Lint is one of the most flammable materials in your home, and it collects in a hot metal tube you never look inside. That is the whole problem in one sentence.
Warning signs
- Clothes need more than one cycle to dry
- The dryer or laundry room feels unusually hot
- A burning smell during a cycle
- Visible lint around the exterior vent hood
- The dryer shuts off mid-cycle on thermal overload
The two-minute self-test
Run the dryer on air-only and hold your hand at the outdoor vent hood. You should feel a strong, steady push of air and see the flap fully open. Weak flow or a barely-moving flap means the run is restricted.
How often to clean
- Standard household: once a year
- Four or more people, or frequent bedding loads: every six months
- Vent runs longer than 7.5 m or with multiple elbows: every six to nine months
Why DIY kits fall short
Consumer brush kits clear the first metre or two, which is rarely where the compaction is. Professional rotary brushing works the full run from both ends, and airflow is measured before and after so the improvement is provable.
FAQ