How to Remove Dryer Lint
It seems hard to believe but dryer lint is anything but a harmless waste product. In small amounts it really can’t do anything more than create a mess. However, in larger amounts, excess lint can be the source of a malfunctioning dryer or even a house fire.
While you may diligently keep your lint catcher free and clear of this bi-product, it may not be enough. While this step is important, it’s only the first in a series of steps to maintain your laundry’s exhaust system. Check out the nine easy steps below to ditching your extra lint.
1. Go unplugged. Turn off the dryer’s power source, whether it’s gas, electric, or both.
2. Give yourself room to move around by pulling out the appliance a few feet from the wall.
3. Detach the tubing that connects your dryer and the exhaust system in the wall. Dispose of the lint inside the tubing in a trash bag.
4. Pop on your vacuum attachment and clear out lint that is packed into the inside of the tubing.
5. A special brush (found at any major hardware store) may be needed to push the rest of the lint out. The end of a broom or a bent clothes hanger may be a cheaper alternative.
6. Next, use your vacuum attachment to remove lint from the lint catcher and the exhaust vent in the wall.
7. Don’t forget to look outside for the exterior exhaust vent. Inspect it to be sure the hot air is blowing away from the house.
8. Tighten the tubing back on to your dryer, return the power sources, and let the dryer run for a few minutes on low to allow air to push out any remaining debris still left in the system.
9. Mark your calendar for your next run at the dryer lint that may clog your system. Some households may need to re-clean their system more often if they use their laundry system more frequently.
