A good rule of thumb is to have your dryer's exhaust vents inspected and cleaned by a professional at least once a year. However, if you have a household that uses the dryer frequently, such as one with many children, you may want to consider increasing that amount every six months. A large family means that more clothes need to be washed each day, and the more you use the dryer each day, the more lint it will accumulate. Therefore, it must be cleaned several times a year.
It is NOT a one-size-fits-all; there are variables that affect how often you should clean the dryer's ventilation system. Generally speaking, the clothes dryer itself, as well as the ventilation grille, should be cleaned every 1 to 3 years. Now that we've discussed the importance of cleaning your dryer vent, let's talk about how often it should be done. You should clean your condo dryer vent at least once a year.
Depending on how often you use the dryer, it may vary. If you have a large family or use the dryer frequently, it is recommended to clean it every six months. If you have pets in your home, you should also clean it twice a year. Call a professional immediately if you notice that lint has accumulated, if your clothes take longer to dry, or if you notice a burning smell while the clothes are drying.
The lint that accumulates in the ventilation grille not only causes clothes to take longer to dry, but it can also be a fire hazard, so be sure to do this work. One of the most important elements to keep laundry-related appliances clean is dryer ventilation. There are several steps you can take to help promote the cleanliness of the dryer between each cleaning of the ventilation grilles. To clean the dryer's ventilation grill, all you need is a vacuum with a long hose and a brush to remove persistent lint from the ventilation grill.
Most dryers and ventilation systems require cleaning every one to three years to maintain optimal efficiency and maintain the highest level of safety. Most clothes dryers have warning labels on the back of the machine or in the owner's manual that prohibit the use of plastic or aluminum foil type ventilation grilles (i.e., cleaning the dryer vent with a leaf blower is not recommended, as they are not powerful enough to remove all lint and dirt and, in fact, can damage ventilation). Some manufacturers now require annual cleaning so that the dryer's warranty remains intact for its entire duration. To effectively clean this type of ventilation grilles, special equipment is required that the average DIYer will not have access to.
All dryer manufacturers, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the National Fire Protection Association recommend periodically cleaning the dryer and ventilation system to prevent dryer fires from occurring. If your HOA doesn't regulate cleanings and you're the condo owner, you'll want to book a cleaning of the dryer racks on your own to ensure your safety and that of the building. Planet Duct's highly trained technicians use the best HVAC equipment available to repair dryer vents, giving you peace of mind and ensuring the safety and efficiency of your appliances.
