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SERVPROSERVPRO of South Mecklenburg County
Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration™
(704) 840-6112

Are You Cleaning Dryer Lint Properly

11/19/2021 (Permalink)

How to clean a dryer vent

Did you know that your dryer can cause a home lint fire? According to the United States Fire Administration, there are about 2,900 clothes dryer fires reported each year. The USFA also states that almost 35% of those fired could have been prevented if the dryer had been cleaned. Ensure that your Charlotte, NC, home doesn’t suffer the devastating effects of a fire by cleaning your dryer regularly. Here are three steps to follow to avoid needing to call a fire restoration company. 

Clean the screen

The first step to preventing lint fires is to clean the lint screen every time you use your dryer. Every dryer has a lint screen located on top or inside of the door. There are three ways to remove lint from the screen: run fingers gently across the screen, wipe a used dryer sheet across the screen or use a vacuum brush attachment. If you use dryer sheets we also recommend washing your screen with water every month to remove any residue. 

Deep clean the vents

In addition to cleaning the screen, it is necessary to deep-clean the vents at least once a year. Lint can get trapped and accumulate inside the vent. This leads to inefficient and longer drying times on top of the added risk of combustion. Fortunately cleaning dryer vents isn’t difficult. 

  1. Start by unplugging the dryer’s power supply
  2. Find the vent and disconnect it from the back of the dryer
  3. Use a vacuum and extensions to clean inside the dryer vent
  4. Head outside and remove the exterior vent cover and vacuum inside the vent
  5. If your vacuum extensions weren’t long enough find a dryer vent cleaning kit with flexible brushes to help clean the entirety of the vent
  6. Reconnect the vent to the back of the dryer and plug the power supply back in 

Clean the exterior and interior

Cleaning the outside and inside of the appliance prevents dryer fires. Remove the back panel off of your dryer and gently wipe surfaces with a soft cloth. Check inside as well to remove any lint in the drum. 

If you follow all these steps and still have the misfortune of a lint fire be sure to call SERVPRO of South Mecklenburg County at (704) 840-6112 to get your Charlotte, NC, home back to normal.

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