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How Often Should You Clean Your Dryer Vent?

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June 9, 2025

How Often Should You Clean Your Dryer Vent?

A straight-talk guide for Albuquerque & Rio Rancho homeowners

Why vent cleaning is a big deal

Every year roughly 15 600 home structure fires are started by dryers in the United States, leading to about 400 injuries, 15 deaths, and more than $100 million in property losses. Most of those fires begin when lint inside the vent overheats and ignites. ul.com
Government data show the underlying culprit again and again: failure to clean the vent accounts for nearly one-third (31 %) of dryer-fire ignitions. usfa.fema.gov

Beyond safety, a clear vent lets moist air escape quickly. Studies for the Department of Energy have found that removing lint buildup can cut drying time—and the energy your dryer needs—by up to 30 %. pureairllc.com Faster cycles mean lower utility bills and less wear on belts, bearings, and heating elements.

The once-a-year baseline

The National Fire Protection Association’s home-safety guidance is simple: clean the dryer’s exhaust pipe at least once every 12 months, and sooner if your clothes start taking longer to dry. dryersafety.org

For many New Mexico households that annual rhythm works fine. But a few local realities can shorten the timetable:

  • High laundry volume. Families with athletes, babies, or lots of linens run many more loads, packing the vent with lint faster.
  • Desert dust and pet hair. Fine grit from our winds plus dog or cat hair bind together and cling to duct walls.
  • Rooftop exhausts. Plenty of Albuquerque-area homes vent upward through a flat roof; the long vertical run slows airflow and collects debris.
  • Rental and multifamily units. When lots of people share the machines, usage patterns are unpredictable—quarterly checks make sense.

Red-flag symptoms that you’re overdue

If any of these ring true, schedule a cleaning even if the calendar says you still have time:

  • Clothes are still damp after one normal cycle, or need two full cycles.
  • The top of the dryer or the laundry room feels hotter than usual.
  • You smell a hot, dusty, or slightly burning odor while the dryer runs.
  • Lint is collecting on the outside vent hood or the flap no longer opens fully.
  • Your dryer’s sensor cycles keep cutting off early or show an airflow error.

DIY kits versus a professional visit

Hardware-store brush kits do a decent job on the first few feet of duct—provided your vent is short, straight, and exits at ground level. They can’t negotiate multiple elbows, reach a rooftop termination, or verify the airflow when you’re done. A professional clean uses commercial HEPA vacuums and rotary brushes sized to your duct, finishes with a video scope, and documents airflow before and after. Most single-family jobs take about an hour and leave the appliance ready to run that same day.

Keeping the vent clear between appointments

Empty the lint screen after every load and give it a warm-soapy wash once a month to remove fabric-softener residue. A few times a year, pull the dryer forward and vacuum any lint kittens hiding behind it. Outside, make sure the vent hood opens freely and isn’t blocked by landscaping. These five-minute habits slow lint buildup and help you stay on that yearly schedule.

Bottom line for Central New Mexico

An annual dryer-vent cleaning is one of the cheapest forms of home insurance you can buy. It slashes fire risk, trims your energy bill, and helps your dryer last longer—all for less than the cost of a single service call on a burnt-out heating element. If the last clean was more than 12 months ago—or those warning signs look familiar—call (505) 506-0956 or hit the “Schedule Clean” button on our site. Your laundry will dry faster and your home will be safer.

Learn how often to clean your dryer vent in Albuquerque, warning signs you’re overdue, and maintenance tips that slash fire risk and energy bills.

How Often Should You Clean Your Dryer Vent?

A straight-talk guide for Albuquerque & Rio Rancho homeowners

Why vent cleaning is a big deal

Every year roughly 15 600 home structure fires are started by dryers in the United States, leading to about 400 injuries, 15 deaths, and more than $100 million in property losses. Most of those fires begin when lint inside the vent overheats and ignites. ul.com
Government data show the underlying culprit again and again: failure to clean the vent accounts for nearly one-third (31 %) of dryer-fire ignitions. usfa.fema.gov

Beyond safety, a clear vent lets moist air escape quickly. Studies for the Department of Energy have found that removing lint buildup can cut drying time—and the energy your dryer needs—by up to 30 %. pureairllc.com Faster cycles mean lower utility bills and less wear on belts, bearings, and heating elements.

The once-a-year baseline

The National Fire Protection Association’s home-safety guidance is simple: clean the dryer’s exhaust pipe at least once every 12 months, and sooner if your clothes start taking longer to dry. dryersafety.org

For many New Mexico households that annual rhythm works fine. But a few local realities can shorten the timetable:

  • High laundry volume. Families with athletes, babies, or lots of linens run many more loads, packing the vent with lint faster.
  • Desert dust and pet hair. Fine grit from our winds plus dog or cat hair bind together and cling to duct walls.
  • Rooftop exhausts. Plenty of Albuquerque-area homes vent upward through a flat roof; the long vertical run slows airflow and collects debris.
  • Rental and multifamily units. When lots of people share the machines, usage patterns are unpredictable—quarterly checks make sense.

Red-flag symptoms that you’re overdue

If any of these ring true, schedule a cleaning even if the calendar says you still have time:

  • Clothes are still damp after one normal cycle, or need two full cycles.
  • The top of the dryer or the laundry room feels hotter than usual.
  • You smell a hot, dusty, or slightly burning odor while the dryer runs.
  • Lint is collecting on the outside vent hood or the flap no longer opens fully.
  • Your dryer’s sensor cycles keep cutting off early or show an airflow error.

DIY kits versus a professional visit

Hardware-store brush kits do a decent job on the first few feet of duct—provided your vent is short, straight, and exits at ground level. They can’t negotiate multiple elbows, reach a rooftop termination, or verify the airflow when you’re done. A professional clean uses commercial HEPA vacuums and rotary brushes sized to your duct, finishes with a video scope, and documents airflow before and after. Most single-family jobs take about an hour and leave the appliance ready to run that same day.

Keeping the vent clear between appointments

Empty the lint screen after every load and give it a warm-soapy wash once a month to remove fabric-softener residue. A few times a year, pull the dryer forward and vacuum any lint kittens hiding behind it. Outside, make sure the vent hood opens freely and isn’t blocked by landscaping. These five-minute habits slow lint buildup and help you stay on that yearly schedule.

Bottom line for Central New Mexico

An annual dryer-vent cleaning is one of the cheapest forms of home insurance you can buy. It slashes fire risk, trims your energy bill, and helps your dryer last longer—all for less than the cost of a single service call on a burnt-out heating element. If the last clean was more than 12 months ago—or those warning signs look familiar—call (505) 506-0956 or hit the “Schedule Clean” button on our site. Your laundry will dry faster and your home will be safer.