There are so many chores we all have to do around the house that some just simply get forgotten about, like your dryer vents. It can be an annoying job to do, so it often gets put at the bottom of the to-do list and it just never gets done. However, cleaning those vents out should be much more of a priority than you might realize. From improving the cleanliness of your laundry to your household’s safety, below we’ll go through all the reasons why you should no longer ignore cleaning out your dryer vents.
How Often Should You Clean Your Dryer Vents?
Fortunately, cleaning out your dryer vents isn’t a task you have to do very often. In fact, for most households, you only really need to maintain them around once per year – that makes it seem like a much more manageable task than you might have first thought. If your household does a lot of laundry or you have a larger family, you might want to consider increasing that to around every 6 months or so.
You can do the cleaning yourself, but if it’s the first time in a while (or ever), it’ll be worth looking for a dryer vent cleaning service, as your vents might require a bit of professional attention, as there could be a lot to clean up.
Signs Your Vents Need Cleaning
There are actually a lot of telltale signs that your dryer does, in fact, need cleaning – even if it’s not yet been a year. If you notice that your clothes are taking a lot longer to dry or feel damp or even smell after washing, then the vent might be blocked, stopping moisture from escaping.
You might also notice that the dryer itself seems to be getting hotter than usual, again a sign that it’s not getting enough air thanks to dirty vents. Something you may notice but may not put two and two together is that your energy bills are increasing. If you do notice this, it can be down to your dryer using a lot more energy to dry your clothes because it’s having to work a lot harder and longer than before.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to get them sorted.
Why Dryer Vent Maintenance Is Important?
Having blocked or dirty vents isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a matter of safety. Lint produced by dryers is very flammable – most of us know this already. You might remember to clean out the lint tray, but what you may not realize is that lint can get everywhere, often traveling through the airflow system and getting stuck in the vents of the dryer.
These clogged vents are one of the leading causes of dryer fires, so you really do want to make sure you get them cleaned when they need it, or your whole household is at risk each time you put the dryer on without cleaning it.
Cleaning out your dryer vents doesn’t have to be a difficult task. Not only does it need to be done once or twice a year, but you can also get help doing it. The important thing is that you remember to prioritize getting them cleaned and stay on top of the maintenance going forward, so your washing will be cleaner and your household can stay much safer.
