When it comes to laundry room tasks, washing clothes isn’t nearly as bad as some of the more aggravating chores. Cleaning the dryer vent (not to be confused with cleaning the lint trap, which should be done after every use) is a bigger headache, but it’s a task you need to tackle every three to…
Many people default to sticking a vacuum attachment down the dryer vent to suck up what they can, but this method isn’t always effective. A leaf blower is far more useful, as the high-powered airflow dislodges hidden dust your vacuum might otherwise miss. Let’s take a look at why this trick works so well and how you can try it yourself.
If you’re attempting this hack indoors, use only a battery-powered or electric leaf blower. You’ll want to avoid gas-powered models to prevent any dangerous carbon monoxide buildup.
Blast Away the Lint
First, a quick vocabulary lesson: The dryer vent hose is the Slinky-like tube connecting your appliance to the wall. The exhaust duct is a permanent pipe found in your walls, floor, or ceiling that carries hot air (and lint) away from your house. The exterior vent is the exit door; it’s usually fitted with flaps and a cover to block out pests and moisture.
Before getting started, shut off the breaker for the dryer, unplug the appliance, and disconnect the dryer vent hose. Next, tape a 1-gallon resealable storage bag to the end of your leaf blower nozzle, securing it tightly so it doesn’t come flying off. Cut open the bottom of the bag; this will create a seal against the interior walls of the exhaust duct, forcing air through the pipe and out the exterior vent. Lastly (before you insert the leaf blower into the duct), feed a flex brush into the exhaust duct to dislodge any pesky dust that’s stuck to the interior walls.
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With the prep work out of the way, it’s time to power up the leaf blower. Insert the nozzle of the leaf blower into the opening of the exhaust duct and start on a low setting. Once you’ve confirmed the air is flowing, turn it to full blast to propel all of the loose dust through the exhaust duct and out of the house. This method is far better than using a vacuum, which often lacks the reach or suction to clear out debris trapped deep inside the piping. A gust of air from the leaf blower, conversely, handles those far-off dust bunnies with ease.
Contain the Mess
The one drawback to the leaf blower method is the potential mess wherever the exhaust duct empties out — like your backyard or driveway. To prevent dust from getting everywhere, have a helper hold a shop vac at the exterior vent (remember to remove the cover first) to catch the debris as it exits. You might have to seal the shop vac to the exterior vent to keep everything contained. While you’re using the leaf blower to push dust out, the vacuum will be there to swallow it at the other end. And just like that, you’ll have a clean dryer vent without a secondary mess to clean up afterward.
