Importance of Cleaning Dryer Vents

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

Film buildup on a dryer vent

Most dryer sheets are made from a nonwoven polyester material coated with a softening agent. This softening agent can leave a film on your lint trap and can block airflow which can sometimes cause your dryer to overheat or cause your dryer to stop before your load is completely dry. Another way to tell if the screen is clogged is if lint falls off while the screen is in the dryer. This film can also make it hard to remove lint because it has blocked holes in the filter and adhered to some of the lint. It is recommended to clean your lint screen of this film every 6 months, or more frequently, if needed. Listed below are steps on how to clean your lint screen.

1. Roll lint off screen with your fingers.
2. Wet both sides of the lint screen with hot water.
3. Wet a nylon brush with hot water and liquid detergent. Scrub lint screen with the brush to remove film buildup.
4. Rinse screen with hot water. 
5. Thoroughly dry the lint screen with a clean towel. Reinstall the screen in the dryer.
6. Clean space where lint screen is located as needed. Using a vacuum, gently remove any lint that has accumulated outside of the lint screen.