How to Clean a Dryer Vent (and Why It's a Fire Risk)
Difficulty: EasyTime: 1 hourUpdated 2026-08-31
If clothes take two cycles to dry, the laundry room feels humid or the dryer cabinet is hot to the touch, lint has restricted the duct. Cleaning the lint trap housing, disconnecting the flexible duct and clearing the exterior vent hood restores airflow, cuts drying time and removes one of the most common causes of residential fires.
What you’ll need
- Dryer vent brush kit with flexible rods
- Vacuum with a crevice tool
- Screwdriver and foil duct tape (never cloth duct tape)
- Work gloves
- Flashlight
Signs Your Vent Is Blocked
The clearest symptom is drying time. A load that used to finish in 45 minutes now taking 90 means roughly half your airflow is gone. Other signs include a hot dryer cabinet, a burning smell, or lint appearing around the door seal.
Outside, run the dryer and hold your hand at the vent hood. You should feel strong, warm airflow. Weak flow means the duct is packed.
Clean the Duct End to End
Unplug the dryer, or shut off the gas at the appliance valve for a gas model. Pull it out far enough to reach behind and loosen the clamp holding the flexible duct.
Vacuum the lint trap housing thoroughly — a surprising amount collects below the screen. Then run the brush rods through the duct from both the appliance end and the exterior hood, pulling debris out rather than pushing it deeper.
- Replace flexible foil or vinyl duct with rigid or semi-rigid metal wherever possible.
- Keep the duct run as short and straight as you can; every elbow adds resistance.
- Seal joints with foil tape, never screws that catch lint inside the duct.
- Clear the exterior hood flaps of lint, nests and snow.
Keep It Clear Between Cleanings
Clean the lint screen before every load, and wash it with soap and water twice a year to remove the invisible film that fabric softener sheets leave behind.
Most GTA households should have the full duct cleaned annually. Long duct runs in townhouses and condos, or homes with a large family, may need it more often.
When to call a pro instead
- A duct run you can't access, or one that vents through a roof
- Gas dryers where the appliance must be disconnected
- Any scorching, melting or burnt smell inside the cabinet
- Birds or rodents nesting in the exterior vent
- Condo units where the duct passes through shared building shafts
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Frequently asked questions
- How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?
- At least once a year for a typical household, more often with a large family, pets or a long duct run.
- Can a blocked dryer vent really start a fire?
- Yes. Lint is highly combustible and restricted airflow lets the heating element run hotter. Dryer fires are a leading cause of residential appliance fires in Canada.
- Why is my dryer taking two cycles to dry a load?
- Restricted airflow is the most likely cause — check the lint screen, duct and exterior hood first, before assuming a failed heating element.