Why dryer vent cleaning matters
This is the one piece of home maintenance we’d tell almost every household not to skip. Lint is highly flammable, and it doesn’t all get caught by the lint trap — the rest builds up inside the vent duct running from your dryer to the outside of your home. As it accumulates, it restricts airflow, the dryer runs hotter, and you have flammable material sitting in an overheating space.
Failure to clean is the leading cause of dryer fires, and the risk rises through the fall and winter when dryers run hardest. Beyond safety, a clear vent means faster drying, less wear on your appliance, and lower energy use. If you want the full picture on the fire-safety side, our guide to dryer vent cleaning and house fires covers the data and the warning signs.