Dryer takes too long? Clean the dryer vent
If towels need two cycles to dry and the laundry room feels unusually hot, check the dryer vent. Lint can build up in the duct until hot, damp air struggles to get out. Cleaning it takes about an hour and helps with both drying time and safety: lint in a blocked vent can cause a fire. Pulling lint out of the screen isn't enough on its own, since plenty of it slips past and settles in the duct where you can't see it.
Where the lint goes
The lint trap catches most of the lint, but not all of it. The rest blows into the duct between the dryer and the outside wall and builds up over the months, especially at bends. Once hot air can't get out, the dryer runs longer and hotter, and that lint is very flammable.
What slows the airflow
Lint that escapes the lint trap builds up in the duct, especially at bends.
Pushing the dryer too close to the wall can flatten the hose.
Lint, nests or paint can keep the outside flap from opening.
Every bend and extra length slows airflow. The installation instructions list what your dryer allows.
| Sign | What it means |
|---|---|
| Towels take two cycles | Airflow is restricted |
| Top of the dryer feels hot | Heat can't escape |
| Burning smell | Lint near the heater. Stop and clean it now. |
| Outdoor flap barely opens while running | Blockage in the duct or at the flap |
| Lint around the outdoor vent | Lint is backing up in the duct |
Clean it end to end
- Unplug and pull the dryer outUnplug it. On a gas dryer, follow the manufacturer's instructions for shutting off the gas before you move it. Slide it out gently, watching the duct and, on a gas model, the gas line.
- Disconnect the ductLoosen the clamp at the back of the dryer and pull the duct off.
- Brush from both endsFeed the brush into the duct from inside, rotating as you go, then from the outside vent. Vacuum up what comes out, and there will be a lot.
- Clean the outdoor flapPull out any lint and make sure the flap opens freely. Birds love building nests there.
- Reconnect the ductReattach the duct with the clamp and seal any loose joints with foil tape, not cloth duct tape or screws, which catch lint.
- Push it back and testSlide the dryer back without crushing the duct, plug it in (and turn the gas back on for a gas dryer), and run it on air-only. You should feel strong airflow at the outside vent.
Watch it done
- Strong airflow at the outside vent on the air-only setting
- The outdoor flap opens freely with no lint or nests
- The duct is clamped, taped with foil tape, and not crushed behind the dryer
- Clothes come out dry, not hot and damp
Strong airflow but slow drying? The problem may be in the dryer itself.
If clothes still take too long
If the dryer gets hot but clothes stay damp, run it and feel the airflow at the outside hood. Weak airflow points back to the duct or the hood. Heat alone won't dry clothes; the damp air has to get out.
If airflow outside is strong and drying is still slow, the problem may be in the dryer itself, such as the heating element or the moisture sensor. Your owner's manual shows where the sensor is and how to clean it.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): Professional dryer vent cleaning typically costs $100–$250.
Find dryer vent cleaning near you