Why Cleaning the Dryer Vent Matters

Lint that escapes through the lint trap accumulates inside the vent duct over time. A clogged dryer vent is one of the leading causes of household fires in Australia and elsewhere. Lint is highly flammable and a restricted vent causes the dryer to run hotter. Signs you need to clean it: clothes taking longer than usual to dry, the dryer feeling very hot on top, or a burning smell during operation.

What You Need

  • Dryer vent cleaning brush kit (a long flexible brush that extends — available from hardware stores for $15–30)
  • Screwdriver
  • Vacuum cleaner with hose attachment

Step-by-Step Cleaning

  1. 1

    Unplug the dryer and turn off the gas (if gas dryer)

    Safety first. Unplug from the power outlet. If it is a gas dryer, turn off the gas supply valve at the back of the machine.

  2. 2

    Pull the dryer away from the wall

    Pull the dryer forward to expose the vent duct at the back. The duct connects the dryer's exhaust outlet to a hole in the wall.

  3. 3

    Disconnect the vent duct from the dryer

    Loosen the hose clamp where the duct connects to the dryer (usually a simple screw clamp or a twist-off connection). Remove the duct. Also disconnect from the wall outlet if it disconnects easily.

  4. 4

    Clean the duct with the brush

    Feed the flexible vent cleaning brush into the duct and push it all the way through, rotating as you go. The brush dislodges accumulated lint. Vacuum from both ends with the hose attachment to remove loosened lint. Also brush and vacuum the duct connector at the back of the dryer itself.

  5. 5

    Clean the exterior vent cover

    Go outside and find the vent cover on the exterior of your house (usually a small louvered vent). Remove any lint and debris that has accumulated there — blocked exterior vents are a major cause of reduced dryer efficiency.

  6. 6

    Reconnect and test

    Reconnect the duct securely at both ends. Slide the dryer back into position. Plug in (reconnect gas if applicable). Run the dryer on air-only for 5 minutes to clear any remaining loose debris.

How often to cleanOnce a year minimum. Every 6 months if you use the dryer frequently. The lint trap should be emptied before every single load — this significantly reduces how much lint reaches the duct.

Frequently Asked Questions

Very likely. A partially or fully clogged vent duct is the most common cause of a dryer taking two or three cycles to fully dry a load. The restriction prevents moist air from escaping, so the drum fills with humid air and cannot dry effectively. Clean the vent first before assuming the heating element has failed.
Yes — a leaf blower inserted into the exterior vent opening and blowing inward can clear significant amounts of lint. Have someone hold the duct at the dryer end to catch what comes out. A purpose-made dryer vent brush does a more thorough job but a leaf blower is a useful quick fix for heavily blocked vents.