8 Signs You Need a Dryer Vent Cleaning
How to Tell if Your Dryer Vent Might Be Clogged
Curious if your dryer vent is starting to get clogged up? Or maybe you’re worried about the serious fire safety risks that come when your vent is backed up with lint and other debris? Either way, we’ve got you covered.
Below, you’ll find a comprehensive guide covering all the common signs and symptoms that could indicate your dryer vent needs a professional cleaning:
- Clothes are taking longer than normal to dry
- Excessive heat
- Higher energy bills
- Dryer shuts off mid-cycle
- Unpleasant odors
- Exterior vent flap isn’t opening
- Excessive lint build-up
- It’s been more than a year
Clothes Are Taking Longer Than Normal to Dry
If you have to run your dryer longer than you used to to get a load of laundry dry, it’s probably because your vent is dirty and the machine’s struggling to get rid of all that moisture. Sometimes, you might even find yourself running multiple cycles when you used to only need one. If that’s the case for you, or your clothes keep ending up damp after a normal cycle, it’s probably time for a dryer vent cleaning.
Excessive Heat
Does your dryer feel much hotter than it used to when running a load? Is the laundry room getting hot or humid? Are your clothes too hot to touch after a normal cycle?
These can all be signs that the moist heat in your dryer isn’t leaving through the vent like it should. And all that overheating can add a lot of excess strain to your dryer. So if you notice any excess heat, be sure to get a vent cleaning in the books asap.
Higher Energy Bills
If your dryer’s working harder and longer than it used to to accomplish the same job, it’s likely causing your energy bill to spike as well. A quick vent cleaning can boost efficiency and performance, helping you manage your utility bills over the long term.
Dryer Shuts Off Mid-Cycle
Has your dryer been shutting down in the middle of a load? That’s a common sign of overheating. To protect your machine from damage, most modern dryers will turn off before the temperature gets too high.
Unpleasant Odors
This shouldn’t be too surprising, but if you notice a burning smell when you’re running your dryer, that’s a bad sign. Musty, mildewy smells are also a bad indicator, suggesting that too much humidity is building up in your laundry room.
So if you notice any unpleasant odors around your dryer, it’s probably time for a dryer vent cleaning.
Exterior Vent Flap Isn’t Opening
When your dryer runs, hot air escaping through the vent should push open the flaps on the vent hood outside your home. If that’s not happening, there isn’t enough air flow blowing through your vent, and it’s time for a professional cleaning.
Excessive Lint Build-Up
If you notice lint building up on your clothes, around your machine, or in the exterior vent hood, that’s another common symptom of a clogged dryer vent. Thankfully, one quick cleaning from Oxi Fresh can get rid of all that lint and debris and get your dryer back in action.
It’s Been More Than a Year
For most single-family homes running normal laundry routines, it’s important to have your dryer vents cleaned about once a year. If you have ten people in the house and four dogs, you might want to have them cleaned even more frequently than that.
But if you live in a typical home and it’s been more than a year since your last cleaning, it’s time to hire Oxi Fresh. We offer quick, convenient dryer vent cleaning services that will revamp your dryer’s efficiency and performance, saving you a lot of time, hassle, and worry.
