The screen catches most lint, but not all of it. The rest travels through the dryer into the duct, and over months it lines the walls and shrinks the passage. A dryer that has been fed fabric softener sheets collects an extra film on the screen that blocks airflow even when it looks clean.
Every load
- Empty the lint screen.
- Check for a waxy film; if water poured on the screen beads up instead of soaking in, scrub it in a basin of soapy water with a soft brush and let it dry completely.
Every few months
- Unplug the dryer, then vacuum the lint trap slot with a long crevice tool.
- Pull the dryer out and check that the duct is not crushed or kinked behind it.
- Go outside and open the vent hood flap. It should swing freely. Birds’ nests and lint plugs are common in Houston, where the hood sits close to the ground or under eaves.
Signs the vent needs a full cleaning
- Loads take two cycles to dry.
- The top or the door of the dryer is hot to touch.
- The laundry room smells like hot lint.
- Lint collects around the outside of the vent hood.
What we do and do not clean
We can check airflow at the dryer and tell you whether restricted flow explains slow drying. A long duct run through a wall or attic may need a specialist who cleans venting, and we will say so rather than guess. Use metal duct, not plastic or foil accordion tubing, which sags and traps lint.
A dryer that still takes two cycles after you clean the vent deserves a look at the heat side. Use the dryer repair page to book; the service area shows where we travel, and our workmanship carries a 30-day warranty with a written price in advance.