How to Clean a Dryer Vent (and How Often)
4 min read · Updated 2026-07-07
Short answer: clean the full vent duct once a year, and the lint screen every single load. Lint is highly flammable, and clogged dryer vents are one of the leading causes of home fires in the US — this is the maintenance task with the best safety-per-minute ratio in the house.
Warning signs your vent is clogging
Clothes take two cycles to dry. The dryer top or the laundry room feels unusually hot. You smell something faintly burnt while it runs. The outside vent flap barely moves when the dryer is on. Any one of these means clean it now, not at the annual mark.
The 20-minute DIY clean
Unplug the dryer (shut the gas valve if gas) and pull it away from the wall. Detach the duct from the back of the machine. Vacuum lint from the duct opening on the dryer, inside the duct itself, and the wall connection. A rotating brush kit that attaches to a drill (about $20) lets you scrub the full duct run. Finish outside: pop the exterior vent cover and clear lint from the flap and screen. Reconnect everything, push the dryer back, and run an empty cycle to confirm strong airflow outside.
While you are back there: if the duct is white vinyl or crushed foil, replace it with semi-rigid or rigid metal duct — vinyl and crushed runs trap lint and are the classic fire setup.
When to call a pro
Long duct runs (over about 15 feet), runs with multiple bends, roof-terminated vents, or a duct you cannot fully access are pro territory. A professional cleaning is inexpensive insurance for a hazard this cheap to remove.
Never think about this schedule again
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Frequently asked questions
How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?
The full duct once a year — more often for big households doing daily loads or if you notice longer dry times. The lint screen: every load.
Do dryer vents really cause house fires?
Yes. Failure to clean dryers and their vents is consistently among the leading causes of laundry-room fires reported by US fire agencies. Lint is extremely flammable.
Why does my dryer take two cycles to dry clothes?
Restricted airflow is the most common cause — a clogged lint screen, duct, or exterior vent. Clean the full run before paying for a repair call.
Can I use a leaf blower to clean the duct?
It can work on short straight runs, but a drill-powered brush kit cleans caked lint far better and will not blow the exterior flap off.