Cleaning the home is a necessary but often daunting task. Knowing where to start cannot be easy, and there seem to be more things to clean than we have time for. In addition, many of us are guilty of letting cleaning tasks pile up until they become an overwhelming burden.
However, it is important to remember that some cleaning tasks are more important than others. For example, you should never neglect to clean your dryer vent. A dryer vent full of lint and other debris can be a fire hazard and lead to your clothes taking longer to dry.
If you’re not sure whether or not your dryer vent needs to be cleaned, here are ten signs to look for:
1. Your clothes are taking longer to dry than usual.
The lint build-up in your dryer vent will cause the air to flow more slowly, which means it will take longer for your clothes to dry. You might also notice that your clothes are hotter than usual at the end of the cycle.
2. The lint trap is full after just one load of laundry.
You should clean out the lint trap after every load of laundry. If you find that the lint trap in your dryer is full after just one bag, it’s also a sign that lint is building up in other parts of the machine. This can eventually lead to a fire.
3. You can see lint or other debris from the vents.
If you can see lint or other debris from the vents, there is a blockage somewhere in the system. This blockage will need to be removed so air can flow freely.
4. There is a burning smell coming from the dryer.
If you notice a burning smell coming from your dryer, it’s a sign that lint or other debris has built up to the point of causing a fire hazard. You should unplug the dryer and call a professional that does dryer vent cleaning in Meridian or wherever you are.
5. Your dryer seems to be overworking.
If you notice that your dryer is running for longer periods than usual, it’s a sign that the machine is working harder than it should dry your clothes. This is usually due to a blockage in the vents. If you don’t clean it out, the dryer will overheat and could eventually break down.
6. The outside of the dryer is hot to the touch.
If you notice that the outside of your dryer is hot to the touch, it’s a sign that the machine is overworking. This is usually due to a blockage in the vents. If you don’t clean it out, the dryer will overheat and could eventually break down. You might also notice that your electricity bill goes up when this happens.
7. You see animals or insects near the dryer vents.
If you see animals or insects near the dryer vents, it’s a sign that there is a blockage somewhere in the system. These pests attract lint and other debris that can build up ducts. If you don’t clean it out, they could cause a fire.
8. Your laundry room is unusually humid.
If you notice that your laundry room is unusually humid, it’s a sign that there is a blockage in the dryer vents. This blockage prevents the moist air from escaping, which leads to humidity. If you don’t clean it out, the humid air could cause mold and mildew to grow.
9. You notice condensation on the windows in your laundry room.
If you notice condensation on the windows in your laundry room, it’s a sign that there is a blockage in the dryer vents. This blockage prevents the moist air from escaping, which leads to condensation. If you don’t clean it out, the condensation could cause mold and mildew to grow.
10. You notice that your clothes smell musty.
If you notice that your clothes smell musty, it’s a sign that there is a blockage in the dryer vents. This blockage prevents the moist air from escaping, which leads to musty-smelling clothes. The musty smell could cause your clothes to mildew if you don’t clean them out.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to call a professional to clean your dryer vents. Ignoring the problem will only worsen and could eventually lead to a fire.