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How do I know if my air ducts need to be cleaned?

No matter how clean you might think your home is, the dust never goes away, and one place it hides is in your air ducts.

• Excessive dust: If you find yourself dusting constantly, it could mean your air ducts need cleaning.
• Mold in your HVAC system: If mold has been discovered in your HVAC system, it’s very likely your air ducts have been exposed as well. Once your HVAC system has been cleared of mold, you should have your ducts cleaned.
• Dust from construction: If you have a new home or you’ve recently had an extensive renovation, you might want to get your ducts cleaned to make sure they are clear of any dust and dirt left behind from the renovation work.
• Higher utility bills: Cleaning your ducts can also help your HVAC system run more efficiently, saving you money on your utility bills.

Is air duct cleaning really worth it?

There is some debate about whether air duct cleaning is worth the money. In some cases, the build-up of dust and dirt that collects in your air ducts will be fairly insignificant, and may not contribute to any health risks, although allergens can be trapped in your ducts and filters. Mold, however, does pose a significant health risk and if your HVAC system has developed an issue with mold or there is mold in your attic, you’ll want to have your ducts cleaned once the mold has been removed elsewhere. Also, anytime the ducts get clogged, your ducts are at risk of becoming nesting spaces for insects like roaches and other pests like rats or mice. Clogged ducts also reduce airflow which can damage your HVAC system or cause to be less efficient.

Can I clean my air ducts myself?

Unless you have a background in HVAC repair and own high-powered vacuums and rotary brushed, duct-cleaning is not a do-it-yourself job. Trying to clean the ducts yourself could also damage them.

Although it’s best to let professionals clean your ducts, you can use a regular vacuum with brush attachment to clean the vent registers. It’s also wise to hose down floor or wall vent grills to keep them clear of dust, dirt, and grime.

Can duct cleaning remove mold?

Duct cleaning is one of the primary ways to clear air ducts of mold as long as the cleaning is performed professionally. Professionals will have the right equipment like heavy-duty vacuums and brushes that will get through all the corners in the air ducts.

How do I prepare my home for duct cleaning?

Very little preparation is needed for duct cleaning. The main thing to do is to make sure vents and registers as well as your HVAC system are accessible for the technician. Make sure furniture and other items are not blocking these spaces.

Is duct cleaning messy?

When you have your ducts cleaned, it can be messy. Quality duct cleaning services like Amazing Restorations will use drop cloths on furniture and floors to collect debris and will protect walls and trim with plastic guards. Technicians also wear protective booties over their shoes to avoid tracking dust and debris through the house.

Can duct cleaning make you sick?

If you’ve called in a duct cleaning service, you’re probably concerned about the health risks of dirty ducts, especially if mold is involved. Duct cleaning can also reduce allergens in your home. While you might get sick from dirty ducts, you won’t get sick from having them cleaned.

How Do Shampooers Clean? 

A carpet shampooer uses soap and warm water mix solution that the machine applies to the carpet. A revolving or rotary brush works the solution into the fibers and loosens the dirt. After that has dried, the dirty solution is sucked up into the machine. After it dries, the downside to carpet shampooers is they often will over-wet the carpeting and take longer to dry. The rotating brush can damage a delicate carpet. 

How Do Steamers Clean?

Steam cleaning uses warm to hot water that loosens the dirt in the carpet, and a powerful vacuum then extracts that dirt from the fibers. The  “steam” part of this process is not the cleaning but the heating of the water used to clean the carpet. 

Is steam cleaning better than shampooing?

Again, it depends on the level of clean you desire for your carpeting. Steam cleaning gets down deep into the fibers, pulling the dirt out and then powerfully sucks it up.  This gives the entire carpeting a cleaner, deep down clean.  Shampooing, on the other hand, cleans just the top of the carpeting.

How do you steam clean a carpet without a steam cleaner?

We did some research from experts and found there is a trick to deep clean your carpeting when steam cleaning isn’t possible. With backing soda or dish liquid, a clean scrub brush, an old toothbrush, a clean towel, and a bucket of water, then follow these steps: 

• Vacuum the area that needs steam cleaning
• Sprinkle baking soda over the area, covering it entirely
• Wet scrub brush with water from a bucket 
• Scrub the area with the warm water and brush – careful not to soak the carpet
• Place fan over the stain for drying
• Once dried, vacuum again

So, carpet steam cleaning, is it good? 

Absolutely and you’re getting more than just clean carpet and rugs. You are getting them disinfected too!  With a handheld steam cleaning unit, you can do a lot more, getting your entire house bright and clean. Call (636) 238-4702 today.

What can I use to clean my AC coils?

The three ways to approach AC coil cleaning, it is recommended to follow these instructions and the instructions for any commercial AC coil cleaning product you purchase on How to clean AC coils. Those three different cleaning methods are: 

Compressed Air

You will see the technician use compressed air or a shop-vac when they perform an AC coil cleaning, usually on the exterior unit. If you have an air compressor or shop-vac, you can perform this task yourself. This will remove any surface debris, dirt, and dust as the compressed air is blown from the opposite direction of the air flow. 

Household Detergent

Using a mild household dish detergent does well for an AC coil cleaning task when mixed with water.  Appy the mixture with a low-pressure sprayer the let the AC coil dry after lightly rinsing with the garden hose.

Commercial Cleaners

A licensed, professional AC service tech will sometimes use an AC coil cleaning solution that is available to dealer.. You can find similar products at big box home improvement stores that come in a foaming cleaner or a self-rinsing cleaner. 

How do I know if my AC coil is dirty?

The evaporator coil of your air conditioner absorbs the heat inside your home. Any dirt, no matter how little, can affect he performance of the system cooling. Some common indications and symptoms that the evaporator AC coil cleaning is needed are: 

• Cooling is Insufficient: When the air conditioner seems to be running forever and the house still isn’t as cool as you believe it should be, or you feel warm air coming out, this is a symptom of the evaporator AC coil cleaning is needed. 
• Air conditioner is overworked:  An air conditioner runs in cycles, but if they start running too long, or constantly, an AC coil cleaning for the evaporator in needed.  
• Ice covered evaporator coil: The evaporator coil can freeze up when there is a buildup of dirt, causing the AC to break down.  

How often should AC coils be cleaned?

A dirty condenser coil and evaporator coil will make your air conditioner run harder and longer, increasing the energy use by as much as thirty percent.  Other problems can develop from reduced heat transfer efficiency too, like the compressor overheating, the evaporator coils freezing, and overall poor cooling performance. This is why it is important to have a thorough AC coil cleaning done by a professional, or yourself as we’ve discussed earlier, no less than twice a year. 

When do you clean AC coils?

You can do your  own AC coil cleaning, monthly wouldn’t hurt if you live in an area with high content of dust in the air. Most HVAC manufacturers and technicians recommend having the AC coil cleaning done at the start of summer and again at the start of winter.

How long do AC coils last?

Well, you know by now that this answer is going to be prefaced by “with proper cleaning and maintenance” and you are correct. With a proper cleaning and maintenance schedule, condenser coils and  evaporator coils have an estimated life span of ten to fifteen years. This typically matches the lifespan of the air conditioner unit. 

How do you clean grout between tiles

You moved into a home that had beautiful tile, and now, without reason, rhyme, or warning, the grout is stained. Now, no matter how much you clean and clean the floor, the tile grout is still dirty and dingy. Is there grout cleaning for floors that will get that fresh white grout back for a picture-perfect bathroom, kitchen, or entry? 

Tile grout is made from sand particles and liquids pass through it quickly while dirt collects on the surface and sticks. We’re here to ease your aggravation and worries with a simple solution for cleaning that tile grout and keeping it clean. 

There are over-the-counter products that are great for fighting soap scum, but once the soap scum is removed, the tile grout is still stained. Use the following all-natural ingredient combination, with elbow grease, that will remove those stubborn stains while it whitens the tile grout too. 

A DIY All Natural Lemon Tile Grout Cleaner

Create a runny paste with two teaspoons of cream of tartar and lemon juice. Fill a spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide and spray the tile grout. The mixture will remove and rid any mildew and mold. With a small, stiff brush, apply the tartar and lemon juice paste over the tile grout and use your elbow grease to rub it into the tile grout. 

If necessary, reapply the tartar and lemon juice paste, spray the peroxide on it, scrub, then rinse. If necessary, scrub, then allow to let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing and wiping dry. To keep the tile grout clean, once a week, clean with vinegar and once a year, apply a tile grout sealer. 

How do you clean grout without scrubbing?

With the right formulating the right cleaner, you can get your tile grout bright and fresh with the compound doing the work, aka, little to no scrubbing on your part. An easy method that comes recommended by professional house cleaners is using a homemade recipe of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mixed. These two ingredients will form a powerful foaming mixture that will polish away stains while brightening the tile grout in one step.

• Mix one cup baking soda, one cup hydrogen peroxide, and one tablespoon dish soap. Then spread the mixture over the stained tile grout and let it sit for ten minutes. Gently scrub until the tile grout is white again.  
• Adjust these amounts for smaller jobs, but always use equal amounts of baking soda and peroxide to get the most effective. Adding the dish liquid helps cut through grease in the kitchen; otherwise, you can leave it out of the mixture. The baking soda is great to get down in the texture of the tile grout, removing that dirt and stains down inside the pores.  

What is the black stuff in my shower grout?

That black stuff would be mildew and mold, common in areas where moisture is present. If there is a leak behind the wall, it will start coming through the tile grout and keep spreading.  The cleaning mixtures we have provided you will remove that black stuff, but that is only a temporary band-aid.  You need to contact a professional plumber to inspect the area for possible plumbing leaks. 

What do professionals use to clean grout?        

Today, most homeowners are all about using eco-friendly, natural cleaning products for everything around the house, including tile grout. What they may not realize until it is too late, not all eco-friendly natural cleaning products are safe, and will eventually break down the tile grout. 

For an effective and genuinely safe tile grout cleaning, call a professional service. These professionals have grout cleaning equipment that is specifically designed for tile grout cleaning that uses hot water vapor and low-pressure. The simple steam blast expels the bacteria, dirt particles, and germs from the porous grout surface that is safe for any tile without damaging the tile grout. 

As a homeowner, most of your HVAC maintenance responsibilities are proactive and preventative. Like changing or cleaning the filter. Other maintenance tasks that you should take responsibility for are:

How often should I clean my HVAC system?

Several variables should be considered when answering this question. Every home and the occupants of the house are different; thus, the needs are different. 

For instance, one house may be dustier than others, and where you live could have more airborne dirt or pollution. Some homes have indoor pets that create pet dander and what gets into the HVAC system. A cigarette smoker creates more contaminants to be filtered.

A home with elderly, young children or individuals with respiratory medical conditions should have the best indoor air quality possible. With that in mind, the HVAC system should be cleaned frequently. 

With regularly scheduled HVAC system cleaning and inspection by a licensed, professional HVAC technician, your HVAC system should stay at optimal operation. 

How long does HVAC cleaning take?

The average single-family home HVAC system takes approximately two hours to clean and inspect. If there are any issues, it could take up to four hours, depending on what type of problems are found. The age and size of the house can affect the time it takes for an HVAC system cleaning. 

How do I know if my air ducts need to be cleaned?

An HVAC system should be cleaned and inspected periodically; the recommendation of experts and manufacturers is twice a year. When it comes to the air ducts being cleaned though, the following will tell you if you need them cleaned more frequently: 

What happens if you don’t clean your air ducts?

When you skip proper air duct cleaning and maintenance, they become filled with dirt, dust, and moisture. The dirt and dust block the airflow, and the moisture grows mildew and mold. These things cut back the amount of airflow, making your HVAC system work harder, which costs you money and makes your home smell musty. 

Is Steam Cleaner Worth it?

When using a steam cleaner correctly in the upholstery cleaning process, the method can easily be worth it when the couch has sustained significant aging or is covered in a coating of dirt. However, while a steam cleaner may take good care of couches and the like, that does not necessarily mean it is designed for all kinds of furniture cleaning. One would not, therefore, use a steam cleaner on: 

• Anything that can be damaged by heat, for example being cardboard and painted objects
• Extended sections of the carpet
• Silks
• Plastics
• Velour
• Stucco
• Marble 
• Brick

Being that the high heat exposure and moisture are good at providing one of the deepest cleans possible. However, that also means that objects that cannot handle high heat and moisture together are subject to extreme punishment they are incapable of withstanding for more than a short period. With that said, the benefit of using a steam cleaner in upholstery cleaning is that it does not use chemicals and can be directed directly at the source of an issue the homeowner wants to be removed. Whereas it can also assist in cleaning leather, kitchens, bathrooms, and windows, it should not be directed at the more delicate materials listed above.

How do I Disinfect my Sofa After the Flu?

When it comes to viruses, parasites, and bugs we understand that you will want the capability to get rid of them in a process that will not damage your home with degrading chemicals. Fortunately when it comes to upholstery cleaning, steam does the trick in removing harmful pests and diseases while doing a wonderful job of getting your furniture cleaned. At the temperatures a steamer typically operates, germs, viruses, and the like tend to not last when being encountered in the process. In these times, staying healthy is important and that is why we cannot recommend enough this part of the upholstery cleaning process. Whether because of the moisture or heat, steam cleaning also drives away pests like insects and arachnids. The larger majority of those encountered in the process tend to be eradicated quickly and effectively thanks to the heat. 

One way that should be noted when looking to remove water stains on the furniture is by mixing a half cup of vinegar with two cups of water into a spray bottle. By misting upholstery with water damage marks, then drying it out with direct exposure to a fan, you will see a monumental benefit for such a simple method.

How Do You Know if You Need Air Duct Cleaning?

There are a number of different reasons why it is beneficial to have air duct cleaning. But how to know if you need it? With a few observations, you can find out whether or not you would benefit. If you haven’t changed the air filter in months, there could be a surplus of dust and lint in your ductwork. Another observation that is important to note is if the registers and vent covers have visible dust. If you happen to detect mold in and around your HVAC system, you could certainly benefit from air duct cleaning and further cleaning efforts. If the airflow isn’t consistent from room to room, that could be another sign that there is dust and clogs in your ductwork. Finally, if you can hear noises in the ductwork, you could absolutely benefit from an air duct cleaning.

Can You Clean Air Ducts Yourself?

Are you wondering whether or not you could clean your air ducts yourself? The answer may not be what you think. When it comes down to cleaning your ductwork, it takes a lot of special tools and materials. It is a very painstaking process that shouldn’t be underestimated. For example, a vacuum brush will be needed to keep the floor grilles and wall duct registers clean. All of the vents and cold-air returns will need to be addressed. If there is mold found in the air ducts, a special cleaner must be applied. For these air duct services, it is always best to consult and use the services of a professional air duct cleaner.

How Often Should You Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned?

According to leading estimates from the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, also known as the NADCA, it is suggested that the air ducts in a home be cleaned every three to five years. This is because having a clean HVAC system is integral to the breathing health of the home. Having clean, pure air is particularly an advantage for individuals who struggle with allergies or lung conditions like asthma. Even for healthy individuals, it is a good idea to have an eye on the health of your ductwork. Mold and mildew are bad household companions, which is why it is important to have thorough home inspections whenever possible.

How Do Professionals Clean Air Ducts?

If you have never had your air ducts cleaned before, it will be important for you to assess what occurs when a professional duct cleaning takes place. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association, also known as the NADCA, has standardized the process for cleaning air ducts effectively and safely. Companies that have received NADCA certification subscribe to the standards and recommendations that the association stipulates. In addition, all the equipment and chemicals that air duct cleaning technicians use is specified by the NADCA.

Air Duct Cleaning Near Me

If you require air duct cleaning, it will be important for you to investigate the companies that provide this service in your area. The first thing that you should do is type some relevant search terms into your internet search engine. For air duct cleaning purposes, type in, “air duct cleaning near me.” With current technology a map of local air duct cleaning companies will pop up on your screen. It will be important for you to select a company that is principled and professional in its pursuits.

Air Duct Cleaning Services

Are you wondering what the benefits of air duct cleaning are? Please review the following list to find out your advantages from getting air duct cleaning.

• Homeowners can live in a cleaner home environment.
• Air duct cleaning reduces allergens and irritants.
• Air duct cleaning helps everyone breathe easier.
• Air duct cleaning has the propensity to remove unpleasant smells and odors.
• Airflow efficiency is maximized.

Why Is My House So Dusty?

There are a number of different reasons why your home may be dusty. For example, all the dirt that you track in from the outdoors on your shoes will have an impact on the home. Another possible contributor is cheap and dirty HVAC filters, which can inevitably increase dust. It is also important to consider that dust can easily lurk in carpets. Without routine vacuuming, dust can accumulate and clog up the breathing space of the household.

Would you like to schedule an appointment? Our friendly operators at Amazing Restorations are available now at (636) 238-4702. Discover more about air duct cleaning in St. Peters, MO. 

Can you use wet wipes on a car?

Baby wipes are great to use on the dashboard of your car when doing your own car interior cleaning. Because they are gentle enough for a baby’s behind, they will not scratch or scuff your dashboard, and they are moist. This makes them more effective than using a dry cloth for cleaning, and as a bonus, there is an anti-static layer left behind to keep dust off your dashboard for a longer time.

We researched and found 5 more things to use for your car interior cleaning at home, that may or may not be something the local car detail place uses:

1. Toothpaste: Besides brushing your teeth twice a day with this product, you should see what it does to the headlights on your car! It will remove that ugly film they developed over time when applied with a dry soft rag. Use gentle circular motions until that grime is gone.
2. Mayonnaise: The car interior cleaning isn’t all you worry about, right? While you may prefer mustard on your sandwich, your car prefers mayo to get those splashes of tar off the bottom. Rub it on, let sit for 10 minutes, then gently wipe off. If that doesn’t do the job, try lighter fluid.
3. Nail Polish Remover: You know that tree sap that covers your car’s windshield? You can’t find anything that can remove it better than nail polish! Be careful not to get the remover on the paint though.
4. Cooking Spray: Cooking spray on your wheels prevents brake dust from sticking to your wheels.

Can I use a magic eraser on the car interior?

If you do your own car interior cleaning and polishing, a Magic Eraser could be a great tool to your array of car cleaning supplies, if done with care and caution! Do not use it on the dashboard or leather seats when doing your car interior cleaning tasks. Magic Eraser had a sandpaper-like quality that can strip the dye out and scuff of the protective coating on the leather seats. Where can you use it on the interior of your car? Keep reading.

How do you get scuff marks off plastic car interior?

One of the hardest parts of car interior cleaning is getting rid of those scuffs on the door interior. Getting in and out of a car constantly can leave annoying scuff marks on the interior car, which are challenging to remove. The grain in that trim and the occasional bump/scuff of a shoe grinds into the grain. 

Rest at ease folks, Magic Eraser to the rescue! This micro-cell sponge technology is used as pipe insulation and to soundproof a booth or room. The microscopic strands in this bar will get down in those tiny grooves and pits of your car’s plastic and vinyl door trim without damaging it.

It sounds like a lot of work, doesn’t it?  If you want your car interior cleaning efforts to look professional, it is a lot of work. Your other option is to have it professionally cleaned. Once it is done, take every effort to keep it clean so that you won’t have to do this maybe twice a year. Dial (636) 238-4702 for car interior cleaning from Amazing Restorations in St. Peters, MO.

What Company is Best for Carpet Cleaning?

There are a number of different companies that provide carpet cleaning services. As a consumer, it is important for you to select a carpet cleaning company that has an excellent reputation and good credentials. If the business that you select has been in operation for many years, it will likely have a number of customer images and reviews. Please look over these carefully. It may also be pertinent to have a discussion with someone in the office and discuss the cleaning options that would most benefit your home.

Who Steam Cleans Carpets

Carpet steam cleaning is an important service for residential homes and properties alike. But which individuals or companies are most qualified? It’s important to notes that the average cost for carpet cleaning ranges anywhere between $200 and $260 across the nation. It’s important to consider these costs when selecting a carpet cleaning company. Technicians from carpet cleaning companies are generally experienced with providing carpet cleaning solutions and utilize a methodology that will deliver good results.

Is it Better to Shampoo or Steam Clean Carpets

The reason why steam cleaning is so popular is that the process is so effective. Steam cleaning will remove dirt from your carpets and sanitize them as well. The tools that a technician uses include a steam mop and hot water vapor to break down dirt. On the other hand, shampooing the carpet means that a detergent is used. The process for shampooing a carpet takes longer than steam cleaning a carpet. For example, steam cleaning a carpet will take up to 48 hours, while shampooing will take longer than two days.

How Often Should Carpets Be Steam Cleaned?

In order to extend the life of your carpet, it is important for you to have your carpets professionally cleaned annually. That means that scheduling a carpet cleaning company to clean your carpets should happen once a year. As a matter of fact, most carpet manufacturers recommend the steam cleaning method for cleaning carpets and extending the lifetime of your carpet installation. A good carpet cleaning will penetrate deep into the fibers of your carpet and lift out the various pollutants that can be tracked on the bottom of your shoes.

How Does Carpet Steam Cleaner Work

Are you wondering how carpet steam cleaners work? Please review the following bullet points to learn more about the procedure for carpet cleaning.

• First things first: remove everything from the room and if possible, remove all the furniture. Please expose as much floor space as possible.
• Please dust the baseboards. As the steam cleaner is run, dust will be knocked off the baseboards, and fall onto the carpet. In order to ensure that a really good job of carpet cleaning is accomplished, please make sure to clean the baseboards and remove dust from the walls, light fixtures, and ceiling fans.
• The entire carpet must be vacuumed carefully.
• Stain remover is generally used on bad spots.
• At this point, the steam cleaner goes into action. The steam cleaner will use a specific solution that is endorsed by the company.
• The technician will use a specific method for cleaning the room. Direction and procedure are critical.

Do Carpet Steam Cleaners Work

Carpet cleaning isn’t just important for removing stains, it’s important for prolonging the longevity of your carpet. To keep your carpet looking and operating well for many years to come, you should have your carpet cleaned every twelve to eighteen months. As a matter of fact, frequent cleaning is a condition of many carpet warranties. In order to make sure that you are honoring the warranty on your carpets, please make sure to consult the warranty.

Does Carpet Steam Cleaning Remove Stains

The results speak for themselves. Carpet steam cleaning procedures can not only dissolve stains, but it can also restore the integrity of your home’s carpets. During the course of a carpets life, many different kinds of dirt particles can get lodged deep within your carpets. Steam cleaning eases those particles out, thus restoring the carpet. 

To get started on your service, call our office at (636) 238-4702 to schedule an appointment for carpet steam cleaning near me in St. Peters, MO.

Yes, after a load of laundry has finished in the dryer, or maybe you wait until you’re putting the next load in, you empty the lint trap. However, there is a lot of lint getting past that lint trap. If you have ever wondered “Is dryer vent cleaning necessary?”, the answer is yes.   

So, if you are now wondering about your dryer’s vent and how clogged it is and other questions about this topic, keep reading as we answer common questions about dryer vent cleaning. 

How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?

At the very minimum, you need to add dryer vent cleaning to your list of homeowner duties, along with checking the gutters, rooftop, electrical and plumbing connections, and water treatment system. With dryer vent cleaning though, you may need to increase the frequency, depending on these points:

• The number of people in your household. It only makes sense that the more people in the household, the more laundry is done and the more the dryer is used.
• Number of pets in your household. Pet fur and pet can clog dryer vents quickly. Why? Because their fur and hair get on your bedding and clothing.
• What stuff you dry can determine how much lint builds up in the dry vent, like blankets, towels, and fleece clothing. Think about how full the lint trap is after a load of white clothes like socks and t-shirts.
• The amount of new clothing comes into your home and is laundered. New clothes have more lint coming off.

However, regular dryer vent cleaning isn’t just something to add to your list of house maintenance projects. There are some serious issues that can develop by not practicing dryer vent cleaning at least once a year:

Fire Danger

As we mentioned earlier in this article, the number one fire hazard in homes are clothes dryers, over 15,000 each year. Lack of dryer vent cleaning is 80% of those fires. Those fires result in death, injury, and property loss. Frightening isn’t it?  So, how does a dryer vent cause a fire, anyway?

The lint that you clean from the trap isn’t all the lint generated from a load of laundry. Some of it goes past the trap and collects in the vents, and that restricts the airflow. Exhaust gases get backed up and the perfect environment is created for a fire to begin.

Pest Invasion

If you were a bird or mouse and the weather was getting cold and wet, wouldn’t you be looking for a dry, warm place to get? This is exactly what the lint buildup in your clothes dryer provides birds, insects, mice, even rats. If the flap to the outside portion of your dryer vent doesn’t close, and you haven’t done a regular dryer vent cleaning, that dryer vent is the Motel 6 and maybe you didn’t leave the light on, but you left the heater on for them.

The next time you perform a dryer vent cleaning or have a dryer vent cleaning company do it for you. Hiring a professional, you can have dryer vent cleaning and repairs and have a pest guard installed. Yes, you still must do a regular dryer vent cleaning, but you can rest a little easier knowing that your dryer vent isn’t a Motel 6 for these critters.

Your Money

Okay, this isn’t really a danger, but who wants to be throwing money out, and that is exactly what you’re doing by doing or having a dryer vent cleaning done. The more your dryer vent is clogged, the longer it must run to dry the next load, and this uses more electricity and/or gas. You’re your dryer vent clean and you could notice around $25 or more each month increase in your bank account.

How do I clean my dryer vent?

Calling a professional dryer vent cleaning service is the easiest thing to do, but you can do it yourself. There are several videos, in fact, there are probably 1000s of them on the Internet that provide instructions visually, but here are the basic steps: 

• Locate the dryer vent duct: On the backside of your dryer is a very short vent (this will be an annoying fact later in this article), a 4-inch diameter exhaust tube that connects the clothes dryer to dedicated ductwork that runs inside the wall by an aluminum elbow or pipe. It is typically just above the baseboard behind your dryer. On the outside of your house, there is a plastic cap where the dryer exhaust exits.
• Disconnect the dryer: If you have an electric dryer, unplug it from the wall and remove any clamps or metal tape where the dryer vent attaches to the wall and gently pull the vent away from the wall. If you have a gas dryer, be careful not to disconnect the gas line. If you smell gas, stop and call a plumber immediately.
• Time to Clean: Now that you have easier access to the duct opening, using a specialized tool for dryer enter it into the duct from the inside or outside and turn it counterclockwise while pushing the brush down the duct. Repeat this process several times.
• Clean Up and Reconnect: You can expect that lint you just brushed out to be all over the floor. This can be vacuumed up and emptied into the trash. You may need to empty your vacuum cleaner and repeat several times if you haven’t performed a dryer vent cleaning before.

Once you have the lint cleaned up, reconnect the dryer vent to that very short vent (now you’ll see why we said it would annoy you), and plug the dryer in. It won’t hurt to replace that aluminum flex tube now either since they collect a lot of lint as well and cleaning them doesn’t do much good because of the flexibility.

Now that you have done your own dryer vent cleaning, you may see why it is worth the money to have a professional service next time.

Can you vacuum dryer vent?

You can, and it is better than not doing a dryer vent cleaning at all, but the attachments to your vacuum cleaner can’t do as thorough of a job as the kit you can purchase, and definitely not and a professional dryer vent cleaning service. Your vacuum cleaner attachments won’t agitate the lint that is stuck inside the vent and remove the lint that is deep inside the filter housing.

Can a dryer catch fire when off?

Lint builds up on the heating element inside the vent and the lint trap. If left alone, it will become heated as the dryer runs, overheat, and could catch fire from improper dryer vent cleaning.