How to Clean Your Dryer Vent Like a Pro
Have you ever noticed that your clothes seem to smell a lot fresher after they’ve been washed? When you run your clean, damp laundry through your washer, it traps scent in the fibers. But when the fabric doesn’t have access to air, that same scent is sealed inside and starts to smell. That smell can sometimes be unpleasant, but it also has a lot to do with the fabrics you’re wearing. Clothes tend to smell because of their natural oils, which are released during laundering. And while your washer will get rid of most of those smells and leave behind only fresh-smelling garments, your dryer isn’t so lucky. Even though dryers effectively remove any excess moisture from your clothes (which also helps reduce smells), they still retain odors from all the natural oils trapped inside them. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep your dryer smelling fresh and extend the life of your laundry without adding extra chemicals or spending more money on new detergent.
How to Clean Your Dryer Vent
If you want to clean your dryer vent, you’ll need a dryer brush and some duct tape. Dryer vents can become clogged with lint, dust, and other small particles that are trapped in the duct between the dryer and the wall of your house. This buildup can interfere with the vent’s ability to efficiently move air, and it can also lead to heart damage and costly repairs. Once your vent is clogged, you might notice that your clothes are taking longer to dry or that they’re coming out smelling musty. If you want to clean your dryer vent, you’ll need a dryer brush and some duct tape. Dryer vents can become clogged with lint, dust, and other small particles that are trapped in the duct between the dryer and the wall of your house. This buildup can interfere with the vent’s ability to efficiently move air, and it can also lead to heart damage and costly repairs. Once your vent is clogged, you might notice that your clothes are taking longer to dry or that they’re coming out smelling musty. If you want to clean your vent, try this first: Remove your clothes from the dryer and run it with the vent open to clear the duct of any lint or other particles. Then, use a dryer brush on the vent hose to clear any lint or other obstructions that are still lodged in the duct.
Add a dryer sheet
If your dryer’s vent is clogged, adding a dryer sheet can let the heat and steam through the vent and help clean the duct. Dryer sheets are made almost entirely of oils, including rosemary oil and thyme oil, which have anti-microbial properties that can help eliminate odors. Depending on your dryer’s model, you may be able to hang the sheet from the lint trap (which is typically on the inside of the door). If your dryer doesn’t use a lint trap, you can wrap the sheet around the hose and heat duct as close to the vent as possible.
Install a dryer filter
The recommended amount of time between washes for your clothes depends on a lot of factors, like the type of fabric and your climate. But for the most part, you can expect your clothes to last longer if you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. In the meantime, you can help keep your laundry smelling fresh by installing a dryer filter. Dryer filters trap lint and other debris while keeping water flowing through the machine. This can help extend the life of your clothes and reduce the build-up of lint in your vent. Depending on your model, you may be able to install a filter yourself or you may have to call in a professional.
Run your laundry with vinegar and water
There are a few things you can try to keep your dryer vent smelling fresh. One of them is running your clean, damp laundry through your dryer with a half cup of white vinegar and a quart of water in the drum. You can find white vinegar at the grocery store or order it online. If you don’t have vinegar at home, you can substitute it with a half cup of baking soda and a quarter cup of salt. Baking soda is a common ingredient in many cleaning products and is a great natural odor remover. It absorbs odors, so you’ll need to use it in conjunction with the vinegar. While your clothes are in the drum, sprinkle the salt and vinegar on top of the water to add extra flavor and scent to the water. While you’re doing this, try to maintain a consistent speed and temperature to create steam and help to reduce the amount of lint in the duct.
Keep it clean after use
Keep in mind that the dryer’s lint trap and the vent will always be full of lint and other particles, so you should try to clean them as soon as you’re done using the dryer. For the most effective results, you want to use a lint-free cloth. Also, make sure you clean the outside of the dryer and around the dryer’s vent and lint trap. Keeping your dryer vent clean can help you to keep your dryer working properly and to reduce the risk of a fire or other type of heat damage. Dryer vent cleaning Austin can get clogged with lint, so cleaning it out can keep your clothes from smelling musty and reduce their risk of heat damage.