How to Clean Your Dryer Vent (Prevent a House Fire)
Time required: 30-45 mins · Difficulty 1/5
Clogged dryer vents are a leading cause of U.S. house fires. Most homeowner's insurance policies still pay out for accidental fires, but only if the appliance wasn't visibly neglected — clean your vent at least once a year.
Est. DIY Parts: $25 - $35 · Pro Service: $100 - $180 · Est. Savings: $65 - $155
* Estimates based on regional/national contractor rate benchmarks. Actual part prices vary by brand and retailer.
Parts & Tools You'll Need
- 4 in. Dryer Vent Cleaning Kit (Brush + Rods)
- Foil Dryer Duct Tape
- Cordless Drill (to spin the brush rods)
- Shop Vacuum
Step-by-Step Manual
- Unplug the dryer and pull it away from the wall Unplug the dryer (or shut off the gas valve for gas dryers) and carefully pull it away from the wall to expose the vent duct.
- Disconnect the duct from the dryer and wall Loosen the clamps or tape holding the flexible or rigid duct to the back of the dryer and the wall vent, then remove the duct section.
- Vacuum out the dryer's exhaust port Use the shop vacuum hose to pull loose lint directly out of the dryer's rear exhaust port before working on the duct itself.
- Run the brush kit through the full duct run Attach the brush head to the first rod, feed it into the wall vent, and spin it with your drill while pushing it through the entire duct length. Add rods as you go.
- Clean the exterior vent hood flap Go outside and clean out the exterior vent cap, making sure the flap opens freely and isn't packed with lint, nests, or debris.
- Reconnect everything and test Reattach the duct with new foil tape at each joint, push the dryer back into place without kinking the duct, plug it in, and run a cycle to confirm strong airflow at the exterior vent.