Skip to main content

How to clean a dryer vent

Reduce your risk of fire by cleaning your dryer vent. Here's how

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments across the United States responded to nearly 16,000 fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines each year between 2010 and 2014.

Failure to clean the dryer is the leading cause of dryer fires. You have to clean more than just dryer’s the lint trap though — you also need to clean the dryer’s vent system. On most dryers, there’s a duct that runs from the dryer to the wall, and then there’s another duct inside the wall that runs out to the exterior of your home. The duct inside the wall can collect a lot of lint that you don’t even see because, well, it’s behind the wall. How do you know if the duct is dirty if you can’t see it? A good dryer can start to perform poorly, and your dryer may start having issues it didn’t have before. For instance, your clothes may take longer to dry, and excess lint might accumulate inside of the dryer. You may also notice excess lint building up on the vent outside of your home.

Erika Rawes/Digital Trends

Depending on how often you use your dryer, you should clean out the vent anywhere between every three months and once a year. You don’t have to hire a professional to clean your dryer vent. Using an inexpensive duct cleaning brush, you can do it yourself. Here’s how to do it.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

What you’ll need

  • A duct cleaning brush kit (preferably one like this one , which uses screw-in extender poles)
  • A power drill
  • A vacuum with a hose attachment
  • A ladder to open the vent on the exterior of your home (if it’s up high)
  • A flat-head screwdriver
  • Duct tape
Recommended Videos

How to clean a dryer vent

Step 1: Pull the dryer away from the wall and unplug the unit.

Step 2: Pick up any clothes that fell behind the dryer and vacuum up the lint. There will likely be a significant amount of lint, especially if you don’t clean behind your dryer very often.

Erika Rawes/Digital Trends

Step 3: Disconnect the exterior duct hose from the back of the dryer. Using a flat-head screwdriver, unscrew the screw at the top of the fitting, and the duct should loosen enough for you to slide it off.

Step 4: Disconnect the exterior duct hose from the wall using the same method as in step 3.

Step 5:  Clean the exterior duct hose with a vacuum cleaner and hose attachment.

Erika Rawes/Digital Trends

Step 6: Prepare the duct cleaning brush and a power drill. Make sure your power drill is fully charged. Attach the brush head to the first pole and have the other connection poles nearby. As you clean the duct, you’ll continue to attach extender poles until the brush reaches outside, and has therefore cleaned the full length of the duct.

Step 7: Remove or completely open the exterior vent hood (outside of your house) so the lint can be discharged outside as you push it from the inside.

Step 8: Go back inside the house and start cleaning the dryer duct from the interior. Ask another person to stay outside so they can tell you when the cleaning brush reaches the exterior.

Clean the duct by inserting the brush/rod assembly into the duct opening in the wall where the dryer was connected. Push and pull the brush into the duct one foot at a time. Add additional rods as you go until the brush reaches the outside of the house.

As you’re cleaning the duct, twist the rod clockwise, as this will help grab the lint. Turning the brush clockwise will also help guide the brush around turns in the duct.

You can use the drill for additional cleaning power, but you can also turn the brush by hand and forgo using a drill.

Do not turn the rods counterclockwise, and do not reverse the direction of the drill. If you do, the poles or brush may unscrew inside of the duct in the wall. Then, you’ll have a much bigger problem on your hands (you could end up with poles and a brush lost inside of your dryer duct).

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 9: Go outside and collect the lint that was pushed through the duct with the brush.

Step 10: Reassemble the dryer. Attach the duct to the wall and to the dryer, and then reattach the fittings. Plug the unit back in.

Tips

  • Make sure you have enough extender poles to run the whole length of the duct. Many brush/rod assemblies come in 12, 18, or 24-feet. If you have a lot of footage to cover, you may be able to save money by purchasing two smaller assemblies instead of one larger one. For instance, if you have a 20-foot duct, you can purchase two, 12-foot brush assemblies and that may save you money when compared to the price of one 24-foot brush assembly.
  • Place duct tape around the metal portions of the extender rods (after you screw them together) to avoid scratching or dinging the duct’s interior.
  • It’s a good idea to purchase a new exterior duct and exterior vent. You can , and you can . This makes the whole process faster and easier because you’re left cleaning only the duct inside the wall, and you won’t have to clean those exterior inexpensive parts.
  • It’s wise to buy a duct cleaning kit that’s sturdy, and one that has extender poles that screw together. Brushes with metal springs can be difficult to navigate through the duct, as they tend to be flimsier. Vacuum attachments work great for cleaning the duct between the wall and the dryer, but they are not as effective for cleaning the ducting inside of the wall. We used this kit , and it was about $25 on Amazon.
  • If the brush gets stuck, and you absolutely cannot push it through a certain point in the duct, try the following: Pull out the assembly and remove the brush from the extender rod. Add a padding of duct tape to the first rod (to avoid scratching the duct’s interior). Then, run just the extender poles through the duct to the exterior. This will help to remove bad clogs in the duct. After that, run the brush through the duct again.
Erika Rawes
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Erika became a professional writer in 2010, and her work is published all over the web on sites ranging from USA Today to…
How to install a Ring Video Doorbell at your home or office
A Ring Video Doorbell 4 mounted near a home's front door.

One of the main reasons Ring Video Doorbells are so popular is their simple installation process. Installing the wired models requires a bit of DIY know-how, but getting its battery-powered models up and running doesn't require much more than a screwdriver and your smartphone. In fact, there's a good chance you can have your Ring Video Doorbell out of its box and onto your porch in less than 30 minutes.

The installation steps vary from product to product, though most walk you through the process via the accompanying mobile app. But if you're curious about the process, here's a look at how to install a Ring Video Doorbell. This guide largely relates to the Ring Video Doorbell 2, though you'll find that most products in the Ring catalog follow a similar procedure.
Prep
There are three things you need to get out of the way before installing your new doorbell.

Read more
Narwal’s Freo X Ultra honors reliable, maintenance-free cleaning for 7 weeks
Narwal Freo X Ultra smart robotic vacuum with family

Why does anyone buy a smart robotic vacuum? For two primary reasons: To have a spotless home and to achieve that with minimal effort. But you'd be surprised how many modern vacuums don't offer such a thing, or worse yet, require constant attention. That's not the case with Narwal's Freo X Ultra, a brilliant smart robotic vacuum that requires minimal maintenance. Its self-contained dust processing and storage allows for up to seven weeks of continuous use without emptying any dustbins. Plus, the truly tangle-free experience thanks to a certified zero hair tangling brush means it won't get trapped, clogged, or stuck because of any debris. It cleans right up to the edge of any wall or space, with 8,200 Pascals of suction power, and even has a built-in mop that scrubs away stubborn stains. All of this is possible with ultimate convenience and no hassles or messes. Sounds promising, indeed. Even better, from March 6 until March 12, you can use code NARWALNEW at checkout to get $200 off.
Buy Now
 

Narwal Freo X Ultra Impressions | This Robot Vac Compresses Dust, Prevents Hair Tangling

Read more
The best places to buy a washer and dryer in 2024
Samsung Washer and Dryer in a house.

New appliances are a big purchase any way you look at it, from a refrigerator to a washer and dryer set. That means when you make the purchase, you want to ensure you're choosing the right appliance. It must last for years, do the job efficiently, and offer convenient features that make your task easier. In the case of washers and dryers, they'll need to effectively wash clothes but also do so without wasting water and energy. It doesn't hurt to have a healthy selection of cleaning cycles and functions to choose from, like being able to steam dry clothes, de-wrinkle them, or wash them on various temperature settings. Smart appliances are available these days, too, from several manufacturers, allowing you to connect to the system with your smartphone or remotely control them. The same variety is true for where you buy your appliances. Some places offer free shipping, great prices, extended warranties, or even service coverage. To help narrow down all of those choices, we've gathered up all of the best places to buy a washer and dryer in 2024, with detailed specs about each.
The best places to buy a washer and dryer

Shop at for its broad selection and free home delivery on most appliances.
Shop at for its forgiving return policies.
Shop at if you're a My Best Buy Rewards member for excellent perks.
Shop at if you want a limited but quality selection of appliances, and you have a membership -- or want one.
Shop at for both an online and in-store experience.
Shop at if you want a suitable alternative to the other options on the list.
Shop at for its incredible deals like free home delivery and installation included plus rebate offers.
Shop at for quick replacements and affordable units.

Read more