A clogged dryer duct and vent presents a host of issues that are easily improved upon if dealt with ahead of time. Apart from cleaning your dryer duct and vent, there are proactive steps you can take to reduce your dryer duct and vent from getting clogged with debris.
With a little initiative, you can greatly reduce mechanical and safety issues related to lint or other debris piling up in your dryer duct and vent. Keep reading to learn how to slow down clogging a dryer duct and vent.
Clean Lint Trap Before Each Cycle
Before drying clothes and fabrics, it is important to clean the lint trap. Consistently removing lint from the lint trap is essential for slowing down the process of debris clogging your dryer duct and vent. If this is not a habit already, then place a sticky note on the dryer or use your phone to remind yourself to clean the lint trap the next time you use your dryer.
Cleaning the lint trap requires little effort and will help in keeping debris from your dryer duct and vent. In the long run, keeping your lint trap clean will also help maintain the efficiency of your dryer and extend your dryer’s expected lifespan.
Check the Dryer Duct and Vent For Debris
Like your dryer’s lint trap, the dryer duct and vent are other locations where debris tends to accumulate. Check the dryer duct and vent regularly for debris, at least once a year to prevent serious issues with debris clogging your dryer vent. To avoid compacting lint inside the dryer vent, it is best to hire a professional to clean out the dryer vent and duct.
Use Fabric Softener Instead of Dryer Sheets
Did you know that the film from dryer sheets coats the entire dryer? While this may seem like a plus for making your clothes feel and smell good, this film is sticky and adheres to the lint trap where it blocks the lint trap’s filter holes.
After using the dryer load after load, dryer sheets gradually make your lint trap less effective at filtering lint out of your loads. Consequently, you will find lint mixed in with your clothes that the lint trap failed to filter out because of the film from the dryer sheets. Thankfully, there is an easy solution to this problem that you probably guessed already: fabric softener.
Unlike dryer sheets and the film they produce, fabric softener removes static and leaves a pleasant aroma on your clothes without leaving behind any unwanted debris that can clog your dryer duct and vent. Keep in mind that you will need to use carefully measured amounts of fabric softener to avoid over-saturating your clothes and leaving behind unwanted residue in your washer.