Brilliant Gadgets That Make Cleaning Dryer Lint Traps & Vents So Easy

Keeping your dryer's lint trap and vent clean and clear is so important. When these areas are filled with lint, airflow is reduced,and the appliance won't be as effective at drying your clothes and linens. You'll find yourself running longer drying cycles, which isn't good for the environment — or your monthly utility bills. Even worse, however, is the safety hazard that a clogged lint trap or dryer vent poses. When airflow is restricted, the chance of a dryer fire is increased. According to Consumer Affairs, it is estimated that dryers are responsible for nearly 14,000 fires in the United States each year.

With all of this information, the case for keeping your dryer vent and lint trap clean is quite clear. Fortunately, there are a few gadgets you can pick up that will simplify the task of removing lint from these sections of your dryer. While you may still want to hire a professional once every year to ensure all the buildup is fully removed, these gadgets can help keep air flowing properly between these visits to ensure your clothes dry quickly and you aren't endangering those in your home.

The Sealegend Dryer Vent Cleaner Kit — available on Amazon — is designed to help you remove lint that is trapped inside the lint trap or dryer vent. Designed to work as an attachment for a vacuum cleaner, the tool features a long hose to reach deep into the machine and pull out hidden lint that wouldn't be reachable otherwise. After attaching it to your vacuum, simply turn the unit on, and it will suck up the trapped lint. The hose is narrow — less than 20 millimeters — which allows it to fit into tight spaces. However, because of its narrow design, you may find that you need to pull it out and clear out clogs as you work, as some customers shared.

Overall, individuals who purchased this product seem satisfied with their results. Many report that the tool is easy to use and works as intended. One customer had this to say about their purchase. "This is exactly what we needed for cleaning the dryer vent. It goes together and fits onto the vacuum so easily. The metal stick/handle part is really helpful to control the tip while you are vacuuming. Seems pretty durable, so it should last for quite a while." However, a few users noted that it can be a bit difficult to maneuver.

Microfiber cloths are versatile cleaning tools. You can use them for everything from wiping down your counters to dusting furniture and so much more. The Norwex Envirowand is a microfiber duster with a bendable frame designed for cleaning ceiling fans, furniture, and more. But, you can also use this handy gadget to get at unreachable lint hidden beneath or around the dryer lint trap.

Start by removing the lint screen or filter, and use the duster to reach deeper inside the machine to pull out lint that you otherwise wouldn't be able to reach. The flexible and bendable design of the duster's frame will allow you to adjust its shape/angle to match the opening and design of the lint trap on your specific machine. Microfiber has a positive charge, while dust and dryer lint have a negative charge. That means that the lint will be attracted to the duster, much like a magnet to a chalkboard. This is why microfiber is such an effective tool for dusting — and cleaning out your lint trap.

Cleaning your lint trap regularly is important, but it is not enough to prevent lint from building up in the dryer vent itself. Knowing the most effective method for cleaning your dryer vent is essential to help you remove accumulated lint and ensure air can flow freely. The Lint Wizard Dryer Vent Cleaning Kit from Eastman is designed to help you clear built-up lint to keep air flowing and decrease your risks of a dryer fire. The kit includes a blockage removal tool that connects to one of the six quick-snap rods, a 4-inch diameter auger brush, and a 2 ½-inch diameter brush for lint traps. With these tools, you can find the right match for your specific dryer vent set-up and cleaning needs.

The kit is highly rated by customers, with many expressing satisfaction at its performance and ease of use. Here is what one user had to say about their experience with the product: "Let's get the ugly out of the way first. I thought my dryer had a problem, so a buddy mentioned that I should check if my dryer vents clogged. And he was right, no air was coming out. So I picked this kit up and gave it a shot. I had to use the blockage tool to break up a huge blockage, and after sweeping with the brush tool I pulled out 2 shopping bags filled with lint." As you're cleaning, remember to inspect your dryer vent. If it looks damaged or is made from vinyl or foil (which aren't as safe as rigid galvanized steel or aluminum), it may be time to replace your dryer vent.

If you have a Dyson vacuum cleaner, then this attachment from ENUKYCOM may be the solution you need. Designed to fit select models — including the Dyson V6, V7, V8, V10, V11, V16, DC58, and DC59 — you can use the hose to suck lint out of the lint trap, keeping air flowing to help clothes dry faster and ensure safer operation of the appliance. The hose attachment is more than 3 feet long, allowing it to reach deep into the machine to extract trapped lint. It has a flexible design, so it can navigate through different passages, though some users did say that its flexibility can make it a bit difficult to maneuver.

Overall, customers who purchased this attachment are pleased with its performance. One user shares, "This is the first attachment to my Dyson that has worked to clean out my lint trap. I don't have a normal dryer vent. I have a combination washer/dryer that has a very deep lint filter system and with this little gadget I can get all the way to the back of it. The brush that comes with it is great for loosening up the lint before vacuuming." Customers have also noted its versatility, citing the long and flexible tube as an asset when cleaning under the refrigerator, around seats in their car, and more.

The screen in your lint trap holds much of the lint that is extracted from each load of laundry. However, if you've looked around the sides of the screen when pulling it out to clean, you've probably noticed that there is almost always more lint present. These brushes from Holikme are designed to help you retrieve that extra lint and keep it from accumulating and restricting airflow. The set includes two long brushes with a long handle. Each brush head measures 13.5 inches, and with the combined length of the handle, you will be able to reach nearly 28 inches into your lint trap, or even dryer vent, to prevent lint buildup. The brushes are also flexible, helping you maneuver through tight spaces or turns.

This is a popular product among individuals who have tried it. Customers have shared that the brushes are reasonably-priced, effective, and easy to use. One customer shared, "Ever since my husband told me our house could catch on fire from lint in the dryer I feel particularly paranoid. This is why it is so important to me to be able to clean out our dryer quickly and efficiently. This brush allows for both. It is easy to use and really gets all the extra lint trapped in the dryer. For safety and sanity, everyone should have this handy little brush in their laundry room cupboard."

Have you seen this hack on TikTok? It shows how you can use a small vacuum, such as this Dog Grooming Vacuum Kit from Jitum, to easily clean the lint screen and trap area after each load of laundry. The nice thing about using a dog grooming vacuum (or any other compact model) is that you can leave it plugged in and set up — ready whenever that next load of laundry finishes.

Simply remove the lint screen from the dryer and use the vacuum hose to suck all of the lint off of it. Before returning the screen to the lint trap, you can also use the vacuum to suck up any loose lint near the surface. Keep in mind that unless you have a long attachment for your vacuum, this hack probably won't let you reach deep inside the lint trap to extract all the trapped lint. You'll still want to plan on using other tools to give this area (and the dryer vent) a deep cleaning periodically. However, this hack can help you keep up with more routine maintenance between these deeper cleaning sessions.