Tumble dryers are a home appliance that many of us take for granted. We toss damp clothes in, and we get dry clothes out. End of story. But that’s not where the tale ends for some unfortunate homeowners, as tumble dryers can be life-changing. Home dryers are the second leading cause of house fires in the U.S. Each year, they result in multiple deaths and injuries, and around $35 million dollars-worth of property damage. Unfortunately, roughly a third of these fires are preventable, with some 34 percent of home dryer fires resulting from failing to properly clean the dryer regularly.

While electrical and mechanical issues account for some of the annual tumble dryer blazes, by far the leading cause of these fires is a build-up of lint. Lint, which is just a collection of tiny fabric fibers, is created by friction on your clothes during the drying process. Some of the lint is caught by the dryer’s lint trap, but some gets into the dryer’s exhaust system and dryer vent. Lint is highly flammable, and if it’s allowed to accumulate and works its way into the heating element, then Houston, we have a problem.

Cleaning your dryer is obviously a chore. But, when it comes to safety, it’s non-negotiable. 

Depending on how often you use your dryer and how much laundry you do each time, it’s worth cleaning your dryer’s vent duct at least once a year, whether you do it yourself or have it professionally cleaned. 

Spring is a great time to clean your dryer because fall and winter are usually when the dryer has had the most use, consequently the most lint build-up. But of course, any time is a good time to get the job done, because the price of neglecting your dryer can be costly and tragic.