Cleaning dryer vents is a task that often gets pushed to the bottom of the never-ending list of home chores. It’s easy to forget to clean something that you never see. If you’re one of the many homeowners who can’t remember the last time you cleaned your dryer vents, please read ahead to understand the importance of dryer vent cleaning and maintenance.
1- Reduce the Risk of Fire
Dryers work by blowing hot air into their spinning drum. The hot, moist air leftover is then released through the dryer vent. When lint and other debris are stuck in the dryer vent, it poses a serious fire risk. Since lint, hair, paper, and other things that may get clogged in the vents are highly flammable, having any blockage that traps the heat is a disaster waiting to happen.
2- Improve Your Dryer’s Performance
Since dryers rely on airflow to properly dry clothing, anything that reduces that airflow will affect how well the dryer will function. By cleaning your dryer vent, you’ll increase the airflow from the dryer. This allows moist air to escape out, leaving behind dryer clothes. The quicker this moist air is removed from the dryer, the quicker your clothes will dry.
3- Cut Down on Dust
Lint consists of tiny fabric pieces, hair, skin cells, and other small debris. When a dryer vent is blocked, that lint will push its way back into the dryer. This can cause clothing to have more lint or hair residue. It can also cause more dust in your house since the leftover lint shakes off the clothes as you fold or wear them. If you’re worried about the dust caused by cleaning your dryer vent, have a company clean your vents for you. They can thoroughly clean dryer vents and ducts without making a mess.
4- Keep Your Dryer Working for Longer
When a dryer has to work harder to dry your clothes, it puts more strain on the inner workings of the machine. It also increases the likelihood that your clothes aren’t drying as well, meaning you have to run the dryer longer than intended. This additional wear and tear wreaks havoc on your dryer’s lifespan. This means you’ll have to replace this costly appliance more frequently.
5- Lower Your Energy Bills
We’ve established that having a clogged duct can cause a dryer to run inefficiently, but have you considered that this inefficiency is costing you more on your utility bills? Whether your dryer is gas or electric, having to run it for longer or run multiple cycles to get clothes dry is a major hit to your monthly bill.
6- Reduce Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Risk
It is especially important to keep vents clean in dryers that use natural gas. This is because a backup in the ducts increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Gas dryers push carbon monoxide out of the vents along with the moist air from the dryer. If this gas has nowhere to go, it could lead to a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide within your home. This odorless gas can cause headaches, nausea, loss of consciousness, and even death.
Though cleaning your dryer vents may seem like an insignificant task, it is a crucial part of keeping your home safe and healthy for you and your family.
