How to Clean Your Dryer Vent Duct from Inside the House

Disconnect the dryer, remove the vent hose, and use a dryer vent cleaning brush or vacuum to clear lint buildup from the ductwork accessible from inside your home.

1. Kill the Power First. Unplug your dryer from the electrical outlet or turn off the circuit breaker if it's hardwired. For gas dryers, also turn off the gas supply valve. Pull the dryer away from the wall to access the back panel and vent connection.
2. Disconnect the Vent Hose. Locate the flexible vent hose connected to the back of your dryer. Loosen the clamp holding it in place using a screwdriver or pliers. Gently pull the hose off the dryer's exhaust port. Set the hose aside for separate cleaning.
3. Brush Out the Hose. Take the removed hose outside and shake out loose lint. Use a dryer vent brush or bottle brush to scrub the interior walls, working from both ends. For stubborn buildup, use a shop vacuum with a hose attachment to pull out compacted lint.
4. Locate the Duct Opening. Look for the round duct opening in the wall where the flexible hose was connected. This leads to your exterior vent. You may need to remove a wall plate or cover to access the duct entrance fully.
5. Clear the Main Duct. Insert a dryer vent cleaning brush into the duct opening as far as it will reach. Rotate the brush while pushing and pulling to dislodge lint from the duct walls. Follow up with a shop vacuum to remove loosened debris. Work methodically, cleaning as far into the duct as your tools allow.
6. Sweep Up Loose Lint. Vacuum behind and around the dryer location, removing any lint that has accumulated on the floor or stuck to the back panel. Wipe down the dryer's exhaust port with a damp cloth to ensure a clean connection.
7. Reassemble the System. Reattach the cleaned flexible hose to both the dryer exhaust port and the wall duct opening. Secure with clamps, ensuring connections are tight but not over-tightened. Push the dryer back into position, leaving a few inches of space behind for proper airflow.
8. Verify Airflow Works. Restore power to the dryer and turn on the gas supply if applicable. Run the dryer on a normal cycle for a few minutes to ensure proper airflow and check that the exterior vent is expelling air normally.