If you can't remember when you last had professionals perform a dryer vent cleaning to give your dryer some TLC, it's probably time. Dryers are one of the leading causes of residential fires in the United States. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) estimates there are about 3,000 dryer-related fires every year.
But before you start your next load tumbling and walk away, consider this: When was the last time you cleaned out your dryer duct? Every year, firefighters across the country respond to around 13,820 home fires caused by clothes dryers, according to the latest figures from the National Fire Protection Association.
While the likelihood of a dryer catching fire is relatively low with proper maintenance, neglecting regular cleaning and maintenance significantly increases the risk. Thousands of dryer fires are reported each year, often due to preventable issues like lint build-up.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that dryers and washing machines cause an average of 15,970 fires each year, with dryers causing 92% of them and an average of $200 million in property damage.
Lint is the leading cause of dryer fires. It's highly flammable, and it's everywhere. Lint naturally accumulates in your dryer and dryer exhaust system.
Lint can build up on the heating element and in other places inside the dryer, causing it to overheat and possibly catch fire. As a rule, a fire starts from a spark in the machine. However, improper clothes dryer venting practices outside the dryer can play a key role in this process.
It is not recommended to leave a dryer running at night or when you are not at home. The risks of fire and overheating are too high, even though it does not happen very often. It is always better to be present when using household appliances that could pose a potential risk.
Could Negatively Affect Indoor Air Quality. Venting a dryer vent indoors can introduce dust, lint, and other pollutants into your home's air. Laundry detergents and dryer sheets often include chemicals that are dangerous to breathe in on a consistent basis.
The most common place for a dryer fire to start is in the dryers vents due to lint build up and overheating.
Most dryers and vent systems require cleaning every one to three years in order to maintain optimum efficiency and the highest level of safety. But how often your dryer vents need cleaning also depends on: Volume of laundry dried weekly. The total length of your dryer vent system.
Clean, clean, clean: Keeping things tidy is one of the best ways to help prevent dryer fires. Remove lint from the filter before and after each load of laundry, and clean it with a nylon brush every six months (or more often if it becomes clogged). Also clean the back of the dryer where lint can build up.
Some dryer vent installations also have an external lint trap, which is also known as a secondary dryer lint trap or a 4″ In-Line Dryer Lint Trap.
It's always best to empty and ventilate the machine, leaving the door open after a cycle. This way, residual moisture can escape. Even if the load has entirely dried, leaving clothes to sit in your dryer will encourage wrinkles, so you may need to spend more time ironing as a consequence.
Additionally, you may notice a burning smell, or notice that your clothes and the outside of the dryer are too hot. If you notice any of these symptoms, or suspect that the airflow may be obstructed, stop the dryer immediately, unplug it, and check the duct and vent when they have had a chance to cool.
Cooking Fires
The #1 cause of house fires, accounting for 42% of reported incidents, is cooking.
Move the dryer away from the wall to reach the dryer vent behind the machine. Using either your Phillips or flathead screwdriver, remove the tube connecting the dryer to the wall vent. Once the vent is removed, use the vacuum crevice nozzle or flexible dust brush to remove the lint trapped in the tubing.
The fibers in clothing create lint, and over time the pieces of lint that escape through the filter in the dryer can build up, leading to a potentially dangerous fire hazard, especially if any part of your dryers exhaust vent is made of a flammable material.
Dryers are one of the leading causes of residential fires in the United States. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) estimates there are about 3,000 dryer-related fires every year. Eighty-four percent of these fires take place in residential buildings – 77% being in one and two-family residences.
To keep laundry day moving efficiently, you want to make sure your washer and dryer are in optimal working condition. A full lint trap can increase drying time, so it is important to clean it after each load. Read our step-by-step guide for how to clean your lint trap and be back on your way to tackling another load.
Route the dryer vent horizontally to the home's outside wall. Duct work should pitch 1/4-inch per foot to the outside. This keeps moisture out of the pipe. For basement laundry areas where your ductwork will run vertically to the outside wall, you may need to use 90-degree elbows.
Fire Hazards: Running a traditional dryer without a vent leads to dangerous lint buildup, increasing the risk of fires. Moisture Damage: Without proper ventilation, trapped humidity can encourage mold and mildew growth, affecting indoor air quality and structural integrity.
Some places or building codes may not allow indoor dryer vents due to safety concerns, so check your local rules.
Do not leave a dryer running if you leave home or when you go to bed. Washing machines and dryers should be properly grounded. Make sure sure the outdoor vent flap is not covered by snow.
As part of a safety review, two types of tumble dryers been have identified as having a potential issue. Tumble dryers manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015 have been identified as being at risk.
While it's best practice to place your garments in the dryer or on the clothesline right after the cycle finishes, it's perfectly okay to leave your wet clothes in the washer overnight, Martha says. "I mean, don't leave it for a long time—don't leave it for a week," she says.