Cleaning and properly maintaining a major appliance like a dryer is critical to optimizing its performance and to ensuring the safety of your household. Dryers need routine maintenance to keep them running smoothly and safely; according to FEMA, 2,900 home dryer fires are reported each year, most of them caused by a failure to clean the machine.
Fortunately, cleaning a dryer’s venting system is a straightforward job that doesn’t require calling in a service technician. We spoke to experts about how, and how often, to clean electric and gas dryers, including how to clean a dryer’s vent to keep your machine running safely. And be sure to check out our how to clean a washing machine guide as well.
How often should you clean your dryer?
When it comes to cleaning a dryer, there are things you should do regularly to keep the machine running smoothly and safely, and deeper cleaning and maintenance to perform every 12 to 24 months.
According to Gary Childers, a fabric care scientist and appliance expert at Procter & Gamble, routine maintenance includes:
- Removing lint from the lint screen before or after every drying cycle.
- Cleaning the lint screen with warm, soapy water every six months; larger households should clean the lint screen more frequently.
- Removing spots inside the machine or on the door using a warm, wet cloth.
- Having a professional appliance repair technician check the dryer interior and ductwork of the machine every 12 to 24 months, depending on use and manufacturer recommendation.
How to clean a dryer vent
Cleaning a dryer duct can be done without calling in a professional. “Cleaning a dryer duct isn’t difficult,” Gina Perry, senior merchant of cleaning at The Home Depot, says. “Remove lint from the duct by hand and then vacuum the inside of the duct.” She offered these step-by-step instructions for cleaning a dryer vent.
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