You empty the lint filter after every load. That’s the right habit, but the filter doesn’t catch everything. The rest goes into the vent leading outside and builds up there year after year.
That buildup has two consequences: your laundry takes longer and longer to dry, and the fire risk goes up. A fire prevention bulletin published in Quebec reports that since 2018, dryers have caused at least 450 fires, about 10% of fires reported by municipalities, and that most were caused by excessive lint buildup and poor maintenance.
How often to clean
Manufacturers’ manuals give clear guidelines.
| What | How often |
|---|---|
| Lint filter | Before or after every use |
| Outside vent (flap) | Inspect a few times a year |
| Exhaust vent | Once or twice a year depending on use |
| Inside the appliance and filter housing | About every 18 months, by a qualified technician |
A family doing six loads a week will clean the vent twice a year. For a person living alone, once is often enough.
Signs it’s time
Even before the calendar says so, these signs speak for themselves:
- clothes need two cycles to dry;
- the dryer is hot to the touch or the room gets humid;
- the top of the clothes comes out very hot;
- you see little or no air blowing from the outside flap during a cycle;
- a burning or musty smell appears.
A burning smell can’t wait for the next cleaning: stop the dryer and have it checked.
How to clean the vent safely
Most people can do this cleaning, as long as they follow the steps in order.
1. Turn off the power
Unplug the dryer. On a gas dryer, also close the gas valve. If you’re not comfortable with gas, stop here and call a professional.
2. Pull the dryer away from the wall
Pull gently, without straining the vent. Disconnect the transition duct between the dryer and the wall.
3. Clean the vent
A vacuum with a thin hose does most of the work. Long brushes sold at hardware stores reach the rest. Work from both ends: from the back of the dryer and from the outside vent.
4. Check the outside flap
The flap should open freely when the dryer runs and close afterwards. Remove the lint built up around the opening. A bird’s nest or ice can also block the outlet.
5. Put it back without crushing the vent
This is the most common mistake: pushing the dryer back against the wall crushes the vent. Leave space behind the appliance and make sure the vent isn’t kinked or compressed.
The right type of vent
The material matters as much as cleanliness. Manufacturers are consistent on this:
- use a rigid or semi-rigid 4-inch metal vent;
- avoid flexible plastic and foil-type vents, which sag, get crushed and trap lint;
- keep the run as short and straight as possible;
- don’t use screws that go through the vent wall: they catch lint. Duct tape on the joints does the job;
- the exhaust must go outside, never into an attic or crawl space.
When to call a technician
Cleaning the vent is maintenance. These situations are repair matters instead:
- the vent is clean, but the dryer still won’t heat;
- it heats for a while and then stops, which suggests a thermostat or thermal fuse problem;
- it smells like burning, even after cleaning;
- the vent runs through a wall or ceiling and you can’t reach it;
- it’s a gas dryer and you’d rather not touch it.
See also our dryer repair page for the most common breakdowns. Note that our technicians repair electric dryers.
Dryer heating poorly or smelling like burning? We come to you in Sherbrooke and the Eastern Townships, 24 hours a day. Call 438 798-5778 or fill in a quote request. We can serve you in English over the phone.
Sources
- Fire safety service, prevention bulletin on dryer fires (PDF, in French)
- Frigidaire, dryer owner’s guide (PDF, in French)
- LG, owner’s manual and installation instructions (PDF, in French)
Always unplug the appliance before any check. Work on electrical parts, internal components or a gas supply should be left to a qualified technician.