Important dryer lint cleaning tips

Excess lint can fall into the cabinet where electric heating elements, gas burners or even a spark from the motor can ignite it, the resulting flames then travel through the lint-lined exhaust vent. Here are some important dryer lint cleaning tips to keep this from happening in your house.

• To clean your dryer's exhaust duct, shut off the gas and unplug the dryer, then pull the dryer away from the wall and disconnect the duct from the dryer.
• Use a brush and a vacuum to remove the lint in the duct.
• To clean inside the dryer, unplug it and turn off the gas, then open either the top or the front.
• The procedure is the same for gas and electric dryers.
• If you have a flexible duct (especially the plastic type), replace it with rigid metal duct.

Dryers with a top lint filter and solid front panel:

• For these kinds of dryers, remove the lint filter and take out the two screws on the side of the filter opening.
• Then pull the top forward.
• Disconnect the door-switch wires in the front corner, remove the front screws and drop the panel forward.
• The drum will tip as the panel drops, but this won't damage anything.
• Just hold it up while you clean.
• Brush and vacuum under the drum and at the top and back of the dryer.
• Clean thoroughly around the heating element, but work gently around wires and mechanical parts.
• Use a long brush to clean the vent, then vacuum it from the top and back.
• Finally, reassemble the dryer.
• Put the front into the drum and lift, then drop the front into the catches near the bottom while holding it tight against the sides.
• Reattach the front screws and wires, then set the top back down.

Dryers with a removable front panel:

• For dryers with a removable front panel, release the metal catches (or remove screws) and pull the panel off.
• Remove the screws that hold the vent in place, then clean out the lint with a vacuum and brush.

• Dryer vent caps are deliberately lightweight so they'll open easily, but this flimsiness also means they'll break easily.
• These caps, especially the type with multiple small flaps, also clog easily with lint, so they're best avoided unless you're conscientious about cleaning it.
• To replace an old vent cap, first pull apart the duct at the last joint inside the house.
• If they don't pull apart easily, look for small screws holding the sections of pipe together.
• Next, remove the screws or nails used to attach the cap to the siding and cut through the caulk around the edges.
• Pull out the cap, scrape away old caulk and dirt, and then wipe the siding clean so new caulk will stick.
• Cut the new vent pipe to the same length as the old one, then slide it through the wall.
• Screw the cap to the siding and caulk around the edges with paintable caulk.
• Finally, join the old duct inside the house to the new vent.

Keep these important dryer lint cleaning tips to prevent lint buildup in your dryer from catching fire and causing serious damage.