Cleaning Your Dryer Vent and Taming the Sock-Eating Monster
If you've ever been a victim of the sock-eating monster (also known as your dryer), you know the frustration of washing, drying, pairing, and folding the laundry only to find that you - invariably - have one single, extra sock whose perfect match is nowhere to be found. Blame the monster!
Of course, dryers don't actually eat socks, but it is possible for the article to get sucked into the lint filter if the filter becomes dislodged while the dryer is running. When this happens, the sock may be sucked into the dryer vent line or into the vent itself. And perhaps more worrisome than mismatched socks is the risk of fire that such an incident creates - a sock that becomes stuck in the vent limits the ability of the dryer to eliminate hot air, which can quickly turn lint into kindling. It's important to clear your dryer vent regularly to reduce this risk and ensure that your appliance continues to operate normally.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, overheated dryers are the cause of roughly preventable 15,500 fires every year; and the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) reports an annual average of 51 deaths and 380 injuries.
Aside from the risk of fire (and losing socks), a clogged vent can:
- Cause the dryer to work harder to perform its task.
- Increase energy consumption.
- Accelerate the failure of the thermostat.
- Significantly reduce the lifespan of the appliance.
How to Clean Your Dryer Vent
Contact a certified dryer vent cleaning professional. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) trains and certifies technicians, and endorses methods using high powered air pressure tools, which are unsafe for use by anyone not properly trained to use them. One thing you can do at home to help prevent dryer mishaps is to make sure that you remove any lint from the filter after every load of laundry.
Call 877-800-2382 AdvantaClean to schedule your certified dryer vent cleaning today!
