You rely on your dryer a lot in order to keep your clothes, towels, and other fabrics clean. Without dryers, doing laundry would be much less convenient. Your dryer vent plays an essential role in keeping your dryer functioning as it should. Here are some things you should know about how often you should get dryer vent cleaning. 

The Function Of Dryer Vents

Dryer vents are vital to keeping your dryer running as it should. They gather lint, helping to keep your laundry clean in the drying process. Though they gather lint like lint traps, they are not the same thing. A lint trap is what you can take out of the dryer yourself and clean, and it’s typically recommended you do this frequently. A dryer vent is a pipe connected to the dryer and vents out lint.

Over time, though, the lint builds up. Lint can cause your dryer vent to clog, posing problems. It’s important to keep your dryer vent clean, for both convenience, maintenance, and safety reasons. 

Signs It’s Time For Dryer Vent Cleaning

The most obvious sign that you need a dryer vent cleaning is when your dryer starts taking longer and longer to dry. If your clothes are still damp after you run the dryer, that’s an indicator it’s time to schedule a dryer vent cleaning service. Or conversely, if your laundry is abnormally hot when you take it out, that’s a sign, too. Your laundry might also come out smelly.

There are some other signs that you need to schedule dryer vent cleaning, too. If the lint trap has an excessive amount of lint, that can show your vent needs cleaning. You may also notice the dryer vent hood flap doesn’t open during the drying cycle. 

Factors That Impact The Frequency Of Dryer Vent Cleaning

There is no one size fits all when it comes to dryer vent cleaning. There are a number of factors that impact how often you’ll need to have it done. The number of loads you do is one, as the more often you use your dryer, the quicker lint builds up. If you have pets, the pet hair gets stuck in the lint trap, also making you need more frequent cleaning.

The kinds of things you wash also play a role. Towels, new clothes, blankets, and other such items produce more lint than frequently washed clothes. If any of these sound like your home, you’ll probably need to schedule dry vent cleaning more often than those for whom these are less of a factor.

Why Is Dryer Vent Cleaning Important?

Maintaining your dryer vent doesn’t just help your laundry process, it also prevents multiple dangers. Uncleaned dryer vents can cause fires. The U.S. Fire Administration states that failure to clean the dryer is the leading cause of home dryer fires. Other problems with not getting dryer vent cleaning include: carbon monoxide poisoning, animals creating nests in your home because the dryer vent flap won’t close, high electricity bills because you are having to run it more, and shortening the lifespan of your dryer. 

How Does Dryer Vent Cleaning Work?

When it’s time to clean your dryer vent, you can call a professional to come to your home. They will have tools that let them clean the lint and any other buildup from your dryer vent pipes. They’ll be able to get deep into your vents, to ensure a thorough cleaning. 

So, How Often Do You Need Dryer Vent Cleaning?

As you can see, it depends. Dryer vent cleaning is generally recommended annually, but individual factors and usage rates can cause you to need to have it done more frequently. Look out for any of the tell-tale signs your dryer gives you when it’s time to have the dryer vent cleaned. And do be sure not to ignore them. Clean dryer vents are essential, not just for the convenience of a load of laundry that dries fast, but also for the safety of your home.

Do You Need To Schedule A Dryer Vent Cleaning?

Here at TNT Cleaning Company, we have trained professionals who are ready to help you with your dryer vent cleaning needs. We also offer a range of other cleaning services to Ogden, UT and surrounding areas. If you need to schedule a dryer vent cleaning or have any questions, please contact us at TNT Cleaning Company today!