Dryer Vent Cleaning for Pet Owners

Dryer vent cleaning is imperative for everyone, but especially for pet owners. Pet fur and dander combined with lint increases the risk of a clogged vent. A properly maintained dryer vent improves your dryer’s efficiency and reduces the risk of fire.

I clean the lint trap in my dryer after every load. But cleaning the lint trap is not enough. You really must clean the entire length of your dryer vent. I knew this task needed attention. But I was not prepared for how much lint I found!

Can I clean my dryer Vent Myself?

Dryer vent cleaning is something many folks can tackle themselves with the right tools. These are the exact two tools I used for my dryer vent cleaning.

I started with the Sealegend 2 Piece Dryer Vent Cleaner Kit which has a long, flexible brush and a flat tube that attaches to your vacuum. The brush loosens the lint and the flat tube reaches way down into the dryer. I was shocked and a bit horrified at how much lint debris was built up inside my dryer beyond the lint trap.

Then I ordered the Sealegend 30′ Dryer Vent Brush Kit which comes with a handy drill attachment. You can buy this kit in various lengths depending on your the length of your dryer vent. What I liked about this kit is the pieces attach with a push button lock. I didn’t have to worry they would become disconnected and lodged inside my dryer vent. It also came with a push button lock drill attachment.

Dryer Vent Cleaning Tips

Choose a brush kit that will extend the entire length of your dryer vent. I actually found my dryer vent had a small sticker indicating it is 25′, so check your vent area for any additional information. If you’re unsure, err on the long side.

Remove the exterior vent cover first, so the brush can pass all the way through. You may need a ladder to reach it. If your cover is like mine, it’s caked with lint. Clean that too before reinstalling. The flap should be able to swing open freely.

I suggest starting from the inside end of the dryer vent after unplugging your dryer and disconnecting it from the wall vent. I’m going to lie…it’s a messy job on either end of the vent. But I definitely had more debris pushed through to the outside. Also, it was safer for me to handle the brush and the drill from the floor of my utility room, as reaching my exterior vent required a ladder.

It is not as simple as connecting all the brush pieces at once and attaching them to the drill. They will twist together, trust me. Instead, I attached one additional section to the brush at a time, attached it to the drill and turned it on, gently pushing and pulling the brush inside the vent.

I disconnected the drill bit to add each additional section until the brush reached the outside. Then I reversed the whole process, removing one section at a time. I found that using the drill was completely necessary for getting the brush to maneuver the turns inside my dryer vent.

How Often Should I clean My Dryer Vent?

I recommend cleaning the full length of your dryer vent at least once per year. If you have a large family doing more laundry, or pets like I do, I would consider cleaning it every six months. Tackling my dryer vent cleaning was a dirty job! But it wasn’t difficult and I feel much better having crossed this task off my to do list!