Dryer vent cleaning means clearing the lint filter before or after every load and cleaning lint out of the vent pipe once a year, or sooner if clothes take longer to dry. Trapped lint blocks airflow and can start a fire. Failure to clean is the leading factor in home clothes dryer fires.
Lint is the fluff that comes off fabric as clothes tumble. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) explains that lint can build up in the dryer or in the exhaust duct, block the flow of air, cause too much heat to build up, and result in a fire in some dryers.
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) reports that failure to clean was the leading factor in the ignition of home clothes dryer fires from 2018 to 2020, at 31%. Its dryer safety flyer puts it simply: you are at higher risk of a dryer fire if you don't clean your lint filter and dryer vents. The good news is that most of the fix is cheap, quick and easy to remember.
Lint filter: every load. NFPA and CPSC both say to clean it before or after each load, and USFA says before and after each cycle. Never run the dryer without the filter in place.
Vent pipe: at least once a year. NFPA advises cleaning lint out of the vent pipe once a year, or more often if clothes are taking longer than normal to dry. You can do it yourself or have a dryer lint removal service do it for you.
Behind the dryer: regularly. CPSC and USFA both point out that lint builds up behind the dryer. Keep that area clean and free of clutter.
Inside the dryer: now and then, by a pro. CPSC suggests having a qualified service person clean the inside of the dryer cabinet from time to time. NFPA also says to remove lint that collects around the drum.
Gas dryers: a professional check. NFPA says gas dryers should be inspected by a professional to make sure the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks.
This is an example routine built from CPSC, NFPA and USFA tips, not an official checklist. Read your dryer's manual first, and call a professional if you have a gas dryer or a vent you can't reach safely.
Clean the lint filter. Pull it out and remove all the lint before you start.
Turn the dryer off and unplug it. Then ease it away from the wall slowly so you don't crush or pull loose the duct.
Clean behind and around the dryer. Remove the lint, plus anything stored there that could burn, such as boxes or piles of clothing.
Inspect the duct. USFA says to check the venting behind the dryer to make sure it is not damaged, crushed or restricted. If you find plastic or foil accordion-style duct, CPSC advises replacing it with rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct, which gives the best airflow.
Clear the duct. To remove a blockage, CPSC notes you may need to disconnect the duct from the dryer. Clean the lint out of the vent pipe, or hire a dryer lint removal service.
Reconnect everything. CPSC reminds you to reconnect the ducting to the dryer and to the outside vent before you use the dryer again. Plug the dryer straight into a wall outlet.
Check outside. Start the dryer and go outdoors. You should feel exhaust air coming out, and the vent flap should open. In winter, NFPA says to make sure the flap is not covered by snow.
Clothes are still damp at the end of a normal drying cycle (CPSC).
Loads take longer than usual to dry (CPSC, NFPA).
Little or no exhaust air comes out of the outside vent while the dryer runs (CPSC).
The outdoor vent flap stays shut while the dryer is running (USFA, NFPA).
The duct behind the dryer is kinked, crushed or damaged (USFA, CPSC).
CPSC says slow or damp drying may be a sign that the lint screen or the exhaust duct is blocked. Treat any of these signs as a reason to stop and clean before the next load, not after the next few.
Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional (USFA, NFPA).
Plug it directly into a wall outlet. USFA says never to use an extension cord with a major appliance, because the cord can overheat and start a fire.
Don't overload the dryer, and follow the manufacturer's instructions (NFPA).
Don't leave the dryer running when you leave home or go to bed (NFPA).
Keep the area around the dryer clear of things that can burn, such as boxes or clothing (NFPA).
Take care with clothes stained by flammable substances such as cooking oil, gasoline, paint thinner or alcohol. NFPA says never to dry them. CPSC suggests washing them more than once and hanging them to dry.
If you see smoke or flames coming from the dryer, or a smoke alarm sounds, get everyone out right away. NFPA's escape advice is to get out, stay out, and call the fire department from outside using a cell phone or a neighbor's phone. In the U.S., that means calling 911. Never go back inside for belongings, and tell the dispatcher if anyone is missing.
Working smoke alarms buy you time to get out. Our sister site explains smoke alarm placement and testing if you want to check yours while the dryer is pulled out.
NFPA says to clean lint out of the vent pipe once a year, or more often if clothes are taking longer than normal to dry. Clean the lint filter before or after every single load.
Often, yes. The lint filter and the area behind the dryer are everyday jobs, and CPSC describes disconnecting the duct to clear a blockage. NFPA notes that a dryer lint removal service can clean the vent pipe for you. Have a professional inspect gas dryers.
CPSC recommends rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct. It advises replacing plastic or foil accordion-type duct, which traps lint more easily and is more likely to kink or crush.
NFPA advises against it. Don't leave a dryer running if you leave home or when you go to bed.
RoomMend: Safer Home Plans is a free iPhone and iPad app, with an optional RoomMend Plus upgrade, that sets up a room-by-room home safety checklist for your home or a parent's. You can log an issue like a crushed dryer duct in about three taps, add an optional photo and a timeframe, mark it done, and get a reminder to look again after 30 days. It needs no account, has no ads and works offline with records kept on your device, but it is not a home inspection, so a professional should still service your dryer.
Get RoomMend free on the App Store
Clothes Dryer and Washing Machine Safety (NFPA tip sheet, hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy)
Appliance and Electrical Fire Safety (U.S. Fire Administration)