Dryer Taking Too Long to Dry Clothes? – Look to the Vent

For years, your dryer has faithfully dried your clothes, but that is not the case anymore. Now instead of doing it in one cycle, you need to run two dryer cycles to get your clothes all the way dry. This is a problem, but it may not mean something in your dryer is actually broken. It can mean there is a problem, but before you call that repair technician, it might be better to have a peek in the dryer vent.

Over time, particularly if you are not as diligent in cleaning a lint filter as you should be, the dryer vent can become clogged with lint build up. When this happens, the dryer can no longer efficiently push out the hot moist air that results in dry clothes. Furthermore, a vent clogged with lint is also a serious fire hazard.

Signs of a clogged dryer vent include:

• Slow drying clothes
• A burning smell when the dryer is running
• The exterior of the dryer is hot
• You notice lint around the exterior vent or connection of the hose to the dryer
• Clothing is very hot, but still wet
• The outside vent hood isn’t opening while the dryer is running

If you notice any of these signs, it is easy to disconnect the vent hose from the dryer to check. Typically, you need to remove the hose clamp and the hose will disconnect rather easily. If you can look inside and see lint, you need to remove it. Sometimes this can be easily pulled out by hand. If it is a very deep clog, you may want to try removing it with a shop vac hose or call a professional service if you are uncomfortable with that. The clog may be deeper inside than just the vent hose, in which case you will need professional intervention.