How To Clean Out Dryer Vent With Leaf Blower

by Nick Evans | Last Updated: August 27, 2020

Have you ever wondered how to clean your dryer vent with a leaf blower? We're here to tell you how!

In this guide, you'll learn:

How often to clean your dryer vent
Supplies you'll need to clean your dryer vent
How to clean your dryer vent with a leaf blower

How To Clean a Dryer Vent with a Leaf Blower

What You Need To Know About Cleaning a Dryer Vent with a Leaf Blower

Clogged dryer vents are a fire hazard. They can also make your machine function less efficiently.

For this reason, your dryer vent should be cleaned twice yearly. Typically, people choose to do so in the spring and autumn. This is helpful if you need to clean your dryer vent from the outside, as you won't be caught in the blistering heat or have to trek out in your snow boots to get the job done.

While you can clean your dryer vent with a leaf blower, you should consider it only one tool in your tool kit. Your leaf blower may not get your dryer vent completely cleaned, and in some cases, it can cause more clogging.

Cleaning a dryer vent with a leaf blower works best when your dryer vent:

Is no more than a few feet long
Is straight with no twists or corners
Doesn't fold, but is rigid

Always check air flow after cleaning your dryer vent to make sure it's been cleaned properly, and that you haven't missed any clogs in the duct.

Leaf blowers can also pose a fire hazard when cleaning your dryer duct, so be very careful when cleaning it this way.

Supplies You'll Need For Cleaning a Dryer Vent with a Leaf Blower

Leaf blower
Vacuum with a hose attachment
Screwdriver
UL-listed metal foil duct tape
Fire extinguisher
Dryer brush kit (as back-up)

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How To Clean a Dryer Vent with a Leaf Blower? (10 Steps)

Step 1: Locate your indoor and outdoor vents

First, you'll need to locate your indoor and outdoor vents and make sure they're accessible for the next steps. You'll likely need to move your dryer out from the wall to access your indoor vent.

Step 2: Unplug your dryer and turn off the gas valve, if applicable

Always disconnect your appliance before you begin cleaning. Unplug your dryer from the electrical outlet and shut off the gas valve if you have a gas dryer.

Step 3: Disconnect the dryer duct

Next, disconnect the dryer duct from the back of your dryer. You'll likely need your screwdriver for this step.

Step 4: Vacuum out the lint

You may already be able to see some lint at this point. Take the hose attachment of your vacuum and clean out as much of it as you can this way, or use your hands to collect the lint. This will prevent the lint from helping to clog your vent when you use your leaf blower.

Step 5: Take off the outside vent cover

Once the inside is prepped and ready, it's time to venture outdoors. Remove your outside vent cover so that the lint can easily flow through the entire duct.

Step 6: Remove any lint you can reach

Again, you might be able to see some lint collected near your outdoor vent. Use your hands or your vacuum cleaner to remove as much of this as possible before you go in with the leaf blower.

Step 7: Use the leaf blower to blow the lint out of the vent duct

Now, go back inside and insert your leaf blower into the dryer vent. Turn it on for no more than a few minutes to remove any lint trapped inside.

During this process, be very careful. Don't turn your leaf blower on full blast, as you may damage your dryer vent this way.

Using a leaf blower to clean a dryer vent can be a fire hazard, particularly if there is a lot of lint collected in the duct. Keep a fire extinguisher on hand and, if you smell smoke, stop what you're doing immediately and use another cleaning method.

Step 8: Clean the outer vent, check for clogs, and repeat as needed

Once you've run your leaf blower through the duct, go outside and remove any lint from the outer vent. Toss it in the trash and repeat the last step until no more lint is escaping the outside vent.

Then, check airflow. If there is a clog you cannot get out or your leaf blower didn't clean your vent well enough, you'll have to try another method.

Step 9: If the leaf blower didn't work, use a dryer brush kit to clean any remaining debris

Leaf blowers don't work for every dryer vent. If you're unsuccessful, be sure to immediately choose another way to clean your vent.

This is important because the leaf blower may have blown the lint together, causing a blockage that's a severe fire hazard. In that case, it'll need to be removed before you use your dryer again.

A long brush from a dryer brush kit may help you move the lint all the way through your duct. In some cases, you may have to take your dryer vent apart or replace it altogether.

Step 10: Replace vent covers, clean up, and move the dryer back into place

Once the inside of your vent is cleaned, don't forget any lint you've dropped either outside or in your laundry room. Pick this up with your hands or a vacuum and throw it in the trash.

Then, replace your vent covers, move your dryer back into place, reconnect the dryer, and enjoy your next batch of fresh laundry!

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