How To Clean Dryer Vent With A Leaf Blower [5 Main Steps]
Why should we clean our dryer vent? Well, when you regularly fail to clean the vent, the dryer will take more time than usual to dry the clothes. This does not mean that something is wrong with the dryer; it is simply the symptom of decreased heat circulation due to a smaller or no exit way left. Thus, cleaning the vent is essential to reduce the dryer’s work time. You not only retain the appliance’s efficiency but also reduce the risk of fire. This task of cleaning actually involves much more than using a cloth or brush and wiping the lint away. This article will explain the main steps on how to clean your dryer vent with a leaf blower and other tools. Allowing food leftovers to reside in your refrigerator for more than a day or dirt residue in a sink for a few hours results in an unhealthy, unpleasant smell. However, allowing lint to accumulate in your dryer is likely to lead to a worse consequence of fire. Yes! A clogged vent of a dryer can attract a fire hazard. Just visualize how easy it will be for fire to trigger once the vent is filled with lint and the hot air is attempting to pass through it. Do you know that the hiking enthusiasts prefer keeping a small pack of dryer lint to initiate a bonfire or campfire? Well, this should tell you how harmful lint accumulation in a dryer can be! In fact, lint and dust tend to accumulate inside the dryer and its vent with time. So, when would you know that it is time to clean? Well, there are a few signs. These signs include longer execution time, a burning smell, and too hot clothes. You can even inspect the vent on your home’s outside area. If you find any kind of blockage, it is indicating you to clean it. Read on to know how to clean dryer vent. While there are other ways to clean a dryer vent, the easiest one involves using a battery-driven or an electric leaf blower. Do not mistaken it with a backpack blower. Although they are more powerful, they are not as light and portable as the handheld model, making it not practical for this purpose. Check out our article on electric vs gas leaf blower to learn more about their pros and cons. A electric handheld blower makes it quicker and more efficient to clean the vent and pipe of the dryer. It is also simple to clean using this tool. All you need to do is get access to the vent and use the tool to clear the targeted area. Here is what you will need for cleaning the dryer vent: Just keep in mind that each dryer is distinct. Thus, it is wise to go through its specifications in the manual and then choose the right tools. With the difficulty level being medium, you will need around 45 minutes. You start by closing your gas line and disconnecting the dryer, using a vacuum cleaner or duct brush for discarding lint from dryer’s lint trap, and using a leaf blower to discard lint from tubing. For best cleaning, you need to go behind the exterior surface of the dryer. This is because most lint is hiding in its interior. Thus, the first step is to prepare the vent duct for cleaning. This involves unplugging the dryer. You start by shifting the dryer away from its place, usually the wall, such that you can reach the rear area of the dryer. Then, just remove the hose by releasing the clamp. You need to do so either by hand or a screwdriver. Now, it is time to move out and take off the cover from the outlet. This is again where you will need the screwdriver, as a vent cover usually is usually secured with some screws. In case of a gas dryer, do turn off the gas and disconnect the line. This is a primary step before cleaning the dryer’s duct. After unplugging the dryer totally, just take off the lint trap and remove any accumulated lint that has passed the filter using the brush. Finally, vacuum it out to fully remove every unwanted particle. It would be ideal to have a thin nozzle for deep cleansing. Now, take off the rear panel and drain the duct. From here on out, all you need to do is take off all the debris using a blower. Other ways to do so are using hands and inserting a vacuum cleaner. Ensure to use nozzle attachments that can reach deep into even the hard-to-reach areas. While cleaning the interior, just take care of screw areas. In case of a dryer having a vent, you yet have to handle at least 10 feet more of the duct. In this case, it is better to use a blower that is lighter and easier to reach narrow spaces. After ensuring a clear outdoor vent, place the leaf blower’s nozzle inside the pipe from the indoor end and perform the cleaning. The clogging dirt will come out flying from the other end. That’s it! Your cleaning is done. If your leaf blower is not narrow or long enough to reach the vent, purchase additional connector is an ideal option. Finally, you should reattach or turn on all that you have detached or turned off, right from the screws to the gas line. You can now start using the dryer. In fact, you should test the dryer, especially its airflow. In some cases, you may be unable to see the filth in the duct. In such a situation, always finish the cleaning task by inspecting the outdoor exhaust when you run the dryer. If done correctly, you should get a clean duct as shown below. Note: In case you cannot collect the right tools or cannot access the duct fully, it is simply wise to hire a professional. We hope you find our article on how to clean the dryer vent with a leaf blower useful. Give your dryer a longer life by cleaning it frequently. Doing so even once in a year can keep the risk of fire away. Oh and by the way, besides cleaning the dryer vent, a leaf blower can also be used for playing some games too. Here are some leaf blower games that will bring you many fun!
What is Lint and How Dangerous is it?
Cleaning a Dryer Vent Using a Leaf Blower
Gathering the Cleaning Materials/Tools
Steps to Clean the Dryer Vent with a Leaf Blower
Step 1: Unplug Your Dryer
Step 2: Clean the Lint Trap
Step 3: Clean the Dryer’s Interior
Step 4: Clean the Duct
Step 5: Connect the Dryer
Conclusion
Jeremy Delores
Jeremy is here to help you get the right tools and equipment for your yard and garden. Being obsessed with them for almost a decade, he knows how important quality and reliability is when using them. For this reason, he will focus on creating and sharing content that not only cover the latest information and trends but also his insights on the best products that will suit your needs and requirements.
