To clean a dryer vent, unplug the dryer, pull it out, disconnect the duct, remove lint from the duct and the outside hood with a vent brush or vacuum, then reconnect it with a metal duct and clamps and run the dryer to check the airflow. Do it at least once a year, and sooner if clothes take longer than one cycle to dry. Lint is flammable, so a blocked vent is a fire risk and also makes the dryer work harder. Gas dryers need extra care, and you should leave the gas line alone.
PCBy the Pixl Canada install team. Updated . 7 min read.
- Eight steps with the right tools
- How often to clean it
- Warning signs of a clogged vent
- When a new metal duct is the better fix ($20 with Pixl)
- Clean the whole run: the lint trap housing, the duct and the outside hood.
- Use metal duct. Plastic or foil duct kinks, sags and traps lint.
- Clean at least once a year, more often if you dry a lot or have pets.
- A very long or crushed duct is a design problem that cleaning alone will not fix.
How do you know your dryer vent is clogged?
| Sign | What it means |
|---|---|
| Clothes take more than one cycle to dry | Hot, moist air is not leaving |
| The dryer or the laundry room feels very hot | Heat is trapped in the dryer |
| Weak airflow at the outside hood | The duct is partly blocked |
| A burning smell | Lint is overheating. Stop using the dryer |
| Lint around the dryer or on the hood flap | Lint is escaping from a loose or broken joint |
The City of Toronto’s clothes dryer fire safety page advises metal duct and warns that plastic or foil duct kinks and builds up lint. See also dryer vent length and duct rules.
What tools do you need?
| Tool | Use |
|---|---|
| Dryer vent brush kit with a drill or long rod | Loosens lint in the duct |
| Vacuum with a hose | Removes loosened lint |
| Screwdriver or nut driver | Removes clamps and the hood cover |
| Foil tape and metal clamps | Seals joints when you reconnect |
| Dust mask and gloves | Lint is dusty and irritating |
How do you clean a dryer vent step by step?
- Unplug the dryer. For a gas dryer, do not touch the gas line, and have a pro disconnect it if the dryer must move far.
- Pull the dryer away from the wall carefully so you do not kink the gas line or crush the cord.
- Disconnect the duct from the back of the dryer by loosening the clamp.
- Vacuum the dryer’s outlet and the inside of the duct end you can reach.
- Brush the duct from the inside, then from the outside hood, pushing lint toward one end and vacuuming it out.
- Clean the outside hood. Remove the cover if needed and make sure the flap opens freely.
- Reconnect with a metal duct and clamps, seal joints with foil tape and avoid sharp bends.
- Push the dryer back without crushing the duct, plug in, run it for a few minutes and check for strong airflow at the hood.
How often should you clean a dryer vent?
At least once a year is the common guidance, and sooner if clothes dry slowly, the dryer runs hot or you wash pet bedding often. Always empty the lint trap after every load. Long runs and many bends collect lint faster. Check the length rules in our dryer vent guide.
When should you call a pro or replace the duct?
| Situation | Better move |
|---|---|
| Plastic or foil duct | Replace with metal duct. Pixl installs a new dryer duct for $20 with an installation visit |
| A crushed or sagging duct | Replace and re-route it |
| A very long or twisty run | Have it assessed. Cleaning will not fix a poor layout |
| A gas dryer | Leave the gas line to a licensed gas fitter |
| The duct goes through the roof or an inaccessible wall | Call a pro with the right brushes |
Pixl installs washers and dryers for $110 side by side or $150 stacked, a new dryer duct is $20 and new washer hoses are $30, before tax. See washer and dryer installation and the cost guide.
Cleaning a dryer vent: frequently asked questions
How do you clean a dryer vent?
Unplug the dryer, disconnect the duct, brush and vacuum the lint from the duct and the outside hood, then reconnect with a metal duct and clamps and test the airflow.
How often should I clean my dryer vent?
At least once a year, and sooner if clothes dry slowly or the dryer runs hot.
Can I clean a dryer vent from outside?
Yes. Remove the hood cover and brush or vacuum inward, but also clean from the dryer end so the whole run is clear.
Can I use duct tape on a dryer vent?
Use foil tape and metal clamps. Ordinary duct tape can dry out and fail with heat.
Is a clogged dryer vent dangerous?
Yes. Lint is flammable and a blocked vent traps heat, which raises fire risk.
Does Pixl install a new dryer duct?
Yes, a new metal dryer duct is $20 with an installation, before tax. You pay after the job.
Need a new duct or a dryer installed?
Side by side $110, stacked $150, new duct $20, before tax. You pay after the job.
Washer and dryer dimensions
Appliance installation in Canada
Washer and dryer installation guide
Dryer vent length rules
Washer and dryer installation cost
How to clean a washing machine
Sources and method. City of Toronto clothes dryer fire safety guidance, and the Technical Safety BC gas dryer venting bulletin. Check your dryer’s manual for its own limits. Pixl prices were checked in October 2026, in Canadian dollars, before tax.
About Pixl Canada. Pixl Canada is an installation company based in Edmonton, Alberta, serving cities across Canada with TV mounting, security cameras, appliance installation and smart home setup. Call or text (587) 899-7495. Open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 7pm.