How do I know if my dryer vent is clogged?

Clothes take longer to dry, the dryer feels hot to the touch, there's a burning smell, or the outside vent flap doesn't open during operation.

Can a clogged dryer vent cause a fire?

Yes. Lint is highly flammable. Clogged dryer vents cause an estimated 2,900 house fires per year in the US.

Scrub with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol or WD-40. Run an old towel through a full cycle to pick up any remaining residue.

If you can't access the full vent run or it's longer than 10 feet, a professional cleaning ($100-$170) is worth the fire safety.

Household

A clean dryer makes a bigger difference than you'd think. Here's the most effective method, plus the mistakes most people make.

1
Clean the lint trap
Remove the lint screen and clear all lint. Wash the screen with warm soapy water monthly to remove dryer sheet residue that blocks airflow.
2
Vacuum the lint trap housing
Use the vacuum hose attachment to reach inside the lint trap slot and remove lint that's fallen past the screen.
3
Clean the dryer vent
Disconnect the vent hose from the back of the dryer. Use a dryer vent brush to clear lint from the hose and the wall vent. This is a fire safety step.
4
Wipe the drum and exterior
Clean the drum interior with a damp cloth. For ink or crayon stains, use rubbing alcohol. Wipe the exterior with Multi-Surface Cleaner.

TIPClean the dryer vent at least once a year. Lint buildup in vents is a leading cause of house fires.
TIPIf your dryer takes more than one cycle to dry clothes, a clogged vent is almost always the cause.
TIPWash the lint screen with soap and water monthly -- dryer sheet residue creates an invisible film that blocks airflow.

XNever cleaning the dryer vent hose, which is a major fire hazard and the main cause of dryer inefficiency.
XOnly cleaning the lint screen but not the housing underneath, where significant lint accumulates over time.
XUsing dryer sheets excessively, which coat the lint screen with a waxy residue that reduces airflow.

At least once a year. More often if you dry large loads frequently or notice longer drying times.