How often should you clean your dryer vent duct?

This task protects people, not just the house. Do it on a schedule to make sure it gets done.

Staying on schedule matters beyond the repair bill: a consistent maintenance record is one of the factors in a home's Roots Home Health Score, and well-kept homes typically sell faster and closer to asking price.

How to do it

Lint builds up along the entire duct run, not just the screen. A clogged run is both a fire risk and the reason towels need a second cycle. A brush kit clears typical runs from either end.

1. Unplug the dryer (shut the gas valve too, if gas) and pull it away from the wall.
2. Disconnect the duct from the dryer's exhaust collar, usually a clamp or foil tape.
3. Run a rotary brush kit through the duct from both ends, feeding rod sections as you go; vacuum what the brush frees up.
4. Outside, clear the exterior vent hood and confirm its flap opens freely and closes fully (a stuck-open flap lets pests in).
5. Reconnect with rigid or semi-rigid metal duct. Replace any white plastic or thin foil duct while you're here; it's a lint trap and not code in most places.
6. Push the dryer back, run it empty on air-dry, and confirm strong airflow at the exterior hood.

Alternatives & optional extras

• Leaf-blower method: seal it into the disconnected duct indoors and blast toward the exterior hood. Fast, but only for short, rigid runs.
• Very long runs, roof terminations, or bird nests: book a pro cleaning instead.
• While you're there, upgrade a sticky exterior flap to a louvered or spring-loaded hood.

Time: 45 minutes · Typical cost: $20–$40 for a brush kit; $100–$180 for a pro cleaning

What you'll need

• Rotary dryer vent cleaning kit (flexible rods + drill-driven brush)
• Semi-rigid aluminum duct (if replacing plastic or foil duct)

If you skip it

Lint accumulates until airflow chokes: cycles run long, the heating element works overtime, and the duct holds a growing charge of highly flammable material inches from it. Beyond the fire risk, restricted airflow makes the dryer run hot and shortens its life.

Related systems to keep on schedule

• Refrigerator — start with: replace refrigerator water filter, every 6 months
• Dishwasher — start with: clean dishwasher filter, every 3 months
• Washing machine — start with: inspect washer supply hoses, every 6 months
• Range hood — start with: degrease range hood filter, every 3 months