With all the content available online these days, it can be hard to figure out what’s real and what’s hype.
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what → figure → content
While we don’t always have the answers, we have a direct line to people who do — which is why we present to you our series The Internet Made Me Ask, where we have experts break down the truth about some of the buzziest trends (and questions) on our timelines, like whether bath sheets are actually different from towels.
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sheets → have → towels
It makes sense that you may never think about cleaning your dishwasher or washing machine, since unlike the stuff you wash in them, you don’t interact with them much.
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you → make → them
The same could be said for your dryer, but just like the aforementioned appliances, your dryer does need to be cleaned from time to time.
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dryer → say → time
Cleaning home appliances that you use nearly every day keeps them functioning properly and saves you money.
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you → clean → money
Think about it: A few dollars for products and an hour of your time now spares you from paying a repairperson later, or worst case scenario, needing to replace your dryer altogether.
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dollars → think → dryer
So to find the best methods and products for cleaning a dryer, I spoke to multiple home cleaning experts for their recommendations, which I talk more about below.
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I → find → which
The best products for cleaning a dryer
Before you start the process you’ll want to grab some highly-rated materials to help you get the job done.
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job → clean → materials
All of the products below are either recommendations from our experts or editors, and/or have at least a 4-star average rating on Amazon from 500 or more shoppers.
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All → have → shoppers
Some selections are also based on products we’ve covered before.
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we → base → products
This kit comes with an 8.5-inch bristle brush that lets you clean in and around your dryer vent to remove dust and lint.
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you → come → dust
The rod you attach to the brush is available in several lengths up to 30 feet and it’s bendable, making it easy to clean in the crevice of the dryer vent without much hassle.
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it → attach → hassle
The kit also comes with a 4-inch wide bristle brush that you can use to clean the inside of the dryer’s exhaust duct, which is a wide, hose-like structure attached to the back of your dryer and the wall.
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which → come → dryer
You can also attach the wide brush to a power drill and use it to lift away lint from the inside of the duct, according to the brand.
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You → attach → brand
Since the cleaning process involves touching and removing a lot of dust and dirt, you may also want to use gloves, which the kit doesn’t include.
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kit → involve → which
This set includes a bendable brush, hose attachment and an adapter that allows you to use the vacuum you already have to clean the inside of your dryer vent, as well as the dryer lint screen and the inside of the exhaust duct.
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you → include → duct
While many vacuums come with their own hose and crevice attachments, some of them aren’t always the right length, so they won’t always be able to get into the vent.
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some → come → vent
With this attachment kit, you can connect it to your vacuum’s hose or crevice tool, essentially extending its overall reach.
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you → connect → reach
Plus, this allows you to clean the duct thoroughly without having to put your hand in it.
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you → allow → it
This popular dishwashing spray is one of NBC Selected’s most recommended cleaning products, and it’s not just for dishes.
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it → recommend → dishes
It’s great for cleaning many surfaces around the home, including screens and filters from a dryer vent or window air conditioner.
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It → ’ → vent
Spray it on the dryer vent screen after removing it, rinse it with water and allow it to dry before putting it back in the vent.
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it → spray → vent
It has a light clean fragrance which I love and it doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals that attach to your hands, like bleach or peroxide.
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that → have → bleach
This set includes one spray bottle and three refills.
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set → include → bottle
When I wrote a guide on how to clean stainless steel appliances, I recommended microfiber cleaning clothes like these.
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microfiber → write → these
The cloths are great for cleaning many surfaces, including the steel exterior of your dryer, because they’re soft and they don’t leave scratches or marks.
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they → clean → scratches
Plus, microfiber cloths can help buff the outside of your appliance and give it a luxe, shiny appearance.
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cloths → help → appearance
NBC Selected senior editor Shalwah Evans loves using microfiber cloths for wiping the outside of appliances made from stainless steel.
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Evans → select → steel
How to clean a dryer
Follow the expert-recommended steps below for cleaning your dryer.
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clean → clean → dryer
- While you don’t have to clean the entire dryer that often, it’s most important that you regularly clean the lint trap (the screen in the lining of the door) regularly, according to Ryan Knoll, founder of home cleaning company TidyCasa.
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you → have → TidyCasa
Aside from simply wiping away the lint, you can do things to clean it more thoroughly, he says.
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he → wipe → it
- To clean the lint trap and the compartment it slides into, use the crevice and hose attachment tool from your vacuum or a hose attachment kit, like the Holikme Dryer Vent Cleaner Kit with Lint Vacuum Attachment & Brush, to clean the lint on the screen.
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it → clean → screen
You can also use a long bristle brush, like the one included in the Holikme kit, to clean the lint on the inside of the compartment.
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You → use → compartment
- To clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct, you’ll need a long bristle brush and a wide brush that you can attach to a long rod, such as from the Holikme Dryer Vent Cleaner Kit, to be able to reach the inside of the duct.
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you → clean → duct
The kit includes a nylon rod that attaches to a power drill, so that you can put the brush attachments inside the duct and rotate it to lift the lint before using the vacuum and hose suck it out.
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you → include → it
How often do you need to clean your dryer?
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you → need → dryer
Cleaning the screen that traps lint frequently is most important, according to Knoll.
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that → clean → Knoll
“Clean the lint trap every time before or after you use the dryer,” says Knoll.
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Knoll → clean → dryer
We’re talking deep hose clean-out, either sucking lint out or pushing it through the vent.”
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We → talk → vent
The dryer vent includes the exhaust duct (the silver hose-like structure made from aluminum) on the back.
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vent → include → back
…and 17 more, not listed.
The Aporia
