How to Clean a Dryer Vent to Prevent a Lint Fire

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An important yearly routine for every homeowner is cleaning the clothes dryer duct.
The lint that builds up is highly flammable and causes thousands of lint fires every year.
Most homes will have a 6 to 8 foot solid or flexible duct to the outside of the home. You can easily clean the duct with a tool like the one I show. For homes with longer duct work, there are duct cleaners that have a series of flexible rods that you can connect together to clean longer distances.
Make sure that the duct from your dryer is aluminum and not vinyl. Vinyl duct will not contain a lint fire and will produce toxic fumes.

Dryer Duct - What Kind Do I Use?

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If you are replacing a duct for your clothes dryer, you need to use solid or flexible aluminum.
Do not use vinyl. Vinyl can burn and release a toxic gas, it will not protect you from a lint fire.
There are thousands of lint fires a year from dryers. It is important to use the proper duct and clean it at least once a year.
Solid duct is the safest. There are 2 kinds of flexible aluminum duct popular in the market. The thicker style is the safest. Check the instructions on you dryer, every manufacturer has different requirements for their product. Follow their suggestions for safety and to protect your warranty.