In an age of smart appliances, one of the smartest home maintenance tips comes from a timeless source: Grandma. A simple, often-overlooked chore—cleaning your dryer vent—can prevent fires, save money, and extend the life of your machine. This isn’t just about cleaning the lint trap; it’s about clearing the entire ductwork, a task made effortless with a clever trick using a tool you might already own.
Why a Clean Dryer Duct is Non-Negotiable
Skipping this maintenance is more than an inconvenience; it’s a risk. Lint is incredibly flammable, and its buildup is a leading cause of over 14,000 home fires each year. Beyond safety, a clogged duct forces your dryer to run longer, increasing energy bills and wearing out the motor prematurely. Regular cleaning solves all three problems.
Grandma’s Simple, 3-Step Method
This method uses airflow to do the heavy lifting. The goal is to dislodge lint from inside the walls and blow it outside.
What You’ll Need:
A vacuum cleaner with a hose and crevice tool.
A leaf blower (or a powerful shop vac you can use in reverse).
A dryer vent cleaning brush kit (optional but helpful—available at any hardware store).
