10 Popular Dryer Vent Cleaning Myths Debunked

It can be hard to find reliable information online regarding dryer duct cleaning, but we want to help. You can learn a lot about what a cleaning can do for you by knowing the truth behind these common myths:

You Only Need a Dryer Vent Cleaning Every Few Years - False

While it’s easy to assume that dryer vent cleaning only needs to be done occasionally over a few years, you should be getting yours cleaned much more often. If you use your dryer every day or week, lint and other flammable debris can build up fast in your vent system. For your home protection, government safety experts, such as the National Fire Protection Agency, recommend scheduling a professional cleaning at least once a year and more often if necessary. 

Outside of your yearly maintenance cleanings, there may be other signs that you need to schedule a cleaning. These may include longer drying times, burning smells, and higher room temperatures. While they may be easy to dismiss, these symptoms can signify much larger, more dangerous issues happening with your dryer. If you are interested in learning more about these signals, you can find our list of the top dryer vent cleaning warning signs here, along with important safety information.

You Should Clean Your Dryer Vent Yourself - False

While there are a good number of DIY dryer vent cleaning tips available online, in reality, you should never attempt to clean out dryer vents yourself. In amateur cleanings, lint and debris can be left behind in the vent, compounding build-up and increasing future issues. The tools and techniques used by professional cleaning services ensure a complete and thorough clean, allowing you to rest easy.

Additionally, there are situations where unprofessional dryer cleanings can cause damage to your dryer, vent system, or yourself. To ensure your safety and that of your machine, it is always better to go with a trusted, professional service. If your system ends up damaged, you’ll be paying significantly more to repair your dryer than hiring a professional dryer vent cleaning service.

Dryer Vent Cleaning Doesn’t Do Anything - False

Why clean dryer vents? For someone who has never experienced significant dryer issues, dryer vent cleaning may not seem necessary or even worthwhile. However, those who have experienced problems with their dryer know that this could not be further from the truth. In reality, a professional dryer duct cleaning might be all that separates your home from serious damage.

Cleaning dryer vent lines remove highly flammable lint from your system, preventing home fires, increasing your indoor air quality, and even preventing carbon monoxide poisoning. Without cleaning, the lint continues to build, restricting your dryer vent air flow and increasing your chances of danger. Getting your vents professionally cleaned can protect your family, your home, and your valuable belongings. 

Dryer Vent Cleaning Can Reduce Carbon Monoxide Risk - True

A gas dryer generates heated air containing gasses which your dryer vent filters outside. If you have a lint clog in your ventilation system, it will prevent that air from being properly released. Instead, that heated air will be pushed into your laundry room, bringing with it toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. 

In this case, not only is cleaning the dryer vent recommended, it is required to restore your machine’s airflow and keep you safe from harmful fumes. Without professional cleaning, carbon monoxide poisoning is a real possibility for you and others in your household. If you have a gas dryer and believe that your dryer vents are clogged, do not continue to use your machine until you schedule a professional dryer inspection. 

Dryer Vent Cleaning Can Prevent Home Fires - True

Blocked and unclean dryer vents are a leading cause of dryer and house fires in the United States. The lint build-up in a clogged vent system becomes more dangerous when it reaches your machine’s heating component. Lint is highly flammable and can set ablaze in seconds, leaving your home and family at risk. According to the U.S. Fire Administration:

– 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss.

– Failure to clean the dryer (34 percent) is the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires.

– More home clothes dryer fires occur in the fall and winter months, peaking in January.

Professional cleanings ensure that your dryer vent air flow and lint system are clear, reducing your chance of house fire. To keep you and your loved ones safe, it is always best to schedule a professional cleaning at least once a year and more often if necessary.

If Your Clothes Take Multiple Cycles to Dry, You Need a New Dryer - False

It’s easy to assume if your dryer is taking a long time to dry your clothing, it’s time to invest in a new machine. However, before you start looking over the latest dryer deals, you should get your dryer vent inspected and professionally cleaned. Many times, longer drying times are a direct result of lint and debris build-up in your dryer vent system. 

If your dryer's vent is clogged, the moisture that normally escapes to the outdoors pushes back into the clothing barrel, making it much harder for your clothes to dry. If this is the case, your clothes should dry much faster after a professional dryer cleaning.

Dryer Vent Cleaning Can Keep Clothing in Better Condition - True

Heat damage is a large factor in general clothing wear and tear. The higher the temperatures that you wash and dry your clothing, the more their material will break down. Dryer vent cleaning can decrease overall drying times and the amount of time your clothes spend in the dryer. You will not have to expose your favorite outfit to as many drying sessions, allowing it to stay in good condition and have a longer lifespan.

Dryer vent cleaning can also help your dryer remove the moisture from your clothing more effectively, decreasing the chances of mold or musty odor setting in your closet. The less moisture present in your clothing, the longer they will be able to be in good condition. Investing in a dryer vent cleaning when needed ensures that your closet stays fresh and lasts into the future.

Dryer Vent Cleaning and Emptying the Lint Trap Is the Same Thing - False

If you don't know where the dryer vent is located, you might mistake it for the lint trap. In reality, these two very different parts of the dryer serve unique and useful functions. The lint trap typically sits at the front of the dryer, catching lint and material debris from the dryer barrel during a cycle. You should empty your lint trap often to prevent excess lint from sitting in your machine.

Your dryer vent is located at the back of the machine and directs hot air from the dryer outside. Even if you empty your lint trap after every load (as recommended), lint can still make its way into the dryer vent and cause a buildup. For this reason, it is always important to schedule professional dryer vent cleaning services regularly.

There Is No Way to Tell if Your Dryer Vent Is Clogged - False

As the dryer vent is not visible regularly, you may be wondering how to tell when it is blocked or needs cleaning. Thankfully, several signs point to a clogged vent outside of your regularly scheduled yearly cleaning. The most common symptom, as previously mentioned, is longer dryer times than usual. If you are running the dryer multiple times to get the same laundry load dry, chances are that your vent needs a thorough cleaning.

If your laundry room's temperature significantly rises during a drying cycle, your clothing smells musty, or you're experiencing burning smells, you should get your machine checked by a professional. In many of these cases, a dryer vent cleaning will restore your dryer to working order and alleviate the negative symptoms. You can see more information on dryer vent cleaning signs here. 

Hiring a Dryer Vent Cleaning Professional Is the Safest and Most Effective Way to Clean Out Dryer Vents - True

If your dryer vents need cleaning, the best thing you can do is hire a trusted professional to do the job for you. Expert dryer vent technicians have the training, experience, and tools necessary to clear your vents and get your machine back up to standard. Additionally, the chance of damage to your system reduces greatly when a trained technician is working on your vents. 

See more information on what to expect from a professional dryer vent cleaning service here.

Finding a Dryer Vent Cleaning Professional

When it comes to cleaning your dryer vents, the person you choose for your cleaning could mean the difference between a well-maintained dryer and future mechanical issues. For this reason, hiring a reliable professional is one of the most important steps. The key is to find a company well-versed in the industry and capable of answering any questions you may have.  

If you are currently searching for a dryer vent cleaning provider, look no further than Filterbuy LOCAL. As the most trusted name in air filtration, our mission is to keep you, your family, and your home safe by providing top-tier dryer vent cleaning services. 

Our representatives are happy to answer your questions and schedule a consultation with you.

Click here to learn more about Filterbuy LOCAL for dryer vent cleaning.