6 Reasons Why It’s Critical to Have Your Dryer Vent Cleaned Regularly

Your clothes dryer is one of the most well used appliances in your home. It helps keep your clothes dry, clean and smelling fresh. It’s a staple appliance which is often used daily in many households. Yet, despite it being an essential part of home maintenance, keeping your dryer vent clean frequently gets overlooked. We either don’t have the time to clean it, the skill to know how to do it properly or even fully understand why it needs to be done. The following reasons explain why it’s critical to have your dryer vent cleaned regularly:

1. Fire Prevention. Over time lint, dust and other debris accumulates in your dryer vent creating a highly flammable environment. The extreme heat that builds during drying can ignite these particles resulting in what could easily be a preventable house fire. As a matter of fact, an unclean dryer vent is one of the top causes of house fires. 
2. Faster drying times. Want to significantly reduce the time it takes to dry your clothes? Getting your dryer vent cleaned regularly will allow your dryer to work more efficiently. Prolonging the life of your clothes is an additional benefit. The less time needed in the dryer also means less wear and tear on your clothes.  
3. Energy Efficiency. A clogged dryer vent restricts airflow forcing your dryer to work harder. This increased energy can lead to higher utility bills as well as a shorter lifespan for your dryer. 
4. Mold and mildew prevention. A blocked vent can lead to condensation in the duct. This can create a humid environment where mold and mildew will quickly grow. Mold and mildew aren’t just unsightly and foul smelling but they can also lead to a variety of health problems such as eye irritation, stuffy nose and a sore throat.
5. Extended dryer lifespan. A clogged dryer vent means your dryer will have to work harder than it should leading to overheating and mechanical strain. Regularly cleaning your dryer vents will extend the life of your dryer.
6. Improved air quality. A clogged dryer vent can release dust and allergens into your home. Keeping your vent clean helps maintain better air quality and can help prevent allergy symptoms. 

Having your dryer vent cleaned regularly not only extends the life of your dryer and saves you time, as well as money, but it can also prevent dangerous situations from house fires to health hazards.