Cleaning a dryer vent from the outside is an essential part of home maintenance that is often overlooked. It is necessary to reduce the risk of fires in the home and to make sure that the dryer works properly and efficiently. To clean a dryer vent from the outside, start by inserting a grille cleaning brush into the dryer's ventilation grille. Add brush extensions as needed to reach the end of the ventilation grille.
If applicable, place the brush in a drill and use the rotation of the drill to clean the inside of the ventilation grille. While the drill is spinning the brush, slowly pull it out of the ventilation grille. For deeper cleaning, you can use a dryer duct cleaning kit. Standard kits come with flexible rods that allow you to crawl up to 12 feet into the duct. They are designed to connect, but as an extra precaution, you can cover each connection with electrical tape to prevent them from breaking.
The kit comes with a rotating brush that must be inserted first. At the back, you'll place an electric drill on the rod near you. It is recommended to pull out the vent brush about once every 12 months to make sure that the dryer vent is in great condition. However, if this is not possible, take great care to ensure that the dryer vents are always clean and free of residue. After cleaning, plug the dryer back in and reconnect the duct to the dryer vent. To reduce the amount of dust and lint in and around the dryer, use a workshop vacuum and a dryer vent cleaning kit to make sure that the ventilation grille is completely clean.
Use wipes or soap and water to clean the vent cover and unlock anything that has gotten stuck in the rack. Learning how to clean a dryer vent from the outside is an important part of home maintenance that can protect your home, save some money, and make your clothes look better. It is essential to reduce the risk of fires in your home and ensure that laundry day works at maximum efficiency.
