

Reasons To Get Your Dryer Vents Cleaned

Most homeowners understand the basics of dryer care, such as cleaning out the lint trap after use. While this is an important part of preventing dryer fires, there is one space it can be difficult to reach lint buildup – in the dryer vents.

Why do dryer vents need to be cleaned?

The same lint that accumulates in the lint trap can begin building up in the dryer vents over time. If not removed, this lint can begin to clog dryer vents, impact dryer performance, and significantly increase the risk of a dryer fire.

Lint and other debris in the dryer vents can cause narrowing that constricts air flow; as little as half an inch of accumulation in a four-inch dryer vent can reduce airflow by up to 50%. To compensate for the reduced airflow, the dryer produces hotter and hotter air. This superheated air can ignite the highly flammable lint, causing a dryer fire that can quickly spread beyond the laundry room and to the rest of your home.

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 15,000 house fires are caused by clogged dryer vents in the United States each year. These fires endanger lives and cause millions of dollars in damage to homes and property – and can often be prevented.

Reasons to have your dryer vents cleaned

Below are four of the many reasons to have your dryer vents cleaned.

1. Reduce the risk of fire
Professional dryer vent cleaning removes lint and debris from the entire vent system – not just from the lint trap. This significantly reduces the risk of an accidental dryer fire.

2. Preventative dryer maintenance
When dryer vents are clogged, additional wear and tear are placed on the appliance. As the dryer works harder to compensate for clogged vents, there is a higher chance of a breakdown occurring. The cost of repairs – or an entirely new dryer – is often more than the cost of a dryer vent cleaning.

3. Improved performance
Clogs can prevent humid air from escaping; this means that clothes often need more than one cycle to dry completely. Clean vents can help improve dryer performance by shortening dryer times and helping clothes dry faster. Likewise, having dryer vents cleaned can help prevent the damp, musty smells that can permeate the dryer – and clothes – when vents are clogged.

4. Lower energy bills
A dryer with clogged vents has to work harder in order to dry clothes; this uses more energy and can lead to increased energy bills. Electricity bills can also go up when running additional cycles is needed in order to get clothes totally dry. Having dryer vents cleaned can help the dryer operate more efficiently and lower energy bills.

Schedule your dryer vent cleaning today!

If your dryer is running sluggishly, don’t head to the store to pick out a new dryer. Instead, consider having your dryer vents cleaned to improve dryer efficiency – and significantly reduce your risk of a dryer fire. For more information about dryer vent cleaning or to schedule your next appointment, contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today!

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!