Washing clothes may seem like such a mundane task. Fill up the wash, put in your detergent, dry your clothes and fold them. You may think that you have washed your clothes so many times you have the whole process down, but many people may forget about the importance of keeping your dryer vent clean. There are many reasons as to why dryer vent cleaning is important and we will discuss them in this article.
Below are five reasons why you should keep your dryer vents clean:
- Flammable
- Not very efficient
- Clean vent ensures longer dryer life
- Less maintenance
- Mold
Flammable
Did you know that 15,000 fires each year are caused by dryers? 80% of these are accredited to dryer vents that have not been cleaned. Having a dryer vent that is not properly cleaned is extremely flammable, and using your dryer with a clogged vent can cause a fire.
$236 million in property is lost each year due to dryer vent fires. To prevent a dryer vent fire, follow these steps:
- Read the manual that came with your dryer to ensure that it is properly installed and plugged in correctly
- Clean the lint filter after every load of clothes you dry in the dryer
- Use a nylon brush to clean this filter at least every six months
- Every three months you should completely clean the vent pipe for lint
- Ensure the venting system behind the dryer is not damaged and is working properly
- Cover your outside wall dampers to ensure elements do not come in contact with them
- Ensure that when your dryer is on, the vent cover outdoors is open
Not Very Efficient
By having a clogged dryer vent, the proper amount of heat and air is not going to reach your dryer. This can cause your dryer to not dry as efficiently. By cleaning your dryer vent you are ensuring that all the heat is properly vented and reaching your clothes in the dryer.
When your dryer is not working properly, this means that you will likely have to run it multiple times in order to properly dry your clothes. Doing this can cause an increase in your electrical bill. Dryers range anywhere from 2,000 to 6,000 watts. This means that your dryer uses about two to six kilowatt-hours of electricity everytime that you use it. If we go based on the national average of 12 cents per kilowatt-hour, you are spending an average of 50 cents every hour that you use your dryer. To ensure that you are not spending even more than this, keep your dryer vent clean.
Some ways that you can limit how much energy your dryer uses are:
- Hang your clothes to dry
- Keep your lint trap clean
- Do not put too much in your dryer
- Use heat from last load for next one
- Put similar items in dryer together
Keep Your Dryer Longer
The cleaner you keep your dryer vent, the longer your dryer will survive. Similar to the point of a clogged vent means a less efficient dryer cycle, more loads and longer running times means your dryer is working extra hard and putting in more work than it needs to. This could cause your dryer to reach the end of its life even sooner than it should. To ensure that your dryer is not receiving wear and tear that it doesn’t need to, clean your dryer vent so it can run as efficiently as possible.
Less Maintenance
The more you leave your dryer vent clogged, the more likely it is that you will need work done on your dryer. Like any appliance, the better condition you keep your machine, the better it will run and the longer it will last. Leaving your dryer running with a clogged vent can eventually lead to your dryer needing repairs. Keep your dryer vent clean so your dryer can be in the best shape possible.
Mold
Your dryer vent is necessary because it is used to keep hot air outside and to also release moisture. Having a clogged vent means that the lint inside can get caught on the moisture in the tube and create mold. Breathing in mold can cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions. Also leaving your vent clogged can make it even harder to clean because of the lint and mold sticking to the wet spots in the tube.
It is important to keep all of your appliances clean and in good working order to ensure they last you a long time. Keeping your dryer vent clean is also essential because a clogged vent can result in fires, mold, a poor working machine and more. Keep your vent clean to keep your machine and home in the best condition possible.
