Lint that dryers discharge into their ductwork over time can build up and significantly obstruct airflow. Thorough dryer vent cleaning not only improves drying performance but also reduces the risk of fires brought on by lint obstructions, extending the useful life of your dryer.
By choosing a do-it-yourself (DIY) strategy for dryer vent maintenance, you can save money while preserving the longevity and safety of your appliance without having to pay professional duct cleaners. Follow these steps for a thorough dryer vent cleaning Mississauga.
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Disconnect The Dryer And Inspect The Full Duct
The first step in dryer vent cleaning Mississauga is disconnecting the dryer and accessing the entire ductwork for thorough inspection and cleaning.
Start by unplugging the dryer’s power cord from the electrical outlet for safety. This cuts off electric power flowing to the appliance during the cleaning process. For additional security, turn off the circuit breaker that controls the electrical circuit for the outlet the dryer is plugged into.
Then, locate the flexible metal or plastic vent pipe from the dryer’s rear exhaust vent to the external termination point outside your home. Depending on the installation, a clamp or screws may be holding the vent pipe to the dryer’s vent outlet.
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Vacuum In Sections To Remove Lint
After thoroughly inspecting the ductwork, you can begin the cleaning process at the dryer outlet. First, attach the narrow vacuum hose accessory to a powerful household or shop vacuum cleaner. Set the vacuum into blower mode for higher airflow.
Bring the vacuum close to the dryer and insert the hose into the duct outlet.Turn on the vacuum to high suction power and slowly move the hose further into the duct, angling and pivoting the tip to vacuum lint to adhere to the top, bottom, and side surfaces.
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Scrub All Surfaces To Dislodge Lint
After the full duct length has been vacuum cleaned from end to end, go back and use a specialized plastic or bundled steel dryer vent lint brush to scrub interior duct surfaces. This helps scour out stubborn lint stuck tightly to the sides and is resistant to vacuuming alone.
Apply firm pressure and a circular scrubbing as you work from the dryer outlet to the outside vent. The stiff bristles of the brush also dislodge lint, impacting crevices, folds, and joints that the vacuum hose couldn’t reach.
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Vacuum Again To Extract All Loosened Lint
Go back to the dryer outlet again. Reinsert the vacuum hose and complete a full second pass from the interior end to the exterior vent hood. The goal is to vacuum up all the lint and debris stirred up and loosened during the scrubbing process.
Maintaining the same direction from inside the home to the outside vent ensures you extract all particles before they potentially get pushed back into the ductwork.
Slowly move the vacuum hose through each section, with pauses to look down the duct and confirm you are removing most lint as you go.
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Clean External Vent Hood
Once the hidden duct interior has been thoroughly cleaned using vacuuming and scrubbing, focus on the visible outside vent hood where lint accumulates. Bring the vacuum and accessory tools close to the exterior vent hood on an outer wall or soffit.
First, use the bare vacuum nozzle or crevice tool to vacuum all around the vent hood opening. This removes large particles around the area.
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Check Airflow Through The Duct
You can reassemble and test the system’s airflow with the complete duct cleaning process. Carefully realign any sections of the vent pipe and reconnect them to the dryer’s exhaust vent outlet. The connection should be secured tightly to prevent air leaks. Use foil tape if necessary to seal joints.
With the vent pipe fully attached, plug the dryer power cord back into the electrical outlet and turn on the circuit breaker.
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Tidy The Work Area And Seal The Duct
With the dryer vent cleaning process fully complete, you can tidy up the work area around the dryer. Use the vacuum hose to remove any lint or debris scattered around the dryer exterior or surrounding floor or walls during the job.
