Do's & Don'ts of Dryer Vents
Who doesn’t like the convenience a dryer provides for us, but did you know it’s the second highest electric exhaustion appliance in your home? There are many people that have the wrong information about dryer vents and their exhaust. But one thing is for sure dryer vents need to be cleaned out at least once a year. They can cause a fire if they are not cleaned due to blockage of airflow caused by accumulated lint. If you have information about dryer’s vents, talk to your neighbors and community about the safety of dryer vents and how important it is to prevent a fire hazard.
Do's
- It’s always
best to have your dryer vents installed by a professional
- Always
make sure the right outlet is connected to your dryer and make sure its
connected correctly
- Clean
out the exhaust duct every two years before lint accumulates and restricts
airflow. It will cause longer drying cycles and can cause a fire hazard.
- Always
remember to clean out the lint trap in the dryer before and after every load.
This will help reduce the risk of a fire hazard. According to The US consumer product
safety commission, clothes dryer vents can accumulate lint causing more than
15,000 house fires every year.
- Discard
dryer sheets and fabric softener. Fabric softener and dryer sheets collect a
waxy coating on the screen lint and can prevent air from circulating properly.
- Use
dryer balls, tennis balls or wool balls which will help speed up drying time.
They also work great for soaking in water from big items such as bath towels
and blankets.
Don'ts
- Wool
sweaters should never be put inside a dryer, the dryer might break down the
wool fibers and shrink your sweater
- Silk should
not be put inside a dryer because it will cause the material to lose its
texture and damage it
- Bras should
also not be put to dry in a dryer because they will deform and tear out,
underwear will lose its elasticity, its best to hand wash and be hanged to dry.
- Do not
use duct tape to connect venting materials because overtime it can cause gaps
in the joints of the event.
Remember to have your dryer vents cleaned at least once a year. If you use your dryer frequently you should also have it cleaned frequently as well. It is a fire hazard that can be prevented.