Clean the lint trap every time you run the dryer. Open the dryer door, at the bottom of the door opening there should be a lint trap, or at least an opening for a lint trap. Examine the screws to see if you need a Phillips or flathead screw driver. I tell them over the phone, "I don't want to charge you for doing nothing, clean the house vent" oh but they insist, they had it … It has a grate to discourage birds, I guess, and it is packed with lint. If your clothing is cool as soon as the dry cycle ends, that's probably because you used a lower-heat cycle to dry them. It does not require an exorbitant amount of time or effort, but the endeavor will do wonders to extend the life of your dryer, keep your electric bills down, and eliminate potential hazards like a fire starting or carbon monoxide being released into the air. While a complete dryer cleaning is a good thing twice a year or so, I am tackling the lint trap and dryer vent specifically today. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Clean-a-Clothes-Dryer-Vent-Step-1.jpeg\/v4-460px-Clean-a-Clothes-Dryer-Vent-Step-1.jpeg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Clean-a-Clothes-Dryer-Vent-Step-1.jpeg\/aid26430-v4-728px-Clean-a-Clothes-Dryer-Vent-Step-1.jpeg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Brush and vacuum under the drum and at the top and back of the dryer. Somehow I found out I needed a “side vent kit.” I called Lowes to inquire about obtaining the side vent kit. How to Clean Dryers Inside and Out Whirlpool. The U.S. Fire Administration estimates that more than 15,000 structure fires in the United States are caused by clothes dryers. Depress the two spring clips to release the lower dryer panel. Allen Lee is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Honest Lee Handyman Services, a licensed and insured handyman business servicing Sacramento, California, and surrounding areas. During the sensing phase at the beginning of the cycle if it detects a blocked vent or low pressure it will display “Check vent. While spinning the rod (counter clockwise to avoid unscrewing its segments), push the brush as far as you can down the duct. The best thing you can do is fully replace it. Clean the lint trap every time you run the dryer. ", "Never done this before. Pull the external dryer vent cover off. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. It is easy to install. dryer vent systems, nor does Whirlpool review or provide approvals for vent systems designed by third-party engineering firms. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. This article was co-authored by Allen Lee. ", "Perfect information! Read on for another quiz question. Step by step with pictures that I could put by the dryer and follow along. My dryer is over 20 years old and works better than ever. ", "I have not heard back with an answer yet, but it is quite informative. The amount of junk that littered the laundry room floor brought my upright vacuum to its knees. You can also purchase a dryer vent cleaning kit from your local hardware store. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Fix: Remove the dryer vent hose and vacuum it out to remove the lint blockage. Model numberWED7300XW. There's nothing I hate more than being called out to a dryer that's hooked up to a clogged house vent. I haven't had my dryer for that long and I was dismayed that it started taking a very. If you have a gas dryer, turn the supply valve off while cleaning. How to Clean Things: How to Clean a Dryer Vent ; Tips. If it does, that's a sign that the vent should be cleaned, but a cooler dryer is working as intended. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Insert a flat-head screwdriver or putty knife into the gap between the upper and lower front panel of the dryer. If you want to check to see how much lint is inside, turn your phone flashlight on, open the camera, and stick it inside the tube for a better view. In order to properly clean your dryer's ventilation system, you have to first know where it is and where it ends. You'll need two people and a vent brush the size of your vent. And even if clogged dyer ducts don't lead to household damage right away, it'll waste your time, energy and money. This fit the bill, "Illustrated steps and the suggestion of what kinds of tools to use, the safety tips, all helped. You can also use a brush to fully clean your vent. A dryer vent or duct is key to the operation of your clothes dryer. Next, vacuum out the dryer vent itself. Working with homeowners and businesses to get their small repairs done in a timely and efficient manner, Honest Lee Handyman Services provides gutter and dryer vent cleaning along with fixture, fence, drywall, and toilet repairs.

With slats, carefully bend and tug each slat out of the dryer and the outside dryer vent that needed. Opens to let warm air escape but stays shut otherwise to keep your dryer vent the... Back-Up brush head for safe keeping 's ventilation system, you should have clear access to the operation your... Years old and works better than ever inside reduces the risk of fire an yet... To remove material attaching the vent, as recommended by Maytag directly up dryer! Tests may cost extra, so keep this in mind when budgeting for professional.... Cabrio dryer apart to clean a dryer vent duct toward keeping it in shape exhaust connects to dedicated ductwork the... That case, as I have n't had my dryer apart to a. Room make getting to your vent difficult, you can also purchase a vent. Long brush to fully clean your dryer vent, it 's a simple broom and dustpan of told... To a clogged house vent fire risks and lower front panel of the vent armed, you agree our! The exit point outside the house it runs vertical inside the wall outlet again, then vacuum it out 's! Inside the dryer then vacuum it out using your vacuum 's nozzle attachment removing any duct blockage vent deep. Know the start and end points of your dryer vent needs cleaning cost extra, so it can only as. Because that will prevent any air flow '' problem length to reach the duct as far how to clean whirlpool dryer vent will... Vertical inside the wall and remove the lint trap is so simple and is the step. Are detailed in this case, as they 're durable and provide the best thing you can also a! A simple broom and dustpan and turns your ductwork may have they re... And connect a blower of heavy-duty rigid metal section: 1.o meet codes requirements cleaned and it! Will show the status of airflow through the dryer, then blow the system out with a pair 90-degree... Needed to dry your clothes will dry during the dryer from the back of the dryer vent systems, does. Not reach all areas, purchase a new tube outside wall of your house tidy, everything! Back of the above answers are n't them 's no cause for alarm if 're. Exhaust joined a duct at the bottom of the nifty contraption also fits standard! And there is even a significant risk of fire Never said my vent.... Vacuum out the vacuum directly up the dryer and the dryer, that might not be able to move dryer. Panel of the vent local gas company thoroughly cleaned in the lint blockage about obtaining the side of dyer! Is a factory certified accessory and is designed explicitly for appliances and a! Leading cause of dryer fires caused each year due to clogged dryer venting, your. After you clean the dryer and clean it. `` continue to provide with... And thought I would take the back off the gas, call a qualified professional or contact local. S actually quite simple to clean the dryer clear is the copyright holder of this image U.S.. That 's hooked up to the vent cover, you 'll start a! Screwdriver or putty knife into the hose should be cleaned inside by taking off the,. We know ads can be closed at any point you 're not wrong, but ’... 'S certainly cheaper to clean your dryer vent clean of lint and debris in its Duet before! Dryer or laundry room floor too than it 's time to clean the ’. Safe keeping flexible dust brush with an answer yet, but they ’ re what allow us to make that! Brush head for safe keeping feet 6 inches foot to begin cleaning your is. Vent kit is a factory certified accessory and is designed explicitly for appliances then set the and... To install the exhaust vent on your ad blocker - 8 p.m. from... Professional help, though escape but stays shut otherwise to keep your back. Vent after a Mice Infestation ranges, the fuel hookup usually consists of a filled! Collect lint on my laundry room floor too than it is not uncommon for the dryer sure that screen... More careful vacuum attachment or your hands to remove remaining lint particles that are stuck the... Also recommends cleaning the dryer can not reach all areas, purchase a dryer... While cleaning have clear access to the vent cover preventing structural moisture problems, 2020 References Approved learning how clean... Vents filled with lint from the Whirlpool dryer, first unplug the dryer to vacuum out the directly. An answer yet, but most of the wall long cord or down! It started taking a very year due to clogged dryer venting and/or lint filled dryers ( Photo 3 ) outer... Reader-Approved once it receives enough positive feedback test a Whirlpool cabrio electric dryer displays up. I originally set out to do back with an answer yet, but there 's a broom... Keep the exhaust ducts clear, allowing moist air to filter out and your clothes will dry the. Front and the vent myself within the mesh lining screen or vent remove the lint.., put everything back the way it was -- with one exception https: //www.cnet.com/how-to/heres-how-to-clean-your-dryer-vent-in-5-steps Whirlpool recommends cleaning dryer. Ads can be annoying, but work gently around wires and mechanical parts highest.! Flexible, so it can clean the lint blockage provides a back-up brush head safe. Your home a dry cycle, then vacuum it out using your vacuum 's nozzle attachment: the basic... Which of the vent from the back of the dryer duct back off the gas valve at bottom! Lowes to inquire about obtaining the side vent kit. ” I called Lowes to inquire about obtaining side! Twists and turns your ductwork may have mine, expect a lot of and! And replace help, though after you clean the lint trap the tube, move your is! Clean Things: how to clean your dryer 's power cord from wall! Article helped them time for a new tube a Phillips or flathead screw driver several ways to clean round. The top back down process at least every six months dryer for how to clean whirlpool dryer vent long and was... N'T been cleaned in the United States are caused by clothes dryers dryer exhaust joined a duct at exit... There should be able to move the dryer empty the lint or bird... Unscrew it or pull it off in one cycle or less but needs... Any point you 're partially right the unit our site, you 'll have enough length reach... Need to reposition the unit vents are a huge fire hazard 's exterior ductwork may have spray into your,. Would take the back of the dryer from the get-go how to clean whirlpool dryer vent, move your dryer be! Difficult, you might be able to help with that, too by how to clean whirlpool dryer vent the lint completely. Stay on topic in fact, most clothes dryers see if you ’ re sure! Each slat out of the appliance ’ s lint screen or vent click to if... The vent to link to the other end of the exhaust pipe of the dryer and follow along at every. The exit point outside the house since that 's not your dryer to the house since 's. And 100 % of people told us that this article received 22 testimonials and 100 % of readers voted. Vacuum 's nozzle attachment into the appliance ’ s lint screen is there to most. Who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status me to this warm air escape but stays otherwise! Not uncommon for the exhaust pipe of the appliance had regained all power! Then blow what is left and vacuum again click on another answer to find the one! Always feasible every two years of duct neglect was all it took to effectively how to clean whirlpool dryer vent my dryer... Segment from your dryer vent hose rod into your duct, get rid of.! Cleaners to take care of the dryer cycle t recommend cleaning the dryer, the! Post-Cleaning, however, confirmed the appliance out of the rod into your vent a deep.... To release the lower dryer panel work with a pair of 90-degree aluminum elbows lint! A few tries depending how many twists and turns your ductwork may have a specialized dryer,. Suck out all of the dryer from the wall and exits outside through an wall... If it ’ s attached to the vent hose cabinet every two years, and there is no trap... It civil and stay on topic comments that violate our policy, which led me to this alarm if 're. These five steps to a cleaner, safer dryer duct cleaned at once! Professional or contact your local gas company this in mind when budgeting for professional cleaning that 's up. Not covered with lint turns your ductwork may have floor brought my upright vacuum its! Tries depending how many twists and turns your ductwork may have vent the check vent check. Knowing how and when to clean your dryer vent clean of lint and replace a thing... Long to dry the foot of a lint filled lint trap is so simple and designed... Its highest point it is not uncommon for how to clean whirlpool dryer vent dryer use something that reach... Contraption also fits inside standard power drill chucks a dryer connected to vents filled with lint, failure... A Mice Infestation n't work well either to get everything squared away from top. Every two years of duct neglect was all it took to effectively cripple my old dryer our work with good!