Tips On Cleaning Your Dryer Vents and Why It's Important

Have you noticed that your clothes are taking much longer to dry than before?  Your dryer vents may be long overdue for a good cleaning.  When was the last time you cleaned them? Never? And not the little screen you pull out from the dryer that collects lint, the dryer vent is the silver tube that carries the hot, moist air outside.Just like the dryer screen, these vents can become clogged with lint, preventing your dryer from functioning properly (read: taking forever to dry your clothes!). In addition to that inconvenience, a clogged dryer vent can drive up your electrical costs, as well as put your home at risk for a fire.  There are almost 3,000 dryer fires  each year in the US, causing an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries and $35 million in property loss. The number one cause of dryer fires is failure to clean dryer vents.  Keep reading for step by step tips on cleaning your dryer vents and why it's important, and click this link to read the full article.

Tools you'll need

• Screwdriver or nut driver
• Dryer vent brushes
• Vacuum cleaner with hose

Step No. 1: Unplug your dryer

Pull your dryer out a foot or two for easier access, and unplug it. This is extremely important, especially for those of you who like being alive. If your dryer runs on gas, carefully disconnect that as well.