r/preppers • u/Kitso_258 • May 30 '21
Advice and Tips Clean out your dryer vents
If your living situation allows you to have your own dedicated washer/dryer within your home-space, clean out your dryer vent. Unscrew the lint trap holder and vaccuum out the stuff stuck to the sides. You can get a lint duct brush and mostly clean the ducts yourself, or if it's bad/out of reach, hire a professional. This is especially important if you've got pets - my dryer was FULL of pet hair.
Why is this important? Several reasons:
1, new appliances are in short supply right now. Take care of the one you've got.
2, new appliances cost money, see above.
3, it'll increase the efficiency of your dryer and use less electricity.
But the most important reason is that this is a HUGE fire risk. Lint = tinder, and all it takes is one spark in the wrong place to cause the lint to combust. And by spark, as everyone else has pointed out, it could just be the dryer heating element doing it's thing.
Little things like this... make our lives just a little bit better and safer.
Edit: Didn't expect this to blow up. If you wish to save the lint for future fire starter, then save away. My household produces SO MUCH of the crap that I don't ever worry about saving it for the long term...
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May 30 '21 edited Sep 04 '21
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u/Listens_To_Colors May 30 '21
Old cardboard egg cartons are great. Put lint and wax in the cups and you can cut them out as needed.
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May 30 '21 edited Jun 13 '21
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u/redripetomato1134 May 30 '21
Yes. And everytime you wash clothes made of synthetic fibers, microplastics get washed into the sewer (ultimately the ocean).
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May 31 '21
I wonder if it's worse to throw the lint away to go into the ocean as microplastics or use it as a fire starter and burn the polyester/synthetic fibers into the atmosphere?
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u/redripetomato1134 Jun 03 '21
I think ultimately it should come down to not buying synthetic clothes. Use what you have until rags but replace with natural fibers. There's a lot of over lap with microplastics>buy for life>anti-consumerism>zero waste>financial stability concerns.
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Jun 03 '21
I agree with what you're saying but that didn't answer my question lol. Cause as of right now I've got a whole lot of synthetic fiber lint + would like to know if using it as a fire starter would be worse than throwing it away.
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u/redripetomato1134 Jun 04 '21
I'm not sure. I guess you'd have to see what kind of pollution comes off it and weigh against the hazards to marine wildlife. It would be interesting to see an analysis of this. That's the problem here-- no perfect answers that tie everything up with a nice little bow.
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u/alonjar May 30 '21 edited May 30 '21
Just want to point this out in case it isnt obvious to everyone, when OP said "all it takes is a spark" to start the lint fire, that isnt meant to be a literal representation of what often starts the fires.
Its the heat from the dryer itself! When the vent is clogged, that heat the machine is generating to dry your clothes doesnt properly vent outside, and that built up heat can and will spontaneously combust the clogged lint. I wont bother getting into the science of it, but when things like lint or even a wide variety of other combustible dust particles (see: grain silo explosions/fires) end up at certain specific densities in the air (or in the vent...) a weird quirk of science happens which can drastically lower the combustion temperature of that material compared to its normal/standard properties! Lint, due to its fluffy/dusty nature, lends itself to falling victim to this phenomenon.
Good on OP for posting this though, this is seriously one of the most common every day dangers that your average person legitimately faces in their daily life. My spouse was a firefighter until they had to retire due to injury, and the amount of house fires started by clogged or unclean dryer vents is staggering/overwhelming. Yet its rarely talked about outside fire/EMS circles in my experience for some reason.
Its not a joke! and clean the damn creosote out of your fireplaces/wood stove vents too while you're at it!
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u/HeyCc1 May 30 '21
I have a friend that's a firefighter. We were talking about new dryers (mine had just died after 18 years). Course of the conversation he mentions that dryers catch fire, in his experience, more than any other appliance. So yes! Clean all that lint!
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u/_head_ May 30 '21
Similar story. Have a friend who is a former fire fighter. He told me the #1 cause of house fires he responded to were caused by people not emptying the lint trap. That always blew my mind. It's hard to believe something so simple causes so many house fires. Needless to say I'm very diligent about it now.
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u/HeyCc1 May 31 '21
Same. I clean the lint trap inside the dryer every load and a few times a year clean out the pipe or vent? Not sure what it's called lol. But the one that goes outside. I also heard this from the man who came to repair the dryer wall plug. He said he's seen the dryers catch fire a bunch. I mean we save the dryer lint to make fire starters so obviously it's really flammable.
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u/BlueStateSaint May 30 '21
The woman who we bought our townhouse from had redone her dryer vent—said that the dryer had stopped drying, so she had someone put in a new vent into the garage. The chimney sweep that we brought in to scrub the chimney offered to take a look at it, and he found 35 to 40 FEET of solid lint. He removed it for us as part of the dryer vent cleaning. I’m a stickler for making sure the lint screen is clean.
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u/TitanActual May 30 '21
I seriously don't understand how these people survive! When we bought our house the basement was very heavy wet feeling in the air and we noticed during our tours that the previous lady always had clothes out on a drying rack bit she insisted the dryer was operational. Turns out the entire 12' of vent was completely full of wet lint and it wasn't attached to the exterior vent either. It was only
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u/mulchroom May 30 '21
it was only what? are u ok?
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u/cplforlife May 30 '21
Reddit Sniper got him. RIP.
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May 31 '21
Lol, nice. Sub won't load though, just your post and the sticky. Is it new? Cause I'm down with that, seems fun
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u/cplforlife May 31 '21
Made it 5 minutes after I made the name with this comment.
I realized it didn't exist. So I rectified that.
Join it and spread it.
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u/marchcrow May 30 '21
Used to respond to house fires with the Red Cross and REGULARLY it wound up being a dryer that started it.
One reason I'm fine with not having one. Hard for a drying rack to catch your place on fire. Not impossible - but hard.
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u/ThievingOwl May 30 '21
Former FF/EMT
It was always the dryer or for some reason dehumidifiers caused a lot of fires.
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u/Agent_Smith_24 May 30 '21
The pump on a dehumidifier can get pretty hot, also a lot of them are probably tucked away somewhere where the homeowner doesn't notice if something is going wrong with it
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u/theKFP May 30 '21
I use a leaf blower to clean mine, it's so important to get it clean especially when you have kids that leave stuff in their pockets, crayons wax burns too good.
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u/ThisIsAbuse May 30 '21
I saw that on youtube. Will have to try it next time as I could not reach the whole vent duct.
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u/Kitso_258 May 30 '21
Oh, that's a good idea!!
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u/OliverHazzzardPerry May 30 '21
That sounds like a terrible idea. You’d just be spreading dirt or compacting lint into the vent pipe. You need a vacuum, not a blower.
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u/mr_melvinheimer May 30 '21
If you blow it from the inside out it’s a good idea.
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u/OliverHazzzardPerry May 30 '21
You’re just compressing it at the vent to the outside, not to mention making a mess in your yard.
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u/OutlyingPlasma May 30 '21
FYI, the "professional" will show up with an electric leaf blower and a shop vac. One on each end of the pipe and then charge you $300 for the privilege.
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u/GochuLover May 30 '21
They just turn the dryer on and drill brush from the exterior towards the dryer and the dryer blows it all outside. You can do the same thing, brush kits are $30 on Amazon or most people would probably be fine with using a leaf blower.
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u/snackshack May 30 '21
Yup. I bought one of those kits a few years back. Works great. Had to buy the extension as mine is crazy long, but it works.
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u/BlueberryNagel Oct 31 '21
Or they will do the job correctly (with a brush) and only charge $75... as is my experience.
Good on you for over-generalizing, though.
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u/EdgedBlade May 30 '21
There is another important item to be aware of on top of cleaning out the dryer vent:
Using ductwork instead of “hose” & having as few bends as possible. Each 90 degree turn in your hose is the equivalent of adding 30ft of distance your dryer has to work to push the exhaust air out. It also is how/where lint is most likely to accumulate - leading to fire hazards.
One of the most basic home owner preps one can do.
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u/AltruisticApples May 30 '21
First weekend of every month I do deep cleans of:
- toilets
- shower cabinet
- washing machine (mine has a "clean machine cycle")
- dryer
- dish washer
- fridge
I have invested a lot of money in quality appliances and I try my best to keep them running well. + Hygiene is important
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u/Gr8tfulhippie May 30 '21
Including the shield on the outside of the dryer vent! We found a washcloth type mat in ours, and it was right against the bird guard. If your clothes are not dry after one cycle, that's a big red flag that you have lint built up somewhere in the system. Especially if you have an HE washer that spins well.
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May 30 '21
Including the shield on the outside of the dryer vent!
I think having a screen on the dryer exhaust vent is against the building code in some places.
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May 31 '21
Shield doesn't necessarily mean screen. My parents used to have one that flopped open super easy but folded in quite a bit so the smallest pressure would open it from the inside but wind from the outside would hold it closed. It was very thin and light. Don't use it during a rainstorm though lol. It'll stay shut.
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u/The_DaHowie May 30 '21
The problem is that the lint trap only catches lint down to a certain small size. The rest gets blown out.
You have to clean out the duct.
The upside is that you can use the lint as a great fire starter with a flint and steel. Even mix it with paraffin the make 'firestarter' cakes fir the fireplace or the grill
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May 30 '21
I moved into a townhouse once with those smaller washer and dryers that stack. And I swear to god, the lint trap was never cleaned out before. It was solid lint, like packed completely tight from the end to the outside duct.
When we moved in the previous owner left a note that said they were leaving the machine because the dryer never dried anymore and they hated it. So we're thinking, thanks, trash! But my bf got one of those plumbing snake things and pushed it all out, then vacuumed it clean and it works perfect now.
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u/deskpil0t May 30 '21
I had a used dryer like that I had to take it apart removed toys, pencils, god knows what else and had to chisel out the lint. After that it worked perfectly
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u/l_one May 30 '21
Do we have a wiki somewhere of a list of things like this - simple low-hanging fruit completely relevant to prepping (and just being frugal) but often overlooked for not being 'sexy' like having an armory?
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u/Kitso_258 May 30 '21
We do have a wiki here. I add to it as I have free time... which is rare these day.
Prepping isn't sexy. It's a smart, balanced way of life. Sometimes, it means getting knee deep in... dryer lint.
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u/testikyle May 30 '21
Just to add to this, you should also remove the back panel of the dryer and take vacuum it out. A lot of lint and stuff builds up before it ever makes it to the vent hose. Make sure you unplug it first, if course. If your vent hose was really dirty, you might be better off calling someone to come disassemble the dryer and clean it thoroughly. If too much lent builds up, the motor can overheat and hopefully automatically shut off. If not, you could have a real bad situation.
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u/Bat77r May 30 '21
Lint build up is a major fire risk - I work in a hotel and have personally seen fires caused as a result of lint build up, before proper care protocols were enforced. As an aside, save the lint and put a small portion into each egg “cup” of a carton egg holder - you know, the type that your eggs come in from the store. Cover the lint with some wax - melt down old candles and wax that is no longer used. Cut each individual egg cup out and use it as a fire lighter. Burns for about 10 minutes and will get most fires started.
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u/TurboAbe May 30 '21
Dryer vents are the number one cause of house fires in the US. Ignore it at your own peril.
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u/SumthingBrewing May 30 '21
My LG dryer has a nice feature where it senses a clogged vent so it flashes an error code and ceases to work. This happened to me a few weeks ago. Sure enough, it was very clogged. So I did the ol’ leaf blower trick and it’s good as new now. This is where having an electric leaf blower was a definite plus since our dryer is inside our house (not in the garage).
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May 30 '21
LG d80 error! forced me to replace the flex vent with rigid vent and hard 90 joints, hasn't triggered since, it literally goes right out the wall behind it, very short distance. Love when you check the LG website, "Q: Why not make the blower stronger?!" Buddy has the same issue.
Was surprised from the very hot blower it goes into the drum, thru the lint trap, and is a straight pipe out the back. Thought there was a mid stage for some reason. Also had some lint burning at the blower screen, not sure how it got it there. hella long time to pull it out with a thin wire, so used a grill lighter to burn it out.
still like the over computerized LG but more things to break.
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u/deskpil0t May 30 '21
You really want to use a lint brush in addition to a shop vac. When I finally got a lint brush with the little drill twist thing. There must have been 10 years of buildup from the previous owners.
I also had to teach my hand into the last section of the vent and remove a layer of clogged lint at the end cap.
Gardus RLE202 LintEater Rotary Dryer Vent Cleaning System
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May 30 '21
If you have an older house and aren’t sure the vents have ever been cleaned out, for the love of god get them cleaned. It’s almost ghastly how much dust and lint will collect in there over years and all that stuff takes is a spark to burn everything up
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u/IndysITDept May 30 '21
Mix that lint it with melted wax. Pour into silicone ice trays for small fire starters.
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u/Ok-Echo6577 Aug 14 '24
Absolutely, keeping your dryer vent clean is crucial for both safety and efficiency. It’s great that you’re spreading awareness about this important maintenance task. Regularly cleaning the lint trap and using a lint duct brush are excellent steps, especially if you have pets. Pet hair can accumulate quickly and exacerbate lint buildup, leading to reduced efficiency and increased fire risk.
For those situations where the ducts are particularly challenging to clean or if the buildup is extensive, it’s often best to hire a professional. They have specialized equipment to ensure a thorough job and can reach areas that might be difficult to address with DIY methods.
One reputable option for professional dryer vent cleaning is Aurora Dryer Vent Cleaning Service. They offer comprehensive services to ensure your entire duct system is clean and functioning optimally. This not only helps in reducing fire risks but also improves the efficiency of your dryer, saving you money on energy costs.
Taking these steps is indeed a small effort that can make a big difference in ensuring your home is safe and your appliances run efficiently. Thanks for highlighting this important issue!
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u/5fingerdiscounts grower May 30 '21
So funny I was just at my freezer looked over as the dryer runs and thought I should clean that out soon
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u/Taildragr May 30 '21
Who the hell uses a clothes dryer in 2021?
Try line drying your clothes for a change. It'll make them last longer, better for the environment, easier on the wallet, less wasteful, no expensive machine to break down and YOU DON'T FORCE YOUR NEIGHBORS TO BREATHE YOUR SHITTY DRYER SHEET PERFUME!
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u/bignicky222 May 30 '21
Everyone in a major city. Dont be that guy that thinks they're better. Hanging my clothes outside would make them smell.
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u/Taildragr May 30 '21
When I lived in an apartment in mid-city L.A. I used a clothes drying rack from Ikea in my apartment combined with a fan. I didn't want to be that guy who likes to inflict his lifestyle (and odors) on others.
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u/newyearnewunderwear May 31 '21
I also line dry in Los Angeles. I mean we have a dryer and I use it but when I have time and mental bandwidth I love hanging clothes out. We have a collapsible wall-mount drying rack installed on the side wall of our house.
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May 31 '21
Wtf are you guys using you can smell your neighbor's clothes? My line and the neighbors' line are like 6 feet from each other. Unless it's freshly washed I can never smell it.
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u/Taildragr May 31 '21
We're talking about people who use dryer sheets in their clothes dryer. They exhaust the nauseating perfume along with microscopic bits of plastic which anyone who happens to be down wind from gets to breathe. We like our windows open to enjoy the fresh air, then it gets not so fresh when our neighbors do their laundry, which seems like they do three times a day, every day.
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May 30 '21
I live in an apartment
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May 30 '21
You should clean out the building's dryer lint traps, unless you want the building burning down around you in the middle of the night.
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u/Kitso_258 May 30 '21
I get that not everyone has access to in-unit dryers. If you have a dryer in your unit, and the complex managers aren't cleaning the ducts semi-regularly, maybe you could bring it up to them.
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u/infamousdx May 30 '21
Also buy a dryer vent cleaning kit from Amazon. You can clean it easily with a drill.
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u/teambeattie May 30 '21
This was something I was able to borrow from my Buy Nothing group. Saved me from spending the money. Found that my dryer vent was remarkably clean!
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u/Edditray9 May 30 '21
Excellent advice, also dead on regarding appliance maintenance.
Years ago, a friend on my block had a fire that started in her basement dryer, The FD came before it got upstairs, but everything she owned, including furnishings, stunk of smoke for months. A lot of stuff had to be thrown out. So yeah, a very dangerous event, and if you're really lucky, a very expensive PITA afterwards.
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u/MrMrOnTime May 30 '21
I move alot and i try to take apart the dryer 4x a year to clean it out. My new place does not have the space for me to do that. But yeah it collects inside as well
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u/TheSimpler May 30 '21
Some dryers have an exhaust hose trap also which can build up lint unintentionally. I have a ceiling trap in my current place that requires occasional emptying.
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u/hoofsmoke May 30 '21
What really got me was the amount of lint an fluff inside the dryer itself. I had a roller go last year so I took it apart and changed up all the breakable bits. When the drum was out, the lint around the heater element made me shit. Blackened bits, scorched bits, pretty scary stuff
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u/HajjiBalls May 31 '21
If your ducting is longer than 6 feet, a leaf blower works good to blast out lint. Use from the inside, not the outside.
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u/jklarbalesss May 31 '21 edited May 31 '21
Coincidentally i just replaced the belt on my dryer, and in the process vacuumed a whole bag of shit out of the inside. It was pretty crazy even though i always empty the trap. Some of the internal casings were melted too
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May 31 '21
Unpopular opinion: this has nothing to do with prepping and is coming sense. Idk why so many people are mind blown over this...
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u/Kitso_258 May 31 '21
Because prepping isn't about stockpiling guns and preparing for the apocalypse. It's about living every day in a risk-reduced and risk-mitigated posture and I'd sure as hell rather be reminded to clean my dryer vents than to have a fire.
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u/TheRealPaulyDee May 31 '21
It's not a terrible idea to check the vents for your air exchanger too. Replacing our air exchanger last year we found a years-old wasp nest the size of a football. Not the reason the old unit died (the motor burned out), but no wonder it wasn't working as well lately.
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u/WryWaifu May 31 '21
The lint "cakes" you clean out make very good kindling, so definitely save them.
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u/Shigarui May 31 '21
Came here for the "this will help you survive the apocalypse!" Left when I realized it was instead a PSA from Maytag about doing what people with brains know to do. What does this have to do with prepping?
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u/throwAwayWd73 May 30 '21
Empty the lint trap after EVERY SINGLE LOAD
My wife is bad about that one. The build up after even two loads isn't good.