An Important Task Wyomingites Need On Their To-Do List

It's a task around your house that may never be at the top of your mind, but it should be.

If you don't do this, it could start a fire, reduce the efficiency of your clothes dryer, and cost you lots of money.

Cleaning the dryer vent and lint trap on your clothes dryer.

Experts recommend cleaning your vent every one to three years and cleaning your lint trap after every load of laundry you dry.

Dryer Vent Cleaning

The Dryer Doctors say you should look at a few variables when determining how often you clean out your dryer vent.

1. How often do you do laundry?
2. Length of your dryer vent system.
3. Total number of bends in the system.
4. Whether pets are a factor in your home.
5. The type and position of your outside vent cover.
6. What laundry detergent do you use?
7. What are the guidelines set by your dryer's manufacturer?

Things you should know about cleaning your dryer vents.

• Lint screens will not stop all of the lint. The remaining lint will travel through your vent system and may stick to the inside of the dryer, vent hose, and other parts.
• Lint build-up causes stress and strain on your dryer, which may cause other problems.
  • Carbon monoxide in your home (gas dryers)
  • Increased drying times
  • Higher utility bills
  • Dryer lifespan
  • Dryer fires
• 3/4 of homes do not have a dryer vent system that is code-compliant
  • Many homes aren't using the proper venting hose, vent covers, or other parts of the system.
• Dryer fires can happen, and over 15,000 fires per year are caused by a clothes dryer
• Proper dryer vent cleaning isn't just one step; over ten steps need to be done.
• Not all dryer vent systems are created equally.
  • Cleanout frequency is determined by the issues listed above.
• Not all dryer vent systems are as problematic.
  • The longer the vent system, the more issues you may face.

If you use a wood-burning stove or have a fireplace, you know it's important to clean your chimney every year to keep things clean and allow smoke to flow out of your home.

Think of the dryer vent in the same way. Removing lint and other debris allows the hot air from the dryer to escape safely.

This video from AmplifyDIY on YouTube gives you a step-by-step guide on cleaning your clothes dryer vent system.